Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Pre-Meet Quotes
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
March 26, 1999
18th Annual Big Ten Women's Gymnastics Championship
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Mich.
Pre-meet coaches quotes
Kathie Klages, Michigan State "We're really proud to be hosting the 1999 Big Ten Championships. We have a lot of activity in East Lansing this weekend. A lot of people have left but there's still a lot of excitement around campus. It's kind of fun. As far as the chances of the team, due to injuries we don't stand a chance at vying for the Big Ten Championship. "I do have some outstanding gymnasts that I would like to try and place on that All-Big Ten team. Melissa Green is tough in the all-around, freshman Jane McIntosh has done an outstanding job on three different events, Polly Kiker has a chance on three events and may do all-around this weekend and Elisabeth Forshier is strong on the vault. We're really concentrating on doing the best we can with the circumstances we have been presented with."
Steve Shephard, Penn State "We're looking good. We feel confident and we're hopeful to hit 24-for-24 routines. Then we'll let the judges decide who the best team is. Our confidence level is high. We've been doing well in practice and we expect to have a good meet. "Nikki Smith is going to be competing in the all-around. She's really stepped up and come into her own as a junior this year. Missy Leopoldus is also going to be in the all-around and Ellen Casey. I think those three athletes are really going to be the backbone of our lineup and then we've got some outstanding individuals who are going to fill in, Gemma Cuff and Heather Duggan. So we're looking good."
Larry Cox, Ohio State "I think our team is on cruise right now. They look good. If they can compete the way that they have looked at the end of the season then I think we're one of the top three teams here." On the strength of the Big Ten Conference: "It's awesome. It helps, actually, in recruiting. The Southeast Conference has been doing it forever. They've been recruiting as a conference and now that's happening in the Big Ten. We need that. "Lindsey Vagades is the defending Big Ten Champion on vault and Susan Eckman is a senior. They could both be in the all-around and do very well."
Beverly Plocki, Michigan "We're extremely excited about this championship. I think our season has come together just in the last month. We were a little concerned at the beginning of the season because we had a lot of good gymnastics but were very inconsistent.and dropped some meets to teams we shouldn't have. We've finally gotten it together and have been able to come out and compete consistently on all four events. So it feels like the team is peaking at the right time. "This is an important championship for us; always has been and always will be no matter what the competition because it's the conference championsship. It's a pride thing for the school. This year's championship is going to be the best it's ever been with three teams in the top 10 in the country and five in the top 25 so it's going to be very exciting tomorrow and we look forward to it. "Sarah Cain is one to watch on our team. She is ranked No. 1 in the conference right now and No. 4 nationally in the all-around. We also have some really standout individuals in specific events like Nikki Peters on vault, floor and bars. I really think we have great depth so it's not like we have one or two standout kids. I think we have five really solid kids on every event."
Lynn Brueckmann, Illinois "We're definitely coming on toward the end of the season. We're having our best season yet. We had a bout with the flu and some injuries but we're as healthy as we've been all season right now. The kids are strong, they're really motivated and we're coming off some fantastic meets in the last couple of weeks. Their confidence is really high and we're looking forward to a great competition. "Two seniors, Kim Berres and Becky Ashton, have been standouts for us the whole year and great leaders. Phaedra Dixon, a sophomore, is our top all-arounder and broke the school record in the all-around two weeks ago. Gina Weichmann is also a sophomore and is a solid 39 all-arounder for us as well. On the Big Ten: "The strength is amazing. If anything that will just motivate our kids even more. It's great when the other teams are doing so well. We've proven that we can be better against better teams and the kids step up to the challenge and I think that's what this championship is going to do."
Meg Stephenson, Minnesota "We feel really good coming in as far as being the reigning champions. We just went through finals week so we're dealing with that but we're relatively healthy. Anyone can win this meet. We know it and we're just going to come in and do our best and see where we land. "We're so proud to be a part of the Big Ten. This conference is so classy and so talented. It's a great time to be a part of the Big Ten. "Judy Cavazos is a junior. She does three events and has been really strong for us this year. MaryAnne Kelley is our only all-arounder. She's a freshman and she's done a great job. Megan Beukens is another strong freshman and Shanyn Lancaster is a really powerful vaulter.
Diane DeMarco, Iowa "Corynne Cooper will be strong on the vault and the floor for us. I'm pretty excited about Jessica Rossi as well. She was injured during the season but has been really coming on strong at the end. "The Big Ten is awesome this year. The competition just speaks volumes about the conference. In my opinion it's the best conference in the nation.