13.  Arizona Wildcats

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  19/24
Head Coach:  Bill Ryden
Assistants:  John Court, Colleen Johnson
Returning Starters (7):  Monica Bisordi (Sr), Jamie Duce (Sr), Stevie Fanning (Sr), Katie Johnson (Jr), Erin Muirhead (Jr), Abby Pearson (Jr), Jamie Schell (Sr),
Other/Injured Returners (4):   Kristine Harper (Sr), Jamie Holton (So), Aubrey Taylor (So), Danyra Varela (So)
Graduated (3):  Amanda Goins, Sheehan Lemley, Andi McCabe
Other Losses (1):  Jessamyn Salter (R/volunteer assistant)
Newcomers (4):  Danielle Hicks, Rachelle Silberg, Melanie Weiser, Karin Wurm

Key Losses:  The GymCats lose five routines from last year's Regional lineup, from two primary gymnasts.  Lemley had a great senior year and was particularly strong on UB.  McCabe rebounded from injury and showed some of the power that she exhibited earlier in her career.

Key Returners:  Senior Monica Bisordi leads the way for Arizona once again.  The dependable AAer has been a strong and consistent force for the GymCats on every single event.  She especially shines on FX , where she captured 2nd Team All American honors in 2004 with high tumbling and clean execution.  She is joined by other seniors who have formed the core of the Arizona team the last four years: Duce, Fanning, Harper, Johnson (RS Jr), and Schell.  Duce has been a solid force on three events (sometimes AA), while Fanning is a former Pac-10 BB co-champ but has been slowed by injury.  Also reportedly coming back from injury is Schell, who can go AA as well.  RS Jr Johnson has been strong in preseason training, and is reportedly landing a Yurchenko 1 1/2 in practice.  A three eventer (no UB), she has hit a 10.0 on FX with her crisp 2 1/2 twist punch pike.  Jr Muirhead adds strength in the vault (tuck front 1/2) while sophomore Taylor could return again as an AAer.  Taylor has scored 39.35 in the AA, but is coming back from an ankle surgery.  Jr. Pearson's injury is more severe, as she had major back surgery.  Also coming back from injury is sophomore Holton, who had elbow surgery.

Newcomers:  Two key newcomers for Arizona could make an impact this year, but need to overcome some setbacks to do so.  Danielle Hicks was the 2002 Canadian High Performance (elite) champion before being slowed by back problems.  This year she rebounded with a 7th place finish at the Canadian Championships, earning a spot at the Olympic Trials.  Hicks missed the last intrasquad on 12/17 with back problems, so her recovery could be a swing factor, as she was looking like a strong impact AA candidate.  The other impact signee, Karin Wurm is a L10 and former sr. national elite who placed 2nd AA, 4th (t) FX, 6th (t) UB and 8th (t) BB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  She reportedly suffered and early setback, but once at top speed she is another potential AAer.  Rachelle Silberg joins the squad from Calgary.  She placed 23rd (t) AA in the prelims at the 2004 Canadian Championships, National Open division.  Also joining the team is Weiser, a L10 from Kansas, and redshirt Danyra Varella, who missed 2004 with a knee injury. 

Keys to Success:   Arizona is a team loaded with experience and some talented newcomers.  Injuries have unfortunately hit or slowed some of their key competitors at times, hampering the overall team effort and leaving them short on depth.  But with strong and consistent performances and with at least one of the standout frosh healthy, they could be ready by Regionals.

Forecast:  A strong, solid and consistent effort will put this team into contention for a slot at Nationals, but injuries and recovery times loom large.

  14.  Iowa State Cyclones

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  K.J. Kindler
Assistants:  Lou Ball, Kristen Hoeferlin
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Returning Starters (9):  Ashley Alden (So), Janet Anson (So), Krystal Carney (Jr), Erin Dethloff (Jr), Katie Lasher (So), Kacey Oiness (Jr), Jessica Oney (Jr), Laura Kay Powell (Jr), Susan Stock (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Jade Kvach (RS Fr), Rachael Parker (So), Abigail Richey (Sr), Emily Rinaldo (So)
Graduated (2):  Chieko Calina, Gabrielle Layne
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (1):  Lindsey Murphy

Key Losses:  The Cyclones lose three routines from last year's squad that finished 0.225 points from a slot at Nationals (behind Michigan).  Calina was a top scorer on three events, but particularly on BB.  Layne was a FX regular last season, and also competed UB.

Key Returners:  Three ISU gymnasts qualified to the NCAA Nationals last season as individuals:  Anson, Dethloff and Powell.  Anson made 1st team All American on VT last season (Yurchenko 1 1/2).  She also made the 2nd team in the AA and FX (double pike, 2 1/2 punch front).  Powerhouse Dethloff made 2nd team All American on BB last year while making 2nd Team in the All Around in 2003.  She really excels on the UB, where she swings aggressively.  Another All-Arounder, Powell, captured a share of the Regional title on FX last season.  Her long lines and extension are showcased well on BB and FX (double pike).  Unfortunately, she has been limited by injury and won't compete VT & FX in the first meet.  Besides that trio of potential AAers, Coach Kindler is expecting step up performances from senior Richey and sophomore Alden.  Richey, who can compete all four events, will be especially needed on VT (Hristakaeva).  Alden is a UB and BB with nice form and lines.  Sr. Stock will also be counted on VT and BB, as jrs Carney and Oney are reportedly battling injuries that will take them out the VT lineup for the first week.  Soph Lasher was another regular on VT and UB last season, while classmates Parker and Rinaldo will provide added depth.

Newcomers:  Just one recruit joins the squad this season, Lindsey Murphy, a L10 from Illinois.  But the Cyclones are also expecting big things from RS Frosh Jade Kvach, who has been looking strong in preseason training.  Murphy placed 10th AA, 8th (t) on FX, and 10th (t) on UB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Kvach placed 9th AA, 2nd (t) on UB and 7th on FX at the 2003 L10 Nationals.

Keys to Success:  Iowa State has finished 0.2 and 0.225 points from qualifying to the National meets the last two years, respectively.  An experienced, consistent and deep squad will seek to add those extra tenths through careful upgrades and further hard work.  And this could be their year to return to Nationals.

Forecast:  Despite some injuries early on, the Cyclones should put themselves in position to contend once again for a coveted Nationals slot.

  15.  North Carolina Tar Heels

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Derek Galvin
Assistants:  Penny Jernigan
Starting Routines Returning:  17/24
Returning Starters (5):   Courtney Bumpers (Jr), Mikel Hester (Jr), Christine Robella (So), Olivia Trusty (Sr), Amy Williams (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):  Elisabeth Alsop (Sr), Cecelia Liu (RS So), Miranda Ross (So/RS FR), Claire Smith (So), Morgan Stanley (Sr), Lisa Tegethoff (So), Courtney Turco (So)
Graduated (3):  Maddy Curley, Amanda Smith, Anna Wilson
Other Losses (1):  Skylar Inman (?)
Newcomers (4):  Stacy Geare, Shawna Kelly, Angela Lauten, Alice Xu

Key Losses:  0.025.  That fraction of tenth looms large for UNC.  They've missed a shot at Nationals by 0.05 or less each of the last two seasons.  In terms of personnel, they lose seven routines from two key gymnasts, Curley and AAer Wilson.  These losses loom large, as UNC competed just seven gymnasts nearly the entire season.  

Key Returners:  Four AAer form the core of the UNC team: Bumpers, Hester, Robella and Trusty.  Bumpers was the 2004 NCAA Co-Champ, a remarkable feat only matched by her remarkable tumbling (double layout punch front; double arabian; front pike through to a double pike).  Another gymnast with an elite background and skills to match is Robella, with a remarkable array of skills including a vault of handspring front pike with a full twist.  Sr.  Trusty emerged as a consistent AAer in 2004, hitting 39.5+ five times during the season.  Jr. Hester hit a personal best 39.45 as the fourth UNC AAer.  Supporting those four AAers are an array of specialists, who now must step up into starting roles.  Williams was solid on VT, and has hit 9.825+ on BB and FX.  Fellow senior Liz Alsop is an elegant gymnast who regularly competed on BB, but has competed on VT and FX.  Sophomores Liu, Ross, Smith, Tegethoff and Turco saw limited action (in some cases due to injury), but should challenge for lineup slots, if healthy.

Newcomers:  Coach Galvin welcomes four frosh into the Tar Heel squad, and will likely need these gymnasts to challenge the other returners for lineup slots.  Alice Xu is a L10 from Marvateens who was the 2003 L10 National Champ on UB.  As UB has been a weak event for the Tar Heels, Xu's efforts could be needed.  She also finished 10th AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  Geare is a L10 from Colorado.  She placed 40th (t) AA and 2nd (t) on BB at the 2003 L10 Nationals and has won a share of two Regional BB titles.  Kelly is a four time L10 Nationals qualifier from Virginia She placed 29th AA in 2004 and 22nd in 2003.  The final frosh, Lauten, is a three time L10 Regionals qualifier.    

Keys to Success:  With eye catching skills and tremendous talent in their AA corps, UNC looks to ride a recent wave of success to their first Nationals trip.  To do this, they will need to get step up performances from their returners and incoming classes, particularly on the UB, a weaker event for UNC.  And of course, with four key AAers, injuries are more critical than usual.    

Forecast:  If the four AAers are healthy at Regionals, they will once again fight for that last 0.05 points and a spot at Nationals.

  16.  Auburn Tigers  

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  13/24
Head Coach:  Jeff Thompson
Assistants:  Jay Ronayne, Rachelle Thompson
Returning Starters (4):   Danielle Holtz (Jr), Courtney Puckett (Sr), Kayce Stein (Sr), Rachael Tarantino (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Nicole Barnett (So), Jackie Smith (So), Robin O'Rear (Sr), Shanna Somero (So/I)
Graduated (2):  Kristi Boyte, Hannah Littrell
Other Losses (7):  Jessica Guettler (?), Kelly Gurney (?), Brittany Harris (?), Annie Jenkins (R/I), Natica Johnson (R/I), Olivia McDaniel (?), Kristin Thome (R/I) 
Newcomers (6):  Tanya Cwick, Julie Dwyer, Aimee Goheen, Heather Leal, Karmen Pinckney, Tiffany Robinson

Key Losses:  The Tigers lose 11 routines from last year's squad, which placed 4th at Regionals.  The AU squad is missing nine members of last year's team, including Boyte and Littrell.  With several injury retirements, the Tigers lost both depth and experience.  In addition to Boyte and Littrell, AAer Gurney and potential AAer Johnson both are departed.  Besides Guettler, who swung UB at Regionals, the Tigers also lost Jenkins, Thome, and McDaniel, all of whom competed in the past.

Key Returners:  Leading the way for the Tigers in 2005 are senior AAer Puckett and Stein.  Puckett is recovering from offseason knee surgery, but is working her way back.  She is well known for her expression and lines on FX.  Stein is another potential AAer, and another who has battled injury in her career.  Many of her routines are constructed to avoid pressure on her arm -- in fact her past FX routines did not contain a back handspring (RO, back layout 2 1/2 twists, punch front).  Jr. Holtz is another key potential AAer, one who specializes in front twisting (front layout 2/1 twist on FX; handspring 2/1 twist on VT).  Sophomore Tarantino shines on FX and has hit for 10.0 on BB, where she tumbles a triple flight series (bhs, bhs, layout).  Soph Somero was a leading AAer before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.  She'll be a top performer on UB and BB for the Tigers while she works her way from injury.  Sr. O'Rear and Jr. Smith look to contribute on UB while Barnett works her way back from ACL surgery.

Newcomers:  Six frosh spark the Tiger roster this season, and they'll be looked to contribute immediately.  Leading the way is Dwyer, a former L10 National Champ in the AA (2002).  Dwyer placed 6th AA, 2nd on FX, 3rd on BB and 8th on UB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  If she adjusts quickly and steps up, she should be a major force for AU this season.  Pinckney is a strong vaulter (Yurchenko 1/1) and won the FX title at the 2004 USAIGC Nationals.  Goheen had a breakthrough L10 season last year, placed 3rd (t) AA, 6th (t) UB, 8th (t) FX and 10th on BB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Leal is an in-state product and former state champion.  Two additional frosh recruits, Robinson and Cwick, were introduced as being out for the season at the recent mock meet with UGA, as reported by Fran Akins.  Early reports had Robinson slated as a potential AA candidate.

Keys to Success:  Injuries and losses loom large as obstacles in the path of Auburn's "The Journey Home".  Despite these losses, getting key AAers Puckett, Somero and Stein healthy, while getting strong performances from Dwyer, Goheen, Holtz and Tarantino appear to be the key ingredients.

Forecast:  Despite the injuries and losses, AU can still field a very strong lineup when all of the key gymnasts are healthy.  Time will tell if a late season charge is possible.

  17.  Iowa Hawkeyes

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  14/24
Head Coach:  Larissa Libby
Assistants:  Steve Biondo, Derek May
Returning Starters (8):  Elizabeth Dilick (So), Liz Grajewski (Jr), Tiffany Kwan (Jr), Mindi Levitz (Sr), Danielle Legeai (So), Romina Mazzoni (So), Annie Rue (Sr), Kortny Williamson (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Bobbie Zimmerman (So)
Graduated (4):  Stephanie Gran, Brandy Killian, Alexis Maday, Nicole Wong
Other Losses (3):  Natalie Balfour (?), Krista Lewis (?), Melissa Saliba (?)
Newcomers (4):  Katie Burke, Natalie Padilla, Amanda Rudolph, Allison (Ally) Zipse

Key Losses:  The four graduated GymHawks plus former Head Coach Mike Lorenzen comprised the core of an Iowa team that has qualified to Nationals the last two years.  Although they lose just 10 of 24 routines, these routines included critical AA performances from standout All-Americans Gran and Maday.  In addition to that pair, Wong was a key UB and BB performer for Iowa.

Key Returners:  Leading the way for Iowa in 2005 are senior AAer Annie Rue and Juniors AAer Grajewski and Williamson.  Rue sports some top level skills, including a full twisting double layout on UB and triple full on FX.  The powerful Williamson threw a Yurchenko 1 1/2 at the recent intrasquad, and has trained a pike full-in on FX.  Grajewski is a consistent and steady performer who shines on FX (double pike), but has been a frequent AA competitor.  Sophomore Dilick is expected to have a stronger year this season, and throws a good 10.0 SV vault (Yurchenko 1/2).  She is another potential AAer.  Sophomore Legeai is coming off a strong debut season, and shines brightest on BB and FX, where her personality shines through.  Sr. Levitz is a solid vaulter and tumbler, while sophomore Mazzoni excels on the UB (giant full to Tkachev; double front) but competed BB and FX at the recent intrasquad.  Soph Zimmerman is a frequent starter who performed well at the recent intrasquad.    

Newcomers:  Coach Libby welcomes four frosh to the team, and looks to work them into the lineups as they adapt to collegiate gymnastics.  Burke is a top L10 who placed 17th AA (t) at the 2004 L10 Nationals, and 11th (t) in 2003.  She excels on UB (giant full, Tkachev; Pak salto) and has plenty of competitive experience in high school as well.  Padilla is expected to be a surprise for the GymHawks, and she excelled in the recent intrasquad on UB and FX.  Rudolph is a L10 from Wisconsin who finished 20th (t) AA, 10th (t) UB and 10th (t) on FX at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  The final frosh, Zipse, is expected to excel this season after missing L10 Nationals with an injury.  She placed 2nd AA, 1st on FX and 3rd on VT at the 2004 Region V L10 Regionals.

Keys to Success:  Replacing such strong senior leadership is never easy, but there are enough battle-tested veterans on the Iowa team to step forward.  Consistency under pressure has been a strong trait for this Iowa team the last two years, hitting at Regionals while others stumbled.  The new frosh will need to step forward, particularly on VT, where depth could be an issue..

Forecast:  If key returners step up while the frosh adapt, a consistent Iowa team could put themselves in position to snag a spot at Nationals.

  18.  BYU Cougars

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Brad Cattermole
Assistants:  Dawn Cattermole, Shawna Mertz
Starting Routines Returning:  14/24
Returning Starters (7):  Candace Bauer (So), Kacie Capra (So), Genevieve Claveau (So), Marie-Helene Claveau (So), Jamie Mabray (Sr), Kristen Pauga (Sr), Lisa Willis (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Meghan Donohue (Jr), Jennifer Harvey (Jr), Sierra Jacobs (So), Lena Johnson (Sr), Kandis Kelly (So)
Graduated (4):  Trisha Ashton, Brogan Jacobsen, Kari Dye-Lords, Megan Pessoa
Other Losses (2):  Staci Butterfield (?), LeAnne Lindsay (?)
Newcomers (7):  Althea Boon, Kylee Draper, Cassie Myers, Aimee Walker Pond (TR/RS), Dayna Smart (RS Fr), Lauren Steffen, Ashley Vonasek

Key Losses:  BYU says good-bye to four key athletes from a team that placed 3rd at the Central Region, just 0.325 from Nationals.  The squad had a remarkable season to finish 6th in the final RQS standings.  They lose 10 routines, including AAer and 2nd Team All-American (FX) Lords.  In addition, Ashton was a standout on three events while Jacobsen was a standout on UB and FX.  Pessoa contributed a counting score on VT.  

Key Returners:  Senior Mabray leads the way as BYU's top returning potential AAer.  The elegant Mabray has shown top level skills on BB (Onodi, Kochetkova) while hitting for 10.0 on VT.  Another graceful gymnast, Marie-Helene Claveau, is another potential AA performer.  Great toe point and extension is a hallmark of both Claveau twins, who reportedly may be competing in their final season.  Already 21, they plan to finish their educational programs in Canada, before Genevieve loses her program status.  Sr. Pauga emerged with a strong VT last season (Yurchenko 1/2) while Jr. Willis competed steadily on UB, BB, and FX.  Sophomores Bauer and Capra returned later in the season to give the Cougars a boost, and could have a strong impact this season.  Both show strong swing and major releases and E dismounts on UB, while Capra has ended BB with a double back.  Jr. Donahue's season ended early due to injury last year, but she showed strength as a vaulter as a frosh while sophomore Kelly saw early action on the BB (triple flight).

Newcomers:  Seven newcomers give Coach Cattermole plenty of options to find replacements for his departed seniors.  Althea Boon is an experienced international competitor who reportedly is joining the team in January.  She has represented New Zealand in two World Championships and two Commonwealth Games, and most recently at the 2004 Pacific Alliance Championships.  Transfer Walker Pond is a RS Frosh from UCLA who reportedly plans to sit out this season.  The remarkable young woman was an international elite despite being deaf and blind in her right eye.  She has been slowed by an extended recovery from a knee injury.  Another RS Fr, Smart, was a top L10 who placed 6th AA at the 2002 L10 Nationals.  Another in-state product, Myers, is a L10 and former elite.  Vonasek is a L10 from California who placed 41st AA and 4th (t) on FX at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Steffen is a L10 Regional qualifer and state VT champ from Ohio, while in-state product Draper is also a L10 Regional qualifier.

Keys to Success:  BYU has learned to maximize the scoring potential of their team, and they will look to a blend of experience and incoming talent to boost this team.  The performance of the 2nd year athletes could be key, to find strong VT candidates and clean, consistent BB workers among the 19 athletes.

Forecast:  It may be tough to replace the departed seniors without strong stepup performances from the 2nd year gymnasts and frosh.