Women's Regionals Preview:  2005

April 5th, 2005

Who will Advance to Auburn?  On April 9th, 36 teams will battle for 12 coveted slots at the National Championships, held this year in Auburn, Alabama.  From each Regional, the top two teams will advance on to the Nationals.  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 she wins 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.  This sometimes can play a factor in the Regional races, as certain rotations tend to be favored by certain teams.  As luck would have it, the #2 seeds have drawn what is generally perceived to be one of the most unfavorable rotations.  Starting a major event on the dreaded balance beam can test even the most seasoned of teams, and ending on UB can be treacherous.  However, in a bit of compensating Karma, the #3 seeds have drawn the rotation that ends on BB.  Since its an unfortunate fact that scores sometimes rise over the course of the rotations, starting on a high scoring event like FX is also a disadvantage.  Also of note is that the #4 seeds have drawn a more favorable draw, starting on a bye before UB.  With the increasing parity in the NCAA and other factors, the #4 seeds could present a strong challenge to the top three seeds.

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

Southeast Regional, hosted by Florida

#1 Seed Georgia has rebounded from a slow start and has gained momentum heading into the postseason.  A young team with many newcomers, the team has fought back from injury and collegiate inexperience to earn a #1 Seed.  Leading the way in the All Around are sophomores Kelsey Ericksen and Ashley Kupets, along with top frosh Katie Heenan.  With gymnasts returning from injury, this GymDawg squad is balanced and talented, and is looking to secure a favorite's label for Nationals.  

Host Florida enters the Regional as the #2 Seed, and along with UGA form a pair that will be difficult to dislodge from winning the slots at Nationals.  Like UGA, UF has been paced by underclassmen, in particular frosh AAer Ashley Reed and soph AAer Breanne King.  Lower body injuries to star seniors Orley Szmuch and Erinn Dooley have limited their impact, and inconsistency has sometimes cropped up in certain earlier meets.  However, the Gator squad is still strong, deep and talented, and will be even stronger in its home gym.

#3 Seed Denver drew an unenviable pairing in the two SEC powerhouses.  The Pioneers have been paced by their underclassman, in particular AAers Heather Huffaker and Casey Dobyns, both former NCAA qualifiers.  Their tough regional draw means the Pioneers may need some mistakes from the top seeds in order to advance.  Likewise, #4 Seed North Carolina will be looking to remain strong and consistent. Paced by National FX Co-Champ Courtney Bumpers, the Tar Heels missed a spot at Nationals last year by 0.025 of a point.  But with less depth this season, the team may be challenged to outdo that feat.

#5 Seed WVU features super sophomore Janae Cox and will look to build upon their 2nd place tie at the EAGL Championships.  #6 Seed NC State is coming off a successful regular season that saw them defeat both UNC and WVU.

The Call:  Baring major mistakes, both UGA and UF should advance to Nationals, with each challenging each other for the Regional title.  However, seeming heavy favorites have been strongly challenged in the past by lower seeds.  Both DU and UNC look to be the leading candidates to pull any potential surprise.

Be sure to catch:  If you are attending this regional, don't miss the FX routine of UNC's Courtney Bumpers.  With a double layout(-punch front) and arabian double front, this set features world-class tumbling.  UGA's Nikki Child's BB set showcases her flexibility, beautiful toe point, and elegance.  UF's Orley Szmuch spices up her sets with unusual skills like an in-bar Gienger and her infectious personality.  

Northeast Regional, hosted by New Hampshire

#1 Seed LSU is coming off perhaps their most successful regular season ever, and has emerged as a National Title contender.  Junior April Burkholder, the SEC Gymnast of the Year, remains the marquee performer for this LSU squad.  However, in support of this talented leader, a deep LSU squad has raised their level to close the gap between the 1st and 6th performer on each event.  Another confident and consistent team performance should ensure an easy trip to Auburn.

#2 Seed Oklahoma has put together an excellent season, with a large squad led by a quartet of AAers.  Senior Erin Labarr, the Big 12 Gymnast of the Year, junior Kristen Cox, plus sophomores Ashley Cooney and Brittney Koncak lead the Sooner charge.  Key AAer Cooney has shaken off a recent high ankle sprain and performed strongly at the Big 12s.  However, the team struggled on BB at the Big 12s.  A repeat performance on their opening event could open the door for another team to pass OU.

#3 Seed Arkansas journeys north and hopes to join its fellow SEC conference-mates back in Auburn.  In its program's third year, the Cooks have molded a Nationals contender with a team that features consistency as its hallmark.  The Lady GymBacks give up some tenths in start value on Vault, and also lost top vaulter Audra Loveless.  Coach Rene Cook recently promised some surprises for Regionals, however, so look for some potential upgrades here.  SV upgrades plus another characteristicly consistent performance from this squad should let them put the heat on the Sooners.

#4 Seed and host UNH will be looking to ride the comfort of the home arena to pull a big surprise in the NE Regional.  They are led by EAGL Gymnast of the Year Amanda Hall, a junior AAer.  #5 Seed Rutgers is led by sophomore AAer Beth Fittery, and will look to fend off #6 Seed Pitt.

The Call:  This LSU squad is perhap Coach DD Breaux's best ever.  They should advance to Nationals with ease, barring a major collapse.  The more interesting battle should be for the remaining slot.  OU could face a strong challenge from the upstart Arkansas squad.  

Be sure to catch:  LSU's April Burkholder has upgraded sets on BB and FX this season.  Her energetic FX features a super high full-in and her BB ends with a double pike.  Arkansas' Katie Hardman also sports a unique BB dismount, a pike gainer with a full twist off the end.  OU's Erin Labarr, a former walkon, dismounts both FX and BB with tuck double backs.

Central Regional, hosted by Alabama

#1 Seed Alabama, the Central Region host, will enter the meet as a heavy favorite to advance.  Led by junior Ashley Miles, the NCAA co-champ on FX and two-time defending NCAA champ on VT, the Tide will look to build momentum towards Nationals.  Marquee frosh Olympic Medalist Terin Humphrey has not disappointed the Bama faithful, and continues to throw a high level of difficulty with remarkable precision.  With talent, depth and some healing injuries, Bama looks set to advance.

#2 Seed ISU has been suffering as of late with some injuries, which has impacted the team's depth and has caused them to water down certain sets.  Standout All-American Janet Anson continues to excel, despite some recent back problems.  Junior All-American Erin Dethloff and junior Laura-Kay Powell complete a strong AA trio.  The keys for ISU will be remaining consistent on their opening event, BB and staying clean on UB, perhaps their weakest event.

#3 Seed USU has capped a remarkable turnaround year and secured a seed to Regionals.  They have not competed at Regionals since 2002.  The WGC Champions are led by RS soph AAer Jessica Parenti, balanced with a  broad array of gymnasts contributing to the team effort.  #4 Seed Auburn will also look to earn a trip back home for Nationals.  Loud in-state support could help lift this team, which has been led all season by frosh AAer Julie Dwyer, the SEC Frosh of the Year, as other scoring leaders worked back from injury.

Not to be looked is #5 Seed Kentucky, which has scored big road wins over DU, AU and USU.  This improved squad still battles with consistency at times, a fact that held them back at the SECs.  #6 Seed Kent State is the 2005 MAC Champions, and is paced by a veteran crew.

The Call:  Bama looks like a clear favorite to advance, with plenty of talent, the comforts of the home gym, and the support of 10,000+ fans.  ISU has missed Nationals by mere fractions of a point the last two years.  To break this streak will required another consistent performance to fend off the lower seeds.

Be sure to catch:  Bama's Terin Humphrey has kept most of her signature skills from her Olympic sets, including her triple turn in wolf position on BB.  If her back is feeling fine, ISU's Janet Anson will toss a big, clean full in on FX.  UK senior Michelle Gales throws one of the most effortless double layouts on FX in the country.    

Regional Preview, Part 2