North Carolina State University Athletics
Gymnastics Opens Season with Trip to Cal State Fullerton
1/5/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Jan. 5, 2006
Raleigh, N.C. - The NC State gymnastics season gets underway this weekend, as the Wolfpack will be traveling to California to take part in a four-team meet. Cal State Fullerton will be the host school, and other teams competing will be San Jose State and Utah State for the Sunday afternoon meet. The 2006 Wolfpack is the type of team that fans will want to come out and see. The experienced veterans are led by one of the top all-arounders in the EAGL in senior Kylah Bachman, and a strong core of juniors and sophomores have already competed in many meets and produced outstanding results. A talented group of freshmen join NC State this season, and it is easy to see why everybody is beaming with excitement thinking about the abilities of this years squad.
"I think one of the most positive things over the last couple of years, is that this team has come back in very good shape, and have not lost many skills and already are learning new stuff very early in practice," said head coach Mark Stevenson. "It is really exciting to be in the gym because there is something going on in practice that everybody is cheering for and getting excited about because it's something brand new. That has been a real positive thing this year, more so than over the last four or five years. Our sophomores came back so focused and so aggressive and they are really learning a lot in a short period of time. I truly think we have the potential to be good on all four events."
Stevenson enters his 26th season at the helm of the Pack, and already he is seeing the improvement the Wolfpack has made in early season practices.
"The thing I like the best about this group is how focused everybody is and how hard each gymnast is working so early in preparing for the season," said Stevenson. "They are not afraid to tell each other that the effort needs to be picked up at times, because this group has the mentality that it is not about everybody not about individuals. They are very excited about learning and listening to each other and the coaches."
This season, the Wolfpack added a new assistant coach in Karen Pleasants. Pleasants returns to her alma mater, as she was a member of the NC State gymnastics team under Mark Stevenson from 1988-1991. She was named team MVP in 1988 and 1989, and was a NCAA Regional qualifier from 1988-90. Pleasants, along with fellow assistant Todd Henry, have already had a tremendous impact for NC State.
"Having Karen in the gym has been such a huge plus for us because she is so good at the choreography and dance and the look of the routines on beam and floor," said Stevenson. "She is a also a Level 10 judge, so she is able to tell the girls what the judges look for and where certain deductions come."
THE SENIORS
NC State will be led this season by Kylah Bachman (York, Pa.). Bachman will be competing in the all-around for the third straight year, and has only gotten better while at NC State. Last season, she was named to the EAGL first-team for both vault and bars, and was a second-team selection in the all-around. Bachman led last years team with nine event titles, as she won one in every event including the all-around.
"Kylah's skills over the last three years have jumped tremendously, and I think she will compete with all the top all-arounders in the EAGL all season long to see which is the top performer in our conference," said Stevenson. "I think she has as as good of a chance as any gymnast we have had here at advancing to Nationals if the team does not go. She has the leadership ability to help all the younger kids we have and help push them to get even better."
The other senior on this years squad is Beth Faulkner (Charlotte, N.C.). Faulkner has experience competing on both vault and floor for the Pack during her career.
"Beth is a walk-on who has competed a couple of times for us over the last few years, and has done a really nice job for us when we needed her to step in when we've had people out," said Stevenson. "Beth stepped right in whenever we asked, and its always good to have people like that on our squad."
THE JUNIORS
One of the most experienced members of the junior class is Amanda Jones (Jacksonville, Fla.). Last season, Jones saw action on all four events, including the all-around in four meets. She was named an All-EAGL first-team selection on bars.
"Amanda has been a at least a three-event person, and sometimes an all-arounder for us since her freshman season," said Stevenson. "She will be back in that situation, as we count on her for floor, beam and bars. She ended last season in the vault lineup, and I don't see that changing this year as she should be in the all-around once again. She has a great attitude, and she is fun to coach."
One of the Pack's top vaulters since her freshman season, Rachel Katz (Bloomington, Ind.) was slowed late last season with an ankle injury. She was named to the All-EAGL first-team for vault for the second straight season, and was also honored on the second-team for floor.
"Rachel was out for a long time due to that ankle injury, and she was a little tentative in the fall because of that," said Stevenson. "Overall we all know she will be fine once the middle of the season comes around, and I'll expect her to keep doing vault, bars and floor. She is one of our top scorers on vault, so all of us are excited to get her back to full strength."
After missing her freshman season with a wrist injury, Crisann Calvo (Bethlehem, Pa.) worked her way back last season, and saw action on both bars and floor.
"Crisann did some exhibitions for us last year, but she also competed a couple times," said Stevenson. "I think that will change this year, as I see her as a starter on bars for us, as she has really come along especially hitting her hand stands. She has worked hard all summer and during the fall, and her routine looks really good. She also has the potential to do some vault and floor, so we are excited about her this season."
Two other juniors have seen action for NC State in the past. Katie Ozburn (Marshall, Va.) has competed on vault, and Arien Steinback (Beaufort, N.C.) as seen action on beam.
"Katie has done some vaulting for us, and has been close to getting in the lineup on beam," said Stevenson. "I think she will be one of the kids that carries our beam team this year, she is really coming along and doing a great job and we believe she also has an outstanding chance to be in the vault lineup as well. Over the next two years, we see her doing a lot of good things to improve our team."
"Arien competed on beam in one of our home meets last year, and we need her to step up to the plate and be good for us on beam this year. She came off ankle surgery in May, and it seems to be coming along well, now its just a question of if we can get enough reps in for her to get that experience. It will not be for a lack of her trying, and she is always working so hard to improve."
The Pack's remaining juniors are Brooke Outland (Bonlee, N.C.) and Suzane Price (Chapel Hill, N.C.).
Brooke is one of the top juniors academically throughout the entire university, not just among the student-athletes, but every junior here," said Stevenson. "Her bar routine keeps improving since she has started here, a lot just depends how things play out to see if she can crack that lineup."
"Suzanne has had some ankle problems, but she has fought back and continues to go out and work hard. There is a good chance that sometime this season she will be vaulting for us, as she listens and does everything she can to make herself successful."
THE SOPHOMORES
Stevenson believes that this years sophomore class will be some of his top gymnasts this season. A year ago as freshmen, three of the classmates won EAGL Rookie of the Week honors a combined six times, including taking home EAGL Rookie of the Year honors.
Leigha Hancock (Suffield, Conn.) was named EAGL Rookie of the Year last season, only the second NC State gymnast to be honored as such. As a freshman, Hancock competed on the vault, beam and floor in every meet, as was named to the All-EAGL second-team for beam.
"I think Leigha for sure will compete three events this year, and her bars are getting a lot better," said Stevenson. "She keeps coming with a great attitude and she is working so hard. She is upgrading all of her routines, and doing what we expect out of her. She should be one of our best kids again this year."
Kelsey Lee (Owings Mills, Md.) came on strong at the end of last season, competing on bars in every meet but two and seeing action on floor in nine meets. Lee won one title in both events, and had the Pack's top finish on floor at the EAGL Championships with a 9.825 for ninth place.
"Kelsey has come back with a tremendous attitude this year," said Stevenson. "She has a learned a 10.0 vault since she got her, and we are having more success with her vault as she continues to practice. Beam is coming along as she is stepping that up, and bars and floor are going to be good once again. She is learning a lot and working hard."
Heather Zolton (New Port Richey, Fla.) saw action on all four events, including competing in the all-around in five of the final seven meets last season. Zolton was named EAGL Rookie of the Week a total of three times, and was a All-EAGL second-team selection on bars.
"Heather has come in same as Leigha and Kelsey, just so focused and working so hard to improve themselves this season," said Stevenson. "Heather should do the all-around for us this year, as everything is looking good. I see her as being one of our better all-arounders this season."
The fourth member of this talented sophomore class is Laurie Singer (Chapel Hill, N.C.). Last season Singer competed on vault in eight meets, before missing the two post season meets with a torn ACL.
"Laurie actually had surgery on both knees, and she is only a few months out of surgery and has been cleared to get back in the gym," said Stevenson. "Her strength is up, and her conditioning is really good. I could see her both on bars and beam, and as her knee gets better maybe back on vault."
THE FRESHMEN
Stevenson and his staff once again brought in a talented freshmen class. The Wolfpack fans can expect to see these freshmen in the Pack's early season lineup.
Dru Davis (Pennsville, N.J.) is one of those freshman expected to see early action, as is Luci Vance (Newfields, N.H.).
"Dru went to Level 10 Nationals three times, and competed on the Region 7 National Team this last year, which is one of the strongest every year," said Stevenson. "Dru is a really talented athlete that will make a big impact on us. I expect her to compete all four events. Luci is a Level 10 National qualifier, and one of the top kids in her region back home. She should make and impact for us on beam and floor for sure, and has a chance to compete on vault and bars in the future."
Stevenson also pegged two other freshmen, Elyse Adams (Westlake, Ohio) and Mackenzie Payne (Roanoke, Va.), as a duo who could crack the Pack's lineup as early as the first meet of the season.
"Elyse was coming off surgery on her foot the year before, so she was slowed a little bit in high school," said Stevenson. "But I can already tell you she will make our bar lineup. She already learned a double-layout on bars that she didn't have when she came in, and a major release. We brought Mackenzie in for her floor and vaulting, and I do believe she will start floor for us this year and I see her as a good vaulter a little down the road."
Rounding out the group of newcomers are Ashley Shepard (Rock Hill, S.C.) and Lauren Spence (Wexford, Pa.).
"Ashley has the potential to see some vault down the line, but I she her as a starter on floor for us," said Stevenson. "She is a beautiful dancer and has some really nice skills. Right now Lauren is a great kid working hard in floor, beam and vault."
THE SCHEDULE
The Wolfpack will have one of the toughest home schedules in recent memory. NC State will host a total of six home meets, including returning to the RBC Center for a meet on February 19 versus Florida and William & Mary.
"We competed once before at the RBC Center and it was beautiful and we had a great time," said Stevenson. "It is more work in setting it up and such, but it is worth it cause we get the video highlights of routines and just get to go out and compete somewhere else. Everybody at NC State does such a great job in preparing for our regular meets in Reynolds, and I'm sure everybody will be just as excited to pull off a great meet at the RBC Center."
In addition to the Pack's meet at the RBC Center, NC State will host five meets in the newly renovated Reynolds Coliseum. The home schedule starts with Rutgers coming to Raleigh on January 14. Other meets are: the Hearts Invitational on February 10, Denver, George Washington and North Carolina on February 24, Michigan State on March 3, and the final home meet is March 17 against George Washington, Maryland and New Hampshire.
This years EAGL Championships will be held at Rutgers. Then the Pack hopes to advance to the NCAA Regionals at Georgia and the NCAA Championships at Eugene, Ore.
