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Season Preview Capsules
Last season's finale saw the UCLA Bruins return to the top of the team podium, holding off fast rising upstart Oklahoma. Bama was close behind in third, just ahead of Stanford and host Florida. In fact, places #2 to #5 were separated by the narrowest of margins. Just 0.25 separated the teams that finished 2nd through 5th in the Super Six. In a year of big changes, defending National Champion Georgia Gym did not even advance to the National meet, after five straight National Titles. They tied for 2nd at their Regional, but lost the tiebreaker to Oregon State, proving once again the smallest of errors can make a difference, and that every routine counts. The increasing talent and coaching parity in the NCAA, combined with rules that put the emphasis on execution, are creating a highly competitive situation.
Since the NCAA began sanctioning a championships in Women's Gymnastics in 1982, just four teams have won the National title: Bama, UCLA, UGA, and Utah. Will this be the year that another school finally breaks into that illustruous club? Defending champion UCLA will be seeking their 7th National title, and will be loaded with most of their returning stars. Plus, they welcome one of the nation's strongest recruiting classes, headlined by Olympian Sam Peszek. Or will Florida or Oklahoma be able to unseat the Bruins? Florida features a lineup packed with elite-level stars including 2010 US World Championship team member Mackenzie Caquatto. Last year, Coach Faehn said the team's performance was impacted by the weight of their own expectations of competing for the title in their home gym. This season, a new mental approach is planned to help them ascend to the top spot. The Sooners, on the other hand, have lost some key athletes like star Hollie Vise, but they too return a strong veteran core and welcome a talented cast of newcomers.
Last year's RQS #1 ranked team, Alabama, is back with another tough squad, and has a talented set of newcomers as well. Not to be overlooked is Stanford, which lost top AAer Carly Janiga but adds Canadian World Championship team member Kristina Vaculik. The final member of last season's Super Six, Utah, welcomes a large set of frosh, led by elite star Corrie Lothrop, that look to return the Utes back to the Super Six once again. Just outside of last year's Super Six, but looking to break into the top ranks are Nebraska, Oregon State, Michigan, LSU, Arkansas and Missouri. Michigan returns a veteran squad, bolstered by the return of fifth year senior Sarah Curtis. Nebraska returns 22 of 24 rouetines from last year's National Finals, where they finished 7th. Likewise, Oregon State returns a strong core and welcomes a strong incoming class, including former National Team member Britney Ranzy.
Last season, Missouri returned to the NCAA finals after a long absence. With increasing parity, any number of teams could knock off a traditional favorite and make their way to the National meet. A number of offseason coaching changes will also add a new flavor to the mix, with perhaps a record number of changes at the returning Top 25 teams.
Despite the threat of potentially game changing rule changes, in the end, much has remained the same. The threat of a "all scores count" system is gone, and teams still count the top five scores per event. The NCAA code modifications were once again very minor, with very few changes that will impact skill selection or scores. In fact, this may be the least amount of changes in a season in recent memory. The net result will be more teams than ever will be capable of posting a high team score at Regionals, and the smallest of errors could lead to a team staying at home in April.
The tables below as complete as we know at this point in the season. If you have additional updates or corrections, please submit them using the link above.
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Key to the Tables:
Ranking: By 2011 Preseason Coaches Poll
Coaches: Only regular, paid coaches are listed.
Starting Routines: Defined by starting lineup in last meet of the post season.
Returning Starters: Defined by starting lineup in last competition
Year in School: (Is listed as reported on the school's roster)
Status Codes for Returners:
I = major season ending injury in 2010
R = retirement/not competing (for any other reason than transfer or injury)
S = Under suspension
TR = Transfer
RS = Redshirt (note: not all eligible gymnasts will employ or are awarded a redshirt year)
?=unconfirmed/unknown information
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1. UCLA Bruins
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2. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 16/24
Head Coach: Valerie Kondos Field
Assistants: Jim Foody, Chris Waller
Returning Starters (7): Monique De La Torre (So), Tauny Frattone (Jr), Aisha Gerber (Jr), Elyse Hopfner Hibbs (Jr), Brittani McCullough (Sr), Mizuki Sato (Sr), Niki Tom (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (9): Kaelie Baer (Jr), Danielle Greig (So),Tiffany Hyland (Jr), Talia Kushynski (Sr), Alyssa Pritchett (Jr), Courtney Shannon (So), Allison Taylor (Sr), Lichelle Wong (So), Vanessa Zamarripa (Jr/I)
Graduated (1): Anna Li
Other Losses (2): Marci Bernholtz (Sr/R), Chloe Takayanagi (So/?)
Newcomers (4): Olivia Courtney (Fr), Kassiy Kozai (Fr), Samantha Peszek (Fr), Sydney Sawa (Fr)
Quick Assessment: The Bruins lose Li to graduation and Zamarripa to a torn Achilles but gain some powerhouses in Courtney, Peszek and Sawa. They will be the early favorites for a run at defending their title, but got a little more vulnerable with the loss of two athletes capable of posting 9.9+ on each event..
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Head Coach: Sarah & David Patterson
Assistant: Brian Raschilla
Returning Starters (5): Marissa Gutierrez (So), Kayla Hoffman (Sr), Ashley Priess (Jr), Geralan Stack-Easton (Jr), Ashley Sledge (So)
Other/Injured Returners (4): Becca Alexin (So), Alyssa Chapman (Sr), Megan Mashburn (Sr), Rachel Terry (Jr)
Graduated (4): Morgan Dennis, Ricki Lebergern, Casey Overton, Kassi Price
Other Losses (e): Jocelyn Fowler (Jr/?), Mary Hauswirth (So/?), Erika Pearson (Jr/?)
Newcomers (8): Olivia Carisella (Fr), Sarah DeMeo (Fr), Ria Domier (Fr), Lindsey Fowler (Fr), Kim Jacob (Fr), Diandra Milliner (Fr), Jordan Moore (Fr), Hannah Toussaint (Fr)
Quick Assessment: Bama loses some major point scorers at the end of the lineups in Dennis, Lebegern and Price. Their frosh class is large and deep, and Jacob and DeMeo look the most set in early season training to fill the gaps, while Milliner is set to join in January.
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3. Florida Gators
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4. Oklahoma Sooners
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Head Coach: Rhonda Faehn
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Robert Ladanyi
Returning Starters (9): Ashanee Dickerson (So), Nicole Ellis (Jr), Amy Ferguson (Jr), Alicia Goodwin (Sr), Liz Green (So), Marissa King (So), Dalia Lemezan (So), Elizabeth Mahlich (Jr), Maranda Smith (RS Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (1): Randy Stageberg (So)
Graduated (4): Amanda Castillo, Courtney Gladys, Ashley Kerr, Rebekah Zaiser
Other Losses (1): Kailey Tissue (Jr/student coach),
Newcomers (4): Mackenzie Caquatto (Fr, joining in January), Kytra Hunter (Fr, joining in January), Alaina Johnson (Fr), Brittney Noble (Fr)
Quick Assessment: The Gators have been on a recruiting tear as of late, and welcome an extremely strong class including Caquatto and Hunter. They lose some experience, but gain back Smith for another bonus year. Look for them to challenge for the title.
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Head Coach: KJ Kindler
Assistants: Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Returning Starters (7): Megan Ferguson (Jr), Natasha Kelley (So),Kayla Nowak (So), Brie Olson (So), Natalie Ratcliff (Sr), Melanie Root (Sr), Sara Stone (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Candace Cindell (Sr), Nitya Ramaswami (So)
Graduated (6): Jacqueline Flanery, Julie Kramer, Mary Mantle, Kristin Smith, Hollie Vise, Mary Mantle,
Other Losses (1): Bethany Neubauer (So/?)
Newcomers (4): Lauren Alexander (Fr), Hope Bruce (Fr), Taylor Spears (Fr), Hayden Ward (FR/enrolling in December)
Quick Assessment: The Sooners lose some key "end of the lineup" performers in Flanery, Smith and Vise -- the trio posted consistently high scores. The frosh will need to adapt quickly while others step forward to produce the 9.9+ scores.
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5. Utah Utes
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6. Stanford Cardinal
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 12/24
Head Coach: Greg Marsden
Assistants: Tom Farden, Megan Marsden
Returning Starters (5): Courtni Beers (Jr), Jacquelyn Johnson (Sr), Stephanie McAllister (Jr), Gael Mackie (Sr), Kyndal Robarts (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (1): , Fumina Kobayashi (So)
Graduated (4): Daria Bijak, Jamie Deetscreek, Annie DiLuzio, Beth Rizzo
Other Losses (2): Katelyn Mohr (Transfer/AU), Megan Whitney (Transfer/UW)
Newcomers (7): Nansy Damianova (Fr), Lia Del Priore (Fr), Alyssa Gale (Fr), Hailey Hansen (Fr), Mary Beth Lofgren (Fr), Corrie Lothrop (Fr), Victoria Shanley (Fr)
Quick Assessment: The Utes lose half their lineup and four All-Americans. The seven frosh will need to step up immediately; there are simply not enough returning veteran athletes to fill out the lineups. Lothrop is looking strong in preseason training.
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 18/24
Head Coach: Kristen Smyth
Assistants: Chris Swircek, Tabitha Yim
Returning Starters (7): Shelley Alexander (Sr), Alyssa Brown (Jr), Danielle Ikoma (Sr), Allyse Ishino (RS Sr), Ashley Morgan (So), Nicole Pechanec (Jr), Jenny Peter (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Nicole Dayton (So), Alexandra Skoly (Jr), Ming Ya Zhou (So)
Graduated (4): Stephanie Carter, Carly Janiga, Blair Ryland, Tenaya West
Other Losses (1): Catherine Nguyen (Jr/R)
Newcomers (5): Lauren Caldemeyer (Fr), Lucy Meyer (Fr), Shona Morgan (Fr), Amanda Spinner (Fr), Kristina Vaculik (Fr)
Quick Assessment: It is hard to replace an athlete like Carly Janiga, but Vaculik has been looking strong during the summer elite season up until her injury at World's. The large frosh class will provide depth. and the team should grow stronger as they gain experience.
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7. Georgia Gym Dogs
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8. Oregon State Beavers
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 15/24
Head Coach: Jay Clark
Assistants: Julie Ballard-Clark, Doug McAvinn
Returning Starters (5): Noel Couch (So), Hilary Mauro (Sr), Cassidy McComb (Sr), Gina Nuccio (Jr), Christa Tanella (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (4): Kati Breazeal (So), Mariel Box (Jr), Kathryn Ding (Jr), Shayla Worley (So)
Graduated (5): Lauren Johnson, Courtney McCool, Marcia Newby, Lauren Sessler, Grace Taylor
Other Losses (0): N/A
Newcomers (5): Bekah Bennetts (Fr), Lindsey Cheek (Fr; to start in December), Kaylan Earls (Fr), Cat Hires (Fr), Laura Moffatt (Fr)
Quick Assessment: Georgia finished in unfamiliar territory last season, watching Nationals from home. To make things worse, they lose superstars like McCool and Taylor. A healthy Ding and Worley could be key, with strong contributions from the frosh.
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 17/24
Head Coach: Tanya Chaplin
Assistants: Mike Chaplin, John Carney
Returning Starters (7): Becky Colvin (Sr), Mel Jones (So), Jennifer Kesler (Sr), Leslie Mak (Jr), Stephanie McGregor (Jr), Makayla Stambaugh (So), Olivia Vivian (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Leilani Alferos (So), Kelsi Blalock (So)
Graduated (3): Laura-Ann Chong, Mandi Rodriguez, Whitney Watson
Other Losses (0): N/A
Newcomers (4): Hannah Casey (Fr), Brittany Harris (Fr), Britney Ranzy (Fr), Amanda Schulberg (Fr)
Quick Assessment: The Beavers lost some key athletes, including Chong and Rodriguez. Ranzy has the potential to post big scores, but any number of others should be able to take up the slack as well..
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9. Michigan Wolverines
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10. Nebraska Cornhuskers
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 19/24
Head Coach: Bev Plocki
Assistants: Scott Sherman, Shannon Welker
Returning Starters (6): Natalie Beilstein (So), Kylee Botterman (Sr), Sarah Curtis (RS Sr), Britnee Martinez (Fr), Kari Pearce (Sr), Jordan Sexton (RS Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Trish Wilson (Sr), Katie Zurales (So)
Graduated (3): Kelsey Knutson, Jaclyn Kramer, Maureen Moody
Other Losses (1): Taylor Zondervan (Sr/Transfer to WMU)
Newcomers (7): Teresa Arthur (Fr), Stephanie Colbert (Fr), Shelby Gies (Fr), Tori Kane (fr), Kristin Nagle (Fr), Joanna Sampson (Fr), Reema Zakharia (Fr)
Quick Assessment: The Wolverines losses were from depth players, so the strong frosh classes could lift the team even higher. The team is further boosted by the fifth year return of Curtis and Sexton.
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 20/24
Head Coach: Dan Kendig
Assistants: Danna Durante, Tim Garrison
Returning Starters (9): Erin Davis (Sr), Lora Evenstad (Jr), Kristin Fyffe (Jr), Janelle Giblen (So/I), Brittnee Habbib (Sr), Kassandra Nathe (Jr), Maria Scaffidi (RS Sr), Brittany Skinner (So), Maddie Steinauer (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (1): Hannah Bower (So)
Graduated (2): Kathryn Howard, Kylie Stone
Other Losses (2): Hannah Bower (So/I), Kristin Fyffe (Jr/I, mgr)
Newcomers (4): Deanna Barmore (Fr), Kaitlin Reid (Jr/TR from CSUF), Jamie Schleppenbach (Fr), Emily Wong (Fr)
Quick Assessment: Nebraska excelled last season and looks to replace just two routines. With another year of experience, the Huskers should just get stronger.
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11. Arkansas GymBacks
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12. LSU Tigers
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 14/24
Head Coach: Mark and Rene Cook
Assistant: Don Houlton
Returning Starters (7): Stacy Bartlett (Jr), Natalie Bohonsky (So), Amy Borsellino (So), Mariah Howdeschell (Jr), Kelci Lewis (So), Jamie Pisani (Jr), Amanda Siebert (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Molly Lewis (Sr), Ginny Salvatore (Jr), Michelle Stout (RS Sr/I)
Graduated (3): Amy DeFilippo, Casey Jo Magee, Sarah Nagashima
Other Losses (0): N/A
Newcomers (5): Katherine Grable (Fr), Shelby Salmon (Fr), Jordan Salsberg (So/TR from SEMO), Scarlett Williams (Fr), Bailee Zumwalde (Fr)
Quick Assessment: Arkansas loses 10 routines to graduation, including top AAer Casey Jo Magee, who is now training elite. Their frosh are coming off a strong L10 season, led by Katherine Grable.
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Official Web Site: Link Schedule Roster
Starting Routines Returning: 12/24
Head Coach: D-D Breaux
Assistants: Bob Moore, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (5): Samantha Engle (Sr), Gloria Johnson (Jr), Ashley Lee (Jr), Nicole Lyons (Jr), Shelby Prunty (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Kaleigh Dickson (RS Fr), Lainie Fleming (RS Fr), Janelle Garcia (So)
Graduated (4): Sabrina Franceschelli, Summer Hubbard, Susan Jackson, Kayla Rogers
Other Losses (1): Gabby Swart (Fr/departed in preseason)
Newcomers (6): Casey Duvall (Fr), Mckenzie Fox (Fr), Maliah Mathis (Fr), Sarie Morrison (Fr), Sidney Sanabria-Robles (Fr), Sarah Zoldos (Fr)
Quick Assessment: LSU suffered some pretty large losses to graduation, most notably 2010 NCAA AA Champion Susan Jackson. Half of the routines are gone. The large frosh class will need to step in immediately, led by Mathis and Morrison.
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