1.  Georgia GymDogs

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  24/24
Head Coach:  Suzanne Yoculan
Assistants: Jay Clark, Doug McAvinn 
Returning Starters (9):   Paige Burns (Jr), Nikki Childs (Sr), Megan Dowlen (Sr), Katie Heenan (Sr), Courtney Kupets (Jr), Courtney McCool (So), Marcia Newby (So), Grace Taylor (So), Tiffany Tolnay (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Audrey Bowers (Sr/I),  Christi Fortunato (So), Lauren Johnson (So/I - ACL), Lauren Sessler (So), Abby Stack (Jr)
Graduated (2):  Kelsey Ericksen, Ashley Kupets
Other Losses (1):  Adrienne Dishman (I)
Newcomers (2):  Hilary Mauro (Fr), Cassidy McComb (Fr)

Key Losses:  At first glance, the GymDogs losses appear to be major:  Kelsey Ericksen and Ashley Kupets were a major force behind three GymDog National Titles.  However, neither gymnast competed at the NCAAs last season due to untimely injuries.

Key Returners:   The GymDog effort will be once again led by Junior Courtney Kupets, a five time NCAA champion and the two-time defending NCAA All-Around champion.  The remarkable athlete, one who already competes some of the toughest sets in the NCAA, is reportedly training additional upgrades for the season including a double Arabian dismount off BB and a whip immediate double Arabian on floor.  She'll be capably supported by Senior AAer Katie Heenan and Junior AAer Tiffany Tolnay.  Heenan is a 9-time All American while Tolnay has a total of 7 first and second team awards to her credit.  Heenan is reportedly suffering from her chronic back problems once again, but appears to be rounding into form as the season approaches.  Four-time All-American Nikki Childs looks to continue to be force on UB and BB.  Sophomore Courtney McCool made a remarkable comeback last season to star on the BB and FX; the Olympian is reportedly is training UB this year.  Another Sophomore, Grace Taylor, was an All-American on the BB and a fan favorite on the FX.  Fellow Sophomore Marcia Newby, an All-American on the vault last season, could also contribute in more events as she works her way back from surgery.  Also coming back from a slow start is Senior Megan Dowlen, another All-American on the VT.  Junior Abby Stack has been a steady contributor on FX, and could also see more time on VT.  

Key Newcomers:  Coach Yoculan adds two Frosh, Hilary Mauro and Cassidy McComb.  Mauro is a top international elite who was an alternate to the 2006 World Championship Team.  After a slate of international assignments last season, she reportedly started training with the GymDogs last August.  McComb is a L10 from Cassie Rice's GymCats program in Nevada.  Although solid on all four events, it will be vault where she will be counted upon the most.  She placed 12th(t) AA, 4th(t) on VT and 8th on BB at the 2007 L10 Nationals.  She is also a former qualifier to the US Class in the senior international division.

Keys to Success:  The Coaching staff has expressed concern with their overall depth on the leg events, particularly on VT.  A large number of offseason surgeries was an early cause for concern, and some Frosh and Sophomores could see more early season action.  However, if past history holds true, come April the GymDogs will be tough to beat, no matter how many offseason surgeries were performed.

Forecast:  Depth concerns aside, UGA remains the team to beat.

  2.  Florida Gators

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach:  Rhonda Faehn
Assistants:  Adrian Burde, Robert Ladanyi
Returning Starters (5):  Amanda Castillo (So), Corey Hartung (Jr), Ashley Reed (Sr), Melanie Sinclair (So), Nicola Willis (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Courtney Gladys (So), Ashley Kerr (So), Tiffany Murry (Sr), Rebekah Zaiser (So)
Graduated (5):  Savannah Evans, Breanne King, Samantha Lutz, Katie Rue, Chantelle Tousek
Other Losses (1): Tracey Rai (R/I)
Newcomers (3):  Lynn Denblyden (Fr), Alicia Goodwin (Fr), Maranda Smith (TR)

Key Losses:  The Gators actually lose five key gymnasts from last seasons, representing a total of 9 routines.  The experience, leadership and scoring potential of these five will be missed.  With just 11 to 12 total athletes, the overall depth of the squad has taken an hit.

Key Returners:  The Coaches' have placed the Gators in the #2 slot, thanks to a core of outstanding athletes.  Senior Ashley Reed is a three-time All American who throws a variety of big skills on every event, punctuated by a Yurchenko 1 1/2 vault.  Likewise, Sophomore Amanda Castillo, a four-time All-American in her rookie campaign, throws the same vault with ease.  Besides being powerful athletes, both can be big-time AAers.  Complementing this pair is Junior Corey Hartung.  An ultra-flexible "finesse" athlete, she showcases the diversity of the athletes in the sport -- achieving similar high scores with a widely different set of high-level skills.  Two-time All-American Melanie Sinclair is another sophomore, with the ability to make a bigger impact on all four events this season.  The UF coaching staff will also look to seniors Tiffany Murry and Nicola Willis to increase their contributions this year, in addition to Sophomore Rebekah Zaiser.  All three athletes throw top level skills like Willis' double layout mount on FX, Zaiser's front layout half on vault, and Murry's full-in mount on FX.  Any of these three give the coaching staff additional lineup options on every event.  Sophomore Courtney Gladys has also shown up strongly in the preseason, especially on VT and BB.  

Key Newcomers:  The Gators feature two Frosh this season, Lynn Silcock Denblyden and Alicia Goodwin.  Denblyden is a former member of the Australian National Team who placed 12th AA at the 2007 Australian Championships.  The vault champion at the 2005 Australian Championships, she missed most of the 2006 season with an injury.  Goodwin is a L10 who trained at Texas Dreams.  She tied for 34th AA and 10th on FX at the 2006 L10 Nationals and has shown strong work in the preseason on UB.  Smith spent her Frosh year on the UCLA squad but was sidelined with a shin injury, but transfers this month to Florida after a year back home.  She tied for the National Title at the 2005 L10 Nationals with current Gator Amanda Castillo.

Keys to Success:  For Florida, the keys will to keep their key athletes healthy and consistent, two factors that sometimes go hand and in hand.  Depth is a slight concern due to the small roster size, but at least eight gymnasts appear to be training AA.  

Forecast:  A healthy Gator squad should give GymDogs a nice battle for the National Title.

  3.  Utah Utes

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  18/24
Head Coach:  Greg Marsden
Assistants:  Jeff Graba, Megan Marsden
Returning Starters (8):  Kristina Baskett (Jr), Daria Bijak (So), Annie DiLuzio (So), Jessica Duke (Sr), Nina Kim (Jr), Katie Kivisto (Sr), Ashley Postell (Sr), Beth Rizzo (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Jamie Deetscreek (So), Stephanie Neff (So)
Graduated (1):  Nicolle Ford
Other Losses (1): Sarah Shire (TR/Missouri)
Newcomers (3):  Jacquelyn Johnson (Fr), Gael Mackie (Fr), Kyndal Robarts (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Utes lose Nicolle Ford, a key leader and top All-Arounder and a fixture of the bottom half of the UB and BB lineups.  Coach Marsden will look to an experienced upperclass to fill that void.  Also departed is Sarah Shire, who transferred to Missouri.  Shire came on strong towards the end of the season, working past her elbow issues to contribute two routines at Nationals.

Key Returners:  The Utes are led by Senior All-Arounder Ashley Postell and Junior All-Arounder Kristina Baskett.  Postell owns 15 All-American Awards -- the most possible -- in her first three years of competition.  Interestingly, the 2007 BB champ, she has never lost in the NCAA AA competition in a head-to-head matchup.  Fate will tell if Kupets and Postell finally get placed in the same session.  She throws some of the toughest sets in the NCAA, and has shown world-class upgraded skills on FX and BB in training.  Baskett is a three time All-American and the 2006 co-champ on UB.  With her 3/2 twisting layout Yurchenkos, a double layout on FX, and Tkachev-Pak on UB, Baskett has top-level skills as well.  Sophomore Daria Bijak has struggled some with injury, but the UB All-American is slated for a larger AA role this year.  Likewise, Annie DiLuzio, the NCAA vault runner-up last season, looks to expand her contributions on all four events after being slowed by an elbow injury last year.  Also capable of stepping in for an AA spot is Junior Nina Kim, as is senior Jessica Duke, a 2nd team All-American last season on the UB.  Sophomore Beth Rizzo also returns, after her achieving All-American on the FX last year.  Two Sophomores who saw limited action, Jamie Deetscreek and Stephanie Neff, both look to contend for lineup spots after a good fall training session.      

Key Newcomers:   Utah welcome three Frosh with an impressive series of credentials:  Jacquelyn Johnson, Gale Mackie, and Kyndal Robarts.  Last year's Frosh class had even more impressive credentials, but were slowed way down by injury and adjustment issues.  Of the three, Kyndal Robarts has shown the strongest in the preseason period.  She's been a top L10 performer the last several years, including a two National titles on FX.  She placed 5th AA at the Level 10 Nationals in 2007, 2nd in 2006 and 2nd(t) in 2005.  She competes a high Omelianchik on vault and has tumbled a double Arabian and triple full on FX.  Mackie is a Canadian Olympian and National Team member who missed this year's World Championships due to a stress fracture.  She is reportedly back in training, and could especially help on the UB and BB.  Johnson has also been slowed by injury, most recently to her ankle.  The former US National Team member and alternate to the 2006 World Championship team dropped down to L10 last season.  Her brightest contribution in the early season could come on the UB.     

Keys to Success:  The Utes will need to build consistency on the BB, an event that troubled them last season.  In addition, injury and overall health have been issues for the Utes, but the depth this season appears to be improved heading into the first meets.

Forecast:  The Utes came on strong to finish 2nd last season; this year they could end up higher.

  4.  UCLA Bruins

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  18/24
Head Coach:  Valerie Kondos Field
Assistants: Jim Foody, Chris Waller 
Returning Starters (6):  Ariana Berlin (Jr), Melissa Chan (Jr), Ashley Jenkins (So), Anna Li (So), Jordan Schwikert (Sr), Tasha Schwikert (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Kristina Comforte (Jr), Brittani McCullough (RS Fr), Natalie Padilla (Sr)
Graduated (2):  Ashley Peckett, Michelle Selesky
Other Losses (1):  Janelle Dantzscher (?)
Newcomers (6):  Marci Bernholtz (Fr), Shavahn Church (I/Fr), Talia Kushynski (Fr), Mizuki Sato (Fr), Allison Taylor (Fr), Niki Tom (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Bruins lose six routines from 2007's injury depleted team.  Ashley Peckett was a key All-Arounder, while Michelle Selesky was an ever-improving contributor on VT and FX.  Janelle Dantzscher, who contributed on BB and FX, took an injury retirement.

Key Returners:  Senior Tasha Schwikert, the 2005 NCAA AA Champ, will look to lead the Bruins even higher in 2008.  The seven time All-American will also look to contend for the AA title once again, as long as she can avoid any injury problems.  Sister Jordan, also a Senior, was a second team All-American as a frosh.  She was slowed last season by hamstring problems but will look to a solid senior campaign.  Sophomore Anna Li, a four-time All-American as a frosh, will look to an even bigger role in 2008.  She reportedly has upgraded several of her routines, including adding a double layout on FX.  Coach Kondos will also welcome back Junior Kristina Comforte, who had ankle surgery last March.  She was a two time All-American as a frosh and figures to be a key AAer when healthy.  Another athlete fighting through injuries is Ariana Berlin.  The 2006 Pac-10 Co-Frosh of the Year has been an ever-improving All-Arounder, but had a titanium rod in her leg removed last May and yet has resumed training strongly.  Also on a strong improvement path is Junior Melissa Chan, who rejoined the Bruin squad at mid-season.  She had off-season ankle surgery but reportedly is in the best shape of her career.  Her club career included a trio of L10 National AA titles.  Sophomore Ashley Jenkins was slowed by elbow problems last year, but returns with a new vault and the potential to do AA as well.      

Key Newcomers:  The Bruins boast a large and talented six member Frosh class, plus a key redshirt Frosh, Brittani McCullough.  McCullough was slated to be a top AAers for the Bruins last season before a car accident sidelined her last year.  The former senior international elite has top level skills on all four events and is expected to be one of the Bruins top All-Arounders.  Canadian true Frosh Marci Bernholtz will also be a force for the Bruins.  The 2007 Canadian Champion on the UB, she placed 3rd AA at the 2007 Canadian Nationals.  Although hampered in the past by some injuries, this two-time member of the Canadian World Championships squad appears to have come back strong.  Another World Championship competitor, Shavahn Church, will likely redshirt this season.  Church was a top 20 finisher at the 2005 World Championships while competing for England.  Injuries have also hampered the progress of another former elite, Allison Taylor.  A former jr. international elite from WOGA, her competitive experience and training have been limited by injury.  Three healthy L10s complete the UCLA Frosh Class.  Mizuki Sato is a three-time L10 National qualifier who finished 3rd AA and 5th on FX in 2007.  She also finished 7th AA and 4th on FX at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  Fellow in-state product Niki Tom had a standout L10 year in 2007, breaking through with a 5th place finish at L10 Nationals.  She will especially contribute on UB, where she finished 4th Nationally.  Completing the class is another local product Talia Kuchynski, who is said to be one of the team's better dancers.

Keys to Success:  Much improved depth means that Coach Kondos will have more options with her lineups this year, and the ability to provide some of her athletes a well earned rest.  This could pay dividends in the post season, especially if Comforte, Bernholtz, Schwikert and Li are in top form and healthy.

Forecast:  The Bruins have the talent and potential, if healthy, to challenge for higher than their preseason rank.

  5.  Stanford Cardinal

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  24/24
Head Coach:  Kristen Smyth
Assistants: Mike Lorenzen, Chris Swircek
Returning Starters (9):  Lauren Elmore (Sr), Kelly Fee (Jr), Carly Janiga (So), Nicole Ourada (Jr), Alexandra Pintchouk (Sr), Aimee Precourt (Sr), Blair Ryland (So), Liz Tricase (Sr), Tabitha Yim (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (5): Stephanie Carter (So), Stephanie Gentry (Sr), Allyse Ishino (I/So), Heather Purnell (I/Jr), Tenaya West (So)
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3):  Shelley Alexander (Fr), Gretchen O'Henley (Fr), Danielle Ikoma (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Cardinal return every member of their squad.

Key Returners:  A "six pack" of seniors helped lead the Cardinal back to the Nationals and all the way to the Super Six, after a two year absence.  Their aspirations are clearly higher.  Stanford is led by 11-time All American Tabitha Yim, an expressive athlete who has successfully worked around her injury concerns during her career.  Yim is especially tough on BB (Onodi) and UB, where her lower leg issues do not come into play.  Another gymnast who has been limited by injury, Liz Tricase, is clearly one of the most powerful gymnasts in the NCAA.  A first team All-American on the VT, the Cardinal coaching successfully kept her healthy for the later part last season.  The senior class is completed by Lauren Elmore, Alexandra Pintchouk, Aimee Precourt and Stephanie Gentry.  Elmore is a potential AAer but is most valued for her consistent BB leadoff, while Pintchouk came on strong last season to assume an AA role.  Stanford's depth does not end there:  Junior Nicole Ourada and Sophomore Carly Janiga are both capable All-Arounders and excellent tumblers.  Janiga, a three-time All American and Pac-10 Frosh of the Year, trains both a double layout and double Arabian on FX.  Ourada, also a three-time All American, tumbles a pike full-in.  Both will also look to add Tkachevs to their UB sets, in an overall effort from the Cardinal to boost their tumbling difficulty and UB release selection.  Also key for the Cardinal is junior All-American Kelly Fee, who competed three events last season and looks to add a double pike dismount to her BB set..  A fellow Junior, Heather Purnell, will look to work past her injury problems to raise her contributions overall after a strong Fall training period.  Also looking to expand her contributions will be Blair Ryland, a second team All-American on vault last year.    

Key Newcomers:  The key newcomer may not be a Frosh, but a sophomore who sat out last season due to a cardiopulmonary problem, Allyse Ishino.  Now cleared and training at full speed following work on her ankle, Ishino looks set to make an impact in the AA.  The former US National team member is already showing skills like a pike full-in on FX and packed sets on UB; these will help the Cardinal in key areas.  Coach Smyth also welcomes three Frosh this season, led by signee Danielle Ikoma.  The L10 trained at Arena Gymnastics in Illinois, and has been a consistent fixture near the top of the L10 ranks.  This past season, she placed 4th AA and 2nd on UB at the L10 Nationals.  It's UB and vault where she is slated to make her first impact.  She also placed 1st on BB at the 2006 L10 Nationals while placed 3rd overall.  Texan Shelley Alexander, from USA Aerial Athletics, is known for her powerful tumbling and vaulting, where she throws a Yurchenko 1 1/2.  The 2007 Region III VT Champ tied for 34th AA at the 2007 L10 Nationals and was 23rd AA and 7th on VT at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  Rounding out the class is in-state product Gretchen O'Henley, from Head over Heels Gymnastics.  She placed 48th AA and 8th(t) on FX at the 2006 L10 Nationals, but has been making a strong impression in the preseason training.

Keys to Success:  With increased depth, Stanford's can better weather the series of injuries that partially caused a two year streak of missed Nationals for the Cardinal.  However, their ultimate success in the Super Six and their ability to challenge for a top spot on the podium may depend on the health of their key stars.  They will also focus on consistently hitting their key upgrades in the tumbling and in their UB routines.

Forecast:  With some upgraded sets, a healthy Stanford could pull itself into contention.

  6.  Alabama Crimson Tide

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  23/24
Head Coach:  Sarah & David Patterson
Assistant: Brian Raschilla
Returning Starters (10):  Morgan Dennis (So), Terin Humphrey (Sr), Ricki Lebergern (So), Brittany Magee (Jr), Cassie Martin (Jr), Amanda Montgomery (Jr), Ashley O'Neal (Jr), Casey Overton (So), Kassi Price (So), Kaitlin White (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Alyssa Chapman (So), Jacqueline Shealy (RS Fr)
Graduated (1):  Erin Rightley
Other Losses (2):  Ashley Ford (?), Courtney Priess (R/I)
Newcomers (3):  Kayla Hoffman (Fr), Jennifer Iovino (Fr), Megan Mashburn (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Tide graduated just one member of their lineup from last year, Erin Rightley, while Courtney Priess assumed the role of team manager.

Key Returners:  Leading the way for the Crimson Tide is senior All-Arounder Terin Humphrey.  The Olympian is a ten-time All American and two-time National Champ on the uneven bars.  Last year, Bama was left on the sidelines on Friday night, and she'll be a big force behind the push to avoid a repeat this April.  Elbow problems have been an issue with Humphrey, and she once again underwent surgery in the offseason.  Morgan Dennis, a Sophomore, helped bring more joy to the Tide faithful last year when she captured the NCAA title on the FX.  Also a second-team All-American in the All-Around, she is known for her powerful tumbling (double layout, full-in second pass) and explosive power.  Another Sophomore, Kassi Price, will look to stay healthy and in top form through to the post-season after undergoing a knee surgery in the offseason.  Last year, she achieved second team All-American honors on the UB but can be a top AAer when at full speed.  Another Sophomore, Ricki Lebergern, was the SEC BB champion last year but is also another capable AAer with a career high of 39.475.  Junior Brittany Magee was a 2nd team All American as a Frosh but was limited last season.  She could make a difference as she returns to form as another potential AAer.  Another trio of Juniors, Cassie Martin, Amanda Montgomery and Ashley O'Neal all saw competitive action at the NCAAs last year and provide the Tide with plenty of experience on key pressure events.  Martin and Montgomery excel on the UB and BB while O'Neal is another powerhouse who is known for her rare double front dismount on BB (although its reportedly being replaced by a double tuck due to her off-season knee scoping).  In addition, Senior Kaitlin White returns for what could be her strongest year yet, but did have elbow surgery in the offseason.  Finally, Sophomore Casey Overton will look to expand beyond her 2007 role on the BB.      

Key Newcomers:  The Pattersons welcome three Frosh; Kayla Hoffman, Jennifer Iovino, and Megan Mashburn.  The class is headlined by Hoffman, a senior international elite and National Team member from Rebound who has looked strong in the preseason.  In Hoffman, the Tide gain yet another standout AAer with top level skills.  A top tumbler (pike full-in, 2 1/2 punch front/layout), she has top elite level skills on every event, including the UB (1 1/2 to Tkachev).  Another former elite from Hill's, Iovino dropped back to L10 the past two seasons.  She placed 3rd AA and 1st on FX at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  Unfortunately, she was diagnosed with a heart condition during the fall and may not return this season.  The third frosh, Mashburn, is a L10 from Hayden's.  She placed 33rd AA and 7th(t) on VT at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  She also placed 3rd AA at the 2007 Region VIII L10 Regionals.    

Keys to Success:  A surgery-filled offseason has left the Tide coaching staff worrying about the overall team depth (likely in the leg events), but to the rest of the NCAA the 15 member squad appears to still have plenty of options.  With AAers like Dennis, Hoffman, Humphrey, Lebegern, Magee and Price, Alabama is still a very tough team.  Last year, the Tide finished fifth in their session, with problems on the FX and the lowest vault total in their session.  Having a healthy Hoffman, Humphrey, Magee and Price should address that situation.

Forecast:  If key athletes are available for the post season, the Tide should be back in the Super Six.