7.  Michigan Wolverines

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  20/24
Head Coach:  Bev Plocki
Assistants:  Scott Sherman, Joanne Bowers
Returning Starters (7):  Lindsey Bruck (So), Becca Clauson (Jr), Jenny Deiley (Jr), Chelsea Kroll (Sr), Carol McNamara (So), Lauren Mirkovich (Sr), Elise Ray (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Clare Flannery (So), Kara Rosella (Sr), Sarrie Rubin (So)
Graduated (2):  Christine Mantilla, Calli Ryals
Other Losses (0): N/A 
Newcomers (5):  Lindsay Bourdon, Shanna Duggan (TR/CMU), Nellie Kippley, Katie Lieberman, Megan Moore

Key Losses:  The Wolverines lose just four routines from 2004, with three coming from AAer Calli Ryals and one from UB/VT specialist Mantilla.  Ryals formed an AA 1-2-3 punch with Ray and Deiley, a trio all with great lines and toe point.

Key Returners:  Elise Ray heads up her RS senior campaign looking to stay healthy.  She once again popped out a shoulder in the recent intrasquad, an all too frequent occurrence for the talented Olympian and former NCAA AA co-champ.  Look for Michigan to pace her as the season goes along, with her greatest impact being in the postseason.   Jr. Deiley is another AAer, reportedly back strong after struggling a bit with early injuries last season.  This '03 1st Team AA All American especially shines on UB and FX (whip to double tuck).  Seniors Mirkovich and Clauson lend depth and experience, if they can stay healthy.  Mirkovich shines on UB (in bar Gienger), where she as a '03 2nd Team All American, while Kroll does all events but VT.  She captured 2nd Team All American honors in FX in 03.  Junior Clauson is a powerful athlete on VT and FX (full-in), but also is steady on the BB (ff, lo, lo), where she was a 1st team All American as a frosh.  Sophomore McNamara looks to have a bigger role this year, after a strong preseason training period.  She reportedly is showing top skills, like a full-in on FX and a double back off BB.  Another sophomore, Bruck, captured 1st Team All American honors last season.  She is another potential AAer, with a stepup performance after a solid rookie campaign.

Newcomers:  Senior transfer Duggan will be looked upon to contribute immediately, especially on VT and FX (Arabian double front).  Top recruit Lieberman, a former senior international elite, will be looked upon to help lead the next generation of Wolverines.  She is a powerful vaulter, capable of a fantastic Yurchenko double full and an explosive front tumbler (Arabian double front, double front).  Once she adjusts to the reduced difficulty but increased consistency/execution requirements of the NCAA, she will be a force.  Another top recruit, Kippley, is a L10 coming off a great season in which she finished 3rd AA at L10 Nationals.  Another top L10, Bourdon, is reportedly still recovering from offseason surgery.  She was a top L10 performer, placed 2nd in 02 & 03 at the L10 Nationals.  Finally, instate walkon Moore is a rapidly rising L10.

Keys to Success:  Coach Plocki has perfected the art of peaking for the post season, and we'll likely see her rest and rehab her key athletes for a strong post-season push.  Staying healthy and getting the frosh used to competition are the usual success ingredients.  Depth on UB is one area of concern, especially with recurring injuries that threaten key gymnasts.

Forecast:  We'll likely see the Wolverines back in Auburn, and in strong contention for a Super Six slot, if they can stay healthy.

   8.  Louisiana State University Tigers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  23/24
Head Coach:  D-D Breaux
Assistants:  Bob Moore, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (11):   April Burkholder (Jr), Nicole Butler (So), Lauren Campanioni (Sr), Megan Durning (Jr), Annie Gagnon (Sr), Katherine Hilton (Sr), Rikki L'Heureaux (Jr), Terin Martinjak (Jr), Kelly Phelan (So), Lisa Rennie (So), Lindsey Thompson (Jr)  
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Jade Jenkins (Sr), Kelly Lea (Jr)
Graduated (1):  Lindsay Beddow (Sr),
Other Losses (1):  Brittany Brown (TR/Ohio St))
Newcomers (4):  Ashleigh Clare-Kearney, Emily Ellis, Kristen Julian, Melissa Wason

Key Losses:  The Tigers return 23 of 24 routines from 2004, and so any losses are primarily in depth.  Beddow, when healthy, was one of the top LSU performers on UB and BB, while Brown shined on FX.  With a large and experienced team, these losses should be absorbed.

Key Returners:   Heading up the LSU squad is a gymnast that we have come to associate with the Tiger team, April Burkholder.  The four time All American, just a junior, has demonstrated remarkable consistency while competing top level skills (full-in on FX, double pike off BB).  She was also the NCAA Central Region and SEC Gymnast of the Year in 2004.  She has plenty of support, including potential AAer Butler (So), Phelan (So), Rennie (So) and Gagnon (Sr).  Gagnon, an All American on VT (04) and UB (03), looks to a stellar senior campaign.  Butler captured a share of the NCAA Regional title on VT, and was steady on three events.  Phelan, who sometimes competes AA, excels on VT, where she is reportedly training a Yurchenko 1 1/2.  Another Sophomore, Rennie, has reportedly been strong in preseason training and won the AA at the intrasquad with improved vaulting.  She excels on UB with her unusual combinations and on BB with great lines and top skills.  Another key gymnast, Terin Martinjak, excels on FX and BB, where she showcases her strong dance skills and great toe point.  Finally, senior All American Campanioni will look to excel on FX, her best event.  Plenty of depth fills out the LSU roster, with gymnasts capable of stepping in on every event with very little dropoff in scoring potential.  Durning (Jr, BB), Hilton (Sr, UB), L'Heureaux (VT, UB, Jr) and Thompson (VT, Jr) all contributed on key events for LSU last season.  Also, Jenkins (Sr) has competed AA but excels on BB and FX while Lea has seen most action on UB and FX.  

Newcomers:  Four newcomers grace the LSU roster, headed by recruits Clare-Kearney and Ellis.  Both athletes possess big skills and could contribute in several events.  Clare-Kearney qualified to the US Classic as a senior international elite in 2003, and placed 21st AA at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Ellis is a L10 with big skills, including a double layout on FX and a Ray (toe-on reverse hecht) on UB.  Julian was the 2003 Louisiana state L9 champ and Wason finished 30th AA in 2003 at the L10 Nationals.

Keys to Success:  What was once a young and inexperienced team is now a deep squad filled with veterans.  Now ready to contend for Super Six consideration, they will need to increase difficulty and execution (particularly on VT), while maintaining their consistency.

Forecast:  LSU looks set to rejoin the field in Auburn, and could provide a surprise in qualifying for the Super Six finals.

  9.  Arizona State University Sun Devils

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  John Spini
Assistants:  Shelly Eaton, Bruce McGehee
Returning Starters (5):  April Boone (So), Cassandra Jusino (So), Ashley Kelly (Jr), Kari Muth (Sr), Lauren Powell (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Donna Chance (So), Lisa Lanza (So)
Graduated (4):  Jada Cox, Carla DeMartini, Maggie Germaine, Amber Giorgianni
Other Losses (2):  Shaena Friedman (?), Tiffany Van Dusen (?)
Newcomers (3): Josie Hancock, Taryn Shockley, Karissa Vossler (I)

Key Losses:  ASU loses eight routines from four talented seniors, giving up additional depth in the process.  Germaine was a top AAer with numerous 10s to her credit.  DeMartini was a force on three events for the Sun Devils, while Cox was a powerhouse on vault and FX.  Giorgianni had been limited by injury, but still contributed on UB and BB.

Key Returners:  The short handed ASU squad may compete five AAers this year: Boone, Kelly, Jusino, Muth, Powell.  National BB champ Ashley Kelly, a junior, will lead the Sun Devil charge in 2005.  A 1st Team All American in the AA, and a 2nd teamer in the VT and FX, Kelly is reportedly in fine form heading into 2005.  Senior Muth, cited for her hard work, may add vault to her repertoire this season.  She excels on UB (great staldter work), BB (triple flight) and FX (great expression).  Junior Powell, another gymnast cited for her work ethic, will seek to avoid the injuries that have disrupted her past two seasons.  Soph Jusino will look to build upon the success of her rookie season, and will be counted on again for a big AA tally.  She is powerful on VT (handspring layout front, pike front 1/2) and FX (double layout).  Another sophomore, Boone, will be looked upon to step up into an AA role.  She throws some big skills on FX (full-in) and UB.  Two more sophomores, Chance and Lanza will look to overcome injuries and contribute more.  Chance has a 10.0 SV vault but is battling back problems and Lanza excels on the UB.    

Newcomers:  The shorthanded ASU squad already suffered a large loss when frosh Karissa Vossler, a potential AAer, went down with a knee injury in fall training.  The L10 from Flips USA placed 3rd (t) AA at the L10 Nationals in 2004.  Another frosh battling injury problems, Josie Hancock, is suffering from a torn labrum in her shoulder.  A potential AAer as well, she will be counted on for big vault scores.  She placed 3rd AA at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  The third frosh, Taryn Shockley, is a clubmate of Vossler's.  She is expected to contribute on FX while building strength on the other events.

Keys to Success:  At the risk of repetition, the key for this ASU team is staying free of injury.  While other teams may be lacking depth in an event, its more severe with just 9 athletes on the roster.  Vault is being cited as a large problem, and an injury to a top vaulter or AAer could cause a large scoring gap.

Forecast:  Teams have made the Super Six with as few as seven athletes, but in today's field just making Nationals is an accomplishment.

  10.  Nebraska Cornhuskers  

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  12/24
Head Coach:  Dan Kendig
Assistants: Adrian Burde, Danna Durante,
Returning Starters (4):  Stephanie Carter (So), Kristi Esposito (So), Jamie Saas (Sr), Michelle Zabawa (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Danielle Millis (So), Richelle Simpson (Sr), Kylie Tanner (So)
Graduated (4):  Gina Bruce, Tiffany Byrd, Tami Harris, Libby Landgraf
Other Losses (1):  Natasha Gowda (TR/Boise St)
Newcomers (5):  Kylee Johnson (in January), Vanessa Meloche, Emily Parsons, Desire Sniatynski, Brittney Williams

Key Losses:  A key quartet of seniors plus one transfer leave this squad with just 1/2 the routines from Nationals last year.  AAers Landgraf and Harris are two key losses, both in scores and in leadership.  These All Americans will be greatly missed.  Another All American, Bruce, was a key contributor, especially on VT.  Gowda, who transferred to Boise St, contributed on UB but was a potential AAer.

Key Returners:  Fortunately for the Huskers, they welcome back 2003 NCAA AA Champ Richelle Simpson.  The Canadian 2003 World Championship team member looked to be set for an Olympic run until a knee injury derailed her senior campaign.  She reportedly was in fine form at the intrasquad, and will be looked upon for her scoring and leadership.  Another senior, Saas, is bouncing back from shoulder surgery but will be counted upon in the BB.  The sophomore class was a key to the Husker success last season.  Esposito emerged as a top AAer and captured All-American honors in 2004.  She especially excels on BB, where she made 1st team All-American in 2004, finishing 3rd (t).  Carter has reportedly come back in great shape and is prepared to step up into an AA role this season.  A former international elite, she is known for her power and great tumbling skills (full-in).  Zabawa is another AA candidate, after a solid frosh campaign in which she captured 2nd Team All American honors in the vault.

Newcomers:  Five Frosh fill out the 2005 Husker roster, and will be counted upon to contribute immediately on a variety of events.  Unfortunately, several are still rehabbing injuries sustained in 2004, and one, Vanessa Meloche, may redshirt.  Meloche is a top Canadian elite and former Canadian champion on the UB.  Heading the way for the 2005 Husker newcomers is Parsons, a former international elite and 2003 L10 National AA & FX Champ.  Another former international elite, Williams, placed 7th AA (t), 6th (t) on BB & FX, and 8th (t) on VT at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  Sniatynski, a L10 from Scamps, placed 7th AA (t) and 2nd on UB at the 2002 L10 Nationals.  Finally, local product Kylee Johnson is expected to join the team in January after an early graduation.  She placed 25th AA at the 2002 L10 Nationals.  

Keys to Success:  The Huskers have excelled with small teams in the past several years, so this year, with more gymnasts on hand, expectations could be on the rise.  Keeping key AA gymnasts injury free and bringing the frosh along with the required experience and adjustments quickly could propel this team higher.

Forecast:  Regional host Huskers are in prime position for a return trip to Nationals.  How high they finish may depend on the frosh.

  11.  Oklahoma Sooners

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  Steve Nunno
Assistants:  Jenny Rowland, Nilson Savage
Returning Starters (7):   Tara Anderson (Jr), Ashley Cooney (So), Kristen Cox (Jr),  Katie Hostler (Jr), Erin LaBarr (Sr), Elizabeth Tandy (So), Tiffany Willin (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Nicole Gause (Sr), Brittney Koncak (So)
Graduated (3):  Karina Agafanova, Leah Mueller, Kasie Tamayo
Other Losses (2):  Melissa Smith (R/I), Jillian Tinsley (?)
Newcomers (8):  Jenny Baker, Coral Borda, Caitlin Hinkis, Jessica Kinder, Stephanie Lo Piccolo, Meghan McWethy, Lisa Neal, Natalie Schmidt

Key Losses:  Kasie Tamayo was the 2004 Big 10 Gymnast of the Year and heads the list of losses for the Sooners as they seek to replace 8 routines from the 2004 Nationals squad.  Also departed are Agafanova, who contributed in up to four events, and UB specialist Mueller.  Also, Smith was a regular on UB and BB who retired due to injuries.  

Key Returners:  Seniors Labarr and Gause, both co-captains, will seek to lead the 2005 Sooners back to Nationals.  Labarr is a solid AAer who excels on the UB, where she was a 1st Team All-American in 2004.  She also made 2nd Team All American in the AA.  Gause looks to rebound from injury and showed fine form in the recent intrasquad, tallying the highest score on BB.  Two sophomore AAer will be looked upon to lead the way, Cooney and Koncak.  Cooney stepped up in a big way in 2004, winning VT titles at the Big 12s and West Region.  Koncak's season ended early with an injury, after a stellar start.  Her return to form could be a critical swing factor for OU, as she sports top level skills and execution on every event..  Jr. Kristen Cox is reportedly looking strong in the preseason, and she and fellow Jr. Anderson may go AA at times.  Another Jr, Hostler, will be looked upon to contribute big in FX and VT.  Sophomore Willin will be a mainstay on VT and FX after making 1st Team All American in VT (LO Tsuk 1/1) in 2004.  Another sophomore, Tandy, lends her talents on UB and BB.  

Newcomers:  Coach Nunno welcomes eight newcomers to the 2005 Sooner squad, his largest class yet.  He will look to them to quickly adapt and fill the spots in the lineups left by the departed athletes.  Two international elites, Coral Borda and Stephanie Lo Piccolo, headline the recruiting class.  Borda continues an OU tradition of Brazilian standouts.  She was a 2001 World Championship Team member and former jr. standout.  LoPiccolo hails from Australia, where she competed in the 2004 Aussie Olympic Trials.  Her sets feature international level skills like a Rulfova (full twisting swing down) and Kochetkova (full twisting bhs).  Another signee, Hinkis, is a L10 from CATS who placed 38th AA and 6th (t) on UB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Other frosh with AA potential include Schmidt, a former sr. international elite who trained L10 last season as she worked her way back, and Kinder, a L10 from Missouri and four time Nationals qualifier.  A trio of in-state products complete the class -- Baker, McWethy, and Neal.  Baker is a L10 who qualified to Nationals in 2002.  McWethy, who placed 3rd AA at the 2004 L9 Western Nationals will focus on VT and BB, while Neal, a two time L10 Nationals qualifier, will specialize in VT.

Keys to Success:  With a large and diverse group of athletes, the OU coaching staff will look to mold and group their talented crew over the course of the season.  Getting step up performances from the returners while getting their international elites back to form and adapted to NCAA gymnastics will be the keys.

Forecast:  With a solid mix of experience and lots of potential, this OU squad has the ability to fill their losses and even move forward.  How high they finish is open to many variables.

  12.  Oregon State Beavers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  19/24
Head Coach:  Tanya Chaplin
Assistants:  Dick Foxal, Mike Chaplin
Returning Starters (6): Heidi Goehring (Sr), Heather Justus (Sr), Chrissy Lamun (Jr), Angela Morales (Jr), Chelsea Plourde (So), Therese Videan (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):   Keegan Fitzgerald (RS Fr), Daylee Ingalls (Sr),  Lindsay Nelson (Sr/I), Christa Piazza (Sr)
Graduated (3):  Annie Campbell, Tanya Ricioli-Hebron, Elaine Yoder
Other Losses (2):  Michelle Dickinson (?), Meghan Jones (I)
Newcomers (8):  Courtney Dennison, Megan Devencenzi, Jaycee Draper (RS Fr/TR/Utah), Yuki Lamb, Claire Pierce, D'Anna Piro, Jeanine Ruby, Kim Sedlak

Key Losses:   The Beavers lose five routines from two departed athletes, plus other losses incurred during the year.  Ricioli-Hebron, an AAer, was the team co-MVP and an NCAA Individual qualifier in the AA.  Yoder was an elegant athlete and steady BB performer.  Also missing is Campbell, who was lost to another injury during her last season.  Also, Jones is still out after being a victim of a drunk driver in the Fall of 2003.

Key Returners:  Heading the way for the Beavers is Pac-10 Freshmen of the Year and OSU co-MVP Chelsea Plourde.  Unfortunately, Plourde is working her way back from offseason knee surgery but should be at full speed by the end of the season.  For the Beavers, depth and experience are the keywords, with six seniors on the roster.  Sr. Videan is reportedly looking strong in preseason training, with a nice double layout on FX and two major releases on UB.  Goehring is a UB (full twisting double layout) and BB ace, but is looking strong on FX.  Powerful Justus booms a high pike front that she looks to twist this season.  Two seniors that have battled injuries, Ingalls and Nelson, could make an impact as well.  Nelson was a top AAer who excels on VT (Yurchenko 1/1) and UB (sky high Tkachev).  Juniors Lamun and Morales can't be overlooked as well.  The ultra-flexible Lamun was a 2003 Pac-10 co-champ on FX while Morales has also been strong in the preseason, and tumbles a nice double layout on FX.  

Newcomers:  Eight newcomers grace the OSU roster in 2005, comprising one of the nation's better recruiting classes.  With 10 returners, four signees and some of the nation's best walkons, the Beavers are very deep, despite some injuries.  Lamb is a L10 from Tennessee who placed 7th AA (t) at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  She sports a big VT (Hristakaeva) and tumbling (full-in).  The graceful Pierce, from California, was the 2003 L10 National BB Champ who also placed 2nd on BB and 3rd (t) on UB at the 2004 meet.  She also placed 5th AA in 2003.  Another graceful and flexible athlete, Dennison is a L10 from Arizona who placed 5th (t) on BB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Another signee, Ruby, is a former jr. elite from Southern California who is recovering from an injury sustained at L10 Regionals last year.  She placed 11th AA, 3rd (t) on VT, 6th (t) on UB and 8th (t) on BB at the 2003 L10 Nationals.  Another L10 from California, Devencenzi, placed 12th AA, 8th (t) on VT (Hristakaeva), and 8th (t) on BB at the 2004 L10 Nationals.  Transfer Draper is an in-state gymnast who transferred last season from Utah.  Although hampered by a leg injury that required a rod to be inserted into her leg, this former international elite as a junior was also a top L10 as a senior.  Finally, L10 Piro lends her strengths on the UB while Sedlak works to regain her form after a break from the sport.

Keys to Success:  This large and deep Oregon State team will look to merge a very experienced core with some talented newcomers, as the newcomers adjust to NCAA competition.  Although injuries could play a factor, the OSU squad's biggest obstacle may be hitting to their potential at Regionals.

Forecast:  As the Coaches' Poll recognizes, the squad is the leading candidate for a spot at the National meet among those that did not qualify last year.