I must first thank Lexa for "Lexa's Countdown". The insider perspective and knowledge sure makes this Bama fan's job easier this season. You've laid the ground work, and I urge all Bama fans to check out her reports from the past several months. I will try to provide the most up to date information on the competition based on their performances during the 2002 season.

Competing with the 4th ranked Alabama team in Gainsville, Florida, will be the No. 1 ranked and 2001 NCAA Champion UCLA, No. 2 Georgia, No. 7 Florida, No. 11 LSU, and No. 12 Penn State. This is the first competition of the season for all but Florida and Georgia who competed and won their meets last weekend.

Penn State has another top Canadian on their squad this year, widely recruited Michelle Fournier. She is a very graceful performer, particularly on floor and beam. Junior Katie Rowland should continue to be a very strong and consistent competitor for this team. She was one of the top all arounders in the nation for several weeks last season. Sophomore Richelle Simpson has transferred to Nebraska.

Check out Lexa's report on LSU. I look forward to the reports on this team from our road crew!

Florida State competed last weekend in the Dodge Premier with a winning score of 194.175. As was predicted in Lexa's report, Florida's strongest event was floor exercise with a score of 49.2. Senior Hilary Thompson claimed three event titles, floor, beam and the all-around with a score of 39.2. Kara Waterhouse won on the bars. Freshman Orley Szmuch had a strong debut, taking second place in the all-around with 38.775.

Coming into the season, Georgia is faced with concerns regarding their depth. They have lost Freshman Melinda Baimbridge for the season, due to a partial tear to her rotator cuff. Sophomore Sierra Sapunar was sidelined last week as she has been recovering from elbow surgery in June and there are also reports that she too is suffering with a rotator cuff tear, with surgery planned after this season. It has been rumored that she may compete this weekend. Also sophomores Chelsa Byrd has struggled with a stress fracture in her foot this fall, and Marline Stephens with a strained wrist. Senior Talya Vexler has been recovering in the off season with a broken toe. Coach Suzanne Yoculan admits that she will be "coaching out of character" this season. She has often been known for her no holds barred approach but indicates they will have to be "very careful", this season. But Georgia is a team that faces its adversity square on, and showed that fighting spirit with a win against Nebraska last week with a national record setting score for a first meet of the season with a 196.875. Sophomore Cory Fritzinger embodies that fighting spirit and led the team with an all-around score of 39.475. Redshirt freshman Kinsey Rowe followed with a score of 39.475. She sat out last season with an ACL tear. Reports indicate her floor routine is a "crowd pleaser". Freshman Michelle Emmons showed her prowess for tumbling with a debut score on floor of 9.975, winning that event. The GymDogs have a tough weekend of competition ahead of them as they meet UCLA for a second time on Sunday.

UCLA has been left with a huge pair of shoes to fill without Mohini Bhardwaj who graduated last season. But they also have many gymnasts willing to step in and fill in their share. The sophomore class has several Olympians who are well versed in competing under pressure, including Jamie Dantzscher, Kristen Maloney, and Yvonne Tousek. Maloney is still recovering from surgery in August to have a rod removed from her shin and it is unknown when she will be ready to compete. Junior Onnie Willis is a defending national all-around champion. Coach Valerie Kondos has a great ability to capture her gymnasts' personalities in their floor routines. Each is a unique and entertaining performance.

The Super Six promises to give some of the best teams in the nation and their fans a glimpse at the stiff competition to come in the 2002 season. Just a tasty little appetizer before the meal, and we have many courses to look forward to this season!