Rise to the challenge

No. 3 Michigan hopes new season brings happier ending

By Chris Burke

Daily Sports Writer

In collegiate gymnastics, it only takes one day to end a team's national championship dreams.

The Michigan women's gymnastics team learned this painful lesson all too well last season. After rolling relatively unscathed through the regular season, the Wolverines entered the NCAA Championships ranked No. 1 in the country.

Just hours later, everything had come to a screeching halt. The team struggled all day at the "Super Six" competition. Michigan came in sixth, finishing a full 1.575 points out of first place.

"Everyone sort of forgot about all the good things that we did because of the disappointing way that we finished," senior Karina Senior said. "Last year we had a great season."

This year's team is now faced with the task of not only trying to erase the memory of last year's disappointment, but also having to do so without three big pieces of last year's puzzle - All-American Sarah Cain, Kate Nellans and Sarah-Elizabeth Langford.

"The loss of Sarah Cain hurts our program because you could always count on her all-around performance," Michigan coach Bev Plocki said. "Add to that losing Sarah Langford and Katie, and that's a lot."

But one of the most highly publicized recruiting classes in women's gymnastics history is expected to help offset those losses.

"A program that's grown to the level of ours though, you strive to grow upon and improve on lost people," Plocki said. "I think we've more than filled spots from what we've lost."

Leading the way in the attempt to fill those spots will be recent U.S. Olympian Elise Ray. She makes her much-anticipated Michigan debut on Jan. 19th against Minnesota and Iowa, and her talent and experience should greatly help the team.

"Besides Elise being a great athlete, she's a great individual," Plocki said. "She's poised and mature beyond her years. I'm hoping adding her to our team will help a great deal."

Freshman Calli Ryals is expected to compete in all four events - vault, uneven bars, beam and floor. Fellow newcomers Christine Mantilia and Alison Rudisi will also see action.

"It's easier to deal with the pressure of being here when you have three other freshman with you competing," Ryals said. "We're all really supportive of each other and that helps."

However, the strength of this year's team still lies with the experienced veterans. Seniors Bridget Knaeble, Christine Michaud and Senior will be looked to as leaders of the squad.

Michaud earned first team All-America honors on vault last year, while Knaeble scored second team All-America on the uneven bars and will compete as an all-around performer this year.

Senior will also compete in the all-around with a second team All-America recognition already under her belt in the floor exercise.

"I think it's going to take a little bit longer for this team to come together," Senior said. "It'll happen though. We've got a lot of leaders that have been here and some new younger leaders as well."

One of those young leaders is sophomore Janessa Grieco. One year removed from Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, Grieco also earned first team All-America on vault and could be a force in the all-around this season.

Grieco was given an opportunity to earn her spot on the team last year, as she took part in three event at Nationals.

"I really learned how to compete with the team," Grieco said. "I've learned how to go out there and be confident."

Junior Shannon MacKenzie was the fourth Wolverine to be named a first team All-American, earning her mark on the balance beam. Fellow juniors Amy Kuczera, Melissa Peterson and Erin McWatt also will look to break their way into the lineup, along with Jodie Rosenberg, a tri-captain of the team with Knaeble and Michaud.

Sophomores Lenna Doolan, Cami Singer and Tara Tagliarino join Grieco as the second year members of the team.

All in all, this team appears to be incredibly deep.

"Things seem to be coming together very nicely for us," Plocki said. "Some underclassmen will get a chance, and when I think about our team it's pretty exciting."

Last year's letdown at Nationals could be looked at as a hindrance to this year's team. Instead, it's been used as a rallying cry.

"It's definitely motivating," Knaeble said. "We were ranked first most of the season, first going into Nationals.

"I think we can get back."

VAULT

Weakened by the loss of All-Americans Cain and Langford, this still looks to be a solid event. Returning All-Americans Grieco and Michaud will anchor the rotation. With Ryals, Knaeble and Senior looking to fill spots in the all-around, the final vault spot appears to belong either to MacKenzie or Ray.

FLOOR EXERCISE

Senior will lead the way on this event, possibly the strongest for Michigan. The team turned in steady performances here all of last season, and nothing is expected to change in that regard. Again, Knaeble and Ryals will more than likely be steady performers here. Ray is a solid floor performer, and will probably see action in the all-around.

UNEVEN BARS

This event appears slightly uncertain with the loss of anchors Cain and Nellans. Knaeble will lead the way after her All-American season from last year. Singer and Tagliarino established themselves in this event last year by sharing the Big Ten championship. Senior, Ryals and Ray should see plenty of action here as well.

BEAM

Perhaps the most unsure event for the team, this was the event that ended the national title hopes of last year. MacKenzie, Senior, and Ray will almost definitely see action. Grieco and Ryals will both have the chance to break into the lineup as well, as the Wolverines look solid for now in thiis event.

Photos by BRANDON SEDLOFF/Daily

ABOVE: Freshman Calli Ryals competes on the beam. BELOW: The Wolverines prepare for battle.