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The Sun Devils work towards winning the 1999 NCAA gymnastics title. |
Sun Devils looking for first national title.
April 20, 1999
Arizona State At 1999 NCAA Championships: Arizona State makes its 15th appearance in the 18-year existence of the NCAA Championships, looking for its first-ever national title after finishing runner-up -- for the fourth time -- in 1997, and sixth last year ... The Devils have been among the final six teams on seven occasions .. Among the ASU squads that were, in the final six, the aforementioned '97 (UCLA) team, '83 (Utah), '85 (Utah), and '86 (Utah) squads all finished runner-up ... The Devils' lowest finish in the NCAA Championships came in 1993 when they finished 12th ... ASU's highest score in NCAA competition came in the 1997 Super Six when it scored a 196.850 ... Individually speaking, the Devils have had five different gymnasts garner a combined nine NCAA Individual Titles, the most recent of which coming in 1997 when then-freshman Elizabeth Reid won the balance beam crown ... ASU has set a pair of school records this season, registering a 49.55 on beam against UCLA (Feb. 12) and a 49.575 in the floor exercise against Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... ASU's team score of 196.325 against UCLA (Feb. 12) was its highest since the 1997 Super Six, when it scored a 196.850 ... the Devils were undefeated at home this season (5-0) running their home-winning streak to 17 meets going back to 1996 ... finished third at the Pac-10 Championships for the second consecutive season.
Arizona State NCAA Championship Quick Facts
April 22-24, 1999, Jon M. Huntsman Center, Salt Lake City
1999 Arizona State (10-5; 4-3 Pac-10) Women's Gymnastics
Name Note Becky Acker Has hit 25 consecutive floor routines Britnee Bowden Averaging 9.669 on vault and 9.670 on bars Megan Carey Has improved vault score in last 4 outings Lea Carver Tied for first on beam at Regionals ... averaged 9.838 last 4 beam routines Kelly Christensen Transfer from BYU who was bars all-America in '98 Wendy Ellsberry ASU's top all-arounder, averaging 38.821 Kristin Fanning Has hit all 11 floor performances in '99, averaging 9.777 Ruth Gill Has only competed once in '99 Michelle Hess One of ASU's most consistent vaulters, averaging 9.731 in '99 Elizabeth McNabb Nation's No. 1 performer in floor exercise, averaging 9.913 Elizabeth Reid Four-time all-America, '97 NCAA beam champ, '99 Regional bars champ Rhonda Robinette Had career-best 9.9 on beam in last outing at Arizona Amy Shelton ASU's top vaulter, averaging 9.860 Kim Skinner Consistent performer for Devils in vault and bars Ashley Stewart Highly-touted recruit, averaging 9.6 in vault Lisa Vincijanovic Injured all-America who has not competed in '99 Michelle Waldram Gives the Devils depth in vaulting
Head Coach John Spini: The women's gymnastics program at Arizona State has come to be synonymous with words like excellence, tradition and winning, and the person largely responsible for that is John Spini. Now entering his 19th season as head coach at Arizona State, Spini has established the Sun Devils as a program that is annually among the nation's best teams. With a career record of 239-83-1, Spini's winning percentage is tops among active coaches at Arizona State (.740). During his previous 18 years at the helm of ASU gymnastics, the Sun Devils have captured four conference championships and have placed among the top eight at the NCAAs 11 times. With its second-place finish at NCAAs two years ago and its sixth-place finish last year, Arizona State posted its best back-to-back effort at the NCAAs since 1986-87, when it finished second and fifth in 1986 and '87, respectively. Spini's '98 club earned even more acclaim after becoming the lowest-seeded team (No. 11) to ever qualify for the Super Six at the NCAA Championships.
Quoting John Spini On The 1999 NCAA Championships: "I really believe that last week our job was to qualify for the national championship meet and that is what we did. We would have liked to have beaten Penn State head to head, but we got a little too conservative on balance beam and so we just kind of enjoyed qualifying. After the long trip up there and with out travel plans, it's just good that we came back healthy, but the bottom line is that we are in the show.
"I think that the regional is the major meet that you have to get to and do well mentally. It is a pressure meet, but that is what you train the kids to do. I have been here 19 years and we have done well at regionals for probably 14 or 15 of those and so we have a pretty good percentage at the regional.
"We are in a great draw. I would rather be in this rotation than against Georgia and Utah and Michigan in the arena that night with Utah and their fans after what has happened the last two weeks with the regional seedings. I think we are in a great situation. We are going to have to get up there and be in the top three, but I would rather go against the five teams that are in my rotation than the six teams that are in the other rotation.
"I have a handle on the team now, especially after regionals. I have learned that we are going to be a little inconsistent and that is something that we have learned. So now I have to ask myself, 'Do I take the chance and do I go for it? Yes I go for it.' We are going to go all out the first day. We have to make the Super Six to even play. We are not holding anything back on the first day. We are going for it and we are going to go make a statement and then we will just have to figure out who is healthy enough to compete the next day after that. It is all or nothing.
"Every time is fun. We enjoy it. It is different because the team is different, but the system is the same: You know what you have to do, you have to hit, and you have to prepare yourself mentally. We have a lot of young kids and I have done well with young kids at nationals in '83, '84 and then in '97. This year I have seven freshmen. We are really going to be counting on our sophomores, juniors and seniors. I'm looking for a good meet.
"I think that this year we really stressed the kids to be leaders and that they go for it and to help each other out, but now we are really refining that. We are trying to refine the lineup right away and know where we are going with that lineup and not play games with people. It's basically, 'This is your job, get it done.'
"The crowd is one of the best gymnastics crowds in the country. Utah does a super job and you are down there on the floor with Greg Marsden, working with the best coach in the sport".
1998 NCAA Championships (April 16-18, 1998, Los Angeles): The Arizona State women's gymnastics team, in contention for a top-three finish going into its final event, the uneven bars, faded down the stretch and finished sixth at the 1998 NCAA Championships. Winning the event for the fourth time in school history was Georgia (197.725), followed by Florida (196.35), Alabama (196.3), Utah (196.025), UCLA (195.75) and ASU (195.45). "We had a good meet up until our bars, but we just ran out of gas," said ASU Head Coach John Spini. Going into their final event the Devils had a third-place score of 147.2, which trailed Alabama (147.425) and Georgia (148.125). However, consecutive falls by two competitors put an end to any thoughts the Devils had of finishing in the top half of the competition. Hitting for the Devils on the bars were Elizabeth Reid (9.85) and Amy Shelton (9.8). The Devils started the competition on the right foot, hitting their first 18 routines in the beam, floor and vault respectively. The Devils started the Super Six on beam, registering their third-best score of the season (48.875). Returning all-American Lisa Vincijanovic was the first competitor of the evening for the Devils. Vincijanovic hit by scoring a 9.825 which tied teammate Wendy Ellsberry for 12th place. Following the beam, the Devils marched on to the floor exercise where they hit every routine on their way to a 49.325, which tied a season high. The lowest score the Devils had in the event was a 9.8, counting five scores of 9.825 or higher. Reid and McNabb turned in stellar performances, tying for fourth place in the event with a 9.9. Vincijanovic, who didn't miss a beat during the two-day team championships, scored a 10th-place finish of 9.875. Also registering hits for the Sun Devils were senior Meagan Wright and Shelton who both authored a 9.825. In the vault competition, the Devils started to lose some steam, however still had enough in them to register a respectable 49.0. Leading ASU in the event was Vincijanovic who posted a ninth-place finish of 9.875. Right behind Vincijanovic were teammates Wright and Shelton who tied for 10th with a 9.85.
Notes From 1998 NCAA Championships
Pacific-10 Plaudits: Arizona State had two gymnasts -- senior co-captain Wendy Ellsberry (all-around) and junior all-America Elizabeth McNabb (floor) -- named to the Pac-10's 1999 All-Conference Team. In addition, McNabb and junior all-America Amy Shelton (first team) and sophomores Becky Acker, Kristin Fanning and Kim Skinner (honorable mention), were named to the Pac-10's All-Academic Team.
On The Way Back To Salt Lake City: This season marks the eighth time in the 18-year history of the NCAA Championships that the University of Utah will be hosting the NCAA Championships. The Devils have been in the mix in six of those seven previous competitions, including 1982 and '85 in which the Devils finished second. Both times ASU was runner-up to Utah. The last time the Devils journeyed to Salt Lake City for the NCAA Championships was in 1994, when they finished 10th.
Home Cooking: The Sun Devils have won their last 17 meets at the Wells Fargo Arena going back to the 1996 season. The last time the Devils were upended at home was when then-defending national champion Utah defeated ASU 193.875-193.250 on February 2, 1996.
McNabb On Fire: Junior all-America Elizabeth McNabb has set the floor ablaze for the Sun Devils thus far this season. March 7 McNabb was picture perfect, earning her first-ever 10.00 in the Devils' victory over Pittsburgh. In her 13 floor performances this season, McNabb is averaging a 9.913. McNabb is currently ranked No. 1 in the nation in the floor exercise. Going back to last season, McNabb has now scored a 9.9 or better in the floor exercise in 16 of her last 22 competitions.
Strong Leader: With the loss of senior all-America Lisa Vincijanovic before the season even started, the Devils were left with only one true senior, Wendy Ellsberry, on their roster. However, Ellsberry has more than met the responsibility of having to guide a young Sun Devil team in '99. Ellsberry has been the Devils' top all-arounder this season, averaging a 38.821 in the all-around. Ellsberry was named to the all-Pac-10 team in the all-around and has averaged an all-around score of 39.204 in her last six all-around outings. "She has carried us on her back all year long," says Spini. "I expected her to have a good year, but she is having a great year."
Fabulous Frosh: Giving the Devils an added boost, particularly on the balance beam has been freshman Lea Carver. Carver had a mid-season stretch of seven consecutive hits on beam in which she averaged a 9.857, including a career-best and '99 team best of 9.975 versus UCLA (Feb. 12). At the NCAA Regional in State College, Pa., Carver tied for first on beam with a 9.875. "She's been an impact athlete for us," says Spini. "She not only performs and competes, but her routines are at the level that they are going to score."
Big Addition: Without question the Devils received a gymnastics gem in the form of sophomore Kelly Christensen when she came in at the start of the season. The transfer from Brigham Young, who was an all-America in bars last season for the Cougars, has given the Devils several clutch performances in '99. "What a big addition she was to come in at semester and help pick up," says Spini. "She has been an impact athlete." Christensen had a season-best 9.875 in the vault at the Pac-10 Championships. Christensen also averaged a 9.842 in three late-season floor exercise performances.
She's Automatic: One performer the Sun Devils always know they count on in a pinch in the floor exercise is sophomore Becky Acker. Since the first performance of her freshman year last season, Acker has "hit" every single one of her 25 routines. Acker got her career high of 9.85 in the very first performance of her Sun Devil career last year at the Maui Invitational. Acker matched her career high this season versus Pittsburgh (Mar. 7).
Interesting Numbers: This season's ASU gymnastics squad has seven freshmen -- Britnee Bowden, Megan Carey, Lea Carver, Ruth Gill, Rhonda Robinette, Ashley Stewart and Michelle Waldram -- which is the highest number since 1987, when that team had seven freshmen as well. The 1980 squad had eight freshmen. This season, the Devils have a 17-member roster, which is the highest number since the 1980 squad, which had 20 student athletes.
Welcome Amanda Borden: This season the Sun Devil gymnastics program is happy to welcome Amanda Borden as its team manager for the 1998-99 season. Borden was captain of the first-ever Gold Medal team for U.S. Women's Gymnastics in 1996 ("The Magnificent Seven"). "It thrills us to have Amanda Borden at Arizona State," says ASU coach John Spini. "She is a tremendous athlete and a tremendous person." In addition to her responsibilities with the team, Borden is also a student at Arizona State where she is pursuing a degree in communications.
Where Arizona State Ranks In The Nation:
ASU's final regular-season national rankings
Team:9th Vault:18th Bars:19th Beam:14th Floor: 5th
Ellsberry (22nd in all-around)
Reid (t 23rd) McNabb (t 1st)
Reid (t 11th)
Arizona State Versus The Championship Field: Of the other 11 teams in the NCAA Championships, the Devils have encountered UCLA, Nebraska, Penn State and Stanford in 1999. A look at how the Devils have stacked up against the competition.
Arizona State Event Records
Team Score: 197.125 ('97 vs. Washington)
Vault Score: 49.575 ('98 Midwest Regional)
Bars Score: 49.325 ('98 vs. Arizona)
Beam Score: 49.55 ('99 vs. UCLA)
Floor Score: 49.525 ('99 vs. Pittsburgh)
Individual All-Around Record
Meagan Wright: 39.575 ('97 vs. Washington)
Perfect 10 Performances
Vault: Tina Brinkman (1994)
Carie Courtney (1997)
Carie Courtney (1998)
Bars: Jenny Ester (1993)
Beam: Danna Lister (1993, twice in '94, '95 )
Lisa Vincijanovic (1997)
Floor: Tina Brinkman (1992)
Meagan Wright (1997)
Elizabeth Reid (1998)
Elizabeth McNabb (1999)
Arizona State Meet-By-Meet Scores
Date Opponent Vault Bars Beam Floor Total Jan. 15 Washington 48.475 48.325 47.175 49.175 193.15 Jan. 22 UCSB 48.475 48.45 48.975 49.175 195.075 Jan. 29 @S. Utah 47.775 48.025 47.45 48.625 191.875 Feb. 5 @Oregon St. 48.075 48.85 47.775 48.475 193.175 Feb. 12 UCLA 48.5 48.9 49.55 49.375 196.325 Feb. 19 @Stanford 48.475 48.375 48.175 49.225 194.25 Feb. 26 UNO's Classic 48.6 49.175 48.725 49.375 195.875 Feb. 28 @Nebraska 48.275 49.075 48.825 49.075 195.25 Mar. 7 Pittsburgh 49.05 48.575 48.625 49.575 195.825 Mar. 13 @Ohio State 48.775 48.1 48.275 49.3 194.45 Mar. 20 @Pac-10s 49.0 49.0 48.625 49.4 196.025 Mar. 26 @Arizona 48.65 48.375 49.45 49.475 195.95 Apr. 10 @NCAA Regional 48.75 49.15 48.375 48.825 195.1Date Opponent Site Result Feb. 12 UCLA Tempe ASU, 196.325-194.4 #Mar. 19 UCLA Corvallis, Ore. UCLA, 197.775-196.025
Feb. 16 Stanford Palo Alto, Calif. Stan., 195.775-194.25 #Mar. 19 Stanford Corvallis, Ore. ASU, 196.025-195.15
Feb. 28 Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. Neb., 195.725-195.25
%Apr. 10 Penn State State College, Pa. PSU, 196.325-195.1
#Pac-10 Championships %NCAA Regional
Season Review
Arizona State came into 1999 with big expectations, returning four all-Americas from last year's team that finished sixth at the NCAA Championships in Los Angeles ... squad lost four seniors from last year's squad, who were all major contributors ... expectations for the team were a bit of a question mark, when the squad lost two-time all-America and senior Lisa Vincijanovic to injury before the season even started ... ASU also lost all-America Amy Shelton in the season's first meet after the junior co-captain suffered an elbow injury during warm ups in the season's first meet vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... exclamation point of the season came Feb. 12 vs. UCLA in which the Devils defeated the Bruins 196.325-194.4 ... Devils set school record of 49.55 on beam in victory over UCLA ... the team outburst of 196.325 represented the Devils' highest score since the 1997 Super Six when UCLA edged ASU 197.15-196.85 for the NCAA Championship ... beam record was significant because of early-season struggles on the event in which the squad had four falls on beam in three of the first four meets of the season ... ASU finished third at Pac-10s for the second consecutive year ... floor exercise continued to be the shining star for the Devils ... set school record with score of 49.575 versus Pittsburgh (Mar. 7), which was punctuated by the first "Perfect 10" of junior Elizabeth McNabb's career. Here's an event-by-event look at the Devils in '99.
Vault Name No. Average '99 High Britnee Bowden 9 9.669 9.775 Megan Carey 6 9.646 9.750 Kelly Christensen 7 9.768 9.875 Wendy Ellsberry 13 9.658 9.750 Michelle Hess 13 9.731 9.825 Elizabeth Reid 8 9.688 9.750 Amy Shelton 5 9.860 9.925 Kim Skinner 10 9.648 9.725 Ashley Stewart 4 9.600 9.675
Entering the 1999 season, ASU Coach John Spini said the vault was what would determine exactly how far the team could go once it got to the NCAA Championships ... team has shown steady improvement over the season ... scored a season-best 49.05 versus Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... also recorded 49.0 at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... squad was hurt by loss of Vincijanovic, who provided ASU with vault that carried 10.0 start value ... Christensen came in at semester and immediately upgraded Devils' vault team.
Britnee Bowden, Fr. -- Has been consistent, scoring a 9.65 or better in eight of nine performances ... finished fourth with season-high 9.775 vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... fifth-place finish of 9.675 in season opener vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... tied for fifth-place with score of 9.725 in UNO's Classic quad-meet (Feb. 26) ... tied for sixth with score of 9.7 at Ohio State (Mar. 13).
Megan Carey, Fr. -- Has shown consistent improvement in 1999, improving vault score in each of last four outings ... placed fifth with season-best 9.75 vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7).
Kelly Christensen, So. -- Transfer from Brigham Young who came in at semester and immediately gave the Devils help in the vault ... has averaged a 9.795 in last five attempts ... tied for third place (9.75) in Sun Devil debut vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... tied for sixth at the Pac-10 Championships with a season-best 9.875 ... tied for second, scoring a 9.8 vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... another 9.8 and third-place finish at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Wendy Ellsberry, Sr. -- Has been a solid competitor for ASU in the vault in '99 ... season-best and fifth-place finish of 9.75 came at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... authored first-place finish of 9.725 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... duplicated 9.725 with fifth-place finish at Ohio State (Mar. 13).
Michelle Hess, Jr. -- Has great vaulting potential ... registered season-best and 16th-place finish of 9.825 at Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... tied for first with teammate Elizabeth Reid, scoring a 9.725 in season's opening meet vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... had back-to-back 9.75s, vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) and at Stanford (Feb. 19), finishing third in both meets ... averaged 9.8 in late-season four-meet stretch, scoring a 9.8 (second) vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7), 9.775 (third) at Ohio State (Mar. 13), the aforementioned 9.825 at Pac-10s (Mar. 20) and a 9.775 (fourth) at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Elizabeth Reid, Jr. -- Vaulted for the first time this season since first meet of freshman season ... posted season-best and first-place finish of 9.75 vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... posted three consecutive 9.7s vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22), at Oregon State (Feb. 5) and vs. UCLA (Feb. 12), scoring finishes of second, third and sixth, respectively ... vaulted at NCAA Regional at Penn State, scoring a ninth-place finish of 9.725, after four-meet vaulting hiatus.
Amy Shelton, Jr. -- ASU's top vaulter ... has only competed in event five times in '99 because of injury ... has made most of limited action ... in first vaulting action of season, scored a first-place finish of 9.825 in the UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... followed that up with ASU's top vault of the year (9.925) vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... tied for second with score of 9.825 at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... tied with teammate Kelly Christensen for sixth-place (9.875) at Pac-10s (Mar. 20) ... placed third (9.85) at NCAA Regional at Penn State (Apr. 10).
Kim Skinner, So. -- Has shown great improvement in 1999 ... went from performing one exhibition vault as a freshman, to being a key member of the vaulting team in '99 ... posted career-best 9.725 at Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... tied for fourth with score of 9.675 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... scored a 9.7 at NCAA Regional at Penn State (Apr. 10).
Ashley Stewart, Fr. -- Highly-touted freshman who has averaged 9.6 in four attempts in '99 ... season-high and fourth-place finish of 9.675 came in season's second meet vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22).
Uneven Parallel Bars Name No. Average '99 High Becky Acker 13 9.679 9.900 Britnee Bowden 5 9.670 9.850 Kelly Christensen 6 9.529 9.800 Wendy Ellsberry 13 9.775 9.900 Kristin Fanning 10 9.645 9.775 Elizabeth Reid 11 9.620 9.925 Rhonda Robinette 9 9.617 9.850 Amy Shelton 0 ---- ---- Kim Skinner 10 9.525 9.825
Was the tell-tale event of the Devils' season last year ... this season event has shown a lot more consistency ... bars team was greatly affected by not having the services of Amy Shelton all season long because injury ... Shelton likely will in the lineup in the NCAA National Semifinals ... squad has scored a 49.0 or better on four occasions this season, including a season-best 49.175 in the UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... team gave admirable performance in last outing at NCAA Regional, scoring a 49.15 ... Shelton and teammate Elizabeth Reid have arguably two of the most difficult bars routines in the nation ... bars team has been aided by Christensen who was an all-America in the event in '98 for Brigham Young ... team has had two rely on two freshmen -- Britnee Bowden and Rhonda Robinette -- for much of the season ... senior Wendy Ellsberry and sophomore Becky Acker have been the team's strongest performers in the event in '99.
Becky Acker, So. -- After missing first routine of the season at Washington (Jan. 15), went on to "hit" eight consecutive attempts ... string of eight consecutive hits was punctuated by career-best and first-place finish of 9.9 in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... second-place finish of 9.85 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... tied with teammate Christensen for fifth vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... had misses in consecutive meets at Ohio State (Mar. 13) and at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... has rebounded nicely since, registering consecutive scores of 9.825 (7th) at Arizona (Mar. 26) and 9.875 (t4th) at NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Britnee Bowden, Fr. -- Has competed five times in '99 ... improved score in each of first four attempts ... scored fourth-place finish of 9.725 at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... season best and fifth-place finish of 9.850 at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... posted 9.6 at NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Kelly Christensen, So. -- Has tremendous potential in event ... earned all-America distinction with 15th-place finish of 9.875 at last year's NCAA Championships while as a member of Brigham Young ... made bars debut against UCLA (Feb. 12) and scored fifth-place finish of 9.8 ... has also added a pair of 9.775s at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) and at the NCAA Regional (Apr. 10), finishing 23rd and t9th, respectively.
Wendy Ellsberry, Sr. -- Tremendous bars competitor ... had five consecutive "hits" to start the season ... finished second (9.825) in season opener vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... finished in first the very next week with a 9.875 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... third-place finish of 9.875 at Oregon State (Feb. 5) ... has "hit" last seven routines, averaging a 9.871 in that span ... began string with career-best and first-place finish of 9.9 in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... followed that up with four consecutive 9.875s at Nebraska (Feb. 28), vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7), at Ohio State (Mar. 13) and at Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 13), finishing 3rd, t2nd, t2nd, and t8th, respectively ... tied for second by duplicating career-best 9.9 at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... eighth-place finish of 9.8 at NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Kristin Fanning, So. -- Has been a major contributor to the bars squad after not seeing action in the event as a freshman ... opened the season with consecutive 9.75s vs. Washington (Jan. 15) and UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22), finishing fourth and third, respectively ... scored career-best 9.775 on two occasions in '99, recording a seventh-place finish vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) and an eighth-place finish in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26).
Elizabeth Reid, Jr. -- Bars all-America in 1997 ... had ASU's top bars performance of the season (9.925) in ASU's last meet at the NCAA Regional (Apr. 10) ... opened the season with first-place finish of 9.850 vs, Washington (Jan. 15) ... after miss the following week vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) had impressive three-meet span, which included scores of 9.9 (t1st, at Oregon State, Feb. 5), 9.875 (t2nd, vs. UCLA, Feb. 12) and 9.875 (t3rd, at Stanford, Feb. 19) ... also added a fourth-place finish of 9.9 at Pac-10s.
Rhonda Robinette, Fr. -- Opened Sun Devil career by scoring 9.65s in first two meets of the season, finishing seventh and fourth vs. Washington (Jan. 15) and UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22), respectively ... tied for third (9.7) the following week at Southern Utah (Jan. 29) ... best stretch of the season came in consecutive meets in the ASU UNO's Classic (9.825, Feb. 26), at Nebraska (9.850, Feb. 28) and vs. Pittsburgh (9.825, Mar. 7), finishing 6th, t5th and t5th, respectively.
Amy Shelton, Jr. -- Has not performed on bars in '99 because of injury ... possesses arguably the most difficult bars routine in the country ... tied with teammate Elizabeth Reid for ASU's top two bars performances last season.
Kim Skinner, So. -- Just like in vault, has become a major contributor in the bars after not seeing any action in the event last season ... experienced tough start, however has progressed into one of team's most reliable and solid performers ... has hit last seven routines ... scored a 9.775 and placed eighth at the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... two days later posted career-best and eighth-place finish of 9.825 at Nebraska (Feb. 28) ... scored a 9.8 and tied for third at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... chipped in consecutive 9.75s at Pac-10s (Mar. 20) and at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... scored a 9.775 at NCAA Regional at Penn State (Apr. 10).
Balance Beam Name No. Average '99 High Becky Acker 4 9.744 9.825 Lea Carver 13 9.748 9.975 Wendy Ellsberry 13 9.667 9.925 Michelle Hess 11 9.550 9.925 Elizabeth McNabb 12 9.642 9.925 Elizabeth Reid 10 9.600 9.950 Rhonda Robinette 6 9.475 9.900 Amy Shelton 6 9.408 9.900
When entire team is on, has capability of being unbeatable in the event ... example came Feb. 12 against UCLA in which team set school record to the tune of 49.55 ... also posted impressive 49.45 at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... has also displayed some inconsistency ... experienced four falls in three of first four meets ... team has been paced by freshman Lea Carver and junior Elizabeth Reid ... Carver owns team's best '99 performance of 9.975, which was recorded in the UCLA meet (Feb. 12) ... Reid has scores of 9.95 and 9.925 to her credit in '99 as well.
Becky Acker, So. -- Has only recently become a major figure in the Devils' beam line up ... in first real competition of the season, scored a second-place finish of 9.775 at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... recorded a ninth-place finish and career-best 9.825 at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... came through with clutch performance, scoring an 11th-place finish of 9.725 at the NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Lea Carver, Fr. -- Phenomenal performer who has come through in a big-time way despite only being a freshman ... after missing first routine vs. Washington (Jan. 15) averaged a 9.857 in next seven routines ... included in those seven routines was a '99 team best and first-place finish of 9.975 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... tied for second (9.875) vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... first-place finish of 9.800 the following week at Southern Utah (Jan. 29) ... tied for third, scoring a 9.875 at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... tied for second (9.9) at Nebraska (Feb. 28) ... has hit last four routines, including a first-place finish of 9.925 at Arizona (Mar. 26) and another first-place finish of 9.875 at the NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Wendy Ellsberry, Sr. -- Had rough start, missing three of first four routines ... since that time, has had nine consecutive "hits," averaging a 9.808 in that span ... began streak with fifth-place finish of 9.850 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... tied for second with teammate Amy Shelton the following week at Stanford (Feb. 19) with a career-best 9.9 ... second-place finish of 9.85 the following week in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... posted a seventh-place finish of 9.85 at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Michelle Hess, Jr. -- Competed on beam in the season's first 11 meets ... had tremendous back-to-back effort at Oregon State (Feb. 5) and vs. UCLA (Feb. 12), finishing tied for first (9.8) and tied for second (9.925), respectively ... authored three consecutive 9.825s in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) at Nebraska (Feb. 28) and vs. Pittsburgh, finishing third, fifth and fourth, respectively.
Elizabeth McNabb, Jr. -- Has been a major player on the Devils' beam team in '99 ... has competed on beam in 12 of ASU's 13 meets ... opened season on positive note, scoring a 9.85 and placing first vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... fourth-place finish of 9.8 the following week vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... tied for second with a personal-best 9.925 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... tied for second once again by virtue of 9.85 score vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... yet another tie for second place (9.9) at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Elizabeth Reid, Jr. -- Very eloquent performer on beam ... recorded first-place finish of 9.925 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... recorded fourth-place finish (9.875) three weeks later vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... scored 9.825 the following week at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... paced the Devils in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) scoring a 9.95, which marked ASU's second-best score of the season ... posted back-to-back 9.85s vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) and at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20), finishing t2nd and t8th, respectively.
Rhonda Robinette, Fr. -- Struggled through first part of the season ... started to find groove during last two meets of the season, scoring a third-place finish of 9.725 at Ohio State (Mar. 13) and a personal-best and second-place finish of 9.9 two weeks later at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Amy Shelton, Jr. -- Aggressive competitor on beam ... after missing first five meets of the season to injury, came in and scored a career-best 9.9 in first action of the season at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... tied for fourth at Arizona (Mar. 26), scoring a 9.875.
Floor Exercise Name No. Average '99 High Becky Acker 12 9.765 9.850 Lea Carver 4 9.756 9.850 Kelly Christensen 3 9.842 9.875 Wendy Ellsberry 12 9.738 9.925 Kristin Fanning 11 9.777 9.900 Michelle Hess 9 9.672 9.850 Elizabeth McNabb 13 9.913 10.00 Elizabeth Reid 12 9.794 9.950 Amy Shelton 1 9.925 9.925
Loaded. Talented. Exciting. Take your pick. There are several words that could be used to describe Arizona State's floor squad ... tutored by ASU assistant coach Kristen Smyth ... team has posted a 49.0 or better 10 times in 13 meets in 1999 ... depth-wise, consider that ASU has an Amy Shelton on its roster who has only performed once in '99 and scored a 9.925 ... team assaulted school record vs. Pittsburgh on Mar. 7, scoring a 49.575 ... junior all-America Elizabeth McNabb put an exclamation point on the record by scoring a "Perfect 10" ... posted a 49.475 at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... at Pac-10s, recorded a 49.4 ... team has also registered a pair of 49.375s this season vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) and in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... team returns every member that performed in the NCAA Semifinals last year.
Becky Acker, So. -- Has continued to be a solid contributor in the Devils' floor lineup in 1999 ... has "hit" every single one of 25 floor exercise routines in her career ... finished fourth (9.8) in the season's second meet vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... 9.8 vs. UCSB was in between a pair of 9.7s ... ninth-place finish of 9.75 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... recorded back-to-back 9.825s the next two weeks at Stanford (Feb. 19) and in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... tied career-best 9.85 and finished fifth vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... another fifth-place finish (9.8) the following week at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... registered a 9.825 the following week at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20).
Lea Carver, Fr. -- Dynamic performer on floor who has been trying to work way into loaded lineup all year long ... scored 9.775 at Nebraska (Feb. 28) ... fourth-place finish of 9.825 at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... career-best and sixth-place finish of 9.85 at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Kelly Christensen, So. -- Brings great energy and charisma to the floor exercise ... started to become an asset in the event in the season's final three meets ... turned in impressive debut on floor, scoring a 9.85 at the Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... posted season-best 9.875 and tied for fourth the following week at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... tied with teammate Elizabeth McNabb for the Devils' top score of 9.8 at the NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Wendy Ellsberry, Sr. -- Has come into her own on floor this season ... opened season with fourth-place finish of 9.8 vs. Washington (Jan. 22) ... scored 9.75s in consecutive weeks at Southern Utah (Jan. 29) and at Oregon State (Feb. 5) ... scored career benchmark and second-place finish of 9.925 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... followed that up with a 9.8 at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... recorded third-place finish of 9.85 in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... would go on to score four consecutive 9.875s vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7), at Ohio State (Mar. 13), at Pac-10s (Mar. 20) and at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... ended streak of 9.875s with a 9.775 at NCAA Regional (Apr. 10).
Kristin Fanning, So. -- Has "hit" all 11 floor performances in 1999 ... 9.825 vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) netted third-place finish ... averaged 9.838 during successful six-meet mid-season stint ... began streak with 9.825 vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... 9.8 the following week at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... recorded back-to-back 9.825s in the ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) and at Nebraska (Feb. 28), finishing t4th and t7th, respectively ... career-best 9.9 at Pac-10 Championships (Mar. 20) ... tied for sixth with a 9.85 at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Michelle Hess, Jr. -- Provides Devils with solid depth in the floor exercise ... first extended stint of floor action in collegiate career has come this season ... tied for sixth (9.7) in first meet of the season vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... recorded a pair of 9.65s the next two weeks vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) and at Southern Utah (Jan. 29) ... tied for sixth (9.825) vs. UCLA (Feb. 12) ... recorded career best of 9.85 vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7), tying for fifth place.
Elizabeth McNabb, Sr.-- Possibly the greatest floor performer in ASU history ... great tumbler ... ranked No. 1 in the nation in the floor exercise ... has posted a 9.9 or better in 16 of last 22 competitions ... became the fourth gymnast in ASU history to achieve perfection on the floor exercise vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... opened season with first-place finish of 9.95 vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... barely missed 10.00, scoring a 9.975 and first-place finish vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... another top finish (9.875) the following week at Southern Utah (Jan. 29) ... tied for third with lowest score of the year (9.8) at Oregon State (Feb. 5) ... walked the tightrope of perfection again one week later vs. UCLA (Feb. 12), scoring a first-place finish of 9.975 ... second-place finish of 9.9 at Stanford (Feb. 19) ... secured top spot in the floor (9.95) in ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... two days later finished tied for second at Nebraska (Feb. 28) ... tied teammate Elizabeth Reid for first (9.9) at Ohio State Mar. 13) ... another 9.95 at Pac-10s (Mar. 20) ... finished second (9.925) behind Reid (9.95) at Arizona (Mar. 26) ... tied lowest score of the season with 9.8 at NCAA Regional.
Elizabeth Reid, Jr. -- Continued to show signature grace this season that has made her one of top floor exercise performers in the nation ... finished second (9.875) behind McNabb in season opener vs. Washington (Jan. 15) ... again finished second (9.925) behind McNabb the following week vs. UC Santa Barbara (Jan. 22) ... tied for second with McNabb (9.9) at Stanford (Feb. 5) ... another runner-up finish (9.925) in ASU UNO's Classic (Feb. 26) ... again finished in second place (9.925) behind McNabb vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7) ... tied with McNabb for first place (9.9) at Ohio State (Mar. 13) ... posted first-place finish (9.95) at Arizona (Mar. 26).
Amy Shelton, Jr. -- Gives the Devils another very capable floor performer at the ready in the floor exercise ... has only performed once in 1999, scoring a second-place finish of 9.925 vs. Pittsburgh (Mar. 7).