Alabama gymnasts are on the road this weekend. They will meet with Florida in the first home meet for the Gators this season. Although Florida has a roster of 13 gymnasts, 5 are recuperating from illness and injury. That leaves the team with 8 healthy gymnasts. After working with a roster of 8 to 9 able-bodied gymnasts last year, the hopes were high that more depth would be available in the 2001 season. It is apparent the returning gymnasts have all become stronger through the adversity of last season. The Gators improved their performance at the Super Six with a score of 195.1 against Georgia last weekend, ranking them 7^th in the nation.

Florida has been very consistent on vault, having hit all of their vaults the last 2 weeks. Senior Teal Chiabotti is powerful on this event. Junior Krissy Dreger, and sophomore Lindsey Miner have also shown they are skilled on vault, both posting 9.8 during the pressure packed Super Six. The new "one vault " rule has so far worked to their advantage.

Bars created some difficulties for Florida during the Super Six where they had to count a fall. Senior Gabby Fuchs has proven in the past that this is her strongest event, despite a fall last week against Georgia. Freshman Kara Waterhouse showed her poise and control on the bars at the Super Six scoring a 9.875 and tying for third place. Another freshman who was able to put it all together last week was Erin Pendleton scoring a 9.825 against Georgia. Nerves had gotten the best of her at the Super Six where she had a fall.

Waterhouse and junior Hilary Thompson have ruled the Gators on the beam. Both scored a 9.825 at the Super Six, and they shared the beam tile with Georgia's Talya Vexler last weekend with a score of 9.9. Of note are Waterhouse's big leaps and jumps on this apparatus.

Thompson's poise and grace are just as apparent on the floor. Whereas Chiabotti has shown her skill at power tumbling to be her greatest asset. Fuchs performance on floor has been a pleasant surprise. She had a difficult sophomore year on this event followed by ankle surgery that fall. She did not compete on floor last year.

Thompson is ranked fourth in the all around this week. Fuchs and Waterhouse are not far behind, looking to challenge for the all around title this weekend.

The Gators were dealt a heavy blow with the loss of freshman Erinn Dooley. The team had high expectations of Dooley, a four-time member of the U.S. National Team, this season. During pre-meet warm-ups at the Super Six she suffered a right tibia plateau fracture. Freshman Kristen Stucky is out for the season with a torn ACL. Sophomore Jacqui Williams is recovering from wrist surgery she had done in December. Both sophomore Kelly Hesbeens and freshman Katie McFarland have been ill and when they will return is still questionable. Sophomore Jenny Carow has been limited to bars. Hopefully she will be back in the vault lineup later in the season, where her power benefits the team most.

Expect to see continued improvement of the Gators as they perform this weekend in front of a hometown crowd. Alabama is a worthy opponent, and will be seeking the best from their competitor.

University of Florida vs. Alabama
Friday, January 19, 2001
7:00 p.m.
Gainesville, FL