Marina Degteva: According to preseason reports, she is in "tip top" shape.  Last season, she anchored the Tigers on vault.  I expect her to do the same this season.  She vaults a Hristakeiva (10.0 SV) and her high score is 9.9.  She placed 2nd on vault at 2001 Regionals.  Marina will also return to the lineups on bars and floor.  Bars is her best event, where she shows nice form, high release moves (Deltchev), and a nice dismount (will start with a double back tuck then upgrade as the season goes on).  Her high score on bars is a 9.95.  On floor, she shows nice tumbling and dance.  She opens with a high double pike and her third tumbling run is a front layout immediate front tuck.  Her high score on floor is a 9.925.  We will not see much of Marina on beam this season as she is concentrating on the other three events.  

Nicki Arnstad: LSU has never had any gymnast score a 10.0 on floor.  Could 2002 be the season?  Definitely!  Nicki, a First team All American on floor and Second team All American in the AA, will anchor the Tigers on floor again this season.  Her tumbling runs include a completely rotated triple twist and a clean double pike.  Her high score is a 9.975.  Definitely, I expect to see Nicki in the beam lineup.  She anchored the Tigers on beam last season.  She will probably do so again this season; however, Beth Boudreaux could challenge her for the anchor position.  Her high score on beam is a 9.9.  Vault is a consistent event for Nicki (she did not fall on vault during the whole 2001 season).  She vaults a 9.9 SV 1/2 on 1/2 off front tuck.  Last season, she was the lead off on vault.  I expect her to be early in the vault lineup again this season.  Despite her consistency, it is not her highest scoring event.

Beth Boudreaux:  Best known for her consistency and high scores, this Tiger will return to the lineup on bars, beam, and floor.  Her high scores are 9.925, 9.9, and 9.925, respectively.  On beam, her difficult aerial combo (aerial, swing through aerial in opposite direction) is an exciting skill to watch.  Beth can also be called to compete AA if necessary.  She vaults a 9.8 SV front tuck, having achieved a high score of 9.7.  Last season, she saw AA action against the GA Gym dogs and FL Gators, winning the AA competition at the LSU vs FL meet.  

Sharene Mamby:  The only LSU gymnast to score a 10.0 on bars, she should have a great 2002 season.  She should retain her anchor position on bars for 2002.  She missed the entire 2000 season due to an achilles tendon tear.  Last season, she was a bars specialist but she did see action on floor and vault.  Personally, I would like to see her back on floor and possibly beam (in addition to bars).  But, some preseason reports say that she will be a bars specialist.

Adrienne Couret: This Tiger SR from Slidel looks to continue what was a great 2001 season.  She will be in the Tigers vault lineup, where she vaults a 9.9 SV front pike.  Last season, she achieved a 9.9 (perfection for the front pike).  Adrienne also greatly contributed to the Tiger's effort on floor and beam in 2001, where her high scores are 9.825 and 9.8, respectively.

Shanyn MacEachern: Shanyn, a second team All American on vault in 2000, had injuries that caused her to miss most of the 2001 season (broken toe and shoulder).  According to preseason reports, she is back to 100% and ready to go in 2002.  She will see AA action for the Tigers in 2002.  Shanyn holds the 4th highest AA score in LSU history (39.600).  On vault, she is capable of a front pike 1/2, where her high score is 9.925.  Her high scores on beam, bars, and floor are 9.9, 9.925, and 9.925 respectively.