North Carolina State University Athletics
Gymnastics Kicks Off Home Schedule This Weekend
1/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 5, 2004
Raleigh, N.C. - The 2004 edition of the NC State gymnastics team will look to build upon last season's success. NC State finished last year with a record of 22-6, and finished the regular season ranked in the top-25. Six NC State gymnasts were named to the All-EAGL first and second teams, and at the conference meet the Wolfpack came away with a second place finish and its highest road score in school history, a 196.675 (a mere 0.075 behind host New Hampshire). This Friday night the Wolfpack will start its 2004 campaign with a home meet against Brown and William & Mary at 7:00 p.m. in Reynolds Coliseum.
The year's Wolfpack squad will be led by a strong senior class. The six seniors on this squad have all competed successfully over the years, and this season will be looked upon to provide NC State with quality scores. NC State also returns as many as five underclassmen who have seen time last year, and will provide some of the strongest routines for NC State this season. A deep class of eight freshmen will also be vying for time on coach Mark Stevenson's squad.
"I think we will have the opportunity to increase upon what we did last season," said Stevenson entering his 24th season. "It's just a question of how well the youngsters step up and hit routines that will make us better then last season. I think everybody is so excited about the opportunity to do something special this season."
THE SENIORS
"Overall the group of seniors we have this year is the most score prolific class that we have ever had at one time," said Stevenson. "This group alone could potential make up half of our routines. You can't get a better group of leaders as far as their work ethic in the gym and the way they perform in school. They represent us extremely well both in the gym and outside."
Marlyn Madey (Hockessin, Delaware) returns to NC State for her fifth season. Madey missed both of her first two seasons at NC State due to a foot injury. Madey first saw action in 2002, and competed on bars, beam and floor in every meet. Last season Madey was even better in all three of her events, and was named to the All-EAGL first-team for bars. She won the bars title in seven meets last year, and finished second at the EAGL Championships.
"This year I think you will see Marlyn in the all-round slot for us," said Stevenson. "After missing her first two seasons here at NC State, she has just continued to improve, with last year being her best so far. Her three routines have always been solid for us, and her vaulting is really picking up because her foot is feeling better."
Leah Sabo (Hubbard, Ohio) provided a huge boost to the NC State lineup last season after transferring from Utah. Sabo competed in the all-around in every single meet, and was named to the All-EAGL second-team for both floor and the all-around. She led NC State in scores over 9.9, and she also won at least one title in every event, with a grand total of 12.
"Leah just walked in last year and filled a huge void for us in the all-around, doing four events in every meet last year," said Stevenson. "She'll probably be doing four events in every meet for us this year as well. She has upgraded her vault and bars, and both beam and floor are looking as good if not better then last year. She has brought a lot to our program in a lot of different ways."
Molly Pennington (Dover, New Hampshire) had a breakout season for NC State last year on vault. Pennington was named All-EAGL first-team, competing on vault in every meet. She finished in the top-10 in every single meet, and in the top-five in eight of the final nine meets. Pennington also led the way for the Pack with her four vault titles.
"Molly is going to be one of our top kids once again," Said Stevenson. "We are going to count on Molly to go out and compete at the same level she did last year. She is a great competitor, just a hard-working young lady."
Alison Bundy (Concord, North Carolina) has been a staple in the Wolfpack line-up her first three seasons here. She has seen action on every event except bars, competing on both vault and floor in the final seven meets last season.
"Alison is one of those kids that walked on four years ago, and I have no doubt that she will be one of our top floor people this year," said Stevenson. "She also has a really good shot at competing on beam, which she hasn't done since her freshman year. He whole presentation has grown so much over her four years, and I know she will have a strong season for us."
Cheryl Potacco (Kinnelon, New Jersey) made her way back into the Wolfpack line-up last season. As a freshmen she was injured in the very first meet, and was still recovering in 2002. Last season Potacco was in the Pack's lineup on vault in every meet, winning one title, and she also competed on bars.
"Last year Cheryl did a nice job for us especially on vaulting and a back-up on bars," said Stevenson. "This year I think more then likely compete on both vault and bars, and has good potential to break into the lineup on beam. She has become more consistent on beam, and will be given that chance."
Mary Freyvogel (Monroeville, Pennsylvania) is a three-time member of the EAGL all-academic squad, and is working her way into the lineup on balance beam this season.
"Mary did a great job for us when she was moved into the line-up on beam at Auburn last year," sad Stevenson. "She hit a routine that day that we really needed. Her overall presentation has come along really nice, and she is ready to step into the beam lineup for us now."
THE JUNIORS
Kelley Kello (Virginia Beach, Virginia) was NC State's other transfer that made a huge impact last season. Coming from Iowa, Kello competed on bars, beam and floor in every meet. She was named to the All-EAGL first-team for bars, and had one of her best meets late scoring at least a 9.8 on all three of her events at the EAGL Championships.
"Kelley just walks into the gym, and every single time she just hits her routine," said Stevenson. "She came in to our program last year and made a huge difference, helping us out in three events. I see her competing in those same three once again, and I know putting her in the lineup in those three will bring positive results each time."
Cori Goldstein (Plainview, New York) had perhaps one of the most consistent seasons for NC State a year ago. Goldstein was named to the All-EAGL second-team for both beam and floor, competing on both events in ever meet.
"Cori is a two event kid for us, and she'll be doing the same again this season," said Stevenson. "Every time she steps out on both her events, beam and floor, she will give us strong scores. Twelve meets of 9.85 or higher from Cori in two events will really help us, and she is more then capable of doing so."
Andrea Petrocelli (Pasadena, Maryland) was limited to just one meet last season, after going through two knee operations. As a freshman in 2002, she competed on both vault and beam, and finished the year with a fourth place finish on beam at the EAGL Championships.
"We lost Andrea for most of last year," said Stevenson. "She came off of knee surgery, and just as she was getting back and ready to go she reinjured the same knee and had to undergo the same surgery. She is back in the gym now, and she is looking good. She is looking better on vault and bars, and will be in our beam lineup if she stays healthy."
Both Jennifer Gray (Irwin, Pennsylvania) and Krystal Hairston (Duluth, Georgia) are beginning their third season with the Wolfpack.
"Jen has really come a long ways for us, she is always working hard everyday in that gym," said Stevenson. "Krystal has decided to really step it up this year, and is fighting for a spot on vault. Both girls are great students and just a pleasure to have around."
THE SOPHOMORES
Kylah Bachman (York, Pennsylvania) had one of the most successful freshman campaigns at NC State in recent memory. She was named to the All-EAGL first-team on beam, and competed on vault, bars and beam throughout the year.
"Kylah is probably one of the most pleasant surprises we've had in a long time as far as an athlete goes," said Stevenson. "She is a great kid and a great student. She walked in and did three events last year, this year she'll do four. She continues to upgrade her routines, and she'll be one of the best gymnasts we've had by the time she is done."
Beth Faulkner (Charlotte, North Carolina) was able to see time on vault last year as a freshman.
"Beth saw some time early on vault last year, and really helped us when we had a bunch of injuries," said Stevenson. "She is in the gym working on vault again this year."
THE FRESHMEN
"This is probably the best class we've ever had. There is a lot of talent, and they work hard. They are going to make an impact for us. There are at least three, potentially four, who are going to walk in and compete in events for us this season."
Leading the way for the freshmen class this year is Rachel Katz (Bloomington, Indiana). Katz finished in the top-10 in the all-around and on vault at the 2003 nationals, and should be in the Wolfpack lineup in the first meet of the season.
"Rachel is probably our top freshmen coming in," said Stevenson. "She finished in the top-five nationally on vaulting last year. She will be in the lineup on both vault and floor, and right now she is looking good on beam with a chance there."
Also looking to come in right away and forge their way into the lineup are a trio of talented performers. Amanda Jones (Jacksonville, Florida), Kaitlin Kovary (Huntington Station, New York), and Katie Ozburn (Marshall, Virginia) all have potential to see action as freshmen.
"Amanda has worked so hard since she has been here," said Stevenson. "She has a really good shot at bars, beam, and floor, plus one day has the potential for vault. I think she is one of those kids that will make an impact as a freshman. Kaitlin has a tremendous amount of potential, it will just take her a little amount of time to break into that lineup. She is somebody we can count on if somebody goes down, to walk in and take their place. We think Katie could potentially do vault for us, and possibly beam. She is a great worker in and out of the gym, and could break into the vault line-up towards the middle of the year."
Thee other freshman will be worth keeping an eye on their improvement this season. Brooke Outland (Bonlee, North Carolina), Suzanne Price (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), and Arien Stainback (Beaufort, North Carolina) are all in-state prospects looking to compete early.
"Brooke does anything we ask of her, and she does extra beyond that," said Stevenson. "If she continues to work as hard in the gym as she is now, she has a shot of seeing time. Suzanne is a local kid who has walked-on with us. We are still getting to know her, but we have seen how hard she works and their is potential there. Arien is another kid in there working hard everyday to improve her skills."
One freshman unable to compete this season is Chrisann Calvo (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania).
"Right now I don't think Chrisann will not compete for us this year," said Stevenson. "After we signed her, she tore ligaments in her wrist which is a pretty serious injury. We'd like to save this year and let her us it when she is back healthy"
THE SCHEDULE
While NC State can not look ahead to the end of the season already, the entire program is looking forward to April 3. For the first time in school history, NC State will host the NCAA Regionals on its home floor. For the Wolfpack to advance to the NCAA Championships, NC State must be one of the top two teams in the regional meet.
"We are really excited about hosting the NCAA Regionals this year," said Stevenson. "It is a big meet, probably the biggest meet we've hosted in my 24 years here. It will be a challenge, but this will be a meet which our team and our fans will enjoy because of the level of competition that the NCAA Regionals always feature."
The rest of the schedule features five home meets. NC State opens up its 2004 slate at home January 9 against William & Mary and Brown. After hitting the road for five straight away meets, the Wolfpack will host the Hearts Invitational February 13. Other home meets will be February 27, March 5 (The Wolfpack Invite), and March 14. The EAGL Championships will be held at Pittsburgh the weekend of March 20, before returning to Raleigh next year.
