7.  Nebraska Cornhuskers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  19/24
Head Coach:  Dan Kendig
Assistants: Danna Durante, Tim Garrison
Returning Starters (7):  Kathryn Howard (So), Emily Parsons (Sr), Maria Scaffidi (So), Desire Sniatynski (Sr), Kylie Stone (Jr), Brittney Williams (Sr), Tricia Woo (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Sabrina Long (So), Vanessa Meloche (Jr), Molly Ohnoutka (RS Fr/I)
Graduated (2):  Stephanie Carter, Michelle Zabawa
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3):  Erin Davis (Fr), Brittnee Habbib (Fr), Stephanie Seich (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Huskers lose the services of two athletes, Stephanie Carter and Michelle Zabawa.  Carter was a powerful athlete with big tumbling (2nd team All American in 2006) and vaults.  Zabawa, a five-time All American, was a capable AAer who especially excelled on the UB.  They contributed five routines to last year's Super Six effort, but also provided depth for 8 slots.

Key Returners:  Leading the way for Huskers is Senior Emily Parsons.  The nine-time All American was named the South Central Region Gymnast of the Year for the second year in a row.  With big tumbling (double layout, front layout double twist), huge vaults and incredible steadiness on the BB (bhs, layout, layout), she be a driving force behind the Huskers once again.  Fellow Senior Desire Sniatynski, a three-time second team All American on the UB, was also a capable AAer last season.  These AAers are complemented by Junior Kylie Stone, a second team All-American on VT last season.  Stone has had issues avoiding injury in the past, which has limited her tremendous potential somewhat.  Another Junior, Tricia Woo, is a former first team All-American on FX and BB.  Her unusual skill selections on BB (switch split 1/2, pike jump, Korbut) and tumbling ability (whip-triple full) set her routines apart from the typical.  One athlete looking for a breakout season is Maria Scaffidi.  The Sophomore has been training well and could also assume an AA role.  Brittney Williams also returns.  The Senior will look to an expanded role this year, in addition to her top level tumbling (full-in).  Sophomore Kathryn Howard, who displays excellent lines, will contribute on UB and BB.   

Key Newcomers:  The NU Frosh are led by Brittnee Habbib, a Canadian National Team member and a former member of their World Championship and Commonwealth Games teams.  She tied for fifth AA at the 2006 Canadian Championships, despite working through a painful injury.  An experienced international competitor, she has shown both a triple full and full-in on FX but shows her long lines off well on events such as the BB.  Another former elite, Stephanie Seich, has had limited competitive exposure since 2005.  In 2005, she qualified to the US Classic as a senior international but was unable to compete due to injury.  The third Frosh, Erin Davis, is a L10 powerhouse on three events from Capital.  At the 2006 L10 Nationals, she placed 2nd(t) on FX, 3rd(t) on VT and 6th on BB.

Keys to Success:  The Husker coaching staff has shown the ability to get the maximum out of their athletes, and to succeed with small squads.  Due to injuries, they might have to work their magic again.  Despite having 13 athletes, several of their athletes could be limited by current or past injuries (like Meloche, a former All American on UB who has battled knee problems and most recently tore her ACL and meniscus in February of 2007).  

Forecast:  Health is the watchword for the Huskers' drive to the Super Six.  NU has the potential to field a Super Six lineup once again.  

  8.  Oklahoma Sooners

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  KJ Kindler
Assistants:  Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Returning Starters (8):  Haley DeProspero (Jr), Jacqueline Flanery (So), Caitlin Hinkis (Sr), Ashley Jackson (Jr), Stephanie LoPiccolo (Sr), Kiara "Kiwi" Redmond-Sturms (Sr), Kristin Smith (So), Holly Vise (So)
Other/Injured Returners (3):  Jessica Kinder (Sr), Gina Lesko (Jr), Mary Mantle (So)
Graduated (2):  Brittney Koncak-Schumann, Lori Winn
Other Losses (1):  Ashley Cooney (?)
Newcomers (3): Candace Cindell (Fr), Natalie Ratcliff (Fr), Melanie Root (Fr)

Key Losses:  Coach KJ Kindler graduates two key gymnasts in Brittney Koncak-Schumann and Lori Winn.  The two key gymnasts were AAers accounting for 8 of the 24 routines in last year's NCAA Finals effort.  Koncak-Schumann was a three-time All-American who successful came back from knee problems to be a key leader.  Winn had a superb final season with the Sooners, after transferring from UCLA for her third season.  

Key Returners:   OU is led by fifth-year Senior Kiara "Kiwi" Redmond-Sturms, a five-time All American.  Redmond is coming off her best year yet, where she showed improved form and execution on all events.  With one of the best double layouts around, she tied for fourth at the NCAA finals.  Junior Haley DeProspero is another key AAer who will look to stay healthy and build on the contributions of her first two seasons.  Fellow Junior Ashley Jackson was a mainstay on three events, and could become an AAer if she can break into the UB lineup.  Sophomore Holly Vise, the former World Champion on UB, is reportedly training stronger this year and will be set to make a larger impact this year.  Seniors Caitlin Hinkis and Stephanie LoPiccolo will add key points on UB, while Kristin Smith will be needed on BB and FX once again.  Sophomore Jacqueline Flanery emerged as a strong player on VT, and fellow Sophomore Mary Mantle is expected to take a key role on the event this year.                  

Key Newcomers:  The Sooners welcome three Frosh this season:  Candace Cindell, Natalie Ratcliff, and Melanie Root.  Root is a L10 from Cartersville Gymnastics.  A four time Regional champion on VT, she'll play a key role on that event.  She also captured Regional titles on the UB and FX this season.  She was 17th AA and 10th(t) on BB at the 2006 L10 Nationals in the Senior B division.  Ratcliff, from the GAGE program, has been a fixture on the L10 scene.  She was 20th AA at the 2007 L10 Nationals and 13th(t) in 2006 and 5th in 2005.  She throws some big skills on all four events, including a Shoushunova on UB and a double Arabian on FX.  The third Frosh, Cindell, trained as a L10 at Kurt Thomas.  She finished 11th AA at the 2007 Region III L10 Regionals.  

Keys to Success:  The Sooners have some big shoes to fill following the departure of Koncak-Schumann and Winn.  They will need Ratcliff and Root to adjust quickly, and step-up performances from the likes of Vise, Mantle and LoPiccolo.  

Forecast:  Coach Kindler is known for bringing out the best in her athletes, and with a strong effort overall OU should be back in the battle for a Nationals spot.

  9.  Michigan Wolverines

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Head Coach:  Bev Plocki
Assistants:  Scott Sherman, Louis Robinson Jr
Returning Starters (7):  Becky Bernard (Jr), Nellie Kippley (Sr), Kelsey Knutson (So), Katie Lieberman (Sr), Huneth Lor (So), Maureen Moody (So), Tatjana Thuener-Rego (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5): Lindsey Bruck (Sr), Sarah Curtis (So), Jaclyn Kramer (So), Megan Moore (Sr), Jordan Sexton (So)
Graduated (2):  Clare Flannery, Carol McNamara
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (3): Kylee Botterman (Fr), Kari Pearce (Fr), Trish Wilson (Fr)

Key Losses:  Michigan loses two gymnasts from last year's injury depleted squad, Clare Flannery and Carol McNamara.  Flannery had her best season her senior year, stepping up to a BB spot after several gymnasts went down with injury.  McNamara, a former second team All American on FX, could be counted on in all four events.

Key Returners:  Michigan is led by Junior All-American Tatjana Thuener-Rego and Senior All American Katie Lieberman.  Thuener-Rego was the Northeast Regional AA and FX champ, and was a key player behind Michigan's push into the Finals last season.  Lieberman, a three-time All American, made the FX Finals last year and was a key scorer on three events.  When others went down with injury, Junior Huneth Lor stepped up to assume an AA role and was last year's Most Improved Gymnast.  Another Junior, Becky Bernard, is a two-time second team All American on the UB.  She was a key competitor on three events for the Wolverines last season.  Another second team All-American (vault), Nellie Kippley, was another key competitor on three events.  Also returning are Sophomores Kelsey Knutson and Maureen Moody.  Moody is looking especially strong in the preseason, and is reportedly planning a Khorkina on UB and a double layout on FX.  The Michigan fans and coaching staff also welcome the return of Lindsey Bruck and Sarah Curtis from injury.  Bruck is a three-time All American in her fifth year of competition.  Curtis is a former elite and L10 standout known for her vault and FX power.  Both recently showcased all four events at the December intrasquad, with Curtis even popping a double layout on FX.      

Key Newcomers:   Michigan's Frosh class ranks among the best in the country.  Although the names Kylee Botterman, Kari Pearce and Trish Wilson may not be recognizable as some elites, this class of top L10s should combine with Bruck and Curtis to give the Wolverines an huge lift.  Wilson is a two-time L10 National AA champ who trained at Arena.  She's captured a total of seven L10 National titles in her career.  This past season, she placed 1st on the UB, 1st(t) on the FX, 2nd on the BB and 2nd (t) on the VT at the L10 Nationals en route to a close 2nd place AA finish.  Botterman is a L10 from the United Gymnastics Club.  She tied for 6th AA at the 2007 L10 Nationals, with a 2nd place tie on FX, where she opens with a full in, and a 4th(t) on VT.  She was also 8th AA in 2006, including a 2nd place finish on VT.  She also won the National L10 title on vault in 2004.  The third Frosh, Pearce, is another top L10 from the Twistars USA.  She's a two-time L10 National Vault champion and two-time JO National Team member.  At the 2007 L10 Nationals, she was 2nd AA, 1st(t) on VT, 9th on UB and 10th(t) on BB.  She was also 4th AA and 3rd(t) on VT in 2006.  

Keys to Success:  Michigan's coaching staff is likely working on ways to minimize injuries while getting the Frosh adjusted to the rigors of NCAA competition.  If they can accomplish those goals, the Michigan squad will be set to improve on last year's 11th place tie.  

Forecast:  A healthy Michigan squad could contend even higher than their preseason rank.  

  10.  LSU Tigers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  D-D Breaux
Assistants:  Bob Moore, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (7):  Ashleigh Clare-Kearney (Jr), Kristi Esposito (Sr), Sabrina Franceschelli (So), Summer Hubbard (So), Susan Jackson (So), Lauren Klein (Jr), Kayla Rogers (So)
Other/Injured Returners (2):  Amanda Morales (Jr), Yvette Triay (So)
Graduated (3):  Nicole Butler, Kelly Phelan, Lisa Rennie
Other Losses (1):  Emily Ellis (?)
Newcomers (5):  Paige Cippoloni (Fr), Samantha Engle (Fr), Kristen Fiorello (Fr), Nicole Lyons (Fr), Staci Schwitkis (Fr)

Key Losses:  LSU has lost three gymnasts to graduation plus one early departure.  These gymnasts comprised 8 of the 24 routines from Nationals last year, and a good portion of the leadership.  Nicki Butler was a key All-Arounder and a two-time All American in her senior season.  Kelly Phelan, a three-time All American, also had a standout senior campaign, making finals on BB and FX.  And Lisa Rennie, a two-time All American on the UB, was a key contributor during her four years in Baton Rouge.  

Key Returners:  Leading the way for the Tigers is Junior All Arounder Ashleigh Clare-Kearney and Senior All-American Kristi Esposito.  Clare-Kearney is reportedly looking even stronger than last season, where she garnered All-SEC acclaim in the AA.  Clare-Kearney is reportedly working a series of upgrades, including a new E level dismount on UB.  Last season, Esposito, a four-time All American, once again made the BB finals, with her triple flight series and double tuck dismount.  Another key All Arounder is Susan Jackson, who came into form at the end of the season to grab All-American honors on FX.  She is reportedly is looking even stronger this year, and should provide a strong one-two punch with ACK.  The Tigers will also count on Junior Lauren Klein, who is also training strong.  One of LSU's top FX performers (full-in mount), she was a mainstay on three events.  Also looking to an expanded role is Sabrina Franceschelli, a Sophomore who competed last season primarily on VT and BB. Fellow sophomore Kayla Rogers was the leadoff on VT, while Junior Summer Hubbard was a key 2nd half of the lineup performer on UB.  Another Sophomore, Yvette Triay, made a strong showing at the public intrasquad, showing good progress from last season.

Key Newcomers:  The LSU coaching staff welcomes five Frosh this season:  Paige Cippoloni, Samantha Engle, Kristen Fiorello, Nicole Lyons, and Staci Schwitkis.  Coach Breaux generally likes to ease her Frosh into competition, but we expect Engle, Lyons and Schwitkis to challenge for major lineup slots.  Engle headlines the class and was the L10 National Champ in the AA and on BB in 2005.  After sitting out 2006 with a wrist injury, the L10 from Metroplex came back to place 1st on the FX (Arabian double) and 4th(t) on the BB at the 2007 L10 Nationals.  Lyons is a L10 and former elite qualifier (2005 US Classic, senior international elite) who trained at Northeast.  She placed 13th AA in 2007 and tied for 10th AA in 2006.  She also tied for 5th on VT and placed 6th on UB in 2006.  Like Engle, she tumbles an Arabian double front on FX and has solid skills on all four events.  Schwitkis is a L10 who hails from SCEGA in California.  She tied for 6th AA and placed 6th on UB at the 2007 L10 Nationals.  In 2006, she was 2nd on UB, 5th(t) on VT and 16th(t) in the AA at the National meet.  Another powerful athlete with big skills, she was also 2nd AA, 1st(t) UB, 3rd(t) on VT and 6th(t) on FX at the 2005 L10 Nationals.  Another L10 with a history in the pre-elite program, former Parkette Cipolloni placed 13th AA and 9th(t) on BB at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  

Keys to Success:  The Tigers lost quite a bit of experience and leadership, and will depend on step-up performances from their returnees while the Frosh adjust to NCAA competition.  Clare-Kearney, Esposito, Jackson and Klein will form the core of the LSU team, and a trio of Frosh should battle the other returnees for spots in the lineup.  UB is perhaps the main focus area for the squad overall.

Forecast:  LSU should be back at Nationals again this April, with strength on VT and FX.

  11.  Oregon State Beavers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  24/24
Head Coach:  Tanya Chaplin
Assistants:  Mike Chaplin, Dick Foxal
Returning Starters (11):  Brooke Barclay (So), Kera Bolen (Jr), Laura-Ann Chong (So), Courtney Dennison (Sr), Megan Devencenzi (Sr), Keegan Fitzgerald (Sr), Yuki Lamb (Sr), Jami Lanz (Jr), D'Anna Piro (Jr), Mandi Rodriguez (So), Tasha Smith (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (2):   Claire Pierce (Sr), Whitney Watson (So) 
Graduated (0):  N/A
Other Losses (3):  Ali Lavin (?), Cassandra Rowell (R), Abbi Thomas (TR/TWU)
Newcomers (3):   Jereme Bigelow (Fr), Becky Colvin (Fr), Jennifer Kesler (Fr), Johnnie Rae Schmelzer (Jr/TR)

Key Losses:  The Beavers lost no starters from last year's squad that finished in tie for 11th place at Nationals.

Key Returners:  The key to Oregon State's success has been balanced contributions from across the lineups.  This year, four AAers will form the core.  Juniors Jami Lanz and Tasha Smith plus Sophomore Mandi Rodriguez form the core of this squad.  Lanz, a second team All-American on the UB, is a two-time All Pac-10 performer in the All Around.  Focused and consistent, she lends stability throughout the lineup.  Smith is a two-time All American with an outgoing style on the FX that makes her a fan favorite wherever she competes.  Although bothered at times by ankle problems, she tosses big skills like a full-in on FX.  Rodriguez, another vault All American, is a slightly taller (5'-6") gymnast whose long lines hide her considerable power (double Arabian on FX, big Hristakaeva on VT).  Another key Sophomore, Laura Ann Chong, continued training last season and made the finals of the Canadian Championship.  OSU fans could also see more of Yuki Lamb this season.  The Senior suffered a foot injury early in the 2007 season, but could make an even bigger impact if she can stay fully healthy this year.  Also make a strong comeback from injury was Sophomore Brooke Barclay.  She's a key competitor on BB (two foot layout) and VT.  A former walkon who earned a scholarship last season, Kera Bolen is a Junior who has excelled on the UB and FX.  

Key Newcomers:  The Beaver coaching staff welcome four newcomers this year.  Leading the way is Jennifer Kesler, a L10 from Gymnastics East.  Few recruits have a more impressive resume of accomplishments. Known for her consistency and ability to hit at the big meets, Kesler has won (or tied for) the vault title at Nationals the past two seasons with her strong Yurchenko layout full.  The AA champ in 2006 and 2007, she also added an UB title this past season.  She was also 3rd AA in 2005 and 4th(t) in 2004, making her a four-time JO National Team member.  Oregon State also welcomes L10 Jereme Bigelow, who is working her way back from injury.  In 2006 she tied for 39th AA at the L10 Nationals, after a 26th place tie in 2005.  She is capable of big skills like a full-in on FX, but time will tell how quickly she is able to work her way back.  In-state product Becky Colvin, a L10 from Eugene's NAAG also joins the squad.  She was 38th AA at the 2007 L10 Nationals and 34th(t) at the 2005 L10 Nationals.  She's expected to challenge for spots in the VT and FX lineups.  Also joining the squad is Junior transfer Johnnie Rae Schmelzer, who originally went to Cal State Fullerton.  She was the Region II AA and FX champ in 2006.        

Keys to Success:  Last season, the Beavers edged Arizona by 0.05 points at Regionals.  Another consistent performance from their balanced squad should earn them a spot at Nationals, but they are reportedly focused on upgrading their sets to push the team even higher.    

Forecast:  With Kesler, Lanz, Smith and Rodriguez to lead the way, a healthy OSU squad should qualify for Nationals once again.

  12.  Arizona Wildcats

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  Bill Ryden
Assistants:  John Court, Colleen Johnson
Returning Starters (7):  Briana Bergeson (Jr), Danielle Hicks (Sr), Miranda (Randi Jo) Russell (So), Sarah Specht (So), Rachelle Silberg (Sr), Bree Workman (Jr), Karin Wurm (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Suzanne Alvey (Jr), Erica Anderson (Jr), Alexis Greene (Jr), Melanie Weiser (Jr)
Graduated (2):  Jamie Holton, Aubrey (Taylor) Kelly
Other Losses (1):  Brittney Morgan (?)
Newcomers (2):  Colleen Fisher (Fr), Kristen Schmieder (Fr)

Key Losses:  Arizona graduated two athletes and lost a key All Arounder, Brittney Morgan.  Jamie Holton had a fantastic final season last year, showing the best gymnastics of her career on three events.  She won the Regional title on the BB, qualifying for the NCAA Championships.  Aubrey Taylor Kelly was limited by injury, but was a key All Arounder in earlier in her career.  Another key All Arounder, Morgan qualified for the NCAA Championships as an individual in her rookie campaign.  

Key Returners:  Karin Wurm earned All American honors on the BB and FX last season, capping a tremendous Junior year.  The Senior returns to lead the Wildcats as their top returning All Arounder.  Another Senior, Danielle Hicks, has battled some injury problems that required surgery in the offseason but has excelled in the past in an All Arounder role.  She'll be a key reason behind the Wildcats push to Nationals.  Another Senior, vaulter Rachelle Silberg, had wrist surgery in the offseason as well.  Junior Briana "Beamer" Bergeson was, of course, a key part of the Arizona BB lineup.  She also competed all 13 meets on the UB.  Another junior, Suzanne Alvey, was a key UB worker as well but looks to an expanded role on VT and FX.  Junior Bree Workman vaulted big in every meet but is working to break into the FX and BB lineups.  Two Sophomores will play key roles:  Randi Jo Russell and Sarah Specht.  Specht (technically a third year Junior) came back from injury to strongly compete on three events, while Russell was an AAer until an injury limited her to two events.  One key injured athlete returns:  Alexis Greene suffered an Achilles injury last year, one of the toughest injuries for a gymnast.  Her progress could be a difference maker for the Wildcats.

Key Newcomers:  The Wildcats welcome two Frosh to the roster, Colleen Fisher and Kristen Schmieder.  Fisher is a L10 from SCEGA.  She was the L10 National Champ on the AA back in 2005, placing 2nd(t) on UB, 3rd(t) on VT, 5th on BB and 6th(t) on FX.  She placed 3rd on VT and 14th AA at the 2006 Region I L10 Regionals.  The other Frosh, Schmieder, is a local L10 from Tumbleweeds.  She tied for 23rd AA and placed 7th on BB at the 2007 L10 Nationals.  The Arizona squad also welcomes the "new" addition of a renovated training facility, which was ready just before the start of the season.    

Keys to Success:  The Arizona squad will need to get/stay healthy while working to fill the lineup slots vacated by the departed athletes.  A healthy Fisher, Greene and Hicks could make the difference.

Forecast:  There could be a tight battle once again for Nationals, and this time the Wildcats want to end up in Athens