The Regionals:  The Way West(wood)

The Way West(wood) culiminates in one final test for 36 teams: they battle on April 2nd and 3rd for one of twelve slots at the National meet.  There are six Regional meets all across the country, held this year on two nights, a Friday and Saturday.  Scheduling conflicts at Central Region host LSU caused the Regional to be scheduled on a Friday.  From each Regional, the top two teams from each Regional will advance on to the Nationals in Los Angeles, California.  Also at stake are advancement opportunities for individuals on nonqualifying teams.  The top two All-Around competitors from all non-advancing teams (regardless of overall placement) in each Region also advance to Nationals.  In addition, an individual on a non-advancing team can qualify if they win the individual event championship in their Region.  This last method is the only method by which specialists on non-advancing teams can qualify to Nationals.  

The rotation order at the Regionals was determined by a random draw conducted by the NCAA.  Last season, this draw had some potential impact as each #2 Seed in the Region was given the least preferred rotation (ending on a Bye after BB), while the #3 Seed drew one of the best (Olympic order, ending on FX in the last round).  This potentially influenced some very tight races, in what turned out to be one of the most exciting Regionals in history.  Last season, six teams in four Regionals finished within 0.05 of the last qualifier for Nationals -- one Regional race even ended in a tie for 2nd, forcing the officials to count all 24 scores to break the tie.  In a fifth Regional, just 0.3 points separated the top three teams.  

This season, however, the #4 Seeds have drawn one of the least favorable rounds, starting on FX and ending on a Bye after BB.  The #1 Seeds have also drawn a sometimes difficult round, starting off in the first round on BB. However, in a turn of fortune, the #2 Seeds will start on a Bye before UB, following the #3 Seeds who will start on UB.  This will create an interesting dynamic in each Region as the teams chase each other around the rotation order.

Let's take a look at each Region, starting from the East..

Southeast Regional, hosted by NC State

#1 Seed UCLA gets the pleasure this season of crossing the country and three time zones to compete in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The Bruins are coming off a second place finish at the Pac-10 Tournament, having been edged by Stanford by just 0.025.  The defending NCAA teamp champs and #1 Ranked Bruins are led by senior Jeanette Antolin and defending BB champ and UB co-champ, sophomore Kate Richardson.  These two are also among the favorites for the NCAA AA title.  The Bruins also hope to have the partial services of former NCAA champ Jamie Dantzscher on UB and FX, improving the depth on the latter event.  Former NCAA UB Champ Yvonne Tousek, a senior is another key performer for UCLA on three events.  However, a key difference maker for UCLA this season has been the stellar return of former US Champ Kristen Maloney in all four events.  UCLA has sometimes struggled with mistakes or with finding the right lineup on BB or FX, and still lack depth on VT.  However, they should advance easily.  

Joining the Bruins will be local favorite North Carolina, who should be very comfortable in the surroundings, even though they are not the host.  Outstanding recruiting has combined with hard work and good coaching to create a contender for a Nationals slot.  Last season, the Tar Heels finished just 0.05 points behind Florida.  This year, they look to stave off a post-season savvy Nebraska squad.  Led by Courtney Bumpers, a powerful 10.0 machine and frosh standout Christine Robella, the UNC squad will look to avoid major mistakes while showcasing some excellent difficulty.  Like UCLA, North Carolina is coming off an upset loss at their Conference Championships.  The Tar Heels, due to scholarship limits and injuries, have been depending on five key AAers, including Olivia Trusty, Anna Wilson, and Mikel Hester.  In fact, they competed just seven gymnasts in their last meet.  

Chasing UNC will be a tough foe, Nebraska.  In January, the Huskers of course lost the services of NCAA AA Champ Richelle Simpson, a blow that would hobble any team.  In addition, other competitors like senior Tiffany Byrd and Aussie Kylie Tanner have been limited by injury.  However, NU has bounced back strongly, calling upon both experienced veterans and newcomers to get the job done.  Responding especially well have been AAers Libby Landgraf (Sr), Tami Harris (Sr) and Kristi Esposito (Fr).  Always well prepared for the post season, this team will look to avoid major mistakes and slip past UNC for the last spot.  To do so, Coach Dan Kendig will look for the seniors to help lead the frosh through the rigors of a tight team competition.

Chasing both teams will be West Virginia, which recently upset UNC for the EAGL title.  With a late season charge and a fabulous frosh, Janae Cox, the Mountaineers have moved into contention.  Another former elite with a surprising return following a series of injuries is Jessica Bartgis.  The AAer has emerged to put in her best season by far.  Host North Carolina State will take the Host's advantage and a good rotation to position themselves for a high finish.  After a close 3rd place finish at the EAGL Championships, just 0.45 behind WVU and 0.125 behind UNC, they cannot be overlooked.  They are led by a trio of AAers, including former Utah Ute Leah Sabo, a senior, fellow senior Marlyn Madey, and sophomore Kylah Bachman.  Completing the field is Maryland, which finished another 0.575 behind NC State at the EAGLs.  Continuing her winning ways is frosh Rachel Martinez, still just a sophomore.

The Call:  UCLA should advance, and there will be a three way race for the third spot between UNC, WVU and and NU.  NU is always ready for the post season, but the comfort of a short road trip should work to UNC's advantage.  The key event of UNC will be the UB, and for NU the BB.  WVU could surprise, but have pulled a tough rotation as the 4th seed. 

Be sure to catch:  Antolin's (UCLA) powerful elgrip giants on UB and smooth Kochetkova and double pike off BB...  Richardson's (UCLA) elephant walk on FX, interspersed with a double layout mount and whip-whip to double pike dismount... Bumper's (UNC) double layout punch  front and double arabian on FX... Robella's (UNC) handspring pike front full twist on VT... the UNC FX lineup, which features some of the toughest tumbling in the NCAA...  Tousek's (UCLA) FX choreography, classic Kondos (Field)...  Maloney's (UCLA) double layout on FX and Rulfova on BB...

Northeast Regional, hosted by Penn State

The Georgia GymDawgs pulled the unenviable task of headlining the six teams set to battle out in the loaded Northeast Region.  As the Top 18 seeds shuffled about, it began to be apparent that no NE Region team would be seeded.  When the rankings were sorted out, like the formation of "The Perfect Storm", all factors came into play to create a tough and competitive Regional.  Leading the way, the top seeded UGA squad has flexed their depth over the course of the season to remain one of the prime contenders for the National title.  Most recently, star AAer Kinsey Rowe suffered another knee injury on VT at the SEC Championships.  Injuries have also sidelined Marie Fjordholm, Jamie Ackerman, and Brittany Thome plus have limited Cory Fritzinger, Ashley Kupets and Sierra Sapunar.  That limited/sidelined list alone could form a championship lineup.  Fortunately for Coach Yoculan, her outstanding depth has limited the impact of the injuries.  Chelsa Byrd, a senior, has emerged as a top AAer, and fellow senior Marline Stephens has come back strong from her torn Achilles.  Sophomore Brittany Smith has had a standout year, hitting 10.0s several times this season.  Because of this experience and young talent such as SEC Frosh of the Year Kelsey Ericksen, the GymDawgs are favorites to advance through the tough Regional.

Second seeded Iowa State was edged by OU for the Big 12 title, but has been impressive in meets all season long..  Clean and consistent, the Cyclones have overcome some injuries of their own.  Still a very young squad, they've been paced by sophomore All American Erin Dethloff, the long lined Canadian Laura Kay Powell and frosh Janet Anson.  Coach KJ Kindler and her staff have worked hard to upgrade and polish the sets of her young squad, and seem able to extract consistent, clean performances on all four events.  Although they may lack some of the big "E level" tricks of the top squads, they will hit top scores on all events and have all 10.0 SVs on vault.  Having finished just 0.3 behind Regional winner Michigan at last year's Regional, a more experienced ISU squad hopes to finish ahead this time.

Third seeded Missouri looks to earn a trip to Nationals, led by powerful AAer Alisha Robinson and Big 12 BB Champ Lauren "Bunny" Schwartzmann.  Michigan is certainly looking to surpass the seeded teams and advanced to Nationals.  Third at the Big 12s, the record breaking Tiger squad are looking to edge ahead in a crowded field.  To advance, this squad will look to continued consistency that will showcase their improved sets on every event.   Fresh off their Big 10 title and an impressive team score, the Wolverines look to continue the momentum through this weekend.  Due to a series of injuries to key AAers like Jenny Deiley and Calli Ryals, the UM squad did not finish the year in the Top 18.  But, with both gymnasts seeing increased action, and improved performances by the rest of the squad, the Michigan squad looks ready to contend.  Star AAer Elise Ray has taken the season slowly, and looked sharp in winning the Big 10 AA title.

Not to be overlooked is host Penn State, the 2nd place finisher at the Big 10s.  They are in position to surprise a few teams, with a favorable draw and the comforts of home.  Led by sophomore AAer Meredith Hoover and three eventer Katie Stopper, the Nittany Lions have maintained steady progress all season long.  With a young squad, PSU will use this meet to hopefully spring a surprise or build a launching pad for next season.  The sixth team from the Region, UNH, is led by sophomore Amanda Hall and frosh Heather Moore.  A quartet of three eventers, including senior Jen Dickson, will look to extend their seasons.  

The Call:  UGA should advance, but there will be a five way battle for the last slot.  Of the five, perhaps ISU and Michigan have the momentum heading into the weekend.  Without Ryals competing, Michigan may find the rotation order and a consistent and deep ISU team a difficult combo to edge.  MU may be right behind, pending any slips from those two.  PSU is the dark horse.

Be sure to catch:  Chelsa Byrd's (UGA) "rafter-scraping" Yurchenko layout full and double layout mount and full in dismount on FX...  Ericksen's (UGA) two release skills on UB...  Stephen's full in on FX (what injury?)...  Long lines and great execution on BB from Laura Kay Powell (ISU)....  Anson's (ISU) perfect back layout 5/2 twist immediate punch front on FX.... Robinson's (MU) double layout on FX... Schwartzmann's (MU) well executed ro, bhs, layout series on BB... Elise Ray's (Mich) elegant BB and FX sets...  

Central Regional, hosted by LSU

Occuring one day earlier on a Friday, the Central Region features surprising Number 1 seed BYU.  With a strong late season push that demonstrated remarkable consistency in a grueling set of meets, BYU moved ahead of LSU in the rankings.  Led by seniors Trisha Ashton, Kari Lords and Brogan Jacobsen and set of talented underclassmen, this BYU is by far the best BYU team in some time.  Characterized by consistency but lower difficulty, this team is looking to prove itself worthy of its ranking.  Key to that effort will be a strong performance by soph Jaime Mabray (who was ill at the end of the season) and frosh Marie-Helene Claveau, whose name is as elegant as her performances.  Continued steadiness and leadership from their senior class will be keys to winning a trip to Nationals, as a variety of teams will be gunning for this squad.

Leading the charge is LSU, who may be considered the favorite due to their close National Rank (BYU is #6 and LSU is #7) and status as host.  Last year, the Tigers edged into Nationals by 0.025 of a point.  This time, they are seeking a Regional Championships.  Led by SEC Gymnast of the Year April Burkholder, the very young LSU squad will look to remain consistent and confident for this meet.  She is capably supported by the likes of "All American" Canadian on UB Annie Gagnon, senior Lindsay Beddow and graceful frosh Terin Martinjak.  Despite an array of talented returners, a trio of frosh have helped raise LSU to the next level this season, each competing three event.  Lisa Rennie has especially shown well recently with difficulty and unique combinations on UB and BB.  

ASU travels to Baton Rouge in hopes of improving on their 4th place tie at the Pac-10s.  The ASU squad is a mix of youth and experience, one that has sometimes struggled with consistency.  But, traditionally ASU squads have done very well in the post season, with a coaching staff that knows how to peak a team at the right time.  Led by sophomore Ashley Kelley, long limbed senior Maggie Germaine and powerhouse frosh Cassandra Jusino, the Sun Devils look to pull off the upset.  Advancing last season by just a tenth of a point, ASU cannot afford the multiple misses that plagued them earlier in the season.  

Seeking to be one of the unseeded teams that pulls of the upset, Auburn looks to return to Nationals despite a squad that has struggled with some injuries. Led by AAer Courtney Puckett, Auburn has navigated through various losses (like the torn Achilles of AAer Shana Somero) with a mix of experience (Kayce Stein, Kristi Boyte, Natica Johnson) and youth (Kelly Gurney, Rachel Tarantino).  MAC runnerup Kent State finished just behind AU in the Regional RQS ranks.  Paced by AAers Jessie James, Carrie Mayle and April Zentko, the Flames look to improve on last year's sixth place finish.  The sixth seed, Michigan State, has employed a wide range of gymnasts while being led by tumbling ace Sarah Alexander, a sophomore and Big 10 Frosh of the year Victoria Iakounina.

The Call:  LSU, as the host, may have the edge here in the final team race.  Better depth and good difficulty also help them out.  The other team slot will come down to a race between ASU, BYU and AU.  ASU has the edge in difficulty but that sometimes has a downside.  BYU's consistency and solid vaulting could prove enough to edge ASU, despite some lower difficulty in their tumbling and UB sets.  AU will hang close once again, but a poor rotation draw and relatively weaker UB rotation could hold them back.

Be sure to catch:  Burkholder's (LSU) full-in mount and back layout 5/2 twist immediate punch front on FX...  Rennie's (LSU) unusual skill selection and difficulty on UB and BB.... Gagnon's (LSU) Shoushunova on UB...  MH Claveau's (BYU) perfect toe point and elegant dance on FX... Mabray's (BYU) bhs-Onodi and Kochetkova on BB...  Jusino's (ASU) Layout Front vault...  Muth's (ASU) jazzy FX...  Kelley's full turn to front aerial on BB... N. Johnson's Pike Jaeger to Pak salto on UB...  Hill's (MSU) barani to immediate double tuck on FX...

Regional Previews, Part 2...