LSU - Strong and Steady

LSU Tigers have been stronger and steadier over the course of their first three meets, culminating last weekend in season highs for the team on vault 48.7, bars 49.525, floor 49.125, and topped off with an all around team score of 195.45. They are currently ranked 5^th in the country on the bars. Coach D-D Breaux was more than pleased with her team's performance against Denver. This is a young team that is definitely improving as it gains experience.

Junior Nicki Arnstad is a strong All Around performer for the team particularly on floor. She has been in first place on floor in three meets this season. Her lowest floor score being a 9.875. When she hits her routine on beam, she is also capable of high scores. Junior Beth Boudreaux also competes all around, with bars and floor as her best events.

LSU now has 2 gymnasts performing vaults with a start value of 10, and finishes out the line-up with 9.9 start values. Junior Marina Degteva is their most proficient vaulter. She performs one of the 10 vaults, a Hristakeiva. The other 10 vault is performed by freshman Kristin Uransky. Junior Shanyn MacEachern, an All American on the vault last season, is recovering from off season shoulder surgery, which has impacted on her performance this season.

The uneven bars is undoubtedly the Tigers strongest event. Senior Sharene Mamby is an incredible bar worker scoring a perfect 10 last weekend, after sitting out all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon. Degteva is also very strong on this event, with a season high of 9.925. Both gymnasts hail from Canada. Natalie is in for some hefty competition from her compatriots. Major contributors to this bar lineup include Boudreaux, and sophomore Brooke Cazeaux. Freshman Amanda Mueller, a four time national team member, just gets better with each meet as her experience grows.

The Tigers have had difficulties on the balance beam this year. Arnstad has posted the highest score for the team so far with a 9.825. Mueller is noted to have a nice flow to her routine which some of the others have been missing. Boudreaux' experience on this event is important for this team. She was All American on this event in 2000.

Along with Arnstad and Boudreaux on floor, several other LSU gymnasts have shown what they are capable of with scores of 9.85 or better. They include Cazeaux, Degteva and freshman Chelsea Richard who was awesome in her second meet last weekend. MacEachern (another Canadian) with her ability and experience on this event has been missed and hopes to return to the lineup shortly. And prepare yourselves, each floor routine comes complete with a tiger roar.

Bars and floor should provide the highlights for this meet. LSU has a lot of talent and are building steadily on their experience. Alabama succumbed to the Tigers last year, and will be looking for a win on their own turf Friday.

Alabama vs. LSU
Friday, February 2, 2001
Coleman Coliseum
7:00 p.m.