19.  Penn State Nittany Lions

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Steve Shephard
Assistants:  Jessica Bastardi, Aladine Naamou
Starting Routines Returning:  23/24
Returning Starters (9):  Cecile Allen (Sr), Lisa Clark (Jr), Meredith Hoover (Jr), Michelle Ilg (Jr),  Ashley Mehrer (So), Jennifer Orlando (Jr), Corissa Pirkl (So), Genavieve Shingle (So), Kate Stopper (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Amie Olaes (So), Stephanie Sullivan (So)
Graduated (1):  Kelly Streicher
Other Losses (1):  Erin Clayton (?)
Newcomers (3):  Lindsay Borkan, Aslynn Satterfield, Kristal Uzelac

Key Losses:  The Penn State squad loses a single UB routine from specialist Kelly Streicher from a squad that finished just 0.3 points behind Michigan at the Northeast Regional.

Key Returners:  PSU has two seniors, Allen and Stopper.  Allen is a top UB worker (new double front 1/2 dismount) while Stopper is strong on three events with powerful tumbling (Arabian double front) and vaulting (pike front 1/2).  Junior Clark made All-American on VT last season, qualifying as an individual.  She'll continue to be an AA candidate, but is strongest on VT (Yurchenko Full) and FX (full-in).  Jr. AAer Hoover is reportedly looking strong during the preseason.  The co-captain is reportedly tumbling a double layout on FX.  Soph Pirkl went AA last season as a frosh, and is another strong contender, especially on the BB.  Another Jr, Ilg, is reportedly training a new pass on FX, whip-whip to double pike, while fine tuning her vaults.  Jr. Orlando is another potential AAer and strong candidate on VT and FX (pike full-in), and plans a new dismount on BB.  Soph Mehrer excels on the BB, as does another sophomore, Shingle.  Shingle was a model of consistency, hitting BB in every meet last season.  Soph. Sullivan also saw much action on three events last season.  Olaes sat out last season with an injury but looks to break into the lineup, particularly on VT.

Newcomers:  The exciting incoming class stands as one of the best in the country.  Its headlined by Uzelac, a former three time junior international elite champ.  Although hampered by an ankle injury, she'll start competing on UB and BB, while adding VT and FX as the season progresses.  Although she was also slowed by an injury last season, Borkan captured L10 National Titles in the AA (t) and BB in 2003.  She is a very powerful athlete, with a Yurchenko 1/2 front layout vault and a double layout on FX.  The third frosh, Satterfield, is expected to help out in VT and FX.  

Keys to Success:  With very light losses and a large and experienced team sparked by some top notch recruits, this Penn State team's ranking could be deceptive.  The final ingredients could be execution and consistency, and this will likely be a focus area for the team as the season wears on.

Forecast:  Keep an eye on this PSU team, as this could develop into the strongest Nittany Lion team in years, and a solid contender for a slot at Nationals.

  20.  Denver Pioneers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart
Assistants:  John Figueroa, Carl Leland
Starting Routines Returning:  11/24
Returning Starters (4): Katie Andrews (So), Casey Dobyns (So), Heather Huffaker (So), Cassidy Willingham (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Stephanie Lorber (Sr), Alisha Stephenson (Jr), Tiffany Tello (So)
Graduated (3):   Emily Bankhead, Rose Kiernan, Ashley Shible
Other Losses (3):  Meredith Fricke (?), Julie Garretson (?), Amanda Heinly (R/I)
Newcomers (6):  Sierra Bertholomey, Rebecca Breitholle, Courtney Butler, Gretchen Goerlitz (TR/USU), Sasha Sullivan, Laura Zastoupil

Key Losses:  The Pioneers lost 13 of 24 routines from a squad that finished 0.225 points behind Nationals qualifier Iowa in the Regional hosted by DU.  Two AAers, Bankhead and Shible, have helped lead DU for the last several season.  Also gone are three others who contributed to the DU effort, Fricke, Garretson and Kiernan.  

Key Returners:  Jr. AAer Willingham and sophomore AAer Huffaker will lead the way for the DU in 2005, as the Pioneers sport just three upperclassmen on their squad.  Huffaker had a super rookie campaign, scoring a perfect 10.0 and qualifying to NCAAs as an individual.  She'll take the reigns from the departed seniors and lead this team forward.  Willingham excels on VT, where she will throw a new vault this season, but also emerged last year as a strong AAer as well.  Sophomore Dobyns provided a surprise and a major lift on VT last season, qualifying to NCAAs as individual by tying for 1st at Regionals.  The fourth starter, Andrews, is recovering from shoulder surgery.  She could be due for a larger role this season once she is recovered, having competed AA once last season.  Sr. Lorber has returned strong and lends experience in all four events, while Jr. Stephenson has worked back from injury to challenge on UB and BB.  Sophomore Tello also look to break into the VT lineup, having added a 10.0 SV vault.

Newcomers:  DU's strong and talented incoming class is expected to make an impact right away.  Transfer Goerlitz will likely compete three events, after starring for USU last season.  Bertholomey is a L10 from New Mexico who placed 38th AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  Breitholle is a L10 from Ohio and two time L10 National qualifier.  She placed 3rd AA at the Ohio L10 state meet.  Illinois native Butler is a former international elite who won L10 National titles on UB and VT in 2001.  She placed 49th AA at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  A potential impact frosh, Sullivan, is coming off a strong L10 season.  She placed 9th AA, 3rd (t) on FX and 8th (t) on BB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  The final frosh, Zastoupil, is a L10 from Wisconsin.  She placed 39th AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals, and finished 4th on VT at the 2004 Regional meet (Yurchenko LO 1/1).

Keys to Success: With some large gaps in the returning lineups, getting the frosh adapted and ready for NCAA competition is without question the key to success.  Avoiding injury will also be key, but with so many underclassmen, getting competition experience has to be a high priority.

Forecast:  A large and talented incoming class has some big shoes to fill, but several key candidates look ready to step up.  By the end of the season, they should be moving into contention.

  21.  Washington Huskies

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Bob Levesque
Assistants:  Heidi Coleman, Frank Lee
Starting Routines Returning:  19/24
Returning Starters (6): Chelsea Bakken (So), Carly Dockendorf (Sr), Tacia Labatte (Sr), Kelly McDonald (Jr), Darcee Schiller (So), Molly Seaman (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Kim Lewis (Sr), Tori Quandt (So)
Graduated (2):  Amy Metcalf, Emily Pritchard
Other Losses (2):  BJ Das (R/I), Erika Knapp (R)
Newcomers (8):  Brittney Brabec, Jessica Brown, Jennifer Chang, Natalie Gillan, Raimey Iselin, Lily Le (TR/Southeast Missouri), Julie Medeiros, Nikki Waiss (RS Fr)

Key Losses:  Emily Pritchard had a standout senior season, marred only by an overall poor team performance at the regional meet.  The national RQS leader on UB and a top AAer, she will be missed.  The Huskies also lose specialist Metcalf from a squad that set home (198.025) and away (197.3) scoring records.

Key Returners:  By their own assessment, the Huskies picked the worst time to have their worst meet of the season, with major breaks from nearly every athlete.  A lack of depth and injuries helped contribute to the unhappy ending to the season.  Putting that behind them, the Huskies will look forward to hosting Regionals this season.  They are led by senior captain Dockendorf, a two sport star who qualified to the NCAAs in both gymnastics and track and field.  The 2003 2nd team All-American and three time Regional champ is a crowd favorite on the FX (Arabian double front).  Sr. Seaman, the defending Pac-10 co-champ on BB, is recovering from her fifth knee surgery and will miss the first two weeks.  She was 2nd(t) in the national RQS rankings on BB last season.  Another sr, Labatte, juggles both cheer and gymnastics.  She excels on VT (Yurchenko Full) and FX, despite battling back problems.  Jr. McDonald, a former sr. international elite with the scores (10.0 VT; 39.825 AA) and skills to match (double layout on FX; double back off BB) has been slowed by a slow recovery from heel surgery.  Soph. Bakken is expected to have a major AA role this season, after a strong preseason.  Soph Schiller looks to challenge on VT/UB, while Quandt has reportedly made improvements in the off season.

Newcomers:  No less than nine newcomers give the UW coaching staff plenty of choices for lineup slots.  RS Frosh Waiss is a likely VT and UB, having placed 4th AA (t), 1st UB and 6th on VT at the 2002 L10 Nationals.  Another RS Frosh, Le, is a transfer from SEMO.  She placed 6th (t) on UB at the 2003 L10 Nationals and 24th (t) AA at the 2002 meet.  True frosh Brittney Brabec has emerged as an AA candidate after a strong preseason.  She was the 2001 L10 National Champ on BB.  Arizona native Brown placed 7th AA, 6th on FX and 6th (t) on BB at the 2003 L10 Nationals, but is recovering from wrist surgery.  In-state product Chang is a 2003 L10 National qualifier and medallist at YMCA Nationals.  Gillan hails from Colorado, where she was a two time state high school AA champ.  She placed 7th (t) AA and 6th (t) on VT at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Another in-state product, Iselin, placed 31st AA at the 2004 L10 Nationals while working her way back from injury.  A strong preseason has put her into AA contention.  Canadian Medeiros placed 3rd (t) on BB and 14th AA at the 2004 Canadian Championship.  This elite boasts some top skills, including a double Arabian on FX and a pike Deltchev on UB.  

Keys to Success:  Getting the key veterans like McDonald and Seaman healthy while getting the frosh adapted and performing consistently should be keys.  Last year, vault SVs were a weak point, and this should be improved.  Then, mastering consistency will be the final hurdle for the entire team.

Forecast:  Injuries to key gymnasts could be a limiter, but a deep and talented set of newcomers should help lift this Regional host into leading contention for Nationals.

  22.  Missouri Tigers  

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Rob Drass
Assistants:  Kira (Atkinson) Montuori, Paul Scardina
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Returning Starters (8):  Kelley Anderson (So), Whitney Crater (So), Jodie Heinicka (Jr), Amanda Pezzullo (So), Alisha Robinson (Sr), Lauren Schwartzman (Jr), Sarah Zigler (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Rachel Dombart (Sr), Alicia Gilmore (So), Julie O'Donnell (So), Erin Riley (Jr),
Graduated (4):  Rachel Bridges, Lindsay Davis, Andrea Nervig, Lauren Owca
Other Losses (3):   Miranda Boeckman (R/I), Lindsey Eckhouse (?), Katie Roets (?)
Newcomers (5):   Julie Abaray, Nicole Bowman, Ashley Khederian, Katie Kluga, Lisa Puccio

Key Losses:  The Tigers lose seven gymnasts and nine routines from a team who's Regionals was ruined by a subpar showing on the UB (47.05; no score above 9.675).  Departed from that team were Regional competitors Boeckman, Bridges, Davis, Nervig, and Roets.  The loss of Bridges, Davis and Nervig is especially important, and they had formed a key part of Mizzou's rebuilding.

Key Returners:  Leading the Tiger effort will be standout senior Alisha Robinson, a former All-American.  Robinson is reportedly in outstanding preseason form in all four events, but especially on VT (four 10.0 SV vaults) and FX (double layout).  Another key athlete is Schwartzman, the Big 12 Champ on the BB.  She ranked 7th (t) in the National RQS rankings last year, scoring a 10.0 with her terrific set (ro, bhs, layout).  Anderson, a sophomore, is a potential AAer who has been steadily working her way back from an injury (Achilles) sustained her first year.  At full health, she is capable of big skills like a full-in on FX.  Jr. Heinicka also rebounded from injury (ACL) to swing UB at Regionals; she should have a larger role this season.  She reportedly has returned to form on VT, where she should secure a spot as one of eight+ Tiger athletes with a 10.0 SV.  Jr. Zigler has reportedly looked strong in preseason training, and looks to continue her success on the UB while challenging for lineup slots in the other events..  Soph Crater emerged last season with a powerful new vault, and will also challenge for a spot in the FX lineup.  Another sophomore, Pezzullo, excels on BB, VT and FX but has been slowed by an injury.  Also returning for Mizzou is sr. Dombart, a steady BB and UB worker and a trio of specialists, Gilmore, O'Donnell, and Riley.  

Newcomers:  Five frosh join the Missouri program, recruited by Coach Drass and his staff to fill specific needs.  Abaray is a standout BB worker and the 2004 L10 National Champ on the event.  She also placed 16th AA last season.  Virginia native Bowman is reportedly still recovering from ankle surgery.  She excels on the VT (Yurchenko LO 1/1) and FX (double layout) when healthy.  Another powerhouse, Khederian, is a L10 from Massachusetts is expected to make a major impact on VT and FX (pike full-in).  She placed 10th on VT at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Kluga, from Illinois, finished 25th AA, 8th (t) on BB and 10th (t) on UB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  She also finished 29th AA in 2003, while competing for IGI.  The fifth frosh, Puccio, is an in-state product who was a 2003 L10 Nationals qualifier and the 2002 Regional L9 AA Champ.     

Keys to Success:  Coach Drass will likely depend on his core group of talented upperclass veterans to help carry the team forward in 2005.  Robinson, Anderson, and Schwartzman will be key rocks for the program.  Getting stepup performances from frosh like Abaray and Khederian could be keys to finding replacements for the missing nine routines

Forecast:  A core group of talented athletes will need to be supported by stepup performances from the frosh.

  23.  West Virginia Mountaineers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Linda Burdette
Assistants:  Dave Kuzara, Joanna Parratt
Starting Routines Returning:  22/24
Returning Starters (9):  Jessica Bartgis (Sr), Amie Bouchier (So), Janae Cox (So), Tynisha Dennis (So), Alyssa DeSantis (Jr), Carri Nagle (Sr), Sabrina Noonan (So), Gretchen Richter (Jr), Kari Williams (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Aimee Brown (So), Kendra DeWitt (So), Cheryl Goldenfield (So), Stacey Mariana (So), Lequita Williams (Sr)
Graduated (1):  Emily Duryea
Other Losses (1):  Casey DePerro (dropped)
Newcomers (6): Jamie Gold, Rachel Hardin, Katie McGregor, Margaret Ann Moore, Kara Weaver, Toni Zito

Key Losses:  A large and experienced squad should be able to absorb the loss of two routines from last year's squad.  Duryea competed UB at Regionals last year, while DePerro vaulted.  With 20 athletes, including six newcomers, the depth should be able to compensate.

Key Returners:  The Mountaineers will be led by AAers Bartgis, a senior, and sophomore sensation Cox.  Bartgis, a former elite, had a breakthrough season last year to help lead WVU.  She's back for a fifth season this year, and is reportedly looking in even better shape and is sporting increased difficulty.  Cox, a sensation as a frosh, is a former jr. international elite who qualified to NCAAs after a stellar season.  The holder of the top two AA scores in WVU history, she sports top level difficulty, especially on BB and FX (triple full dismount; has also thrown an Arabian double front).  Another former elite, sr. Nagle, is coming off an excellent season and is another AA contender, after learning a new vault in the off season.  Another senior leader, Kari Williams, has earned a scholarship this season after starring on VT the last three seasons.  Junior Richter, a Texas native, is another AA candidate who had an outstanding season on three events last year.  She ranks 4th in total points scored among the active squad members.  Another junior, DeSantis, is touted as another potential AA candidate, but excelled last year with her consistency on UB and BB.  Another standout Sophomore, Dennis, has huge skills on the power events, throwing a pike full-in on FX.  Classmate Bouchier is another powerful tumbler cited for her consistency on three events.  Yet another member of the sophomore class, Noonan, worked her way back from injury to swing UB last season.  She had offseason foot surgery.  Another sophomore expected to see more action this season is Goldenfield, who excels on BB and has learned a new vault.     

Newcomers:  Six newcomers join a team that already is deep with 14 returners.  Key among these athletes are signees Gold and Weaver.  Gold placed 39th AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals, and is best on FX and VT.  In-state product Weaver is an eight time WV state champion and the first WV athlete to win a L10 Regional AA title.  She qualified to Nationals in 1999 and 2000.  The other frosh include Hardin, a L10 Regional qualifier from Ohio and Moore, a L10 Regional qualifier cited for her great lines.  The sixth frosh, Zito, focused on high school competition in Ohio after training L9.

Keys to Success:  A deep and experienced WVU squad will look to leadership from seniors Bartgis and Nagle, and the standout AA skills of rising star Cox.  Those three AAers will form a core that will be supplemented by an improving mix of veterans and newcomers.  The biggest lift to the next level could come from the sophomore class, after a year of adjustment and experience.

Forecast:  With another year of experience and increased consistency, the Mountainers should start and end stronger this season.

  24.  Arkansas LadyBacks

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Mark & Rene Cook
Assistants:  Rose McLaughlin
Starting Routines Returning:  24/24
Returning Starters (9):  Rachel Barnett (So), Cassie Drew (So), Katie Hardman (Jr), Kim Harris (Jr), Melissa Leigh (Jr), Audra Loveless (Jr), Hannah McLeod (Jr), Dana McQuillan (Jr), Kathy Thompson (So)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Jamie Burnette (So)
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (0):  
Newcomers (3):  Samantha Cortez, Mallory Machnik, Emily Peacock

Key Losses:  The rapidly developing LadyBack program, in just their third year, return all 24 routines.

Key Returners:   What was once a young and exciting new team is now an experienced and polished team that continues to build a following in Arkansas.  Jr. McQuillan was the top Arkansas AAer last season, and is reportedly is back in fine form for 2005.  Her great lines and consistency is notable on all four events, but especially on FX (double pike, double tuck).  Another Jr., Hardman, is a former elite star who excels on BB and FX, and is cited as one of the most technically precise gymnasts on the team.  A crowd favorite on BB, she ends with a rare gainer tuck full off the end of the beam.  Classmate Leigh excels on UB, where she became the first ever All-SEC team member for the LadyBacks.  She placed 3rd on UB at the 2004 SECs.  Another junior, Loveless, stars on the VT and FX for Arkansas.  The final junior, McLeod, is a potential AAer who focused on three events last season with great success.  Picking up AA duties was sophomore, Cassie Drew, who stepped up with continued improvements to lead the newcomers last year in the AA.  Another sophomore, Thompson, set the school record on the VT with her much needed 10.0 SV vault.  She also consistently shone on the FX with powerful tumbling.  The top FX mark, however, was recorded by Barnett.  Barnett hit for 9.95 in the FX and 9.9 on UB last season.  Finally, junior Harris returns after redshirting last season.

Newcomers:  The newcomers are led by sr. international elite Emily Peacock, a standout gymnast from Texas.  This gymnast has the potential to star for the LadyBacks, and help raise them to the next level of competitiveness.  She brings elite level difficulty to the squad, especially on BB (front pike mount; double tuck dismount) and FX (triple full; whip-back layout 2 1/2 twists).  Another top recruit, Cortez, is a L10 from New Jersey.  She placed 33rd AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  In 2002, she did even better, capturing 3rd (t) AA, 8th (t) on the BB and 1st on the UB.  This former jr. national elite could have an impact in the AA as well.  The third signee, Mallory (Brown) Machnik, is a L10 from Louisiana.  A powerful gymnast, she is strongest on the FX and VT.  

Keys to Success:  The foundation is now in place and the Cooks have assembled a deep, experienced squad that is building a fan following in Arkansas.  To take it to the next level, they will need to focus on increasing their difficulty while remaining consistent under pressure.  Recruit Peacock could be a difference maker this season, given an added punch to the end of the LadyBack lineups.

Forecast:  Arkansas has the depth and experience to move from new program into Regional contender.  Newcomer Peacock could have a major impact.  

  25  California Golden Bears

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Cari DuBois
Assistants:  Steve Arkell, Sue Arkell
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Returning Starters (5):   My-Lan Dodd (Sr), Miho Maeda (Sr), Britani Pittullo (Jr), Lauren Shipp (Sr), Elyse Wong (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Justine Cephus (So), Isabel Garcia (So)
Graduated (2):  Karissa Chock, Stephanie Kim
Other Losses (3):  Monique Chang (R), Adrienne Garcia (?), Anya Garcia (?)
Newcomers (5):  Alexandra Dillon, Siobhan Luce, Keiko Nakamura, Allison Szutu, Nicki Wells

Key Losses:  The Bears lose eight routines from a trio of athletes from last year's Regional qualifying squad.  Key among those losses where AAer Kim and three event specialist Chang.  Kim was a elegant AA force who excelled on BB and FX, while Chang was beginning to show her elite promise on FX, VT and UB.  Also departed is Anya Garcia, who struggled with injury but competed BB at Regionals.  Also graduated is the oft-injured Chock, who gave the Bears an AA boost when healthy.

Key Returners:  The key returner for the Bears is senior All-Arounder My-Lan Dodd, who holds four of the top five AA marks in Cal history, and owns a share of the school record on the VT, FX and BB.  The elegant Dodd is a gymnastics technician's favorite for her excellent extension and toe point, combined with top skills like a 2 1/2 twist punch front on FX and excellent elgrip work on UB.  She was also the 2004 Pac-10 Co-Champ on BB.  She is joined by seniors Maeda and Shipp, who both will contribute in multiple events.  Maeda, a former walkon, shines best on UB and BB. Shipp has recovered from injuries that threatened her career early on to excel in three events.  She reportedly is one of the most improved Bear gymnast, and will be a key athlete on Vault (Yurchenko 1/2 front layout).  The only member of the junior class, Pitullo, is another former walkon who earned a scholarship by emerging as a key AAer as a frosh.  She's working her way back from offseason shoulder and ankle surgery, and should be ready by midseason.  A sophomore hailing from Hawaii, Wong, was the top frosh a year ago with steady, consistent performances.  Another sophomore, Isabel Garcia, is an in-state product who hopes to break through in more events this season.  Also returning for Cal is Cephus, who torn her right ACL and meniscus last year.  Her competition status will be determined by her rehab progress.  A former L10 National champ on the BB, she is also a key vaulter when healthy (Yurchenko 1/2 front layout).  

Newcomers:  Coach DuBois welcomes back five newcomers to the Berkeley squad, led by New Zealand star Nicki Wells.  An experienced international competitor, Wells competed in the 1999 and 2003 World Championships for New Zealand.  She also captured the 2003 New Zealand AA title, and was also part of their 2002 Commonwealth Games team.  She is expected to be a top AAer from the start.  Also expected to be a leading frosh is local Bay Area product Szutu.  She placed 17th (t) AA and 10th (t) on VT at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  In 2003, she placed 34th AA and 4th (t) on VT.  The third early signee, Luce, is a L10 from Nevada.  She placed 28th AA at the 2002 L10 Nationals.  A pair of in-state L10s complete the incoming class, Dillon and Nakamura.  Dillon's status will depend on how quickly she recovers from a broken foot.  Nakamura placed 9th AA at the 2004 Region I L10 Regionals, and excels on BB.

Keys to Success:  Injuries will leave the Bears a little shorthanded to start the season, forcing a quick adjustment for frosh like Wells and Szutu.  Getting gymnasts like Pitullo healthy while avoiding injuries to key AAers could be critical late in the season.  Also, improving consistency at the big meets will be key to a post season run.

Forecast:  The Bears have some big gaps to fill and depth remains an issue.  The core group of upperclassmen will need immediate contributions from newcomers like Wells.