Bama Hosts Regionals

The Regional meet this weekend could be the most important of the season for all six teams competing. Joining 4^th ranked Alabama will be 9^th ranked Arizona State, 16^th ranked Minnesota, 20th ranked Kent State, 21^st ranked Ohio State, and in 26^th place nationally, Kentucky. The top two finishers from this competition will proceed to the NCAA Championships, regardless of past performances this season. No one can rest on their laurels. Alabama knows from a close meet earlier this season that none of these teams should be underestimated.

Arizona State proved early on in the season to UCLA, that underestimating them could cost a win, when they beat UCLA 196.35 to 196.0. Possibly their strongest event is floor. Several team members have great dance ability, and can connect well with an audience. Senior Kelly Cowley is a great example of this. But along with the charm, she has the confidence and intensity to pull off a strong floor set. She has also proven to be an important part of the bar and vault line-up. After a tremendous floor performance at the PAC 10 Championships, sophomore Cassidy Vreeke's routine will be one to watch. Freshman Maggie Germaine is another charismatic performer and the team's strongest all around competitor. New to the Arizona team, but not new to collegiate competition, is junior Laura Moon, who spent her first two collegiate seasons with Maryland. She is capable in all around competition, but really shines on the bars, where she is ranked 3^rd in the country, and is one of the most consistent beam workers on the team. Also known for her abilities on beam, sophomore Ashley Ellsberry has placed herself firmly in the beam line-up. Her skill development on floor over the past year has made her a key contributor in that event as well.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers are ready to contend for a place at the NCAA Championships this year. In the 2000 season, Junior Megan Beuckens competed in the individual all around, but has had some struggles with consistency this season. The leader this year for the Gophers in the all around is junior Mary Anne Kelley. She broke the school record set by her teammate Beuckens with a 39.525 in early February. Kelley's strongest and most consistent event this season has been the floor exercise. Sophomore Jenny Alf's beam routine is not to be missed. She has great poise on this event, and rarely gives in to a wobble. Two freshman have become significant contributors to this team on bars, Mary Skokut and Annie Laatsch. Junior Courtney Norman is the team's strongest vaulter, and holds a school record tying score of 9.925 on that event.

Kent State University is in the midst of one of its most successful seasons. Freshman Jessie James has earned the title of Mid-American Conference (MAC) Freshman of the Year. She has had four 1^st place finishes this season and has been instrumental to the team as an all around competitor, with a season high of 39.275. Her strongest event is floor exercise. Sophomore Jenny Eckel is also a regular all around competitor, who holds or shares Kent State's season high records on all four events, with an all around record of 39.425. Kent State's strongest event is floor. Others to watch for on this event are seniors Jill Mackey, and Kelly Lovejoy, and junior Heather Langham. Langham and Lovejoy are also keys for this team on the uneven bars. Sophomore Katie Polkrana ties the season high score of 9.875 on vault with Eckel.

Ohio State will be coming to familiar territory, as they were in Tuscaloosa last year for Regionals, placing 3^rd. Junior Jill Tucker and sophomore Rickee Wirtzberger, who has not competed this season due to a neck injury, qualified to compete at the NCAA Championships with a tie for first on the floor exercise. Tucker's only other event is vault where she is ranked 14^th, and will be contending for a spot in the NCAA's on this event as well. Senior Lindsey Vagedes is also familiar with the NCAA Championships, as she qualified for vault during her sophomore year. She is ranked 21^st on vault this season. Vagedes is a strong all around competitor, currently ranked 21^st in the nation in the all around, with a regional qualifying score of 39.34. She holds the season highs for her team on all events except beam with 9.95 on each of the other three events. She is one of 6 finalists for the American Award, given to the nation's top senior female gymnast each year. Sophomore Sarah Spring is the Buckeyes only other all around competitor. She has a season high of 39.35, which led to a first place finish early in March. Junior Mary Beth Doerr continues to be the most dependable member of the team on bars. On beam freshman Jennifer Lymanstall holds the team's season high score with 9.925.

Alabama fans know all too well how close they came to an upset by Kentucky, in February. This will be the third match up of these two teams this year. The GymKats seem quite comfortable in front of the Alabama crowd, scoring two of their highest scores, 195.825 and 195.85, against Alabama. Freshman Aronda Primault has made a bold statement as the team's premier all arounder. Her strongest events are vault and floor exercise. Sophomore Mindy Smith continues to be their strength on balance beam and junior Katie Toups on the uneven bars.

With all six teams scoring 195.875 or better during the season, and four of those a 196.8 or better, the competition will be stiff for the two top spots that will send them on to the NCAA Championships. Some of the best gymnasts in the country will be coming to Tuscaloosa on their way to Athens. The competition is going to be fierce!

Regional Championships
Saturday, April 7, 2001
6:00 p.m.
Coleman Coliseum