North Carolina State University Athletics
2000 Outlook
10/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Last season, NC State had what some might consider a more glorious year. The Pack won its first EAGL conference championship while setting a new meet and school record with a team score of 196.05. NC State received its first ever perfect 10's, when Maggie Haney and Monica Berry notched those scores on the balance beam. Amy Langendorf went on to compete as an individual at the NCAA Championships in Salt Lake City, and came away with an impressive showing.
"The team last year did a great job of putting everything together," said head coach Mark Stevenson. "We closed out the season 13th in the nation overall, and are pleased that we are consistently in that top 10 to 15 range."
"Also, Amy did a great job at nationals and brought home a good score without her team being there."
Not only did the Pack work hard in the gym, but also in the classroom. NC State placed 16th in the nation in the Scholastic All American team rankings with a team GPA of 3.35 overall. Ten different Wolfpack members carried a GPA of at least 3.5 for the 1998-99 school year, the most of any school in the country.
"Academics is always something we take pride in here," said Stevenson. "We always set an academic goal for the team, and I'm very pleased when we achieve it."
Now as Stevenson enters is 20th year at the helm of the NC State program, there are many expectations for the Wolfpack to once again achieve the success at the same level or even higher than last year. With a strong senior class firmly in place, the addition of a stellar freshman class, and the opportunity of recovering from some of last season's injuries, Stevenson thinks this year could be very special for the NC State program.
"Our goal now is to move up and finish somewhere between the top six and the top 10 at the end of the season," said Stevenson. "If we stay healthy, we have the most depth and the best quality of gymnastics that we have ever had at NC State. These kids are working really hard, and they are in better shape then we've ever seen them coming into a season. We really feel strongly that we will be the best team that we have ever had here. We feel really good about our program right now, and I think we're definitely heading in the right direction."
SENIORS
This year's edition of the Wolfpack gymnastics squad is relatively
young, but will have a strong senior class as its backbone. Stevenson
credits this year's seniors with much of the team's success the last few
years, and feels confident in all of their abilities.
"I don't think that as far as seniors go, that we've ever had a better group, said Stevenson. "These kids have been part of the group that has led us to the level we are at today."
Maggie Haney (Garland, Texas) was the first NC State gymnast to ever earn a perfect 10.0 score when she nailed her beam routine at Rhode Island last season. Haney stepped up her performance at the EAGL Championships last year, as she finished fourth on both the beam and bars. Haney was also first team All-EAGL on floor and second team on beam.
Another strong senior member of the Wolfpack is Jenny Sommer (Bluffton, Ohio). Sommer is a strong worker on the bars, beam, and floor, and was fourth at the EAGLs on the floor with a 9.85.
"Maggie and Jenny have been instrumental in putting our program at the point to where it is today," said Stevenson. "They walk out there week after week, and do two or three events for us and go 9.8 or better on those events. "
The third senior this year is Ashleigh Wessing (Spring, Texas). Wessing is a solid veteran who is constantly working everyday to improve her skills.
"Ashleigh has not competed for us that much over the years, but she is in the gym working hard every day and pushing herself," said Stevenson. "She'll get the chance to probably compete on bars and beam at a couple different meets this year, which will be really good for her."
JUNIORS
While the senior class might have many accolades, this year's
crop of juniors could very well determine just how successful NC State
will be in 2000.
"Our junior class is the class that pushed us over the hump to go to nationals two years ago," said Stevenson. "I think that this is the best quality class that we have brought in as far as numbers."
Leading the way is Amy Langendorf (Gambrills, Md.) who went on to compete at the NCAAs last year. Langendorf had the Pack's top scores in three events last season, bars, floor, and all-around, and set a new school record with a 9.925 on the bars. She took home 13 first place finishes, and for her efforts she was a unanimous first team selection for bars and the all-around and was a second team selection for floor. "Amy had an outstanding season last year," said Stevenson. "She finished second at regionals and did well at the NCAAs, and we were real pleased with how she performed. She stepped up her beam routine and learned a new vault that helped bolster her scores, so she should have a very good year."
Kara Charles (Overland Park, Kan.) will be looking to return to form, after being hampered by an ankle injury last year. Charles was the 1998 EAGL Rookie of the Year, who has turned into one of NC State's most consistent performers. Last season, Charles performed well in all four events, including scoring a 39.15 to finish fourth at the EAGL Championships in the all-around.
"Kara looked the best she has ever looked last year before twisting an ankle very badly before the season even started," said Stevenson. "She fought her way back and her finish at the EAGLs was instrumental in us winning. Her performance had a lot to do with the overall level of the team because she competes in every event. We think that if she stays healthy, we will be in really good shape because she'll be back up to form when she was the EAGL Rookie of the Year."
Monica Berry (Taylors, S.C.) and Sara Dolan (Ellicott City, Md.) are two more tested veterans who have the ability to compete in various events.
Berry, who specializes in the beam, recorded a perfect 10 in the Wolfpack Invitational and was named All-EAGL first team for beam. Dolan is also one of the Wolpack's top performers on beam, is looking to come back from two twisted ankles which has cost her practice time early this season.
"Monica was a walk-on that has really stepped up," said Stevenson "There is a good chance she'll do some bars for us this year, she has upgraded her beam routine, and has a very good vault. We think that she could do three events for us over time."
"Sara has made a good comeback after twisting her ankles. We think we should at least see her ready for beam and possibly vaulting by the time this season comes around because she is just working so hard to get there."
Barbara Olszanowski (Raleigh, N.C.) and Courtney Petrovits (Litchfield, Conn.) complete this year's crop of juniors. Olszanowski saw time in almost every meet last year on the vault, while Petrovits could see time on the beam this season.
SOPHOMORES
With State's injuries last year, this year's sophomore class really got
the opportunity to step in and compete at many different meets.
Perhaps having one of the better freshman campaigns in recent memory,
was Kelli Brown (Spruce Creek, Pa.). Brown was a second team All-EAGL
selection for both vault and floor last year. She was second at the EAGLs
(9.85), and fourth at regionals with a 9.875 on the vault.
"Kelli Brown really stepped up at the end of last year, and put forth good efforts at the EAGLs and at regionals," said Stevenson. "She should be a lot of fun to watch this year."
Laura Jazab (Leeds, Mass.) came right in and was a strong performer on the bars and beam the entire season. For her efforts, Jazab was voted as the most improved gymnasts by her teammates.
"Laura stepped up last year with all of our injuries," said Stevenson. "She did a great job both on beam and bars, so we were really pleased with her and think she'll get even better this year."
Two sophomores looking to recover from injuries will be Aimee Panton (Naugatuck, Conn.) and Angie Welch (Richardson, Texas), both of whom missed just about the entire 1999 season.
"Aimee Panton is coming off of a knee injury, but is probably our second or third best bar worker in the gym," said Stevenson. "She will be back on bars for us this year."
"Angie Welch is coming back really strong after dislocating her elbow early last year before the season even started," said Stevenson. "She is without a doubt as good as anybody we have on the beam, and we never got to see her out there last year."
Also making her way back for a sophomore campaign is Lauren Palefsky (Winston-Salem, N.C.) who saw time last year on the floor in exhibitions. Crystal Schmidt (Tallahassee, Fla.), Rebecca Silverstein (Ramsey, N.J.), and Erica Strickland (Hillsborough, N.C.) will also be competing for time this season.
FRESHMAN
Stevenson has once again brought in a very talented freshman
class, that is sure to make an impact for the NC State program this
season.
Adina Stock (Bedford, N.Y.) will come in and push for immediate action in the Wolfpack lineup. Stock was a Level 10 vaulting champion and has done well on both the vault and beam in many regional competitions. "Adina Stock is probably the most heralded of the freshman," said Stevenson. "She is probably the best vaulter we have because of her quickness and height on the vault. She's a hard worker that really wants to be good, and we're really excited about having her."
Another pair of freshman, Cara Dougherty (Loiusville, Colo.) and Marlyn Madey (Hockessin, Del.), are two talented performers who will making a push to crack the Pack lineup throughout the year. Dougherty was a junior Olympic national qualifier, who competed at Gymnastics Unlimited in Denver, Colo. Madey is coming off of foot surgery last year, and is hoping to regain her form.
"Cara has a lot of skills, and has worked really hard before coming here to improve on her form," said Stevenson. "She looks great, and I'm impressed with her."
"Marlyn should recover from her surgery, and we feel that as the foot comes along she will really come along."
Rounding out this year's freshman class in AmySue Fescharek (Hilton Head Island, S.C.) and Stephanie Southard (Indialantic, Fla.). Fescharek finished 17th at last year's USAIGC nationals, and was a previous vault champion at the USAIGCs. Southard competed at Harbor City Gymnastics, and graduated high school with a 4.06 GPA.
THE SCHEDULE
Year in and year out, Stevenson compiles one of the toughest schedules
in the country. While competing in the always challenging EAGL, the
Wolfpack this year will also be facing many of the top non-conference
teams in the country, which includes five teams that went to nationals
and nine that ended 1999 ranked in the top 25.
The Pack will host two-time defending national champion Georgia in the first gymnastics meet ever at the new Entertainment and Sports Arena (ESA) on February 6th. NC State will also host the Hearts Invitational (February 11) and the Wolfpack Invitational (March 11) in Reynolds Coliseum. Throw in road trips to Ohio State and Florida, and you can see that this year's schedule will be one of the toughest in recent memory.
"We have a very tough schedule this year," said Stevenson. "We added two new schools in Ohio State and Kentucky, and they are two really good teams. Ohio Sate was always around tenth in the nation last year, and Kentucky is always a good program because they are in the SEC. Overall, this should be a good challenge for us."
