The Alabama Gymnastics team heads into their fourth meet of the season ranked #1 in the nation but are not about to rest on their laurels. This week they will be well-challenged by another Top 12 team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who are currently ranked #8. Minnesota is the only team to defeat the Tide in a season-opening meet since 1979 (last yearÆs win at Minnesota) and Coach Patterson has been upfront this week (during her radio talkshow spots) in letting fans know that the team will be looking to avenge this loss on Saturday night. Minnesota will rely on junior Judy Cavazos, an international elite gymnast from Mexico, to pace them in the all-around. Cavazos is a second-team All-American on the uneven bars and was the leading all-arounder for the Mexican National Team at the 1995 World Championships. Freshman Mary Anne Kelley will provide additional support in the all-around; Coach Patterson commented on this gymnast in particular during her radio spot for WJOX Thursday morning, by noting that she was part of the larger group being recruited initially by the Tide (for the 1999 season) before the coaches narrowed their final choices to our current magnificent six pack. Look for Mary Anne Kelley on the beam and bars especially. Minnesota had a close meet with the #3 Utah Utes last week, losing by less than .5 on their home turf. They will be seeking to upset the Tide for sure and it will take a solid and consistent effort on AlabamaÆs part to foil their attempts. Bama will need to start off strong on the vault (look for possibly four 10.0 vaults and a 9.90 vault from Krista Gole), followed by steady and consistent performances on bars, beam, and floor exercise (as they did last week against Auburn) in order to put Minnesota away early. Depending on how her ankle is doing, Alexa Martinez may return to the beam and floor exercise this week (she was practicing on Sunday without any apparent pain or discomfort). Whitney Morgan and Natalie Barrington may debut their floor routines during exhibitions and we may see Andree throw her additional 10.0 vault. We are calling on all Tide gymnastics fans to make this a packed home-meet! LetÆs show Minnesota what standing-room only really means! ROLL TIDE ROLL!