Arizona State Gymnastics History
Now in the 17th year as women's gymnastics head coach, John Spini and Arizona State's women's gymnastics is firmly established among the elite in the collegiate ranks. The Sun Devils have been represented at all 15 NCAA Championships, and have sent a team to 12 of those meets. In addition, Arizona State is among the top five nationally in terms of national champions (eight) and it was the first school in the country to crown a champion in each individual event and the all-around.
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| Head Coach John Spini |
Head coach John Spini came onto the scene in 1980-81. He replaced Marie Bilski, who guided the Sun Devils to three top-10 national finishes in her four seasons. Pam Godward was the initial All-America gymnast at Arizona State, as she reaped national recognition for her performances on the balance beam in 1979 and 1980.
With Spini's arrival, Arizona State made the jump to national contender in his inaugural season with a fifth-place finish at the AIAW Championship. Jeri Cameron was Spini's first All-America, as she earned acclaim in the uneven bars and vault in 1981. However, Cameron reached the pinnacle of her career during her junior campaign when she captured four events at the conference championship before earning All-America status in the all-around and uneven bars. The Sun Devils recorded a fifth-place finish at the initial NCAA Championship in 1982 after winning the first of four conference crowns in the 1980s.
Perhaps the finest trio of freshmen gymnasts ever joined Spini's arsenal for the 1982-83 campaign - Jackie Brummer, Kim Neal and Lisa Zeis. Add Cameron to that threesome and the Sun Devils were considered among the most potent teams in America. That quartet responded with a 20-1 dual mark during the 1982-83 season en route to a second consecutive conference title and a second place at the NCAAs. Neal, one of several U.S. National team gymnasts to attend ASU, won individual honors in the floor exercise, while Cameron claimed the uneven bars crown. In all, four Arizona State gymnasts garnered All-America honors. The following season saw them win 19 of 23 dual meets and place fourth at the NCAAs, while Brummer collected the NCAA uneven bars title and joined classmates Zeis and Neal on the All-America squad.
Arizona State responded during the next two campaigns with a pair of NCAA runner-up finishes, and five Sun Devils became NCAA individual champs. Former assistant coach Zeis won her first NCAA crown in 1985 on the balance beam. The 1985-86 campaign saw ASU walk away with most of the hardware, as they claimed four individual events - Brummer (all-around, balance beam), Zeis (floor exercise) and Neal (vault). However, ASU was edged by a quarter of a point in their attempt to win the NCAA title.
The talented triad of Brummer, Zeis and Neal combined for seven NCAA titles and All-America accolades 22 times during their illustrious four-year careers. During that time, ASU posted a 77-8 dual mark, won two conference crowns and placed among the top four of the NCAAs each year.
"They may have been the most talented group of gymnasts ever assembled on one squad," says Spini. "They were dynamic competitors, and represented Arizona State University admirably throughout their careers."
Shari Mann was an integral part of the Sun Devils' success during the mid 1980s, as she secured All-America accolades twice. Mann was one of ASU's most proficient performers on the uneven bars and vault. In 1985-86, another talented gymnast called Arizona State her home, as Karli Urban progressed yearly until she became an All-America performer as a junior. She was regarded as one of the nation's most complete gymnasts as she closed her career as a two-time All-America. Freshmen rarely achieve All-America status, but Tracy Butler earned that distinction by placing fourth on the beam at the 1989 NCAA Championship. Tina Brinkman matched that feat in 1992, finishing third on the floor exercise. ASU's most recent addition to All-America status during a freshman campaign is Jenny Ester, who finished eighth on the uneven bars in 1993. Last season All-America honors went to Katie Freeland, who closed out her Sun Devil career as a two-time All-American, and sophomore Meagan Wright who took All-America honors in three events, the all-around, vault and the uneven bars.
The 1997 Sun Devil squad will feature a young but experienced team. Bridget Sandman returns to the team as the lone senior should be a strong contributor on the vault and the unbalanced beam. Juniors Meagan Wright, a three time All-American, Carie Courtney, Gina Holleran and Kimberly Keever will bring valuable experience to the Sun Devils. Sophomore Lisa Vincijanovic was a big hit last year in her first year as a collegian. Vincijanovic captured the Pac-10 Championship last year in the beam competition.
"Our ultimate goal at Arizona State is to develop the most well-rounded individuals we can, academically, athletically and socially," says Spini.
"We feel that we have accomplished that during the past and will continue to meet those goals."
NCAA Championship History
Year Host School Result 1982 Utah 5th 1983 Utah 2nd 1984 UCLA 4th 1985 Utah 2nd 1986 Florida 2nd 1987 Utah 5th 1988 Utah 8th 1989 Georgia 7th 1990 Utah Did Not Compete 1991 Alabama t9th 1992 Minnesota 7th 1993 Oregon State 12th 1994 Utah 10th 1995 Georgia Did Not Compete 1996 Alabama Did Not Compete 1997 Florida 2nd
Arizona State NCAA Individual Champions
Gymnast Event Year Jeri Cameron Bars 1983 Kim Neal Floor-tie 1983 Jackie Brummer Bars 1984 Lisa Zeis Beam 1985 Jackie Brummer All-Around-tie 1986 Jackie Brummer Beam 1986 Kim Neal Vault-tie 1986 Lisa Zeis Floor-tie 1986 Elizabeth Reid Beam-tie 1997