Scouting Report: Georgia - January 16, 1999 - Athens, GA - 7:30 pm

This will be a barn-burner for sure but it is more important as an early test for the freshmen than an absolute "need for a win". Keep in mind that Georgia will be coming off a road trip to the west coast (University of Washington and UCLA) but will nevertheless be hungry for a win against their biggest rival. Georgia will be without freshman Eileen Diaz (academic casualty) and freshman Emily Chell is doubtful (bruised heel). Also, sophomore Kathleen Shrieves suffered a knee injury during beam competition on January 9th at UW and will likely miss the Bama meet. They still have excellent depth with seniors Stacey Galloway, Karin Lichey, Jenni Beathard, and Sam Muehlman, juniors Brooke Anderson and Caroline Harris, and sophomore phenom Kristi Lichey and Suzanne Sears. Freshman walk-on Danielle Maunro will provide additional help, as will the crowd. If Bama can throw (and stand up) at least 1-2 additional 10.0 vaults, go six for six again on their bars and not have to count a fall on beam this time, look out for a possible upset. The unknown factor is whether the freshmen will react nervously or will see this as a perfect opportunity to establish themselves early in the SEC and NCAA hunt. Let's hope for a clean, upbeat competition from both teams (and their fans), regardless of the outcome. Roll Tide!