7 (tie).  Florida Gators

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  17/24
Head Coach:  Rhonda Faehn
Assistants:  Randy Lane, Louis Robinson Jr
Returning Starters (7): Erinn Dooley (RS Jr), Alecia Ingram (RS Jr), Sherie Owens (So), Erin Pendleton (Sr), Kim Schatz (Jr), Kristen Stucky (Sr), Orley Szmuch (Jr),
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Beth Kleiman (So), Kara Waterhouse (Sr)
Graduated (4):  Jenny Carow, Kelly Hesbeens, Lindsey Miner, Jacqui Williams
Other Losses (2):  Becki Hatter (R), Amanda Stroud (R)
Newcomers (6): Savannah Evans, Breanne King, Samantha Lutz, Lisa Marzan, Katie Rue, Chantelle Tousek

Florida tied with Nebraska in the Coaches' Preseason Poll, just outside of the top six.  With six new talented frosh coming in the place of six departed athletes, this Florida team should bear an all new look for 2004.  With a strong core of returners to lead the newcomers, they are already expected to make their assault on the top positions.  Like most teams, injuries have been a problem for some of the Florida gymnasts, impacting the team's overall depth.  However with a full slate of newcomers, the improved depth should serve the team well.  Particularly of note is the team's improved strength on vault, which was the team's weak event in 2003.  However, gone from this team are some key performers, such as AAer Lindsey Miner and specialist Jenny Carow.  Coach Rhonda Faehn and her staff will look to the newcomers and returnees to fill the gaps.

Leading the charge will be seniors Erin Pendleton, Kristen Stucky, and Kara Waterhouse.  Pendleton hit for 10.0 on UB last season, and has added new elements on UB and BB for this season.  She also can compete FX.  Waterhouse, a former 2nd team All American in the AA, is know for her tough BB set (bhs-lo-lo, double back) and is reportedly in great condition.  After years of injury, Kristen Stucky shone in 2003 on UB and BB.  This season, she has reportedly upgraded her UB dismount, adding a double layout.  Her piked Deltchev remains a rare treat on UB.  

RS Junior Erinn Dooley reportedly had a strong preseason, adding new skills such as a bhs-lo-lo series on BB and upgraded tumbling on FX.  Junior Orley Szmuch is the other AA threat, and has also added big skills such as a double layout on FX that she showed at the recent intrasquad.  Her energy and unusual skills on UB and BB make her stand out.  The other returnees, including Kim Schatz, Beth Kleiman and Sherie Owens (recovering from summer knee surgery) complement the depth, particularly on vault, where they are all training 10.0 SV vaults.

The six Gator freshman should battle for lineup slots from the onset.   In-state product Savannah Evans, a L10, has impressed the coaches on VT and FX, where she is training a double front.  Canadian Breanne King brings her experience from the Canadian National Team, and is best on V, BB and FX.  Samantha Lutz, a former L10 National Champ on UB, is a standout on UB, in a team already loaded with a great UB lineup.  Powerful Katie Rue reportedly has three 10.0 SV vaults in her command, including a rare tucked Rudi.  She also competes big skills on the other events as well.  Another Canadian, Chantelle Tousek, like her sister Yvonne, is known for her great style and presentation.  Unfortunately, former international elite Lisa Marzan has reportedly been slowed by her recovery from knee surgery during the summer.

With experienced veterans coming back in top form, combined with a strong frosh class, the Gators look to move up the rankings.  How far they can come during the course of the season should be exciting to watch.

  7 (tie).  Nebraska Cornhuskers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  14/24
Head Coach:  Dan Kendig
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Danna Durante,
Returning Starters (6):  Gina Bruce (Sr), Tiffany Byrd (Sr), Tami Harris (Sr), Libby Landgraf (Sr), Jamie Saas (Jr), Richelle Simpson (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (0):  N/A
Graduated (4):  Jen French, Julie Houk, AJ Lamb, Jess Wertz
Other Losses (1):  Carrie Gloudemans (R)
Newcomers (6):  Stephanie Carter (RS Fr), Kristi Esposito, Natasha Gowda, Danielle Millis, Kylie Tanner, Michelle Zabawa

The Huskers face 2004 without 10 routines from last season, from five departed athletes.  These losses include the loss of an outstanding AAer in AJ Lamb and top specialists like Jen French, Julie Houk and Jess Wertz.  All four were All Americans, and their experience and talent was invaluable.  Despite these losses, Nebraska has added six newcomers to a strong core of veterans.  This core of course include 2003 NCAA AA Champ and World Championship competitor Richelle Simpson.  The Coaches have ranked the Huskers a bit lower in the Preseason Poll, but the Nebraska coaching staff is sure to have the team ready and competitive by the post season.

Head Coach Dan Kendig will once again look to Richelle Simpson to lead the team back to the Super Six.  Simpson's standout year was extended into the late summer, as she (slightly) upgraded her routines and made the Canadian World Championships team.  With the Olympics in sight, the Huskers are likely counting on another spectacular series of 9.9+ scores from this athlete.  Another senior, Tami Harris, is expected to rejoin the team in January, after taking time off for personal reasons.  The former All American gives the Huskers another potential veteran AAer.  Senior Libby Landgraf, a 2nd Team All American in the AA last year, stepped forward to provide solid score on all four events.  She is best known for her fantastic triple fulls on FX, including one in her last pass.  Tiffany Byrd, another potential AAer, competed primarily on BB and UB.  The fifth senior, Gina Bruce, is an All American vaulter who hit for 10.0 on her piked Ilg vault last season.  She may see expanded duty on the other events this season.  Lone junior Jamie Saas shines brightest on BB, with a solid triple flight series.

The Huskers will look to their newcomers to step forward immediately to complement the lineups.  Kristi Esposito, a L10 standout known for her excellent form and execution, should be ready to step up.  She was a L10 National Champ on UB in 2001, and made the JO National team in '02 and '03. Canadian Natasha Gowda is coming off a strong season on the Canadian High Performance scene, placing 10th at Nationals.  The stylish Gowda is especially known for her BB, with a variety of top skills in her arsenal (capable of a Kochetkova/full twisting bhs-bhs-lo series).  In-state product Michelle Zabawa, a L10, has shown well in the fall training and could find herself in any one of four lineups.  Danielle Millis, another L10, will battle for lineup slots, particularly on the FX.  Former jr. international elite Stephanie Carter, a powerful athlete, joins as a redshirt frosh.  She has been slowed by injury, however, in her return back to form.  Finally, the Huskers are expected to welcome Australian Kylie Tanner.  This elite gymnast competed in the 2001 World Championships and placed 15th AA at the 2003 Australian Championships.  

The 2004 Huskers look to combine a top veteran core with some promising new talent.  With a large gap in the age range of the team, the coaching staff will look for the seniors to lead the team back to the Super Six.  Although a slower start is possible, the finish could be as strong as in years past.  

  9.  Arizona State SunDevils

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  John Spini
Assistants:  Shelly Eaton, Bruce McGehee
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Returning Starters (6):  Jada Cox (Sr), Carla DeMartini (Sr), Maggie Germaine (Sr), Amber Giorgianni (Sr), Ashley Kelly (So), Kari Muth (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):   Shaena Friedman (So), Lauren Powell (So/I), Tiffany Van Dusen (So)
Graduated (3):  Ashley Ellsberry, Margaret Wojciak, Cassidy Vreeke
Other Losses (2): Trisha Dixon (R), Sarah Zigler (TR)
Newcomers (4): April Boone, Donna Chance, Cassandra Jusino, Lisa Lanza

The Coaches' have placed the SunDevils in 9th position in the Preseason Poll, reflecting on the great season the ASU team had last season.  This year, they aspire to do even better, topping a year that included numerous 10.0s and a team high 198.275 team score and a #3 Final RQS ranking.  They will have to accomplish this without three top seniors from last year, Ashley Ellsberry, Margaret Wojciak and Cassidy Vreeke.  This graduated trio contributed eight key routines for ASU.  Coach John Spini will turn to his talented four member frosh class, and will tap some key returners for more.  With a few injury

Leading the charge is senior Maggie Germaine.  The All American posted a career high 39.775 AA last season, recording four perfect scores of 10.0.  Her long lines, powerful routines, and experience will be counted on this season.  Germaine's AA tally is only 2nd in the ASU record books.  The record, 39.875, belongs to sophomore Ashley Kelly.  Kelly had an outstanding freshman campaign, also recording four tens in the process.  Her best events are perhaps UB (great invert work) and BB (front aerial+front aerial), but is also noted for her great form and toe point overall.

Coach Spini will look to his senior class for leadership, experience and some key routines.  Sr. Jada Cox is a powerful vaulter (piked Phelps) and tumbler, but showed a good BB set at the recent intrasquad.  Sr. Carla DeMartini is capable of four events, but will be counted on most for V (Hristakaeva) and UB after she recovers from ankle surgery.  The fourth senior, Amber Giorgianni, is co-captain along with Germaine.  She contributed last season on UB and BB, but may also vault more regularly this season.  Lone junior Kari Muth is a key competitor for the SunDevils on three events (all but V).  Her unique skills on UB (great stalder work) and solid BB work will be a key for the team.  The remaining sophomores have had more limited exposure, but look for Lauren Powell to come back from an elbow injury last season to compete strongly for slots in all four events.

The talented frosh class is headlined by Cassandra Jusino, a former jr. international elite standout known for her power and remarkable front tumbling.  That is all reported still there, with her showing top tumbling at the recent intrasquad (double layout, double twisting front).  The L10 National vault champ also has thrown excellent pike front 1/2s on the past.  April Boone, a L10 from Gymnastics East, has also been reportedly strong in the preseason, especially on UB (full twisting double layout), FX, and BB.  Local product Lisa Lanza, a L10 from Desert Devils, is known for her UB work.  Finally, walkon Donna Chance is a L10 local from Desert Lights with strength on BB and V.

ASU will look to blend experience and some dynamic newcomers to move it up a notch this season.  Continuing to avoid injury while improving their vault will be keys to their success.

  10.  Louisiana State University Tigers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Head Coach:  D-D Breaux
Assistants:  Bob Moore, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (12):  Lindsay Beddow (Sr), Brittany Brown (So), April Burkholder (So), Lauren Campanioni (Jr), Megan Durning (So), Annie Gagnon (Jr), Katherine Hilton (Jr), Jade Jenkins (Jr), Kelly Lea (So), Rikki L'Heureaux (So), Terin Martinjak (So), Lindsey Thompson (So)  
Other/Injured Returners (0):  N/A
Graduated (1):  Brooke Cazeaux
Other Losses (3):  Rachel Franzella (R), Chelsea Richard (R), Kristen Uransky (R)
Newcomers (3):  Nicole Butler, Kelly Phelan, Lisa Rennie

LSU Head Coach D-D Breaux and her staff took one of the youngest squads in the country through a tight regional meet and into Nationals.  This season, the Tigers look to make a return trip, and perhaps even more.  Last season, Coach Breaux competed 11 underclassmen in the most pressure filled situations.  That experience, along with another year of work with the coaching staff, should serve the team well.  With a great recruiting class added to the mix, competition for lineup slots could get intense.  The Tigers will look to improve this season on vault, where their SVs suffered compared to some teams.  Early reports indicate that this is no longer a problem, and that tremendous depth exists on all four events.  This will allow them to absorb their losses readily.

LSU's top AA last season was SEC Freshman of the Year April Burkholder.  Last season, Burkholder had one of the best rookie campaigns in memory, compiling 20 individual event titles and setting the school record in the AA (39.875).  She did this with top skills in every event, but especially on BB (bhs-lo-lo, double back) and FX (tuck full in, back 2 1/2 twist punch front).  LSU is still young, however, which makes lone senior Lindsay Beddow's experience invaluable.  Beddow is also one of LSU's best UB workers, and can be counted on in the BB as well.  

The junior class includes the energetic Lauren Campanioni, a former All American on FX.  She shines on three events, V, BB, and FX.  Another "All-American", 2nd Teamer Annie Gagnon, from Canada, excelled last season on UB.  The junior was set to challenge for an AA spot, but a foot injury requiring surgery has slowed her.  Another junior, Jade Jenkins, provides depth on three events (all but UB).  And Katherine Hilton, who joined the team as a sophomore last season, has worked her way into a regular UB spot.

Seven frosh dotted the LSU roster last season, and now all the sophomores have returned with a year of competitive experience.  Terin Martinjak has been an early standout, excelling on BB and FX where her beautiful lines, extension and toe point set her apart.  She may go as an AAer this season.  Brittany Brown was an exciting and dynamic performer on V and FX last season, and has reportedly upgraded both events.  Rikki L'Heureaux saw action on V (HS double twist) and UB last season, but also contends on BB.  Lindsay Thompson could be a key player on V, with improved consistency on a 10.0SV vault.   Megan Durning and Kelly Lea, also regular lineup members, have been slowed by injury and will have slower starts.

Starting fast for the Tigers will be three standout frosh.  Elite Nicole Butler, a potential AAer, has shaken an lingering injury to show strong at the recent intrasquad.  Kelly Phelan, a L10, is a strong vaulter and potential AAer.   Lisa Rennie, a former elite, shines best on UB, and will add further strength to that lineup.  With these three frosh, and another year of experience, there is no telling how far this LSU team could move.         

  11.  Oregon State Beavers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach:  Tanya Chaplin
Assistants:  Dick Foxal, Mike Chaplin
Returning Starters (9): Daylee Ingalls (Jr/I), Meghan Jones (Jr/I), Heather Justus (Jr), Chrissy Lamun (So), Angela Morales (So), Lindsay Nelson (Sr/I), Tanya Ricioli-Hebron (Sr), Therese Videan (Jr), Elaine Yoder (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Annie Campbell (Sr), Michelle Dickinson (So), Heidi Goehring (Jr), Christa Piazza (Jr)
Graduated (1):  Elizabeth Jillson
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (2):  Keegan Fitzgerald, Chelsea Plourde

Head Coach Tanya Chaplin enters the 2004 campaign with a deep, experienced squad that likely still remembers missing nationals by 0.025 last season.  This squad will not want to repeat that experience, and has been anointed by the Coaches' Preseason Poll as the #11 team, this time edging Iowa.  Iowa was the team that edged the OSU squad in last year's regional matchup.  Its been an emotional fall training period for the Beavers, as teammate and starter Meghan Jones, a junior, was struck by a drunk driver while walking home from a football game.  After an extended hospital stay and two brain surgeries, Jones is on the long road to recovery.  OSU also is missing the services of the graduated Elizabeth Jillson, a standout on UB.  But the 12 returnees includes top AAer Annie Campbell, who sat out last season rehabbing a twice-torn achilles.  Unfortunately,  Oregon State recently lost the services of Daylee Ingalls and Lindsay Nelson for the season due to knee injuries.  Fortunately, Oregon State's depth will allow them to call upon others step forward and fill their lineup slots.   

Senior Campbell is reportedly already showcasing the skills that made her one of the top AAers in the Pac 10.  She particularly shines on BB and the FX (full in), but will be a leader in every respect.  Another senior AAer, Tanya Ricioli-Hebron (she was married over the summer), looks to another outstanding campaign, particularly on UB (double front) and FX (2nd team All American in '00).  She is switching to a new vault style for the season, a RO entry style vault.  Elaine Yoder is the third senior, and her excellent extension and toe point is showcased on BB and FX.  The aforementioned Nelson was a top AAer who did especially well on V and UB (huge Tkachev).

Junior Heather Justus hopes to upgrade her vault to a Pike Front 1/2 this season, and is reportedly training a double layout on FX.  Therese Videan, another junior adds strength on all four events, but particularly on V (pike front 1/2) and FX.  Fellow junior Daylee Ingalls was reportedly looking strong prior to going down with a knee injury at the recent intrasquad.  The sophomore class is headed by Chrissy Lamun, the Pac-10 Co-Champ on FX last season.  She is noted for her amazing flexibility, put to use effectively on UB, BB and FX.  Another powerhouse, Angela Morales, showed a double layout on FX at the recent intrasquad and has vaulted a pike front 1/2.  She also competed regularly on BB last season.  Soph Michelle Dickinson continue to battle for lineup slots on BB, UB, and FX, along with junior Christa Piazza.  

Frosh Chelsea Plourde is expected to make a large impact, despite the presence of such a talented and deep veteran class.  The former elite is solid on all four events, particularly in vault, where the Beavers have lacked some depth in the past.  At the intrasquad, she showed a two foot layout mount on BB, a rare FIG "E value" skill.  Frosh walkon Keegan Fitzgerald also joins the squad, a in-state L10 product.

With depth and experience, and the addition of two standout AAers to fill the shoes of the injured athletes, the 2004 Oregon State squad looks to move back into a slot at Nationals.  As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how much further they can go.             

  12.  Iowa GymHawks

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Mike Lorenzen
Assistants:  Larissa Libby, Derek May
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Returning Starters (7):  Stephanie Gran (Sr), Liz Grajewski (So), Tiffany Kwan (So), Alexis Maday (Sr), Annie Rue (Jr), Kortny Williamson (So), Nicole Wong (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Natalie Balfour (So), Brandy Killian (Sr), Mindi Levitz (Jr), Melissa Saliba (So)
Graduated (2):  Janna Alexandrova, Jessica Kyanka
Other Losses (1):  Michelle Conway (R)
Newcomers (4):  Elizabeth Dilick, Danielle Legeai, Krista Lewis, Bobbie Zimmerman

Iowa had an early debut to their 2004 campaign, with a 2nd place finish at the Cancun Invitational with an impressive 195.35 tally.  2004 was a breakthrough year for the GymHawk squad, with a trip to Nationals based on a nail biting 0.025 of a point margin of victory.  Having shows their competitive mettle in demanding situations, Coach Mike Lorenzen look to take this squad even further.  Losing just three routines from last season and adding four newcomers, this Iowa squad looks ready to respond to the challenge.  They did say goodbye this past year to BB standouts Janna Alexandrova and Jessica Kyanka and sometime AAer Michelle Conway.  As a result, Iowa will still be looking for key returnees and the newcomers to step forward and bolster the team's depth, which has been impacted by injury at times.

Leading the way will be senior All American Alexis Maday.  Maday is already in fine form, as shown by her opening 39.65 AA tally in Cancun.  Her long lines combine with hidden power on V (Yurchenko Full), UB (giant full, Tkachev), and FX (triple full, double pike).  Power is the operative word for senior AAer Stephanie Gran.  With an exemplary double layout on FX and layout Phelps vault, this dynamic and clean gymnast is a perfect complement to Maday.  Sr. Nicole Wong has emerged as one of Iowa's top performers on UB (Shaposhnikova) and BB.  The fourth senior, Brandy Killian, can contribute on all four events but was mostly called upon in FX last season.

Junior Annie Rue recently broke a finger, but she was already vaulting (HS double twist) at the recent Cancun meet.  This junior AAer will be another key part of the Iowa equation, particularly on UB (full twisting double layout).  Fellow junior Mindi Levitz is coming on strong, adding strength on V and FX.  Sophomore Liz Grajewski contributed valuable points as an AAer last season, and is ready to go on all four events as needed.  The spirited Grajewski shone in Cancun on FX, where in the past she has tumbled a double pike to open and double back to close.  Powerful soph Kortny Williamson will be looked upon to step up this year into a possible AA role, with big vaults (Hristakaeva and 1 1/2 twisting Yurchenko) and big tumbling (trains a pike full in).  Fellow sophomore Tiffany Kwan, when healthy, has excelled on FX (arabian double front) and UB (blind-Healy to double front).  Rounding out the sophomore crew is Natalie Balfour, who like Kwan hails from Canada, and Michelle Saliba.  

The four frosh are already seeing action.  Elizabeth Dilick is a former elite and top L10 competitor with particular strength in a stylish FX and well executed UB set.  Danielle Legeai, a L10 from Northshore, is particularly strong on BB and FX, showing good form and execution at the intrasquad.  Frosh Bobbie Zimmerman, a L10, debuted on UB and FX in Cancun, an event that showcases her enthusiasm.  Final frosh Krista Lewis excels on V and FX.

With an experienced core and the confidence of a Nationals qualifier, Iowa looks well prepared for 2004.  By avoiding the injury bug and continuing to upgrade and improve, the team is setting themselves up for repeat run.