With arguably one of the nation’s finest freshman classes, preseason expectations are high for the California Bears.  According to Coach Trina Tinti, this year’s Cal team is “by far” the best she’s had in her stint at Cal.  When asked about the team’s goal for the season, her response is emphatic and clear: 
“NCAAs".  This season, the Bears will settle for nothing less,

The large and talented incoming class will add a key ingredient to the Bear lineup:  increased depth.  Last season, injuries and event specialization left the team shorthanded.  During the critical post season run, the Bears struggled to field more than five competitors on UB.  With increased focus, talent and depth, California is looking to break through this season.  With the core of last season's key competitors returning, and a bevy of six talented frosh, the Bears are looking forward to posting some big numbers this year.

Cal will face the season lacking a few experienced veterans.  Foremost of the losses is Cal’s top all around competitor in 2001, Pari Olver.  In 2001, Olver had the best year of her career.  Other athletes, like Jarmin Yeh, Kristine Kaibara and Genine Ishino, retired due to injuries after seeing limited action last year.  However, Cal is fortunate to return the core of last year’s regular lineup.  The eight returnees, combined with six frosh, will give Coach Tinti the flexibility to rotate lineups and rest her athletes.

Let’s take a closer look at the 2002 edition of the Cal Bears.

Senior

Lindsay Baker returns with a focus on three events this year, after stepping up as an All Around competitor last year.  Baker vaults a solid pike front and pairs a high double pike with solid dance on floor.  On beam, Baker tumbles a smooth ff-ff-lo series.  Baker’s experience and leadership will be invaluable.

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Juniors

Nebraska native Carrie Kreifels paired last season with Olver and Baker to form a solid AA trio.  Kreifel shines brightest on UB, where two super high releases (Tkachev, Gienger) are capped with a double layout dismount.  On Vault, Kreifels is capable of a pike front and pike front half.  On BB, Kreifels has shown an unusual flight series of a handstand step down to two layout stepouts.  Kreifels opens her floor with a front through to a double tuck.  With solid skills in all four events, Kreifels remains a solid AA threat for the Bears. 

A powerful V/FX specialist, Lisa Arnold returns to boost Cal’s deepest events.  Arnold throws a solid pike front half on vault, one of eight+ Cal gymnasts capable of throwing a 10.0 SV vault.  Arnold can also contribute on floor, having hit for 9.925 several times last season.  

Janet McKnight adds explosive power on V, UB and FX.  On vault, McKnight contributes a 10.0 SV layout Tsukahara full.  Her UB routine ends with a rare double layout with a full twist.  McKnight contributes solid tumbling and a 9.9 career best on FX

Monique Johnson’s energetic floor routine and powerful vaulting (tuck Tsuk full) lend added depth to Cal’s lineup.

Sophomores

Katreece Stone returns in outstanding condition and will step up her contributions this year, according to coach Tinti.  The redshirt sophomore will rotate in the AA but shines brightest on FX (two double backs) and BB (ff-ff-lo).  She was slowed last season with a wrist injury but has come back strongly.

Stephanie Kim returns with a year of experience under her belt.  Tinti cites Kim, along with Stone and Chock, as the three most improved athletes.  Even in limited action last season, Kim hit for 9.925 on BB with a polished set.  Kim competed AA twice for the Bears early last season, before being slowed by injury.

Karissa Chock suffered a dislocated elbow just before the start of last season that slowed her training and adjustment to the college scene.  This season, Tinti expects her to contribute strongly as an All-Arounder.  A powerful vaulter and tumbler, this former elite athlete has some big skills on every event to contribute.

Freshman

My-Lan Dodd, a seasoned international elite and former US National Team member, headlines the Cal frosh class with dynamic skills and beautiful lines and execution.  Coach Tinti reports that Dodd trained last season but did not compete elite due to the timing of the U.S. Championships and the start of the school year.  This strategy has paid off as Tinti asserts the “physical and emotional intensity of international elite competition” can sometimes wear on an athlete.  Tinti says to watch for Dodd’s invert sequence on UB and beautiful layout Yurchenko full.

Sheilah Buack is another International Elite, from SCATs in Southern California.  Buack competed L10 last season, and was slowed at JO Nationals by an injury.  Buack should be competing AA as well, and has some exciting skills to contribute.  Coach Tinti expects Buack’s standing Arabian on BB to be an NCAA first, and she expects her to compete it regularly.  Buack also shines on floor, with dynamic dance that she expects will be a crowd favorite.

Lauren Shipp is another frosh who could compete AA.  Shipp finished 5th AA at the 2000 L10 Nationals at Sr B.  Shipp can vault a Yurchenko half to front layout (Hristakaeva) and adds a beautiful rudi-layout stepout combo on FX.  On beam, she is capable of a dynamic side aerial-tuck full combo. 

Three other frosh are looking to battle newcomers and veterans alike for slots in the lineup.  Tara Capsuto is a L10 from Arena who finished 25th AA at the 2000 L10 Nationals at Sr. B.   Miho Maeda is a L10 from Gymnastics Olympica who placed 18th AA at the 1998 L10 National meet.  Finally, Adrienne Garcia is a L10 regional qualifier from the long running KIPS gymnastics club in Southern California.   

Summary

When asked about the team’s strongest event, Tinti surprising cites balance beam.  Vault, with five or six competitors starting the season with 10.0 vaults, building to 8 at midseason, would also seem to be a team strength.  When asked about weak areas, Tinti struggled to find an answer.  However, when pressed, she cited the adjustment period for the new freshman and building up the 5th through 8th competitors on UB.  Tinti said, “..the 5th - 8th competitiors in our line-up are the ones that will make a huge difference in determining our success this year”.    

All in all, the Cal Bears are ready to face a season of high expectations head on.  With hard work, determination and a continued injury-free season, Cal looks to return to the NCAAs for a second time.  With the talent, depth and a fast adjustment period from their frosh, Cal seems set to do it.

Thanks to Cal Head Coach Trini Tinti for agreeing to be interviewed for this article.

Greg can be reached at Greg@collegegymfans.com