"Yes, its time for another 'random thoughts' article. Of course, I get unfairly accused of having nothing but random thoughts. I sure am glad college gymnastics doesn't have a 'BCS'. Wait. . . what was the topic? Oh, yeah, random thoughts:"

The Alabama Gymnastics team, NCAA Runner-up a year ago, is third in the national preseason coaches' poll released this week.

"We're obviously pleased to be ranked in the preseason top 5," head coach Sarah Patterson said. "But we also know that it's not where you start but where you finish. If we can stay healthy we can achieve our goal of being on the floor the last night of the season with a chance to win a national title."

Defending NCAA Champion UCLA is ranked No. 1 by the coaches while Georgia, who finished third in 2003, is second. Utah and Michigan are fourth and fifth respectively.

The Alabama Gymnasts will join in at The Medalist Club's annual Preseason BBQ Sunday, December 14th from 4 - 6 p.m. in the Scholarship Room of Bryant Denny Stadium.

The Medalist Club is the booster organization for the four-time NCAA Champion Crimson Tide. The BBQ is open to members of the Medalist Club only, but memberships can be obtained and renewed at the door. The BBQ costs $8 per person..

2004 info for TenTroupe

• Alabama Gymnastics TenTroupe: The Tradition Continues!

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• ChalkTalk: Thursday, December 11, 2003

Every year since the Crimson Tide's new practice facility opened in 1996, the Alabama Gymnastics team has invited the children of the Stallings RISE Center over for a holiday get together. This year was no different, as the gymnasts took sometime away from training for the upcoming season and studying for fast approaching exams to spend some time playing in the facility with their young friends. Even Santa took a break for getting ready for the holidays, stopping by to hear a few Christmas lists.

We've got a photo album for the 2004 Rise Party

• Photo Album: HC Parade (Sunday, October 26, 2003)

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

25 kb RiseParty2004 brion1

22 kb RiseParty2004 brion2

26 kb RiseParty2004 delahoussaye

Alabama's coaches will tell you that recruiting "never stops" when it comes to the sport of gymnastics. The annual plethora of Level 10 and Elite Level competitions around the country offers them several opportunities to analyze potential gymnasts throughout the year. Assistant Coach Bryan Raschilla, who is in charge of recruiting for the Crimson Tide, set the bar high when he arrived on campus in 1996, vowing to go anywhere and everywhere to nab the best for Alabama's storied program. In 2000 his eye was caught by a gymnast in Texas that was a Level 10 standout on the floor and vault. She also had big-time all around skills that all three coaches felt would mesh very well with the Tide's philosophy of clean yet powerful gymnastics. Her name was Shannon Hrozek and, like Alexis Brion, she made an immediate impact on the Alabama team as a freshman. In 2002, Shannon earned 1^st Team All America honors on the balance beam and also contributed a key uneven bars routine to help seal the national title on the second night of competition.

Alexis Brion is one of Alabama's most celebrated recruits. Back in 1995 at age 12, she was poised on the brink of international stardom as a junior elite. Despite competing at only 4 feet - 1 inch, she was tumbling spectacular passes on the floor that included a double layout, a full-in pike, and a whip to triple twist. She was also the first gymnast to successfully compete a double twisting double back in the pike position on the floor. But the years of pounding eventually took their toil and her dreams of making the Olympic Team were shelved to allow for her body to heal. There was a time between ages 16-18 that she considered giving up elite gymnastics altogether but fortunately for the Bama faithful, she continued training and competing, with her eyes on a college scholarship. When Alexis narrowed her choices to Georgia and Alabama, Tide fans who knew of her extraordinary talent kept their fingers crossed that she would choose the Crimson and White leo to don for her four years of collegiate competition. Once Alexis committed to the Tide, Coach Patterson vowed to help her re-experience the fun, enjoyable aspects of gymnastics through collegiate team competition.

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• Season Greetings! - November 25, 2003

Terin Humphrey's hometown paper, The Examiner, covers the World Champion's signing with the Crimson Tide.

• Humphrey heads south: GAGE gymnast signs with Alabama

University of Alabama Head Gymnastics Coach Sarah Patterson announced the signing of three student-athletes, including two members of the United States National Team, in the early signing period.

The Crimson Tide inked Terin Humphrey, Mindy Weber and Kaitlin White to national letters of intent.

"We are absolutely thrilled by this class," Patterson said. "Not only are they all tremendous athletes, but they are strong students who will be positive members of this program. There were a lot of talented gymnasts in this year's recruiting class, but these three young ladies were at the very top of our wish list. I think it says a lot about our program and the University that each of these young women committed to us immediately after visiting campus. They were all courted by the nation's top programs and we are very excited that they chose to join the Alabama family."

Alabama's annual intra-squad slugfest took place on the scariest day of the year and gave Tide fans in attendance a sneak peek at how the 2004 team is shaping up. The coaches had mostly smiles on their faces throughout the competition as the sophomore gals executed their skills with considerably more confidence this year. And while each of the freshmen showed some nerves at various points on the balance beam they gained valuable experience in the process. The juniors and seniors were providing leadership by example through their impressive routines and will contribute to the team's depth on several events this year. With the exception of junior Michelle Reeser (resting a sore achilles), freshman Meredith Laxton (ACL rehabbing) and sophomore Larissa Stewart (rehabbing a tendon tear in the hand), all of the ladies had complete routines on at least one event and several had complete routines on 3 or 4 events.

We have another peek at what the ladies are working on just prior to Ghost vs. Goblins. Today was also a strength (weights) and conditioning day, so some of the ladies were not observed on certain events.

Kristin Sterner is use to competing against the best of the best.

The former University of Alabama gymnast helped her team to four straight NCAA team finals, including a win in 2002 and a runner-up finish last season, her senior year. She earned 11 All-American honors over her four-year career and helped Alabama to two Southeastern Conference titles and four NCAA Regional crowns.

This weekend though, the competition will be the toughest she's ever faced. She and nine other women from across the nation are finalists for the NCAA Woman of the Year award, given annually since 1991.

The Alabama Gymnastics team gave a sneak peek at the 2004 squad today at the annual Ghost and Goblins Intrasquad today in the Crimson Tide's practice facility.

The Ghosts ran their streak up to three in a row over the Goblins in a tiebreaker. The Ghosts were led by sophomore Dana Filetti and senior Jeana Rice. Filetti and sophomore Ashley Miles tied for high point honors.

This was the best Ghost and Goblins we've had in terms of clean performance and fewest mistakes, assistant head coach David Patterson said.

TUSCALOOSA, ALA -- The Alabama Gymnastics team released its 2004 schedule this week with a message for its fans "Friday nights in Coleman Coliseum are made for families."

We are introducing 'Fun Family Fridays'this year, head coach Sarah Patterson said. All our home meets will be on Friday night, giving families an opportunity to do something together that is exciting and affordable.

The Crimson Tide has five home meets this season and four regular season road trips. Season ticket packages are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) or online at www.rolltide.com.

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• Chalk Talk update

It's Ghosts and Goblins time of year
We hope you'll find a way
To visit Bama's practice gym
On Halloween, Friday.

Yes, be there by 1:30
You're sure to get a treat
Of gymnasts throwing 'scary' tricks
And landing on their feet.

Will Goblins take the spooky prize?
Or Ghosts scare up the win?
Either way, we're sure you'll say,
"That contest was a 10!"

-----------------
by: Screamin' Salto (BOO!)
In honor of the GymTide's annual 'Ghosts and Goblins' intra-quad contest this Friday (Halloween) at 1:30 in the practice gym (the public is cordially invited to attend).

We've got a new slide show and a photo album for the HC Parade

• Slide Show: HC Parade (Sunday, October 26, 2003)
• Photo Album: HC Parade (Sunday, October 26, 2003)

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

52 kb 01-FT-MUST-1

52 kb 02-FT-MUST-2

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• Kristin Sterner on SECkids.com

We've got a new slide show and a photo album for the Rings Ceremony

• Slide Show: Rings Ceremony (Monday, September 15, 2003)
• Photo Album: Rings Ceremony (Monday, September 15, 2003)

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

76 kb 01.Coach Mal and Dr. Witt begin the presentation

86 kb 02.Ashley and Michelle add wattage to the field

106 kb 03.SEC Floor Champ Ashley Miles

"Official practice began Thursday, September 19th for the 2003-2004 GymTide. There was a real air of enthusiasm as the coaches 'took control' of practice for the first time this Fall in Bama's state-of-the-art Coleman Coliseum Annex practice facility.

Prior to Thursday, the coaches were severely limited, under NCAA regulations, as to the amount and types of 'coaching' they were allowed to do - primarily only that needed for safety considerations. And, as with other NCAA sports, the official practice starting date, as well as the amount of practice time allowed, is strictly controlled.

With this in mind, it appeared that a strong emphasis was placed on efficiency and time management during the practice. The gymnasts scurried around to the various apparatuses as if each were trying to ensure a high mark for 'makes good use of time' on her report card."

We've got the 2nd part pf last week's slide show and a photo album for the Gymnasts Poster Signing

• Slide Show: Gymnasts Poster Signing (Monday, September 15, 2003)
• Photo Album: Gymnasts Poster Signing (Monday, September 15, 2003)

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

46 kb 01 Sarah and Johnna Gay and Brittany Comeaux

50 kb 02 Four winning smiles start the poster signing

52 kb 03 Mari and Alexis greet some fans

As Crimson Tide fans know, gymnastics season is a time of accomplishment and accolades at the Capstone and 2003 was no exception. Last season though had a special glow from the very beginning though as Sarah and David Patterson celebrated their 25^th season coaching at Alabama and their team responded with a season-long performance worthy of such a milestone.

The Tide went into the season with one of the youngest teams in the nation, with seven freshmen and three sophomores making up the majority of the 14 athletes on the roster. There was no doubt that the Pattersons, along with long-time assistant coach Bryan Raschilla had their work cutout for them. But 'the kids' soon proved they were alright and looking to make a name of their own in the wake of Alabama's 2002 NCAA Championship.

Among the highlights from last season, and there were many, was the induction of Sarah Patterson into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, making her only the sixth woman and the first women's coach to earn a berth in the hall. As a team, Alabama followed up its 2002 national title with a runner-up finish at the 2003 NCAA Championships. The Tide also won its 19^th NCAA Regional title.

1. Roster for the 2004 season

It's hard to believe, but the 2004 season isn't too far away and being the ultra-organized folks that we are, we already have some dates for the Medalist Club calendar. So mark these dates down and keep an eye out for additions coming soon.