Tradition With A New Twist

AMES, Iowa - With the graduation of five seniors last year, the Iowa State gymnastics team looks to challenge its class of talented newcomers to perform in the starting lineup in 2007. The team will rely on the experience of talented veterans and yet, at the same time, face the challenges of a young team. Most importantly, Iowa State looks to continue the momentum they had at the end of the record-setting 2006 season.

Coming off the team's first ever NCAA Super Six appearance, the Cyclones have several new twists for 2007. The most visible change is first year head coach Jay Ronayne, who is leading an Iowa State squad with only five returning letterwinners. Fans will notice a host of exciting newcomers exhibiting powerful tumbling and fresh, new routines. For Coach Ronayne, it has been a "different experience" to step in and carry on the tradition of Cyclone gymnastics. But with the talent he's seen, he said, "It's been a lot of fun so far."

However, not only will the 2007 gymnastics season be fun, but it looks to be about tough competition as well. Ronayne said, "Every single [Big 12 Conference] meet is going to be the toughest meet of the year ... The only way to make it to national prominence is to beat the toughest competitors."

The Cyclones begin the season on Friday in Cancun, Mexico, at the Cancun Classic. Iowa State will face No. 18 Missouri, No. 20 Auburn, and BYU.

Ronayne's Goals for the 2007 Season

"We want to be Big 12 champions, and that is where we are starting," Ronayne said. "Everyday we are working towards that goal. One of our goals along the way is to get back to where the team was last year, but we try to focus on the day-to-day things a little more. The only way to get to the Big 12 Championship or the national championship is to do our job day-to-day and to stay focused on that task."

Vault

The 2007 vault lineup lost the depth it had last year and expects to compete four to five newcomers. Veteran Janet Anson, a 2006 Regional Vault Co-Champion and a first-team All-American on the vault, will be leading the way for the Cyclones this year. Placing fourth at the NCAA Championship last year, she has the potential to be a national champion this year. Look for Anson to bring some new skills and compete one of the most difficult vaults performed in the NCAA. Newcomers Ceilia Maccani, Megan Barnes, and Anna Robey will be strong on this event.

Skills to watch for: layout Yurchenko 1 ? twist (10.0 start value).

Bars

The bars should be one of the strongest events this season for Iowa State with 10 talented student-athletes competing for a spot on the roster. Anson looks as solid as ever on the bars. Katie Lasher and Ashley Kent will add consistency to the bars. Newcomers Barnes, Nikki Dilbert, and Jasmine Thompson will be adding a lot of depth to the bars this season as well. At an intrasquad meet before the holiday break, the Cyclones hit six out of six routines on this event and showed strong exhibitions from three other gymnasts.

Combinations to watch for: blind pirouette to double front dismount.

Beam

The 2007 ISU squad looks to be gifted on beam with a mix of experience and talented newcomers. Kent will anchor the Cyclones' beam rotation. She was the only freshman to compete for ISU in 2006 and shared a seventh place finish on beam with a 9.800 at the Big 12 Championship a year ago. Kent turned in the strongest performance of the afternoon on Dec. 15, and looked as solid as ever in this event. Ashley Alden will team up with Jade Kvach to provide beam leadership to newcomers Katie Sweetin and Melanie Tham. Sweetin, a 2006 Junior Olympic National Champion, and Tham will be great additions to the beam rotation.

Skills to watch for: full twisting back handspring, full twisting swing down.

Floor

Anson, the 2006 North Central Regional Floor Champion and first-team All-America floor selection, will anchor this event. Joining her is veteran, crowd favorite Alden, who will help lead the way for the Cyclones. Rounding out the order, Iowa State looks to compete four to five new faces on floor this year. Newcomers Barnes, Robey, Sweetin, Tham and Thompson look to be top performers in this event. Sweetin, who owned the 2006 Level 10 Missouri State Championship floor crown, placed seventh in this event at Junior Olympic Nationals a year ago. This group of newcomers will exhibit powerful tumbling and fresh new routines choreographed by the new coaching staff and former Cyclone gymnasts.

Combinations to watch for: whip back, double pike.

All-Around

The 2006 Iowa State Female Athlete of the Year, Anson, is expected to lead the Cyclones in all-around competition this year. A seven time All-American, Anson brings leadership and experience to the team. Barnes will potentially compete in the all-around standings as well. She was a five-time Level 10 state champion, a three-time national qualifier and the 2004 regional vault champion.

Players Mentioned

Ashley Alden

Ashley Alden

Janet Anson

Janet Anson

Megan Barnes

Nikki Dilbert

Ashley Kent

Ashley Kent

Jade Kvach

Jade Kvach

Katie Lasher

Katie Lasher

Ceilia Maccani

Ceilia Maccani

Anna Robey

Katie Sweetin

Melanie Tham

Jasmine Thompson

Jasmine Thompson

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