1.  UCLA Bruins

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach:  Valerie Kondos Field
Assistants: Milo Johnson, Chris Waller 
Returning Starters (4):  Jeanette Antolin (Sr), Jamie Dantzscher (Sr), Kate Richardson (So), Yvonne Tousek (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (7):   Christy Erickson (Sr), Kristen Maloney (Sr/I), Holly Murdock (So), Trishna Patel (Sr), Jennifer Sutton (So), Christie Tedmon (Jr), Jamie Williams (Sr)
Graduated (4):  Malia Jones (Sr), Kristin Parker (Sr), Doni Thompson (Sr), Onnie Willis (Sr)
Other Losses (1): Alyssa Beckerman (R)
Newcomers (7):  Kisha Auld (Jr), Ashley Martin, Ashley Peckett, Michelle Selesky, Aimee Walker, Courtney Walker, Lori Winn

UCLA looks to defends its 2003 NCAA Team Title with a home stand at Pauley Pavilion.  To accomplish this, UCLA Head Coach Valerie Kondos Field will need to blend her experienced firepower with some incoming talent.  UCLA will be led in the defense of their 2003 title by 2002 NCAA AA Champion Jamie Dantzscher and 2003 3rd Place AA finisher and BB and UB (co) National Champ Kate Richardson.  The Bruins suffered a blow in training this fall when it was determined that Dantzscher would be limited to the uneven bars for her final campaign.  Also departed from this team is the core of a team that won three NCAA Championships, including 2001 NCAA AA Co-Champ Onnie Willis, and All-Americans Alyssa Beckerman, Malia Jones, Kristin Parker, and Doni Thompson.

Despite those considerable losses, UCLA remains the PreSeason #1 pick of the Coaches.  Canadian Kate Richardson, reportedly training for the Olympics, is reportedly in top shape and will be a leading contender for the National AA title.  She showed a potential 9.9 FIG SV BB set and a new two whips to double pike FX dismount at the recent intrasquad.  She will pushed by a number of her teammates, including Jeanette Antolin and former NCAA UB Champ Yvonne Tousek (who will reportedly skip Vault).  Antolin rebounded last season to become a consistent potential AAer, and has reportedly shown good preseason form.  Tousek, another former NCAA Champion, will be a top three event specialist.  

After two years of injury, Kristen Maloney is reportedly set to go on at least three events, having exhibitioned V, UB and BB at the recent intrasquad.  On BB, she is showing a Wolf Full, Wolf, Rulfova combination.  Sophomore Holly Murdock is also reportedly training well, is ready to push for an AA slot after limited duty last year.  Jr. Christie Tedmon showed four events at the intrasquad, and other returnees add depth, including seniors Trishna Patel and Jamie Williams.  

With seven newcomers, Coach Kondos-Field will look to her experienced core to guide the new talent in the rigors of NCAA team competition.  Early standouts among the frosh include 2002 Canadian BB Champ Ashley Peckett and L10 Courtney Walker.  Peckett showed two whips to a double pike to open FX at the intrasquad, and competed a full-in at the 2003 Canadian Nationals.  Walker is a top L10 who has upgraded her skills, and could figure in the mix on any event.  Former international elite Aimee Walker, after a series of knee injuries, appears to be back and showed V and FX, and excelled on UB at the intrasquad (Gienger, inverts, Pak, double layout).  Lori Winn, another international elite, reportedly sat out the intrasquad due to the flu, but is ready to challenge the vets for lineup slots.  After a five year layoff, Kisha Auld has returned to gymnastics to add a Tsuk layout full to the vault lineup.

Still loaded with experience and top talent, the Bruins will look to parlay top skills, new talent, and the comfortable confines of the home gym into yet another NCAA title.

  2.  Georgia GymDawgs

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Suzanne Yoculan
Assistants: Jay Clark, Doug McAvinn 
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Returning Starters (8):  Jamie Ackerman (So), Chelsa Byrd (Sr), Michelle Emmons (Jr), Marie Fjordhom (So), Cory Fritzinger (Sr), Ashley Miller (So), Kinsey Rowe (Sr), Brittany Smith (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Loren Simpson (Sr), Sierra Sapunar (Sr), Marline Stephens (Sr)
Graduated (1):  Cassie Bair
Other Losses (1):  Breasha Pruitt (?), Keri Lee Sullivan (R)
Newcomers (7):  Adrienne Dishman, Kelsey Ericksen, Tiffany Gordon, Ashley Kupets, Courtney Pratt, Brittany Thome, Laura Thornsberry

Suzanne Yoculan's Georgia GymDawgs are led by a contingent of experienced and talented seniors that have formed the core of the UGA team for the last several years.  They are reportedly intent on claiming a National Title, and remain a leading contender to ruin UCLA's plans for repeat title in Pauley.  This UGA team is one of the nation's most experienced, but contrary to paradox, also boast a large and talented incoming class.  Coach Yoculan's biggest challenge may be in determining the lineup for each weekend, with such a large and deep crew.  The UGA losses from last season are relatively light, with Cassie Bair graduating and Keri Lee Sullivan retiring due to injury.  Coach Yoculan states that her lineups go nine deep without affecting the team's scoring potential.

Leading the 2004 GymDawgs will be senior AAers Chelsa Byrd, Cory Fritzinger and Kinsey Rowe.  Co-SEC Athlete of the Year Byrd stepped up last year to become a leading AAer, and has reportedly upgraded her routines, including new FX music and a full-in dismount.  Last season, Byrd scored 592.6 points in 60 routines, ranking 3rd on the all time UGA list.  Fritzinger, the former NCAA Vault Champ, is another top AAer who anchors the GymDawg UB lineup and has scored 10.0s on every event but FX.  She showed her new UB routine at the recent Meet The Team event (UGA UB Coach Jay Clark has reworked the UB sets to eliminate "built-in" deductions).  Rowe has bounced back from numerous injuries to compete 58 routines last season, and showed a ff-lo-lo series on BB at the recent exhibition.  A fourth senior AAer, Marline Stephens, is returning to form after sitting out last season due to injury.  She showed full routines on all four events at a recent exhibition.  Fellow seniors Lauren Simpson and Sierra Sapunar are still working their way back from injury.

The rest of the underclassmen provide ample support for the senior leaders, particularly junior Michelle Emmons, and sophs Jamie Ackerman, Ashley Miller and Brittany Smith.  A fourth sophomore, Marie Fjordholm, has reportedly been slowed by a recurrence of a back injury.  Ackerman excels on FX and V, at will reportedly add a full-in dismount to a double layout mount on FX.  Smith is also strong on FX and V, but is noted for her BB, including a rare tucked full somersault.

The large and talented frosh class includes a number of walkons who turned down offers from other programs to compete for the GymDawgs.  Early standouts include Ashley Kupets, Brittany Thome and Kelsey Ericksen.  Kupets is challenging for an AA spot, and is showing standouts skills like a front layout immediate double front and a Omelianchik vault.  Ericksen, a former L10 National champion, is also challenging for an AA spot, with top skills on every event, but especially on UB (Tkachev, Pike Jaeger).  The remaining frosh will reportedly challenge in various specialist roles, especially on Gordon on vault and Dishman on UB.

With such a large array of talent, Coach Yoculan's primary challenge will be integrating the newcomers with the veterans to create an optimal scoring machine.  With a focused UGA team, UCLA will have a large challenge to defend their title, even at home.

  3.  Alabama Crimson Tide

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Head Coach:  Sarah & David Patterson
Assistant: Brian Raschilla 
Starting Routines Returning:  20/24
Returning Starters (12):  Mari Bayer (So), Alexis Brion (Jr), Rachel Delahoussaye (So), Dana Filetti (So), Lauren Holdefer (Sr), Shannon Hrozek (Jr), Stephanie Kite (Sr), Ashley Miles (So), Dana Pierce (So), Michelle Reeser (Jr), Jeana Rice (Sr), Larissa Stewart (So)
Other/Injured Returners (0):  N/A
Graduated (1):  Kristen Sterner
Other Losses (1):  Lauren Pruitt
Newcomers (4):  Brittany Comeaux, Johnna Gay, Meredith Laxton, Erin Rightley

Ranked 3rd in the Preseason Poll, Alabama is primed to recapture the NCAA title.  With last year's somewhat inexperienced crew a year wiser, an improved Bama squad can certainly give a run at the title.  They will have to do it without Kristen Sterner, the lone senior on last year's squad.  But to accomplish this goal, the returners will have to step it up a notch and make up for the loss of the talented student-athlete.

With athletes like Sr. Jeana Rice, the Pattersons have little to worry about.  The Co-SEC Athlete of the Year should once again challenge for the AA title and lead Bama in point production.  Showing good early season form and new skills in training, Rice is the kind of athlete the Tide can depend upon in pressure situations.  Fellow seniors Lauren Holdefer and Stephanie Kite are also reportedly doing well, both with 10.0V and with Holdefer showing a running double front on FX.  

Junior Alexis Brion is back to training AA, and is training a variety of new skills to debut this season, including a double layout on FX.  With a secure BB routine and a new UB set, she could give Bama yet another AA threat.  Fellow Jr. AAer Shannon Hrozek is sometimes overlooked in the deep and talented squad, but this junior contributed key routines throughout last season.  The energetic Michelle Reeser has been slowed slightly during fall by injury.  

Last year's leading frosh, the dynamic Ashley Miles, leads the talented sophomore class.  The 2003 NCAA Vault champ, Miles reportedly has a reworked BB (ro layout mount, bhs to two footed layout) routine, and may begin to challenge as a top AAer.  Dana Filetti returns, and is showing strong skills and much improvement in fall training, including a Pike Luconi vault and triple full on FX.  She reportedly could go AA this year.  Mari Bayer showed her long and elegant lines last season primarily on UB and BB, but can also go AA.  Dana Pierce is another highly talented frosh, who especially excels on the BB, hitting several key routines last season.  She is also slated for UB and VT.  Another sophomore, Rachel Delahoussaye, is a key returner on BB.  Larissa Stewart, a standout on BB and UB last season, has also been slowed by a non gymnastics injury during the fall.

Of the four frosh, the key standout for the Tide should be former elite Brittany Comeaux.  Comeaux vaults an unusual RO 1/2 twist on, front tuck with a 1/2 twist off vault and is another BB standout.  Comeaux is yet another AA threat in the very deep Bama squad.  Johnna Gay and Erin Rightley will also work to break into the lineup, impressing observers during recent previews.  Meredith Laxton is reportedly recovering from injury.

With experience now added to the mix, a deep and talented Bama squad should have no problem challenging for the title once again.  With signs of stepup performances from their returners already apparent in preseason training, any losses and injuries can be quickly absorbed by these title contenders.

  4.  Utah Utes

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  17/24
Head Coach:  Greg Marsden
Assistants:  Megan Marsden, Aki Hummel
Returning Starters (7):  Dominique D'Oliveira (So), Annabeth Eberle (Jr), Gritt Hoffman (Jr), Veronique Leclerc (Sr), Natalie Nicoloff (So), Kristen Riffanacht (So), Melissa Vituj (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Gabriella Onodi (So/I)
Graduated (3):  Kim Allan, Theresa Kulikowski, Kylee Wagner
Other Losses (0): N/A
Newcomers (4):  Jacey Draper, Nicolle Ford, Stephanie Lim, Rachel Tidd

The 2004 edition of the Utah Utes bring a new era -- one without Theresa Kulikowski.  For the last five season, the former NCAA Champ seemed to exemplify Utah Gymnastics.  Now she is graduated, along with Kim Allan and Kylee Wagner, leaving the Utes short seven starting routines from last year's Super Six appearance.  However, in their place Coach Greg Marsden has amassed a top freshman class, one capable of more than compensating for the loss of the veterans.  Thus, the 2004 Utes look to blend a highly experienced core with exciting newcomers, and once again challenge for the title.

The Utes will be led by Senior Melissa Vituj, who emerged last season as a consistent high scoring all around threat.  True to form for nearly all Ute seniors, Vituj's last season could be her best, with upgrades in place for the new season.  She shines particularly on FX, where she will add a double pike to her double twisting front and standout triple full.  Fellow senior Veronique Leclerc also is stepping up for her final year, with a new UB routine and RO 1/2 turn entry vault.  Junior AAer Annabeth Eberle will also push for the top Ute AA slot, with a reworked UB routine planned in addition to her powerful vaulting and tumbling.  Fellow Jr. Gritt Hoffman returns healthier and stronger, with an UB routine, a new RO 1/2 entry vault and upgraded tumbling (full-in mount).  

Being cited as the most improved, Kristen Riffanacht saw the most action of the sophomore class last season.  She is capable of contributing on any event as well.  South African Dominique D'Oliveira rebounded from injury to join the Ute lineups late last season.  She is reportedly looking strong, particularly on vault (new RO 1/2 entry) and UB.  Another international star, Gabriella Onodi, was reportedly doing very well until being slowed by injury in the last month.  

The Ute frosh class bears much promise, and will be looked upon to step in and be ready to challenge for a title from their first season.  Coach Greg Marsden has cited international elite Nicolle Ford as being an early standout in training.  Ford is especially known for her outstanding skills and execution on UB (Pike Jaeger, Gienger, double layout) and BB (bhs-lo-lo, double back dismount).  Rachel Tidd, a 2001 World Championship finalist on BB, has reportedly made a rapid recovery from an injury layoff and is set to make a large impact as well.  Stephanie Lim, coming back from two knee surgeries, is a powerful athlete with big skills when healthy.  Jacey Draper, a former jr. intl elite, is also working her way back from surgery, having a rod implanted in her leg in the fall.  

There is undoubtably excitement in Salt Lake with this 2004 Utah team: it blends experience and proven stars with exciting, highly touted newcomers into a Championship contender.

  5.  Michigan Wolverines

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  20/24
Head Coach:  Bev Plocki
Assistants:  Scott Sherman, Joanne Bowers
Returning Starters (6):  Becca Clauson (So), Jenny Deiley (So), Chelsea Kroll (Jr), Lauren Mirkovich (Jr), Kara Rosella (Jr), Calli Ryals (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Christine Mantilla (Sr), Elise Ray (RS Jr)
Graduated (4):  Janessa Grieco
Other Losses (2):  Rachel Colon (TR), Erica Rubin (R), Kallie Steffes (R)
Newcomers (4): Lindsey Bruck, Clare Flannery, Carol McNamara, Sarrie Rubin

The Michigan Wolverines open the season in fifth place in the Preseason Poll, mirroring their finish at the NCAAs.  Their 5th place finish was remarkable in the face of some series injuries and setbacks at the start of the year.  Most notable of course, was the loss of Olympia and 2001 NCAA AA Co-Champ Elise Ray.  Despite this loss, the rest of the team stepped up and once again made the Super Six.  This season, with Ray back and another strong recruiting class, a deeper and even more talented Michigan squad looks for their shot at the title.  They will have to do it without the services of All American Janessa Grieco, now graduated.  Grieco was the Michigan nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year.

Besides Ray, they will be led once again by senior All American Calli Ryals, part of a standout trio of veteran all arounders that includes the aforementioned Ray and sophomore Jenny Deiley.  Ryals was the NE Region Co-Gymnast of the Year and is a balanced threat overall, but especially shines on FX.  She reportedly worked hard during fall training on adding a double layout.  Deiley had a standout frosh campaign, culminating in All American honors and being named Big 10 Freshman of the year.  Deiley is reportedly working on several upgrades, including a tucked full-in on FX.  Ray is still working her way back from injury and will add difficulty as the season progresses.

Jr. Lauren Mirkovich also returns, and lends strength on UB as a 2nd team All American, and adds depth on the other three events, even showing FX at the intrasquad (whip 2 1/2 twist opening pass).  Fellow Jr. Kara Rosella excels on BB and UB, and has competed on FX.  Coach Bev Plocki reports that junior Chelsea Kroll may be withheld from FX to preserve her knee, to keep her healthy for UB/BB.  Senior Chris Mantilla is also back from injury, and has added a Yurchenko Full on vault and adds depth on UB.  The final returner, All American Becca Clauson, is a powerful sophomore who has excelled on three events for the Wolverines.  Her powerful full-in mount helps complement a very strong Wolverine FX lineup.

Of the four frosh, Lindsey Bruck is expected to an early standout and eventual AA contender.  An ankle injury in October has slowed her progress on V for this former. jr intl elite.  However, look for her to break into the lineup on the other three events.  Carol McNamara, a L10 from Twin City Twisters, is being looked to provide support on V and BB.  Clare Flannery, a former sr. national elite and L10, is set for BB and FX.  The final frosh, Sarrie Rubin, is a former international elite (22nd at '01 USAs) who has been slowed by injury.  When in top condition, Rubin could help propel Michigan to their goals.

Staying healthy will be very key for Michigan once again, according to Coach Plocki.  Certainly, a healthy Michigan could give the front runners a run for their title.

  6.  Stanford Cardinal

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  22/24
Head Coach:  Kristen Smyth
Assistants: Larissa Fontaine, Chris Swircek
Returning Starters (9):  Kendall Beck (Sr), Mandy Delgado (Jr), Caroline Fluhrer (Sr), Natalie Foley (So), Shelly Goldberg (Sr), Lise Leveille (Sr), Jessica Louie (So), Glyn Sweets (So), Lindsay Wing (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Marla Ranieri (Jr)
Graduated (2):  Alyssa Cooper, Kelsey Stillinger
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3):  Brittany Billmaier, Erin Geary, Stacy Sprando

Stanford heads into the 2004 season with once of the most experienced squads in the country.  The Coaches' value experience quite a lot, and have ranked Stanford the Preseason #6 position.  With experience and talent, look for Stanford to start fast and score well from the outset.  The 2004 Cardinal team is without the services of two athletes, Alyssa Cooper and Kelsey Stillinger, who were primarily specialists.  To this, they welcome three frosh to a team that is anchored by a group of seniors that has largely formed the core of the Stanford team for the past three seasons.  This core undoubtably now has higher goals in mind than just making Nationals and the Super Six.

The Senior class is comprised of Kendall Beck, Caroline Fluhrer, Shelly Goldberg, Lise Leveille, and Lindsay Wing.  Beck has been a standout on V (Yurchenko Full) and BB (bhs-lo-lo) for the last two years, and has worked to come back from minor injuries sustained late last season.  Fluhrer has also seen her share of injuries, but competed three events last season, including achieving 2nd Team All American honors on UB.  She is also a potential AAer.  Goldberg is primarily known for her powerful front tumbling and vaulting, including a rare double front on FX.  Leveille added a Yurchenko Full vault last season to emerge as a top AAer.  Post season shoulder surgery meant that Leveille spent the summer in rehab.  She is particularly known for her jam packed BB routine and expressive FX.  Finally, All American Lindsay Wing looks to add V once again to become an All Arounder once more.  Wing anchors a formidable Stanford BB lineup, perhaps the nation's finest in terms of experience, skill level and execution.

Natalie Foley returns after a stellar freshman campaign that marked her as one of the nation's top AAers, achieving first team All American honors.  The former international elite should only get better with a year of experience and could challenge for a national title.  Fellow sophomore Glyn Sweets, another former international elite, provided standout routines on three events.  A potential AAer, she is especially known for her unusual BB set and sky high Hristakaeva vault.  Jessica Louie, the third sophomore, was slowed by an early injury last year but brings power to V and FX (full-in).  Juniors Mandy Delgado and Marla Ranieri add depth, once injuries and surgeries are overcome.

Of the frosh, Stacy Sprando is expected to make the largest impact.  The former jr. national elite finished 5th AA and 1st UB at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  With long lines, she is especially notable on UB, where the Cardinal look to improve.  Also adding depth is a pair of L10s, Erin Geary and Brittany Billmaier.  Overall, Stanford looks to improve on the FX, where their total lagged the other top teams at Nationals and in RQS.

With one of the most experienced squads, Stanford looks well positioned to step back into the Super Six and perhaps more.  It will be interesting to see if they step up to the challenge to achieve even more.