The Pioneers have been steadily improving over the last three years, with the addition of their head coach, Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. She is eager to build on last year's accomplishment of making it to the NCAA National Championships. That is where Alabama comes in. Kutcher-Rinehart wants her team to experience the tough competition during the season, so they can ready themselves to compete again on a National level.

Back this year is sophomore Ashley Shible and senior Melanie Schiff. They are both strong all around performers for Denver. Shible's best and most consistent event last year was vault, with a high score of a perfect 10.0 in her freshman year. In her first meet of this season she equaled her season high on floor exercise with a 9.95. This gal is ready to tumble! Schiff is a good counterpart to Shible as her best events last year were beam and bars. Schiff was named the Western Gymnastics Conference Gymnast of the Week after their first meet this season. She scored 9.9 for her bar routine that weekend, but was sidelined on bars last weekend with a sore shoulder. Hopefully we will see her in full competition form on Saturday.

Another sophomore Emily Bankhead played a major role in the team's success last year. She also competes on all events with floor being her strongest. She has had a rough start to this season, but the energy of Coleman Coliseum may be just the spark she needs.

Michelle Kasuga is a junior who competes on uneven bars, beam and floor exercise. She came out strong on floor in the first meet of the season with a 9.9, and surpassed her high score last year on beam with a 9.8.

There are expectations of freshman Karyssa Ancellotti to become a major contributor to this team as her experience broadens. She had a fall during warm-ups last weekend. The extent of the injury is unknown to this writer, and it is unknown if she will be competing on Saturday.

Denver is looking to Alabama as a gauge that will direct them back to the Nationals. They are excited to come and compete in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd. So come on out all you fans and bring your friends. Let's give The Pioneers a warm southern welcome on their first trip to Tuscaloosa. Roll Tide Roll!