Dogs Hungry for the Win

Alabama's archrivals the Georgia Gym Dogs are coming to Tuscaloosa with a goal - to win. They will not be content to settle with anything less. The two teams tied for first place honors on their first meet of the season at the Super Six at Coleman Coliseum. Georgia is the only undefeated team this season in the NCAA and currently ranked 4^th with a season high of 196.675.

Senior Kristi Lichey continues to be strong for the team ranking 4^th in the All Around. She is ranked first in the country on vault, scoring a perfect 10 this year. Her power continues to be an asset for her on floor. She is struggling with her bar routine, succumbing to falls. Except for a fall on beam last weekend, Lichey is generally known for her consistency on beam and is expected to post a high score on this event.

Freshman Marline Stephens is growing into her role as an All Around competitor for the Gym Dogs. Since the Super Six she has gone all around 3 times scoring 39.3 or better. She is becoming more consistent and posting higher scores as the season progresses. Her practice season was laden with inconsistencies, but she has clearly overcome the fears that were holding her back. She is one of Georgia's most dynamic performers and is very strong on bars, beam and floor.

Freshman Cory Fritzinger posted her career high all around score of 39.55 last weekend. She has struggled throughout the competitive season with hitting her routines. She is very strong on bars, currently ranked 2^nd in the nation. She scored a 10 just 2 weeks ago, after having fallen on vault, showing her ability to maintain focus and put past events behind her.

Georgia's strongest event this year is vault, ranking 1^st in the nation. Freshman Chelsa Byrd is a very powerful vaulter and has scored below 9.825 only once this season. Senior Suzanne Sears has been traditionally strong on this event and posted a 9.875 last weekend after resting a sore shin for several weeks. Her consistency is an asset to the team and they need to keep her healthy.

Consistency has been a problem for Georgia on the bars. Along with Stephens and Fritzinger, watch for Byrd, and Senior Amanda Curry and Junior Eileen Diaz to put forth solid performances. Senior Kathleen Shrieves is a strong leader for this team, particularly on bars. Coach Suzanne Yoculan describes her saying, "She's like the mother of the team..." and sees her as being a "big key to the meet this weekend". Shrieves is hoping to overcome the aura of Coleman Coliseum. It is a venue that has produced great challenges for her in the past.

Georgia has had its greatest difficulties on the beam this year. Stephens has become a very reliable performer for the team. Lichey is usually a rock solid performer on beam. Her fall last weekend was very uncharacteristic. Do not expect to see it happen again any time soon. The star for the team on beam is Junior Talya Vexler. Her unique routine with its fluid movements and precise lines is very enjoyable to watch. She has incredible composure on this high-pressure event.

The Gym Dogs strengths come through on the floor exercise. They have several powerful tumblers, crowd-pleasing music, and well-choreographed routines. This combination has ranked them 4^th in the nation on this event. Sears exemplifies all these traits, but the highlight of her routine is definitely her ability to tumble. Byrd, Lichey and Stephens have also been rather consistent for this team, and Vexler's poise is very apparent on floor as well.

The Gym Dogs have lost another member for several weeks due to injury. Sierra Sapunar was diagnosed this week with a partial tear to a ligament in her left elbow. Her "Jeanie" floor routine was a real crowd pleaser at the Super Six and will be missed by fans of both teams on Friday.

Yoculan will be expecting her gymnasts to hit all their routines this weekend. This will be a very close meet, and counting a fall would likely be the deciding factor in this Friday's outcome. Whenever Alabama and Georgia meet, the rivalry is tangible and after tying at the Super Six, both teams will be hungry for a win.

Alabama vs. Georgia
Friday, February 16, 2001
7:00 p.m.
Coleman Coliseum