Dec. 18, 2005
The 2006 Arizona State University women's gymnastics team is ranked No. 14 in the nation by the GymInfo Preseason Coaches Poll, it was announced Sunday.
The Sun Devils, under 26th-year head coach John Spini, are looking to advance to an NCAA Regional berth for the eighth time in the past 10 seasons. Spini is currently ASU's longest-tenured head coach and is tied for second on the all-time Sun Devil head coaching list with legendary track and field mentor Senon "Baldy" Castillo. Former Sun Devil women's tenis coaching legend Anne Pittman holds the distinction as the longest-tenured ASU head coach in school history at 31 seasons.
ASU is lead by senior co-captains Ashley Kelly and Lauren Powell, both all-arounders, and juniors April Boone, Cassandra Jusino and Lisa Lanza. The Devils are bolstered by a talented freshman class which includes Nicole Harris, Tia Orlando, Carrie Finley, Ashlee Hinkle, Tiana Jean, Vanessa Rocca and Ashley Toner. The squad is completed with a sophomore class of Josie Hancock and Karissa Vossler.
ASU opens the 2006 campaign at Boise State University on January 13, 2006.
GymInfo Poll Rk. Team Points (1st-Place Votes) 1. Georgia 630 (15) 2. Utah 586 (5) 3. UCLA 579 (3) 4. Alabama 532 (2) 5. Michigan 492 6. Florida 470 7. LSU 443 8. Nebraska 424 9. Stanford 417 10. Oklahoma 383 11. Iowa State 359 12. Penn State 341 13. Oregon State 331 14. Arizona State 293 15. Auburn 213 16. Missouri 208 17. Arizona 188 18. Washington 185 19. Brigham Young 180 20. Arkansas 171 21. Denver 144 22. North Carolina 99 23. Kentucky 88 24. Minnesota 76 25. New Hampshire 50