7.  LSU Tigers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  21/24
Head Coach:  D-D Breaux
Assistants:  Bob Moore, Philip Ogletree
Returning Starters (10):  Paige Cippoloni (So), Ashleigh Clare-Kearney (Sr), Samantha Engle (So), Sabrina Franceschelli (Jr), Summer Hubbard (Jr), Susan Jackson (Jr), Lauren Klein (Sr), Nicole Lyons (So), Kayla Rogers (Jr), Staci Schwitkis (So)
Other/Injured Returners (0):  N/A
Graduated (1):  Kristi Esposito
Other Losses (3):  Kristen Fiorello (R), Amanda Morales (R), Yvette Triay (R)
Newcomers (3):  Gloria Johnson (Fr), Ashley McPherson (So/TR), Kirstie Viens (So/TR)

Key Losses:  The Tigers lose Kristi Esposito, an All American who transferred from NU and was a solid three event star for LSU. 

Key Returners:  Ashleigh Clare-Kearney returns to lead the LSU effort.  The 2008 SEC co-Gymnast of the Year won All American honors in 2008 on the UB and FX and the SEC AA title.  Powerful and consistent, she will be a huge force once again.  Complementing her efforts will be the 2008 NCAA Vault champion, Susan Jackson.  Jackson remarkably overcame a mental block on the vault to rise to the top of the podium.  A five-time All American, she will team up with ACK to form a powerful one-two AA punch. 

Joining these upperclassmen are junior Summer Hubbard, an All-American, on the UB and junior Sabrina Franceschelli, who lends depth in every event.  Senior Lauren Klein will seek a bigger impact in 2008, after missing much of the season with injury.  She is one of the team's top performers on FX, with a full-in mount.  Another junior, Kayla Rogers, saw action on the VT, UB and FX.   

The strong sophomore class will seek to make an every bigger impact this season.  Samantha Engel competed mainly on BB and FX, but has AA potential.  Staci Schwitkis was a solid contributor on VT and UB, while Nicole Lyons competed well on VT and UB.  Paige Cippoloni competed mainly on VT.        

Key Newcomers:  The LSU newcomers include Gloria Johnson, Ashley McPherson and Kirstie Viens.  Frosh Johnson, an in-state athlete from Elite, was a standout L10.  She placed 9th AA and 8th(t) on UB at the 2008 L10 Nationals, Senior C.  In 2007, she captured the BB title in the Senior B division at the L10 Nationals, while placing 6th AA and 6th(t) on VT. 

Keys to Success:  Unlike many of the other teams contending for a Super Six slot, LSU is filled with experienced athletes and has just the three routines to replace.  Any of the sophomores or frosh Gloria Johnson seem well suited to step up.  How far the team rises will depend simply on how much the team can improve.

Forecast:  A solid, experienced crew should contend for a Super Six position.

  8.  Michigan Wolverines

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  16/24
Head Coach:  Bev Plocki
Assistants:  Scott Sherman, Shannon Welker
Returning Starters (9):  Becky Bernard (Sr), Kylee Botterman (So), Sarah Curtis (Jr),  Kelsey Knutson (Jr), Huneth Lor (Sr), Maureen Moody (Jr), Kari Pearce (So), Jordan Sexton (Jr), Tatjana Thuener-Rego (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (2): Jaclyn Kramer (Jr), Trish Wilson (So)
Graduated (4):  Lindsay Bruck, Nellie Kippley, Katie Lieberman, Megan Moore 
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (1): Taylor Zondervan (So/TR)

Key Losses:  Michigan loses 8 routines, coming from four seniors who provided both scoring power and leadership.  All-American Lindsay Bruck was the team's top all-arounder in 2008 and was named the 2008 Northeast Region co-Gymnast of the Year.  Katie Lieberman was a three-time All-American for the Wolverines, excelling on the VT and FX.  A second team All American on VT in 2007, Nellie Kippley was a reliable competitor on all four events.  Beam specialist Megan Moore competed in her first NCAA Championships as a senior.

Key Returners:   Michigan is led by junior AAer Sarah Curtis, seniors Becky Bernard and Tatjana Thuener-Rego and sophomore Kylee Botterman.  Curtis was the co-MVP of the 2008 squad and was the Big-10 runnerup in the All Around and the UB champ.  Bernard is a three-time All American on the UB, including first team honors in 2008.  She also captured the BB title at the 2007 Big 10s.  Finally, Thuener-Rego was slowed by injury in 2008 but in 2007, had a stellar year, capturing the Regional AA title.  The All-American could make a major impact with a full return to form in 2009.

Sophomore Kylee Botterman made a strong impression in 2008, capturing All American honors on the UB and VT.  She also captured the FX title at the Big-10s.  Fellow sophomore Trish Wilson suffered a season ending injury last March, but is a potential AA star when healthy.  The third sophomore standout, Kari Pearce, was a member of the All Big 10 Second Team. 

The team also returns AAer Huneth Lor, a senior who made big improvements in 2007.  Junior Maureen Moody competed VT and UB while classmate Jordan Sexton was a regular on BB and competed on UB.  Another junior, Kelsey Knutson, who was injured at Regionals, while junior Jaclyn Kramer also returns.     

Key Newcomers:  The Wolverines have just one newcomer, Taylor Zondervan, who sat out one year after transferring from Oklahoma.  In 2006, she placed 5th AA, 3rd(T) UB, 5th on BB and 6th on FX at the L10 Nationals, Senior B division. 

Keys to Success:  A variety of key injuries have hit the Michigan squad the last few years, impacting some of their key athletes.  Remarkably, they have worked through these injuries and have continued to achieve success.  There are some depth concerns on VT due to the injury history of the team, and the replacement routines for the graduation losses will have to come from the returnees.

Forecast:  Expect to see a the squad, if reasonably healthy, competing for slot at Nationals once again. 

  9.  Oregon State Beavers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  17/24
Head Coach:  Tanya Chaplin
Assistants:  Mike Chaplin, John Carney
Returning Starters (6):  Kera Bolen (Sr), Laura-Ann Chong (Jr), Jennifer Kesler (So), Jami Lanz (Sr), Mandi Rodriguez (Jr), Whitney Watson (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (5):  Brooke Barclay (Jr), Jereme Bigelow (So), Becky Colvin (So/I), Johnnie Rae Schmelzer (Sr), D'Anna Piro (Sr)
Graduated (5):  Courtney Dennison, Megan Devencenzi, Keegan Fitzgerald, Yuki Lamb, Claire Pierce
Other Losses (1):  Tasha Smith (I)
Newcomers (4):  Adonica Glatt (Fr), Leslie Mak (Fr), Stephanie McGregor (Fr), Olivia Vivian (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Beavers graduated five athletes last year but also are missing Tasha Smith, who is sitting out the season for personal reasons.  The six athletes represent a good portion of the OSU depth chart, including All American Smith.  Smith, a two-time All American, was the 2008 Pac 10 champ on VT and FX.  Her engaging performances will be missed, as well as her leadership.  Also graduated is Yuki Lamb, who hit for All American honors on VT in 2008.  Likewise, Megan Devencenzi and Claire Pierce were important specialists. 

Key Returners:  OSU is led by a trio of All Americans:  senior Jami Lanz, junior Mandi Rodriguez, and sophomore Jennifer Kesler.  Lanz is a consistent and stable AAer who was the 2008 West Regional champ in the AA and on the BB.  She was also a second team All American on the BB and the Pac 10 BB champion.  Rodriguez, a 2007 All American on the vault, was the 2008 West Regional co-champ on the FX.  Kesler, a sophomore, was a second team All American on the UB and the 2008 West Regional champion.  All three have AA potential and form the core of the squad.

Senior Kera Bolen is a key contributor on UB and FX, while Canadian Laura-Ann Chong contributed on UB, BB and FX. Junior Whitney Watson broke into the UB lineup last season, and has also contributed on VT.   Brooke Barclay has been a key contributor in the past, especially on VT and BB, despite being slowed last season by a knee injury.

Key Newcomers:   With the loss of Smith, all four frosh may need to play a larger role than expected this year.  Headlining the group is Australian Olympian Olivia Vivian.  A member of the 2008 Australian Olympic Team and 2005 and 2006 World Championships squads, the Perth native excels on the UB, where she claimed an Australian National Title in 2006.  Another international athlete, Canadian Stephanie McGregor, trained at the Altadore club in Calgary.  She placed 4th AA, 1st on FX and 2nd on UB at the 2007 Canadian Championships, National Open division.

Another Canadian, Leslie Mak, has a sister Allison who competes for Yale.  A former senior high performance athlete, she trained at Sports Seneca before moving to Connecticut last year.  A former National Team member, she was 11th AA at the 2007 Canadian Championships and 7th AA in 2006.  Competing as a US L10 last season, she was Regional champ in Region 6, Senior B on the UB, BB and AA.  The final frosh is in-state L10 Adonica Glatt.  The MAC-trained athlete was 29th(t) at the 2008 L10 Nationals and 18th(t) in 2007. 

Keys to Success:  The four frosh and remaining returners will need to train hard to fill the spots left by the departed athletes.  OSU will need to avoid further injury, as depth on vault is on the thin side and overall the event is not a strong event for their incoming frosh.  There is a strong and consistent core among the returnees, upon which the team can rely. 

Forecast: With their top three healthy, the Beavers will challenge for a spot at Nationals. 

  10.  Oklahoma Sooners

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  18/24
Head Coach:  KJ Kindler
Assistants:  Lou Ball, Tom Haley
Returning Starters (7):  Haley DeProspero (Sr), Jacqueline Flanery (Jr), Ashley Jackson (Sr), Jessica Kinder (Sr), Mary Mantle (Jr), Kristin Smith (Jr), Holly Vise (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (4):  Candace Cindell (So), Gina Lesko (Sr), Natalie Ratcliff (So), Melanie Root (So),
Graduated (3):  Caitlin Hinkis, Stephanie LoPiccolo, Kiara "Kiwi" Redmond-Sturms
Other Losses (0):  N/A
Newcomers (4): Megan Ferguson (Fr), Natasha Kelley (Fr), Sara Stone (Fr), Hailey Wagner (Fr)

Key Losses:  The Sooners will dearly miss the services of all arounder Kiara Redmond-Strums.  The All American and 2008 Big 12 Gymnast of the Year was an exciting end-of-the lineup performer for OU.  Also gone are Caitlin Hinkis and Stephanie LoPiccolo, two key specialists. 

Key Returners:  Leading the way for the Sooners is senior Haley DeProspero.  The AAer was also the 2008 Big 12 co-champ on the BB.  Another senior, Ashley Jackson, is a capable AAer with plenty of experience.  A large contingent of specialists are led by Holly Vise, the former World Champion and 2008 Big 12 UB champ.  Another Junior, Jackie Flanery (all but BB) was a solid contributor on three events, as was senior Jessica Kinder (all but UB).  Junior Mary Mantle was a regular on VT while classmate Kristin Smith contributed on BB and FX.

All Big 12 team member Melanie Root and fellow sophomore Natalie Ratcliff could be ready for bigger contributions this season.  

Key Newcomers:  The Sooner class is headlined by elite Natasha Kelley, a four time National Team member from Cypress.  In 2006, she had a breakout year, placing 2nd AA at the VISA US Championships and qualifying to the FX finals at the World Championships.  In 2007, she was 2nd at the American Cup and 10th AA at the VISA US Championships.  Another former elite, Sara Stone, trained at Metroplex Gymnastics.  This past season, she competed three events at the L10 Nationals.  She is a three time qualifier to the L10 Nationals and a two-time qualifier to the US Classic.  

Megan Ferguson, a L10 from Eagles, is a two-time L10 National champ on the BB.  She placed 22nd AA at the L10 Nationals in 2008, but also finished 12th AA in both 2006 and 2007. The final member of the class is Hailey Wagner, who returns to the sport after taking the year off.  She tied for 19th AA at the L10 Nationals in 2005.  She was also 32nd AA and 6th(t) on VT in 2006. 

Keys to Success:  Kelley looks well positioned to take over the role vacated by Redmond-Sturms, but frosh adjustment can sometimes be difficult.  With fast adjustments from their strong frosh class, OU is well positioned to improve as the season goes on.

Forecast:  The Sooners should be in the mix for a spot a Nationals, and maybe more.

  11.  Nebraska Cornhuskers

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  15/24
Head Coach:  Dan Kendig
Assistants: Danna Durante, Tim Garrison
Returning Starters (6):   Erin Davis (So), Brittnee Habbib (So), Kathryn Howard (Jr), Maria Scaffidi (Jr), Tricia Woo (Sr)
Other/Injured Returners (3): Stephanie Seich (RS Fr/I), Kylie Stone (Jr/I), Brittney Williams (Sr/I)
Graduated (3):  Vanessa Meloche, Emily Parsons, Desire Sniatynski
Other Losses (2):  Sabrina Long (?), Molly Ohnoutka (R/I)
Newcomers (5): Lora Evenstad (Fr), Kristin Fyffe (Fr), Kassandra Nathe (Fr), Kailey Ryan (Fr), Claire Stingley (Fr)

Key Losses:  Emily Parsons is another marquee athlete who had been a major force in the NCAAs these last four years.  The 11-time All American placed 2nd on the BB at the 2008 NCAAs to cap a career that saw her near the top of the leaderboard in nearly every event she competed in.  But unfortunately, the Huskers also are seeking to replace 9 routines of 24.  Desire Sniatynski was a four-time All American and formed a potent one-two punch in the AA with Parsons.  The Huskers also lose Sabrina Long, who had battled shoulder problems but competed on VT at Regionals.  In addition, NU also lost the services of Vanessa Meloche, who was unable to complete the season and graduated this past December.  The All American struggled with a series of knee injuries. 

Key Returners:  Nebraska is led by senior AAer Tricia Woo and junior AAer Maria Scaffidi.  Woo, an three-time All American, was the 2008 Regional Champ on BB and FX.  With super triple twists on FX and unusual combinations on BB, Woo will lead the Husker charge.  Scaffidi, a former jr. international elite, came on strong last season in an AA role and will looked upon to move into a starring role on the squad.  Sophomore Brittnee Habbib was a solid gymnast on three events, and is working hard to improve on vault.  Junior Kathryn Howard displays elegant lines on BB while sophomore Erin Davis brings power to the leg events, VT and FX. 

Key to NU's chances this season is the comeback of Canadian Olympian Kylie Stone.  The All American and former Canadian National Champion suffered a preseason injury last year.  However, according to the coaching staff she is back stronger than ever and is ready to assume the top AAer slot. 

Key Newcomers:  The strong Cornhusker recruiting class is led by 2008 L10 National AA Champion Lora Evenstad.  A standout L10 from Red River Valley Gymnastics with elite level skills (training double-twisting doubles), Evenstad could eventually step into the gap left by Parsons.  Another frosh, Kristin Fyffe spent 2008 coming back from injury (ACL in 2007) but is a former junior international elite and L10 from Queen City.  She placed 8th AA and 6th(t) on BB at the 2006 L10 Nationals.  She was also 12th AA and 2nd(t) on VT at the 2005 L10 Nationals.

Another signee, Kassandra Nathe, placed 15th AA at the 2008 L10 Nationals, Sr. D.  A L10 from the Twin City Twisters, she tied for 40th AA in 2007.  The fourth signee, Claire Stingley, is a L10 from GymNasti.   

Keys to Success:  A healthy Stone should combine with Woo and Scaffidi to give a solid core to the Husker effort.  Quick contributions from frosh Evenstad and Fyffe, plus the cast of returners will be necessary in order to fill out the depth chart.

Forecast:  By avoiding injuries to key stars, NU will contend for return spot at Nationals.

  12.  Arkansas Ladybacks

Official Web Site:  Link  Schedule  Roster
Starting Routines Returning:  17/24
Head Coach:  Mark and Rene Cook
Assistant:  Dave Kuzara
Returning Starters (6):  Stacy Bartlett (So), Amy DeFilippo (Jr), Alexandra LaChance (Sr), Casey Jo Magee (Jr), Sarah Nagashima (Jr), Michelle Stout (Jr)
Other/Injured Returners (1):  Molly Lewis (So)
Graduated (2):  Samantha Cortez, Emily Peacock
Other Losses (3):  Allison Daniels (?), Katie Maschino (?), Ashly McPherson (TR/LSU)
Newcomers (4):  Mariah Howdeschell (Fr), Jaime Pisani (Fr), Ginny Salvatore (Fr), Alyssa Strodel (Fr/I)

Key Losses:  The GymBacks lose two gymnasts to graduation, Samantha Cortez and Emily Peacock, plus three others for various reasons.  Cortez consistently competed three to four events for Arkansas and was a cited as a team leader.  Peacock was also a strong gymnast on three events, competing all but VT.  She was one of the team's top competitors on UB and FX.  Ashley McPherson, who transferred to LSU, broke into the VT lineup before becoming injured.  Allison Daniels was an uneven bars specialist, competing in every meet last season.

Key Returners:  Junior AAer Casey Jo Magee leads the way for the relatively small squad.  The two-time second team All American will be a key component of the Arkansas effort.  Fellow juniors Michelle Stout and Sarah Nagashima should see plenty of action as well.  Stout made first team All American on VT last season, and is a powerhouse on all four events.  Nagashima was slowed by an ankle injury early in the season, but fought her way back to an AA role and the Most Improved Award in 2008. 

The lone senior, Alexandra LaChance, competed three events solidly for the GymBacks in 2008.  Another junior, Amy DeFilippo, expanded to three events last season and is another potential AAer.  Two sophomores look for expanded roles.  Stacy Bartlett, with long lines and great flexibility, shines on BB.  Molly Lewis, injured for much of last year, has been showing strong in the preseason training. 

Key Newcomers:  With a relatively small squad, the Arkansas frosh will be expected to step in immediately.  Ready to lead the way is Jaime Pisani, a L10 from the NorthStars.  She placed 2nd AA and 2nd on VT at the 2008 L10 Nationals, Sr. D division.  She was also 3rd AA, 3rd on VT, 5th on UB and 8th(t) on FX at the 2007 L10 Nationals.  A powerful athlete, she reportedly is training a pike full-in in addition to the double Arabian she has shown in preseason on FX.

Mariah Howdeschell is a L10 from Metroplex in Texas.  At the 2006 L10 Nationals, she placed 26th AA and 6th(t) on UB.  Another L10, Ginny Salvatore, trained at Lawrence Gymnastics Academy.  She originally signed with URI before that program was dropped, and is working her way back from injury.

Frosh Alyssa Strodel joined the team in December but will sit out the year to mend an ACL injury.  She was 3rd AA, 6th(t) BB, 7th(t) VT and 9th(t) FX at the 2007 L10 Nationals.

Keys to Success:  Gymnastics is a numbers game, and for Arkansas, numbers remain the watchword.  With only 10 athletes training, injuries could become a factor.  Teams have made it to Nationals with as few as 8 gymnasts, however, so really, it's a matter of quality, not quantity.

Forecast:  As long as the key AAers stay healthy, Arkansas should contend for a spot at Nationals.