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The University of Utah Athletics
2001 Gymnastics Season Outlook
12/5/2000 12:00 AM | Gymnastics
Dec. 5, 2000
SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's Greg Marsden, the nation's preeminent collegiate women's gymnastics coach, could teach a course on how to succeed in gymnastics. After all, his teams have won a record 10 national championships in his 25 years as head coach and Utah is the only program to qualify for every national championship during that time.
Lately, though, he's been sitting on the other side of the lectern.
"Our last two teams have taught me something," admits Marsden. "Like, don't ever take anything for granted and don't ever give up."
Those lessons are now deeply instilled in Marsden, who hopes to put them to good use this season, when on paper at least, the Utes should again be in the hunt for the NCAA Championship.
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| Kim Allan on the beam. |
"I've really come to appreciate how unpredictable this sport is," he says. "In 1999, our team was so talented we considered ourselves a contender for the NCAA Championship. Then we made a few mistakes in the prelims and didn't even make it to team finals. Last year, because of injuries and illness to key gymnasts, some people questioned whether we'd even qualify for the NCAA Championships. Not only did we qualify, we placed second, less than a half a point behind UCLA."
A big reason behind Utah's surprise finish in 2000 was the tremendous leadership from its four now-departed seniors. However, Marsden believes the difficult tests passed by his underclassmen last year will be crucial to the success of this year's team.
"We must replace half of our routines from last year's championships and the seniors who competed them were the glue that held us together through the tough times," Marsden concedes. "But we have some gymnasts returning who see themselves differently than they did at this time last year and that will make us stronger.
"A positive result of our injury problems (in 2000) was that people like Theresa Wolf, Deidra Graham and Kim Allan got a lot of experience that they probably wouldn't have otherwise. They had to step up and they did, which gives them a lot of confidence going into this season."
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| Shannon Bowles performing on the floor exercise. |
Some of the trio's confidence comes from the critical role it played in Utah's NCAA runner-up effort. Wolf was Utah's high all-around finisher in the Super Six team finals, while Graham was a first-team All-American in the all-around and on the beam. Allan, who didn't even crack the lineup in Utah's first three meets, blossomed into an All-American by the end of her freshman year.
Two other returners who made significant contributions also benefitted from their somewhat unexpected time in the limelight. Lindsay Tanner led off Utah's floor exercise set in every meet and saved her best routine for last, reaching a career-high in the NCAA Super Six. Kylee Wagner was an outstanding three-event performer for the bulk of the season until mononucleosis sidelined her during Utah's stretch run. Also back from last year's squad is sophomore Leah Sabo, who played a backup role in 2000.
Oddly, two returning gymnasts who played little or no competitive role last year could be the difference makers in 2001. Theresa Kulikowski and Shannon Bowles, two of the best gymnasts in Utah's storied gymnastics history, spent last season sidelined with injuries. Kulikowski, the 1999 NCAA champion in the all-around and on balance beam as a freshman (she also placed second on floor and vault), is back for a "second" sophomore year. She competed in two and a half meets last year and was the nation's top ranked all-arounder when a knee injury cut her season short. Bowles, an All-American as a freshman and sophomore, and like Kulikowski considered one of the nation's premier all-arounders, fractured a neck vertebrae in a training accident last fall. Now fully recovered, Bowles has two years of college eligibility remaining.
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| Deidra Graham extends vertically on the uneven bars. |
"The advantages that Shannon and "Kulio" bring to our lineup are obvious," says Marsden. "They can compete at the highest level and their collegiate experience is invaluable. We expect Shannon to be back contending in the all-around but we'll limit Theresa to beam and bars until we're confident her knee is fully recovered. She has three more years to compete so we want to make sure we don't try to do too much too early."
The return of Utah's marquee players should go a long way toward replacing last year's senior class. "Now that we have Shannon and Theresa Kulikowski back, and now that Theresa Wolf, Deidra Graham and Kim Allan have learned they can compete with the likes of those two, we're confident we can fill the holes left by our seniors," says Marsden.
The above eight gymnasts alone, are reason to believe Utah will again be ranked among the nation's elite teams this year. But Marsden and his staff went out and landed a big, talented recruiting class. "We had what I consider a very good recruiting year," he says of incoming freshmen Tacia LaBatte (Kaneohe, Hawaii), Veronique Leclerc (St. Hubert, Quebec), Annie Medcalf (Stow, Ohio) and Melissa Vituj (Ada, Mich.). "What is still unknown and can be said for every freshman is how quickly they will adjust to college life and the demanding nature of collegiate gymnastics."
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| Theresa Kulikowski flies through the air during her performance on floor exercise. |
They will also have to adjust to a demanding schedule. The Utes will meet four teams from the 2000 NCAA Championships' field, including defending NCAA champion UCLA on January 21 in Los Angeles. They'll clash with Michigan, Oregon State and Brigham Young in Salt Lake City. Mixed into the schedule are also traditional national powers like Florida, Arizona State, Washington, Arizona and Minnesota, among others.
Here's a look at who Utah will put on the floor against those teams:
Sole senior Theresa Wolf, voted team captain by her peers, is a favorite to go all-around. A part-time all-arounder her entire career at Utah, she came into her own at last year's Super Six when her 39.425 was the team's best. "Last year was a very good year for Theresa," says Marsden. "She demonstrated to herself and her teammates what we coaches knew she was capable of all along. She came back to school in great shape and appears primed to pick up where she left off."
Four-time All-American and former U.S. National Team member Shannon Bowles should step back into the all-around lineup after missing last year with a neck injury. "Shannon was ready for a phenomenal season a year ago and it was very difficult for her and us that it didn't turn out as planned," says Marsden. "The good news is we have her for two more years instead of one. In order to avoid the psychological issues surrounding her injury, we've decided to abandon the round-off entry vault in favor of a handspring front pike. Shannon is better than ever on the other three events and should re-establish herself as a national all-around contender."
Junior Deidra Graham, who in her first two years has made the All-America first team as an all-arounder and on bars and beam, continues to improve at an almost dizzying pace. The 2000 NCAA Region 2 Gymnast of the Year, Graham led Utah in wins with 16. "Last year was Deidra's breakthrough year," says Marsden. "She developed into our top all-arounder and our most consistent performer. Winning the regional all-around title did a lot for Deidra's self esteem. She now knows that she will not compete in anyone's shadow. Her ability and personality will make her one of our team leaders this season."
Lindsay Tanner advanced from exhibition to full-time on the floor exercise as a sophomore and never looked back. Terrifically consistent, she did not miss a single routine all year. "Lindsay competed just one event for us last year, but she was arguably the strongest lead-off competitor in the country on the floor," says Marsden. "Lindsay had a great off season and came back in the best shape of her career. She has a new floor routine and is working hard to add vaulting to her starting assignments."
A valuable member of Utah's vault, beam and floor lineups, Kylee Wagner goes into her junior campaign with renewed determination after mononucleosis cost her the chance to compete in the postseason last year. "Earning a spot on three events only to miss the last month of the season with mono was a bitter pill for Kylee to swallow," relates Marsden. "She had worked so hard to improve and earn those starting positions. Fortunately, I think Kylee has used that disappointment to further motivate her to accomplish this season what illness took away from her last year."
Kim Allan set some high standards for herself to live up to after finishing her freshman season with flourish. At nationals, Allan not only earned All-America honors on the beam, she served notice that she's a national contender on vault and bars as well. "Kim was a pleasant surprise last season," says Marsden. "She struggled at the beginning, improved in the middle and was one of our strongest competitors by season's end. Now that she's figured out what it takes to be a great collegiate gymnast, she's determined to make it happen. I predict Kim will compete in the all-around this year and push everyone else in the program to get better."
Theresa Kulikowski, unquestionably one of the nation's elite gymnasts, may go a second year without a chance to repeat her 1999 NCAA all-around title. That's the bad news. The good word is that "Kulio" is back training on bars and beam on the surgically repaired knee that cut her 2000 season way short. "Theresa has worked very hard to position herself to re-emerge as one of the most competitive athletes in collegiate gymnastics," reports Marsden. "If you know Kulio, you know she'll settle for nothing less. I think she will contend for NCAA individual championships on both bars and beam. We have decided not to push vault and floor this season, although we have not ruled them out. We want to make sure her knee is 100 percent before we get her back on those high impact events."
Leah Sabo spent last year learning what college gymnastics was all about. Apparently she learned well. Little used in competition as a freshman, Sabo reported to fall camp with a new attitude. "Leah's freshman year was a bit of a struggle, but she worked hard over the summer and is already ahead of where she finished last year," says Marsden. "She has a new vault, new skills on bars, improved balance beam and just a spectacular floor exercise routine. She will push for a spot on every event and I look for Leah to contribute significantly this year.
Newcomer Tacia LaBatte's credentials include membership on two Junior Olympic National Teams and four region all-around titles. "Tacia has the ability to contribute on every event," says Marsden. "She loves to compete and makes that obvious to everyone who sees her. Performance quality is a big part of collegiate gymnastics and Tacia certainly has that."
Freshman Veronique Leclerc comes to Utah after five years on the Canadian National Team. She placed ninth in the all-around at the 2000 Canadian Olympic Trials shortly before coming to Salt Lake City. "Veronique is our most internationally experienced newcomer," says Marsden. "We have high expectations for Veronique and she is more than capable of delivering. Her best events are bars and vault, but I look for her to emerge as one of the strongest all-arounders in the country."
Former U.S. National Team member Annie Medcalf is the wild card of the recruiting class. Medcalf sat out last season with a back injury that required surgery. "Annie is an extremely talented gymnast whose biggest challenge will be to stay healthy throughout the long college season," says Marsden. "We're trying to bring her along slowly. If it works, she should be vying for a spot in the lineup on every event by late February or early March."
Melissa Vituj, the 1999 Junior Olympic Level 10 balance beam champion, is out to prove she's more than a two-event wonder. "Melissa could be the freshman surprise in the college scene this year," predicts Marsden. "She comes in as an extremely strong balance beam and floor exercise competitor, but the surprise is her huge improvement on vault and bars. We feel like Melissa is someone who is going to absolutely blossom throughout her college career."
Vault
A major rule change combined with team turnover makes this a difficult event for Marsden to evaluate. "The rules have changed and each gymnast will compete only one vault. Strategy will play a much more significant role in a team's success." In addition, Utah must replace half of last year's NCAA lineup. "Deidra Graham and Veronique Leclerc will lead us but the other four spots will be hotly contested. Kim Allan and Theresa Wolf showed at nationals what they are capable of (each scored a 9.90 in team finals), but they need to prove they can be consistent. Consistency is more critical than ever when you get only one try." Theresa Kulikowski, the 1999 NCAA runner-up, will not vault at least initially, while continuing her recovery from a knee injury.
Bars
Despite losing two All-Americans to graduation, Marsden is thrilled with Utah's outlook on the uneven bars. "Without question, this should be our best event. It's an extremely strong event for Theresa Kulikowski, Shannon Bowles, Deidra Graham and Veronique Leclerc. They'll be challenged by Theresa Wolf, Kim Allan, Annie Medcalf and Tacia LaBatte. All eight have routines packed with difficulty and great execution." Kulikowski, Bowles and Graham are All-Americans on this event.
Beam
While Utah lost two All-Americans, Marsden prefers to talk about two others who return after a year's absence. "With All-Americans Shannon Bowles and Theresa Kulikowski coming back, we think this is already a stronger event. Deidra Graham emerged as one of our strongest performers last year and we really helped ourselves with recruiting. Melissa Vituj, Annie Medcalf and Veronique Leclerc will battle returning starters Theresa Wolf, Kim Allan and Kylee Wagner." Kulikowski won the NCAA title in 1999 and Bowles took fourth in both 1998 and '99.
Floor
Like vault, floor is up for grabs, says Marsden. Utah lost 2000 NCAA runner-up Denise Jones to graduation, and while 1999 NCAA runner-up Theresa Kulikowski is back from a knee injury, her return on the floor exercise is on hold. "There are no guarantees on this event. It's likely Deidra Graham, Shannon Bowles and Theresa Wolf will be our big guns, but everyone is capable and determined to make the lineup. It will come down to who demonstrates their ability to do the big tumbling passes consistently."
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