LSU is coming from a win last week over the number one ranked Utah Utes. The Tigers have been showing steady improvement with each competition. This is an experienced team lead by seven seniors. It will be a bit of a reunion for Natalie Barrington, with sophomores Marina Degteva, Shanyn MacEachern, and junior Sharene Mamby all hailing from Barrington's previous gym club Mississauga Gymnastics in Ontario, Canada.. Degteva has had some strong routines on bars these past two seasons, and should prove a worthy opponent for Barrington. Mamby is injured and likely out for the season.

Others to watch for on the bars include sophomore Beth Boudreaux, who has been the most consistent this year. Senior Abbey Burns has shown her ability to put forth a 9.90 routine. Freshman Brooke Cazeaux has been showing nice form on the bars, with her scores increasing as she gains more experience.

LSU has struggled at times with their consistency on vault. Cazeaux was recruited as a vault worker, but has yet to compete on it. In past seasons senior Kerry Descalopoulis has shown what a strong and consistent vaulter she can be, as has her sister Kim Descalopoulis, also a senior. MacEachern has scored 9.85 this season against both Georgia and Utah, showing just how well she can handle the pressure.

Senior Stacey Wegener has been performing well on beam this year and Kim Descalopoulis is working to secure a regular spot in the line up with a 9.825 against Georgia. Burns, generally known for her consistency on the beam, had a very uncharacteristic fall last week against Utah. Last year she scored a 9.95 when the team met against Alabama in Tuscaloosa. A most pleasant surprise on beam has been walk on freshman Rebecca Lightsey. In the pressure packed environment in Athens Georgia, she scored a 9.90.

On floor the Descalopoulis sisters are remaining consistent. Degteva has had some difficulty in competition with one of her passes. Boudreaux is coming on strong as the season progresses. Wegener is a regular in the line up, and also slowly increasing her score as the season continues.

LSU competed with its first All Around gymnast last week. MacEachern won the All Around with a total of 39.275. She earned a pair of 9.85's on vault and floor, 9.775 on bars and 9.8 on beam. There could be some Canadian rivalry in the All Around this weekend.

Senior Stephanie Hyett's presence is not as strong as fans may have expected this year. As an All Around competitor in 1998, she was runner up at the NCAA's, but has only been competing on vault this year. Vault has been her strongest event, scoring a perfect 10.00 in her freshman year, and continues to have a beautiful vault when she hits it. She did not compete until Regionals last year because of an ankle injury. Fans will also miss Nikki Amstad. She had competed on all four events at least once during the first three meets, and scored a 9.90 on floor in her last competition against Georgia. She did not compete against Utah, as she is recovering from a knee injury, and expected to be out for 3-4 weeks.

Coach D-D Breaux is in her 23^rd season with the Tigers. LSU has a new Assistant Coach, Bob Moore, who is in his 12^th season in the SEC. He comes from the University of Florida, and prior to that was an assistant at Auburn University. He is a native of Birmingham, Alabama.

This will be an exciting meet. Even those of you following on line should be on the edge of your seats, as it comes down to the last few gymnasts on floor and beam.