The Crimson Tide will be heading to Morgantown, West Virginia in pursuit of their 15th regional championship this weekend. Currently ranked #2 in the nation, Alabama will be vying against the following teams for a berth at nationals later this month in Salt Lake City, Utah: #11 Ohio State; #14 Maryland-College Park; #20 West Virginia; #23 North Carolina State; and #27 Towson State. The Tide will have a strong legion of fans following them for this most important competition. How important is it? Well, being ranked #2 in the nation does not give the Tide any advantage in this meet because the slate is wiped clean and all six teams theoretically have an equal chance to earn one of two available slots to nationals. Talent, execution, and consistency will all play a part in who goes and who stays but there could be some surprises along the way. The following is a brief scouting report on each team competing in Region Six and their realistic chances for grabbing the brass ring. We will see you diehard Tide fans in Morgantown Friday and Saturday while the rest of you can check the UA webpage for up to the minute scoring on the 10th. Roll Tide Roll!

#27 Towson State

Look for an enthusiastic performance by Towson State gymnast Liane Williams, who is ranked #64 nationally in the all-around (average of 39.275) and #18 on floor exercise. While her team does not pose a significant threat to dethrone the stronger and higher-ranked teams, they could make things interesting for the local fans.

#23 North Carolina State

The Wolfpack had a recent strong showing at the EAGL Conference Championship, scoring a 196.05. However, their average team scoring has been in the 193.24 range this year (RQS of 194.725) and it is not likely that they will be able to pull off a strong enough performance to earn a return trip to nationals (first appearance was 1998). However, Amy Langendorf is currently ranked #46 in the all-around while Maggie Haney is ranked #43 on balance beam and has a 10.00 to her credit on this event in 1999! Look for these two gymnasts to pace the Wolfpack to a respectable showing.

#20 West Virginia

West Virginia has the #4 ranked vaulter in the country in Nikki West, who has a 10.00 on this event to her credit this year also. Shirley Lee is their strongest all-arounder, ranked #61 nationally, while she ranks #26 on the floor exercise. Hosting the regional championship may provide some scoring advantages but remember that the judges will primarily be from outside WVU's region in order to ensure unbiased results. West Virginia's highest team score this year is a 195.400 and, with a little luck, they could pull off an upset to return to nationals for the first time in several years.

#14 Maryland-College Park

This team came out of nowhere during the first part of the season to score the highest team balance beam score at that time (49.6) and they recently approached this score at their last regular season meet (49.4). Gillian Cote is their top all-arounder, currently ranked #8 nationally and #7 on the balance beam, while Laura Moon is ranked #15 on the beam and #28 in the all-around. Carla Johnson is ranked #11 on the beam while teammate Christine Holcombe scored a 9.90 recently on this event. As a team, Maryland is more vulnerable, with their highest score coming at home, 195.575. They average 193.5 (RQS 195.3) and should have some local support to pace them to a possible upset for one of the two available berths.

#11 Ohio State

This has been a strong year for the Buckeyes, who opened up the 1999 season against Alabama in Tuscaloosa and showed early signs of talent and determination. However, despite upsetting #6 Penn State earlier in the season, OSU has not scored above a 195.900 as a team this year and their best scores have come at home, with some dramatic drops once they have gone on the road (including the recent Big 10 Championship). They will be performing in front of new judges and will have to hit their routines consistently in order to realistically compete against Alabama and stave off a charging Maryland team. Look for leadership early on from Lindsey Vagedes, who is ranked #58 in the all-around and senior Susan Eckman, ranked #55 in the all-around. Vagedes should post strong vault (#5 nationally) and floor exercise (#21 nationally) scores but she will need equally strong performances from the Buckeye teammates in order to secure a berth to nationals for her team.

#2 Alabama

The Crimson Tide has high hopes of returning to nationals yet they know better than to count those chickens before they are hatched! Freshman Raegan Tomasek will sit this one out due to a meniscus injury prior to SECs and subsequent surgery on March 31st. While the doctors are optimistic regarding her return in time for nationals, she will have to rely on her teammates this time to get her there. Alabama is otherwise healthy and ready to go and the line-up should see the following gymnasts poised for competition respectively:

Vault (Four 10.00 start values; two 9.90 start values)

1. Dara Stewart
2. Robin Hawkins
3. Whitney Morgan
4. Katie Hornecker
5. Gwen Spidle
6. Andree Pickens

If the Tide vaults cleanly and does not have to count a fall, look for a team score within the 49.25 - 49.40 range.

Uneven Bars

1. Gwen Spidle
2. Robin Hawkins
3. Mandy Chapman or Whitney Morgan
4. Dara Stewart
5. Andree Pickens
6. Natalie Barrington

The return of Mandy Chapman to the bars line-up will be critical by nationals because she has two major release moves and now has a double twisting flyaway dismount. For some reason, Mandy has been experiencing problems during the past month (though she threw a really nice exhibition against LSU) on the bars and hopefully will regain her confidence in time for a strong performance at West Virginia. If the Tide maintains their seasonal consistent showing on this event, look for a team score in the 49.25 - 49.6 range. Steps on dismounts and form breaks must be kept to a minimum while falls could open up doors real quick for the remaining, less talented teams.

Balance Beam

1. Mandy Chapman
2. Dara Stewart or Robin Hawkins
3. Andree Pickens
4. Gwen Spidle or Natalie Barrington
5. Alexa Martinez
6. Lissy Smith

Replacing the only Tide gymnast (Raegan Tomasek) who has scored a 10.00 on this event this year will not be easy but Alabama definitely has depth in their line-up and should be able to respond to the challenge with confidence, as they did at SECs when Raegan originally went down. Robin Hawkins had a clutch performance following Andree Pickens' touch on the beam at SECs and she may be ready to resume her original line-up position. If Gwen Spidle's bruised heel has healed enough for her to perform, the coaches will likely call on her to lead the team. The Tide has no choice but to stay on the beam; Lissy Smith and Mandy Chapman have been solid anchors throughout the year and will need to come through once again. If the Tide performs without having to count a fall, look for a team score within the 49.10 - 49.30 range.

Floor Exercise

1. Mandy Chapman
2. Lissy Smith
3. Alexa Martinez
4. Andree Pickens
5. Robin Hawkins
6. Gwen Spidle

The Tide has led on this event nationally for the majority of the regular season due to consistent performances primarily. It should be a strong showing in the 49.30 - 49.50 range if all gymnasts nail their passes and show enthusiastic dance and polished execution. Let's hope for a healthy, clean, and successful performance by all of our gymnasts! ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!!