Women's Gymastics 1999 Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
December 18, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The womens gymnastics team at Michigan State has refocused itself for the 1999 season. Instead of setting goals it has no control over, like scoring a 9.9, State has dedicated itself to hitting routines, working on the process rather than the outcome. From this dedication was born the theme for the season: "Weve Got It Nailed."
"We needed to change our focus," said head coach Kathie Klages. "Now we wont be concentrating on something we have no control over. Were really just concentrating on performance this year. Once we are able to hit on a very consistent basis, then we will be able to look a little further ahead."
This new focus does not mean that 1998 was not a successful year for the Spartans. On the contrary. MSU returns 12 letterwinners from a 23-6 team that finished fourth at the Big Ten Championships and set the school record with a score of 196.375. The 23 wins were the second-most in school history while the team qualified for the NCAA Regional Championship for the third consecutive year. "We had a very good season in 1998," said Klages, "especially when you look at how many injuries we had to overcome. With all of that we had an outstanding season."
This year looks to be even more promising as sophomore Melissa Green returns to the lineup injury-free. Green sprained her neck early last season and was bothered by it for most of the year. She is a complete all-around gymnasts who will strengthen the lineup considerably. Senior Jamie Elwell had recovered completely from reconstructive knee surgery and was expected to be a team leader but suffered another season-ending knee injury in the preseason. The Spartans also return five sophomores who benefitted from some of the injuries by being major contributors as freshmen.
Another key to the season will be leadership from MSUs upperclassmen.
"Im excited about this season because weve got five seniors,said Klages. "They constitute a very strong class and give us the leadership that will help us reach our goals."
Not to be forgotten is Carolyn Hecht, one of the best gymnasts in recent MSU history. Hecht, last years Most Valuable Gymnast and All-Big Ten performer, returns for her senior season as the holder of the schools all-around (39.450) and balance beam (9.950) records and is tied for second on the uneven bars. Also returning is All-Big Ten gymnast Polly Kiker, a junior, and sophomore Elisabeth Forshier, who won nearly every vault competition during 1998 as a rookie.
Last year Michigan State was a beam team and set the school record of 49.375 while claiming three of the top 10 beam scores in MSU history. That doesnt look to change in 99 as the team only gets stronger with Elwells return. State did lose an excellent uneven bars performer in Chrissy Weathersby, who was forced to retire due to a medical condition, but Green will fill in nicely.
"We would really like to see this team win the Big Ten Championship," said Klages. "Were hosting the Championship this year and with our personnel we have a better chance than in the past. For these seniors winning the Big Ten has been a goal for the last three years. These kids want it and feel it, and being at home, they feel it can be accomplished."
The Big Ten Championship doesnt take place until March 27. First, the Spartans will have to maneuver through a minefield of a schedule before even thinking about reaching that goal. The team opens with its annual meet against Missouri. This year Ball State and Iowa will join the fray. Next its off to Iowa State where MSU will meet Nebraska for the first time in '99. MSU lost to the Huskers last season in Lincoln by the narrowest of margins (.05) and will use both meetings this season to attempt to exact a little revenge. Also on tap is the 10th-annual Spartan Invitational, this year hosted by new sponsor Quality Dairy, featuring Towson, Illinois-Chicago and Nebraska. MSU sees no letdown in its Spring Break schedule as the Spartans travel to Oregon State for a tournament, head south to UCLA, a National title contender, then hit Baton Rouge, La., for a meeting with LSU, a long-time NCAA participant. Michigan State rounds out its season by hosting the University of Michigan.
The biggest change in 1999 is with the Regional Championship format. What used to be a six-region system will slim to five as schools shift around. Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois will move out of MSUs region, now called Region IV. Taking their place will be Bowling Green, Kent, Ohio State and Kentucky. Qualifying to regionals remains the same but now only six teams instead of seven qualify. The top two teams in each region advance with the next best scores filling in the rest of the spots.
"There has needed to be a change for quite a while," said Klages. "Im glad to see it finally happen. I think it will make all the teams more competitive and institute more equity into the NCAA selection process."
