Flips and trips

Individual performances ease team loss

LOS ANGELES - Michigan's women's gymnastics team showcased three of its finest athletes at the NCAA individual event finals held Saturday - Heather Kabnick, Sarah Cain and Nikki Peters.

Senior co-captain Kabnick reacquainted the crowd at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion with the Wolverines after the team's surprising absence from Friday's Super 6 championship finals.

They were only too glad to be back.

"It sucks!" Kabnick said. "It is hard to watch (the Super 6) knowing we are better than some of these teams. We had a rough go on beam, but still deserve to be out there."

MARGARET MYERS/Daily Senior co-captain Heather Kabnick was one of the few successes for the Michigan women's gymnastics team this weekend. Kabnick finished third on the vault with a 9.80 average, but the Wolverines weren't as successful, failing to qualify for Saturday's Super 6 by a slim margin.

Kabnick reminded the crowd how talented the Michigan team is by opening the night on the vault with two fine attempts - a 9.700 and 9.900. Kabnick's average of 9.800 was good enough to earn her third-place honors on the vault.

Next up for the Wolverines was all Big Ten sophomore Peters, who also redeemed Michigan with a second-place tie on uneven bars. She did so by scoring a near perfect 9.900.

Placing second on the bars was fitting for Peters. She has been ranked No. 1 or 2 nationally for the vast majority of her time at Michigan.

Peters' finish was an improvement on the big statement she made as a freshman in the individual finals - a tie for sixth place.

Out of 17 gymnasts from 10 universities who competed in the floor exercise, Cain secured a fourth-place tie. She did so by scoring a 9.900 before a panel of conservative judges who did not deem any of the nation's top gymnasts performances worthy of a perfect 10.

While pleased to place so well at NCAAs, Cain does not place a lot of importance on individual competition.

"It is more for kicks," Cain said. "I guess it I see it as just a good time."

Kabnick joined Cain with an impressive fourth-place tie on the floor exercise, but her performance must have meant much more to her, because it was her final one as a Wolverine.

Her contributions will be missed.

In her four successful seasons at Michigan, Kabnick has been named to eight All-America teams, four this season.

Kabnick was named a first team All-American on vault, floor exercise, and the all-around, and took second-place honors on the uneven bars.

Also earning All-America honors on the uneven bars for the Wolverines were all Big Ten selections Bridget Knaeble and Peters.

Cain also did very well for herself by making the first team on the floor exercise, and second team on the floor exercise.

Peters, Cain and Knaeble should ensure a bright future for the Wolverines and after an unsuccessful weekend in the team competition, they are looking ahead.

"Even the best teams screw up. Hopefully next year," Cain said with warranted optimism. "That's what we are shooting for right now."

After hosting last season's Central regional at Crisler Arena, the Wolverines faltered in Gainesville, Fla. at the 1997 Super 6 finals.

04-20-98