The Bayou Bengals will come roaring into Tuscaloosa Saturday night and it will take a high Tide to wash away those snaggle-tooth beasts. Alabama is ranked #2 nationally (.2 behind UGA) and #1 in Region 4 while LSU is ranked #5 nationally and #2 in Region 4. Coach Patterson believes this will be a similar meet to the one at Penn State, in that the winner will be determined by the last two gymnasts on floor and beam for Bama and LSU respectively. LSU is ranked just ahead of the Tide on balance beam nationally while Alabama holds the top ranking on uneven bars and floor exercise and is ahead of LSU on vault. LSU will start the meet on their weakest event, the uneven bars (#11 nationally). While they average 48.7375 on this event, they have recently hit for a season high of 49.325 at home. Shanyn MacEachern, a freshman from Missasauga, Canada, has posted some impressive scores recently. Joining her in the lineup is freshman Marina Degteva (Canadian), Beth Boudreaux, and junior Abby Burns. Alabama will send their strongest vaulters against LSU in order to garner as much of a lead as possible early on. Dara Stewart will lead off, with Whitney Morgan, Katie Hornecker, Robin Hawkins, Raegan Tomasek and Andree Pickens rounding out the lineup. The big question for Alabama is whether Gwen Spidle has recovered from last Friday's mild injury suffered on an awkward vault landing. It is unlikely that Coach Patterson will risk her for this one meet if she has had limited practice this week. The Tigers are ranked #7 in vaulting and are led by junior Kim Descalopoulis. Burns and MacEachern should post solid scores also. On floor exercise, Sharene Mamby and Stacey Wegener will tumble for the Tigers, along with MacEachern, Burns, and Degteva. For Alabama, staying on the beam will not be a choice, it will be a requirement. Lissy Smith will anchor a very young, talented, yet somewhat inconsistent team. Look for Mandy, Dara, Andree, Alexa, and Raegan to hit big for the Tide. LSU has been a very consistent beam team with Degteva, Wegener, and MacEachern providing high scores; junior Colleen Barger and freshman Beth Boudreaux should score well also. On floor exercise, look for Mandy Chapman to lead off the charge of Pickens, Hawkins, Smith, and Tomasek (and possibly Krista Gole or Whitney Morgan). Alexa Martinez's return to floor could prove to be the deciding factor.

LSU has been hit by the injury bug, losing Leah Concannon and Kerry Descalopoulis for the season, while junior all-arounder Stephanie Hyett has missed the season so far due to an ankle/foot injury and is questionable for this meet. It is unknown whether Gwen Spidle of Alabama will compete sparingly or be held out to recover for SECs. Alexa Martinez competed on beam last week and appears to be recovered fully from her knee bruising at Florida on 2-5-99. It is unknown whether she will be returning to the vault line-up anytime soon. Let's pack the coliseum and send Mandy and Gwen out in style. Roll Tide Roll!