Feb. 6, 1998
By Steven Rodriguez
Ok, so imagine this scenario: You are an incoming freshman on a nationally-ranked gymnastics team who came within three-tenths of a point of winning an NCAA Championship last year.
Now take that one step further and expand that to someone coming in with the aforementioned description after having graduated from high school a semester early. The former scenario portrays Becky Acker and Kim Skinner while that latter is that of Kristin Fanning.
Together, they comprise the newest faces on ASU's gymnastics team. They, along with the other 10 returnees from last season, hope to take the final step this year and bring ASU its first-ever NCAA Championship.
ASU Head Coach John Spini says he is excited about what his three newest gymnasts are capable of not only this season, but in the years to come.
"They are fun, exciting, team-oriented, enthusiastic and very fun to work with," lauds Spini. "They stay long after practice, work hard, pat people on the back and are fun to tease. It is fun to have those type of people on the team," says Spini. So what is it like entering this exciting new venture? "I think it kind of sets high standards for you coming in as a freshman," says Fanning. "There is a lot to live up to and you have some pretty big shoes to fill."
Skinner shares the same anxious, yet confident feeling of the challenges and expectations that await her. "It's exciting, challenging and lots of fun," says Skinner, who defected from Wildcat country in Tucson, Ariz., to come to Arizona State.
"I got picked on quite a bit when I first made the decision to come to Arizona State," says Skinner of her choice to come to ASU. "It's kind of strange because I always used to cheer for U of A, but I'm a Sun Devil now. I love everything about this school and this squad."
Spini says that Skinner, who primarily works the vault, is a great addition not only in terms of overall ability, but also in terms of lending a certain element to the chemistry of the team. "She (Skinner) is someone who comes in here (practice) everyday and does whatever we ask her to. She has an outstanding work ethic and I feel she will make very positive contributions to our team." Acker shares the sediment of Skinner of why she came to Arizona State.
"I liked the coaches a lot and the team is like no other," said Acker. "However, now I realize what we have to do as a team in order to accomplish our ultimate goal of winning a national championship."
Acker, like Fanning and Skinner, did not have to travel far to come to Arizona State. A 1997 graduate of Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Acker was coached by by Lisa Spini, wife of ASU Head Coach John Spini, while as a member of the Desert Lights Gymnastics Club. Like Acker, Fanning also came from the Phoenix area. However, unlike her two freshmen mates, the decision lied in whether or not to come to ASU now and graduate early or to wait one more semester.
"I think the situation (being eligible to graduate early) met the opportunity," says Fanning. However, it was quickly adjusting to college life that Fanning said gave her a few fits early on. "The first couple of weeks I was really homesick and I called home a lot," said Fanning.
"I also went home after every practice, but I'm getting better now. I'm down to only one phone call a night now."
Fanning said she got advice from teammate Lisa Vincijanovic, who also graduated a semester early from high school when she came to ASU two years ago. "I talked to Lisa and she really helped me a lot," said Fanning. "She knew what I was going through and she was there to offer her support."
Though the three are young, they have already caught on to not letting themselves be sitting ducks for the usual high jinks involving freshmen and upperclassmen. Already they have managed to play a practical joke on each of the other gymnasts. "They already got them (upperclassmen) good," says ASU assistant coach Kyle Jenne. So what are the three doing when they are not working hard in the gym? "Homework, lots of home work," exclaimed Fanning. "We have some pretty crazy water fights in the dorm. Also we like to hang out and go shopping a lot. Oh, and meet boys!"
Of course. What would college life be without that? However, if talent is any indication of the three, they should be fairly busy for the next four years to come.