The North Carolina State University women’s gymnastics team capped off a successful 2001 campaign with a 6th place finish at the 2001 NCAA Southeast Regional in Gainesville, Florida.  While the Lady Wolfpack were unsuccessful in their attempt to win a third straight EAGL Championship, the team has much to be proud of and look to regain their EAGL title in 2002.

The Lady Wolfpack graduated five seniors from last season’s squad:  Monica Berry, Kara Charles, Sara Dolan, Erin Freyvogel, and Cortney Petrovis.  Two gymnasts competed as two-event specialists: Berry (uneven bars, balance beam) and Dolan (vault, balance beam), while Charles was one of the top performers in the all-around.  NC State will feel the loss of these gymnasts especially on the balance beam and will look to the incoming freshmen and returning upperclassmen to step up and challenge for spots in the lineup.

The Lady Wolfpack return 17 gymnasts from the 2001 season and add seven talented freshmen to this year’s squad.

Seniors

Amy Langendorf, a fifth-year senior gymnast from Gambrills, Maryland, redshirted last season after tearing her ACL on vault during the first meet of the 2001 season.  Langendorf is expected to return to the lineup this season and could contribute on all four events. 

The duo of Langendorf and Kelli Brown are expected to lead the Lady Wolfpack to another successful season.  After the injury to Langendorf at the beginning of the season, Brown emerged as the top all-around gymnast and floor leader for NC State.  Formerly a strong three-event gymnast during her freshmen and sophomore seasons, Brown earned a spot in the balance beam lineup last season and is expected to contribute in the all-around this year.  Brown vaults a Tsukahara layout-full.  Her bar routine includes a piked jaeger, geinger, and full-in dismount and on floor, she tumbles a double pike and double tuck for her first and third passes.  Brown placed 11^th in the all-around and 2^nd on vault at the 2001 Southeast Regionals.

Laura Jazab, Lauren Palefsky, Aimee Panton, Rebecca Silverstein, and Angie Welch round out the senior class for NC State.  Jazab emerged as a talented two-event gymnast for the Wolfpack (uneven bars, balance beam) and will likely retain those spots in the lineup this season.  Welch earned a spot in the uneven bars lineup in 2001 and has the potential to make the beam lineup as well in her senior season.  Palefsky earned a spot in the floor lineup late in the 2001 season and could retain that spot this year. Panton did not compete last season due to injury, but could earn spots in the vault and bar lineups this year, if healthy.

Juniors

The trio of Cara Dougherty, Stephanie Southard, and Adina Stock each contributed to the team on two events throughout the season.  Dougherty (uneven bars, floor exercise) and Stock (vault, floor exercise) competed each week for the Wolfpack, while Southard intermittently competed on vault and uneven bars throughout the season.  Marlyn Madey did not compete during her sophomore season, but could see action this year.

Sophomores

Alison Bundy and Molly Pennington earned spots in the competitive lineup immediately as freshmen and could likely see action on an additional event this season. Bundy competed last season on vault, balance beam, and floor exercise, while Pennington competed on vault for most of the season and entered the floor lineup midway through the season.  Kendell Cangelosi exhibitioned floor throughout the season and could see competitive action this year.  Cheryl Potacco ruptured her Achilles prior to the 2001 season, but is expected to make an impact in the lineup this season.  Faryn Walker and Mary Freyvogel did not compete last year and round out the sophomore class.

Freshmen

NC State welcomes seven incoming freshmen to their squad:

• Cori Goldstein, a Level 10 from Chelsea Piers, placed 27^th AA at 2001 JO Nationals (Senior D)and 2nd BB at 2001 JO Nationals (Senior D) and 1st BB at 1999 JO Nationals (Senior A).
• Andrea Petrocelli, a Level 10 from Docksiders, placed 42^nd AA at 2001 JO Nationals (Senior C).
• Alexis Pero, a Level 10 from Worldwide, placed 55^th AA at 2001 JO Nationals (Senior C).
• Jennifer Gray, a Level 10 from X-Cel, placed 12^th AA at 2000 JO Nationals (Senior C).
• Krystal Hairston, a Level 10 from Gwinnett’s, placed 9^th AA at 2000 JO Regionals (Senior B).
• Trista Condren, a Level 10 from Lescisin, placed 5th on Vault at the 1999 JO Nationals.

Anjel can be reached at Anjel@collegegymfans.com