1.  UCLA Bruins

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach:  Valerie Kondos Field
Assistants: Marshall Nelson, Chris Waller 
Returning Starters (5):  Kristen Maloney (Sr), Ashley Peckett (So), Kate Richardson (Jr), Christie Tedmon (Sr), Lori Winn (So)
Other/Injured Returners (5):   Kisha Auld (Sr), Christy Erickson (Sr), Michelle Selesky (So), Jennifer Sutton (Jr/I), Courtney Walker (So/I)
Graduated (4):  Jeanette Antolin, Jamie Dantzsher, Yvonne Tousek, Jamie Williams
Other Losses (4): Ashley Martin (So/R; manager), Holly Murdock (R/I), Trishna Patel (?), Aimee Walker (TR/BYU)
Newcomers (3):  Jordan Schwikert, Tasha Schwikert, Lindsey Vanden Eykel

Key Losses:  The defending Champion Bruins will seek to replace nine routines from three key athletes, in pursuit of their sixth title.  Jeanette Antolin, Jamie Dantzscher, and Yvonne Tousek amassed numerous National Team and Individual titles for UCLA as part of a core that captured the Team title four of the last five years.  Only Antolin went AA last season, as Dantzscher was limited by injury and Tousek skipped vault.  Jamie Williams also frequently competed, particularly on VT and BB.  Reportedly, Murdock has now retired.

Key Returners:  RS Sr. Kristen Maloney and Jr. Kate Richardson look to lead the Bruins to their sixth title.  Maloney rebounded from numerous injuries to return as an AA force last season, and will look to continue that this year.  She returned last season with improved swing on UB and many of her big skills back (double layout on FX).  Richardson trained through to the Olympic Games, where she made finals on FX (double layout, pike full-in, two whips to double pike).  After a busy 2004, we may see Coach Field pace her throughout the season. Sophomores Winn and Peckett can compete on any event, while Sr. Tedmon provides depth and experience on VT and FX.  Walker and Selesky return from injury, and will provide a boost of depth.  Sr. Auld could also be a key vaulter.    

Newcomers:  The Schwikert sisters, Jordan and Tasha headline the Bruin incoming class, along with former junior standout Lindsey Vanden Eykel.  Olympian Schwikert looks to continue the Bruin tradition of former elite National Champions, and assume a leadership for future Bruin squads.  She's shown the ability to adapt quickly to any situation, with little training, so the transition to the NCAA should be easily accomplished.  Her younger sibling Jordan demonstrated good progress in returning from back surgery by placing 2nd AA at the L10 Nationals last spring.  Finally, Vanden Eykel is a former two time jr. champion on the UB, and is known for her beautiful lines.

Keys to Success:  For the Bruins, getting the frosh adapted to NCAA competition and keeping key gymnasts healthy appears to be the keys to another successful title run.  For the last two years, that has been especially true on vault, where the Bruins' depth has been tested.  The Schwikerts plus injured returners Walker and Selesky should help out there.

Forecast:  We'll likely see Bruins battling for a National Title on an April Friday in Auburn.

  2.  Georgia GymDawgs

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  11/24
Head Coach:  Suzanne Yoculan
Assistants: Jay Clark, Doug McAvinn 
Returning Starters (4):   Michelle Emmons (Sr), Kelsey Ericksen (So), Ashley Kupets (So), Brittany Smith (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Courtney Pratt (RS Fr), Brittany Thome (So)
Graduated (6):  Chelsa Byrd, Cory Fritzinger, Kinsey Rowe, Sierra Sapunar, Loren Simpson, Marline Stephens
Other Losses (6):  Jamie Ackerman (R/I), Adrienne Dishman (RS Fr/I; out for season), Marie Fjordhom (R/I), Tiffany Gordon (R/I),  Ashley Miller (?), Laura Thornsberry (R)
Newcomers (5):  Audrey Bowers, Nikki Childs, Megan Dowlen, Katie Heenan, Samantha Sheehan

Key Losses:  Remarkably, the GymDawgs have lost 12 athletes from last year's squad.  However, many of those losses were absorbed prior to Nationals last season by a large and deep UGA squad.  Six graduated seniors formed a core group of regular GymDawg competitors, including Byrd, Fritzinger, Rowe, Sapunar, Simpson and Stephens.  Although these losses accounted for 13 of 24 routines at last year's Super Six finals, these athletes represented five potential AAers.  

Key Returners:  Super Sophs Kelsey Ericksen and Ashley Kupets look to form a new core of GymDawgs, along with a talented frosh class.  Ericksen is notable for her great lines, especially on UB and her consistency and mental toughness as a frosh AAer.  The powerful Kupets will look to anchor VT (Omelianchik) and showcase her big tumbling combinations (showing a front layout-double front last season).  Senior Emmons (VT/BB/FX) and Jr. Smith (VT/BB/FX) lend experience and strong 9.9+ scores on three events apiece.  Another Sophomore, Thome, adds much needed depth on UB.

Newcomers:  Remarkably, the Coaches' have selected the GymDawgs as the #2 Preseason pick, despite the loss of 12 athletes from the squad.  This is likely due to what is arguably the nation's top incoming class.  Elites Childs, Dowlen, Heenan and Sheehan join with top L10 Bowers to form the future of UGA gymnastics.  Heenan has been an early standout according to reports, as she has adapted quickly to NCAA training.  Her personality and clean lines and execution make her well suited to future NCAA stardom.  The elegant Childs and polished yet powerful Dowlen will give this GymDawg squad a slightly different look than past Yoculan teams.  Beam ace Bowers, a former two-time L10 National Champ on the event, could provide surprises this season.  However, Sheehan is reportedly still adjusting to college training and the post-Olympic Trials year.  

Keys to Success:  In three words:  experience, experience, experience.  Mastering the adjustments and transitions from elite competition to college will be key for UGA.  Once those adjustments are made, depth on events such as UB and possibly VT are potential concerns, especially is injuries occur.

Forecast:  Although this squad may start slower than past GymDawg squads, expect to see them battling for a National title.

  3.  Stanford Cardinal

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  9/24
Head Coach:  Kristen Smyth
Assistants: Larissa Fontaine, Chris Swircek
Returning Starters (4):  Natalie Foley (Jr), Jessica Louie (Jr), Stacy Sprando (So), Glyn Sweets (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Brittany Billmaier (So)
Graduated (5):  Kendall Beck, Caroline Fluhrer, Shelly Goldberg, Lise Leveille, Lindsay Wing
Other Losses (3):  Mandy Delgado (R), Erin Geary (R), Marla Ranieri (R)
Newcomers (6):  Lauren Elmore, Stephanie Gentry, Alexandra Pintchouk, Aimee Precourt, Elizabeth Tricase, Tabitha Yim

Key Losses:  Coach Smyth will look to replace eight gymnasts, including five seniors who helped Smyth guide Stanford into a National Title contender.  Those five gymnasts, Beck, Fluhrer, Goldberg, Leveille, and Wing, provided experience, style, and sparkle that helped characterize a rising Cardinal squad.  Especially missed will be AAers Fluhrer, Leveille and Wing.

Key Returners:  Junior Natalie Foley looks to lead the Stanford squad as it prepares to make the next step up and capture its first National title.  The talented and powerful AAer has reportedly looked sharp in preseason training.  She is well-known for her big skills on every event, but especially on UB (Shoushunova) and FX (full-in).  Fellow Jr. Sweets struggled a bit with injuries, but looks to return with her unique skills and long lines, potentially as an AAer.  The third junior, Louie, injured both ankles in fall training and will look to return by midseason.  She'll be missed on VT (Yurchenko Full), FX (full-in) and UB.  Sophomore Sprando looks to step-up from last season, and has reportedly come back strongly on UB (upgraded dismount, great lines), BB and FX.

Newcomers:  Six frosh comprise one of the nation's best incoming classes, headlined by elites Gentry, Tricase and Yim.  The extremely powerful Tricase looks to have the skills, personality and polish to become a major force in the NCAA, if she can keep her knees healthy.  On the road to recovery, Yim looked set for a spot on the Olympic Team until a torn Achilles derailed her plans.  Reportedly ahead of schedule and already swinging UB, we may see her unique style on FX this season.  Gentry, another stylish and elegant elite from WOGA, could also emerge as a top AAer. Former L10 National Champ Elmore has big skills (double layout) and could go AA.  Pintchouk lacked the US citizenship to compete at L10 Nationals, but is a potential surprise standout and the 2004 Region VII AA Champ.  Precourt is another strong L10, tying for 17th AA and 4th on FX in 04.

Keys to Success:  Like UGA, experience and adjustment for the frosh is the key for this team.  Another relatively small team, injuries could play a factor to their chances, especially on VT.  Avoiding injuries and making the adjustments to the unique team pressures of NCAA competition will be key.

Forecast:  A Super Six contender for sure, and a run at the National Title, if not this year, then surely next.

  4.  Alabama Crimson Tide

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  18/24
Head Coach:  Sarah & David Patterson
Assistant: Brian Raschilla 
Returning Starters (8):  Mari Bayer (Jr), Alexis Brion (Sr), Brittany Comeaux (So), Rachel Delahoussaye (Jr), Dana Filetti (Jr), Shannon Hrozek (Sr), Ashley Miles (Jr), Michelle Reeser (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Meredith Laxton (So), Dana Pierce (Jr), Erin Rightley (So)
Graduated (3):  Lauren Holdefer, Stephanie Kite, Jeana Rice
Other Losses (2):  Johnna Gay (R), Larissa Stewart (R/I)
Newcomers (3):  Terin Humphrey, Jessie Silver, Kaitlin White

Key Losses:  The loss of NCAA Champ Rice will certainly be felt on this Bama squad, both from her scores and her leadership.   Kite and Holdefer also saw much lineup time, particularly on FX.  These three losses accounted for just six of the GymTide's 24 routines in the Super Six.  

Key Returners:  Ashley Miles, the two-time defending NCAA champ on VT and 2004 co-champ on FX, will look to lead this Bama team and not let the trophy leave its visit to the state of Alabama.  A potential AAer, Miles has reportedly looked very sharp in early practice reports.  Seniors Brion and Hrozek are both potential AAers, but Brion is best known for her work on VT (pike front 1/2) and FX (whip to double tuck).  Hrozek is a steady and consistent AAer, and looks sets for strong senior season.  Another senior, Reeser, is energetic on FX and BB.  Bayer, Filetti and Pierce are two former elites who can contribute on any event.  Most likely, the polished Bayer, with an improved vault, could go AA.  Filetti has the skills to score big (triple full, Arabian double on FX; Pike Luconi VT) while Pierce excels on BB.

Newcomers:  How do you replace an NCAA Champion?  By bringing in an Olympic medalist and World Champion team member, Terin Humphrey.  Humphrey recently joined the team in January, after spending the fall touring and showcasing her top-notch skills.  Although she may have to adjust quickly, look for Humphrey to assume a leading AA role by the time the Tide reach Auburn in April.  Another key frosh, Kaitlin White, is still recovering from knee surgery and is being brought around slowly.  Known for her VT and tumbling, she could also have an impact on UB and BB.  Unfortunately, the third signee, the injury plagued Weber has reportedly left the team and walkon Silver is still relearning her skills.

Keys to Success:  Coach Sarah Patterson has already indicated that the Bama squad will start slow, as their depth has been impacted by injuries and the frosh are not yet on-board.  Recovering from injuries, avoiding further injury, and getting the frosh to contribute could become keys to a title challenge.  

Forecast:  With tons of experience and an in-state advantage, the GymTide will be in the mix for the Super Six and National Title.

  5.  Utah Utes

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  18/24
Head Coach:  Greg Marsden
Assistants:  Megan Marsden, Aki Hummel
Returning Starters (8):  Dominique D'Oliveira (Jr), Annabeth Eberle (Sr), Nicolle Ford (So), Gritt Hoffman (Sr), Stephanie Lim (So), Natalie Nicoloff (Jr), Gabriella Onodi (Jr), Kristen Riffanacht (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Rachel Tidd (So)
Graduated (2):  Veronique Leclerc, Melissa Vituj
Other Losses (1): Jacey Draper (TR/Oregon St)
Newcomers (3):  Jessica Duke, Katie Kivisto, Ashley Postell

Key Losses:  The Utes face the 2005 campaign without mainstays Melissa Vituj and Veronique Leclerc, who contributed six routines to the Utes Super Six effort.  Vituj's sparkling personality and consistent AA scores will be missed greatly, while Leclerc was able to step up in any event.

Key Returners:  The 2005 Utah squad will be led by super Senior Annabeth Eberle.  Her power and precision are evident in every event, but especially on VT (Yurchenko 1/1 and Hristakaeva) and FX (2 1/2 to punch front).  Soph Ford has reportedly returned in fine form, and is ready to surpass her outstanding rookie campaign.  She especially shines on UB (pike Jaeger, Gienger) and BB (ff, lo, lo).  Junior Riffanacht is expected to have a strong year as a potential AAer, and sports a new VT (Yurchenko 1/1) after a strong preseason.  Senior Hoffman has become well-known for a crowd pleasing FX (full-in), while Jr. Nicoloff impresses as the beam lead-off.  Sophomore Tidd caught mono prior to Nationals, but has the ability to be another strong AA force, and could provide a surprise this season.  Her preseason was reportedly much stronger than her rookie preseason, but is now suffering from back problems that may limit her..  Juniors D'Oliveira and Onodi will battle for lineup slots, while Lim looks to increase her consistency while still throwing big skills (pike full-in on FX).  Onodi has reportedly continued to improve beyond expectations, and may even see AA action.

Newcomers:  A talented and accomplished Ute frosh class promises to blend with an experienced crew to form quite a force.  Headlined by former World BB Champ Ashley Postell, this class could see much competitive action.  Postell could be one of several Utes who could challenge for an NCAA AA title.  Coach Marsden is already praising her potential not only athletically, but as a future team leader.  Elite Kivisto is known for top level difficulty and originality, especially on FX (whip immediate triple twist) and BB (straddled front flip from cross support).  The frosh trio is completed by in-state product Duke, a former jr. elite and former L10 National Champ.  Once she recovers from preseason injuries, her best lineup shots are on VT (Pike Luconi, Yurchenko 1/1) and UB.

Keys to Success:  With minimal injuries reportedly thus far and plenty of experience and talent, this Utah's team biggest obstacle may not be physical.  The Utes experienced major problems on UB in the Super Six last season that quickly dropped them out of title contention.  Utah will look to put it all together and stay strong in Auburn in their pursuit of a national title.

Forecast:  A blend of experience, incoming talent and depth gives this Ute team the best shot in years at a National Title.  

  6.  Florida Gators

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  23/24
Head Coach:  Rhonda Faehn
Assistants:  Randy Lane, Louis Robinson Jr
Returning Starters (8): Erinn Dooley (Sr), Savannah Evans (So), Breanne King (So), Samantha Lutz (So), Sherie Owens (Jr), Katie Rue (So), Orley Szmuch (Sr), Chantelle Tousek (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Beth Kleiman (Jr), Kim Schatz (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Erin Pendleton, Kristen Stucky, Kara Waterhouse
Other Losses (2): Alecia Ingram (R), Lisa Marzan (?)
Newcomers (6): Stacey Abbott, Tiffany Murry, Tracey Rai, Ashley Reed, Whitney Rosenburg, Nicola Willis

Key Losses:  Three key athletes are gone from this Florida squad, but due to injuries this squad lost just one routine from 2004.  Erin Pendleton hit perfection on UB and was a frequent BB competitor.  The oft-injured Stucky missed Nationals, but was fantastic on UB and BB the last two seasons.  Sometime AAer Waterhouse was also a BB and UB regular.

Key Returners:  Two seniors lead the way for an experienced Gator squad, Dooley and Szmuch.  RS Sr. Dooley is strong and consistent on every event, particularly on BB and FX.  AAer Szmuch sports skills as unusual as her name, including an in-bar Gienger on UB and a handstand step down to layout-layout on BB.  The Sophomore class had a big impact for UF as rookies.  Tall Canadian King, a 5'-8" Soph, had a solid debut campaign as an AAer and made 2nd Team All-American on FX.  Lutz also competed AA and is known as a strong UB worker, but also made 1st Team All American on BB.  Another potential AAer and 2nd Team BB All-American, Katie Rue, also has power to spare on VT and FX (double layout or full-in). Evans is a front tumbling force on FX (trains a double front), where she captured 2nd Team All American honors.  Another 5'-8" Canadian, Tousek, has impressive power on VT, where she made 1st Team All-American.  

Newcomers:  A large and talented incoming class bolsters the already deep Gator squad with six newcomers.  Clubmates Murry and Reed are two top L10s and in-state products that could have a major impact.  Murry captured the L10 National AA and UB titles last season, and is a powerful vaulter (02, 03 L10 Champ).  Reed could be a major surprise AAer this season, according to early reports.  She captured the Region VIII L10 AA title with a huge tally last season.  Besides those two, two other foreign elites join the mix, along with two L10s, Abbott and Rosenburg.  Canadian Rai placed 12th AA at the Canadian Championships and shines on FX (double arabian).  Last but not least, British Olympian Nicola Willis could provide a major impact on any of the events.  3rd AA at the British Championships, she sports top international level difficulty, especially on FX (double layout, full-in).

Keys to Success:  For UF, the biggest challenge could be finding a lineup among a deep and talented squad.  Additionally, like many other top teams, getting the frosh to adapt to the demands of NCAA training and life is always a challenge.  But with the recruited strength on VT addressing the Gator's weak event, this team could contend.

Forecast:  A fast start and a furious finish could push the Gators into title contention, if not this year, then definitely next.