OCR Text |
Show THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE JANUARY 14, 2COO FRIDAY, 9 Theftfnm Kulikowski Looks to Repeat Championship BRANDON WINN Chronicle Sports Editor brand new season of the Theresa Kulikowski Show is going to get underway when the first episode sirs tonight at 7 p.m. Critics agree that the second season should be just as popular and even more dynamic than Kulikowski's first dance in the spotlight, thanks to new material and a better supporting cast. Kulikowski is just hoping her new season will at least draw comparisons to her first, when she was crowned the NCAA champion despite being only a freshman. That means the only way to go is down, if you're A measuring performance purely ,cn awards won. "I can look at it. two ways," Kulikowski said, "I can say 'Oh my God, I have to do it again ' Or I can take that approach that I don't have to prove anything." So what is Kulikowski going to do? "I'm really trying to go for the second approach." how Knowing competitive Kulikowski is, she will do everything in her power not to miss out on a individual champincludes not letting that ionshipand herself fall into the trap of staying with what worked a season ago. When the Red Rocks begin their second- -straight season tonight against Utah State in the Jon M. Huntsman Center, Kulikowski will be performing on the same foiir events as last season but she has changed her routine on all of them. "There's always room for improvement," Kulikowski said. "Plus, it's easy to get bored doing the same routines ovar and oer. I don't want things to get mundane." Can doing back handsprings and board get borflips on a sixinch-wid- e ing? "I did the same routines all year in myself." At trie same time, Kulikowski hopes Beam Rotation to challenge the competition even more this year, though she will be to live up to her own standard. Still, that's better than having nothing to live up to at all. "Theresa is one of those gymnasts that doesn't come around too often," Utah coach Greg Marsden said. "She is extremely and Theresa enjoys that pressure. Assuming she stays healthy, she'll be as good as anyone we've ever had." She might be already, even if she hard-press- 1. of Deidra Graham 2. Theresa Wolf vs. 3. Angeiika Sthatton 4. Denise Jones Friday, 7 p..T.. Huntsman Center 5. Ashley Kever 6. Theresa Kulikowski , B 11 lifatiml Deidra Graham 0 ana while performing," Kulikowski said. "It was time for a change. I want to keep challenging practice ed self-motivat-ed - ISgvv - tr n- 0 1 v. I li'V has been around for only one season. And if attitude has anything to do with .5 her rank in Utah gymnastics lore, ! 7 is well on her way. Kulikowski "Winning last year just motivates me to do it again," Kulikowski said. "I won't look at it as a disappointment if Theresa Kulikowski shows off her I don't win the title as long NCAA championship plaque. as I feel I have improved, but I defiKulikowski agrees, even though her nitely want that." Marsden wants that too, but his first spot on each of the rotations looks priority is to get his Red Rocks back unshakable at this point. "A team is only as strong as it's into the national limelight. After seventh-place finishes two of the past weakest link," she said. "Sometimes it three years, his program is in a bit of a causes tension in the gym, but by Marsden, however, is a pushing each other is how we his improve." long way from A prime example of that is senior approach to the sport "We're our own worst enemy," Angeiika Schatton. In her time at the Marsden said. "People expect Utah to U, Schatton has been lost at the botcompete for the title every year, and tom of the depth chart. She never seemed ready to step in and score big when we don't win people ask 'what's for the Red Rocks. wrong?" As far as Marsden can tell, nothing Those times have changed. Schatis wrong, but that perception is there. ton is making a serious push to join the "It's a long way from panic for me," squad after competing said Marsden. "We have enough to in only a single event last season, "Angeiika had a preseason like compete for the championship." in tell the much Tonight won't way never before," Marsden said. "She's of Utah's chances at winning the finally doing what we recruited her national championship because many for. She's ready to make a huge contribution." of the Utes will be performing tines that are much simpler than what If all the Red Rocks show this kind they will be displaying at the end of of progress, Marsden and the team the year. What the meet against Utah should get out of their slump and back State will do is give the freshman a where they feel they belong the top chance to compete and let Marsden step of the winner's podium come made who has the strides nationals. judge largest the offseason. during "In the first meet we will be really conservative and work on gaining confidence," Marsden said. "It will also give us a chance to see how some of the freshmen perform." tt The freshmen, Kim Allan, Erin and Leah Sabo, all have great credentials, but Marsden does not know how they will perform in front of !2.ooo-plu- s fans, If they are as good as he thinks, the team will benefit even if they don't compete too often. Having quality freshman competing for spots in the rotation will only push the veterans on the team to up their level of play, and that's what Marsden is hoping for. "If it's a healthy, friendly competition in the gym, it's good," Marsden said. "It forces them not to rest on their laureis and improve throughout Ctidra Grahsm will be a regular on the beam for Utah this season. the season." mini-droug- ht. nd Pre-wi- " j ''j Floor Rotation 1. j- - - 1 s; Lindsay Tanner 3 2. Angeiika Schatton 3. Denise Jones 2 4. Ashley Kever 5. Deidra Graham Friday, 7 p.m. HunSsman Center vs. Angeiika 6. Theresa Kulikowski Schatton Mam? Vault Rotation 1. Theresa Kulikowski 2. Theresa Wolf 3. Kylee Wagner 4. Angeiika Schatton 5. Deidra Graham 6. Denise Jones 0 vs. 51. Friday, 7 p.m. Huntsman Center Theresa Wolf Theresa Kulikowski (ABOVE) is back to lead the 2000 version of the Red Rocks. Utah is hoping tc return to glory after finishing seventh in the nation two out of the past three yeats. Utah State is in the Huntsman Center tonight for Utah's f!rst test of the season. KuHkcwski will ;o for the Red Rocks this evening. Bars Rotation 1. Theresa Wolf 2. Angeiika Schatton 3. Jenny Schmidt 4. Denise Jones 5. Deidra Graham 6. Theresa Kulikowski 0) vs. Ft Friday, 7 p.m. Huntsman Center Jenny Schmidt |