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Show JTllE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Thursday, April 16,2009 PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY THIEN SQYUlhe Daily UlohQitwktt The balance beam has been a challenge for the Red Rocks throughout the year. Good performances on the apparatus will be critical to the Utes' success at the NCAA National Championships in Lincoln, Neb. Beam has become vital for victory Paige Fieldsted STAFF WRITER At 4 inches wide and 16 feet long, the balance beam has become one of the most feared apparatus by gymnasts. Under the pressure of big meets, falls have cost teams championships, while impressive routines have been the difference maker for others. Being one of the favorites to snag the NCAA Championship, the Red Rocks have been preparing all season to make sure the beam isn't their downfall at this stage. "We've been setting the tone for balance beam being a place that we go and are comfortable and confident and low-stress and we work on that through the year," said beam coach Megan Marsden. "We try and approach it the same no matter when we do beam." It is the mental toughness required to be successful at the beam that makes it one of the most stressful and mistake-ridden events. The pressure of being at nationals and trying to win a championship only adds to the stress of tumbling on a 4-inch beam. "You start to think about what you're actually doing and what you're doing it on, and it gets in your head," said senior Nina Kim. "Your body knows how to do it already. You can't think that much, you just have to go out there and do it." Overthinking isn't the only cause of big mistakes on the balance beam, as adrenaline and the precision that the beam requires also play a factor in being successful. "Usually in big meets, you have a lot of adrenaline and in other events you can use that adrenaline in a more powerful way, but on the beam, you've got to rein it in or it can send you way off the 4 inches," Marsden said. "A lot of people don't know how to mentally and physically approach that event." Utah has been working all season to be mentally and physically prepared for the challenges of handling the pressure of nationals and the stress df competing on the beam. "We've practiced throughout the season to be mentally strong," Kim said. "We do mental exercises like visualizing where you're going to be at the meet, feeling the pressure and putting your emotions out like you're at the meet." Aside from not falling off the beam, being able to perform flawless walkthroughs is a big part of earning high scores on the balance beam. "You've got to be able to walk through your routine. If you wobble after every skill, it's hard to score high," Marsden said. Although the Red Rocks haven't scored as high on beam as they have on other events throughout the season, the coaching staff feels that the beam is a good event for them and is expecting good things out of the Underclassmen step up to cover for Kim Bryan Chouinard up for us right now. I've seen it happen on numerous occasions STAFF WRITER where something will happen All season long, Red Rocks and we'll need someone to step fans have been dazzled by Utah's in at the last minute." three-headed monster in the allThe sophomore showed the around competition, comprised maturity of a senior, stepping in of seniors Nina Kim and Kris- on short notice tofillthe void left tina Baskett and junior Jamie by Kim. Deetscreek. "I wasn't caught off guard at But two weeks ago, just days all," Mackie said. "I have a lot of before Utah's West regional qual- alternate roles—I have all year. ifier in Seattle, Wash., Kim, the So before each meet, I am warmNo. 6 all-around competitor in ing up on every single event, so that has helped." the country, caught the flu. But Utah showed its depth Mackie is expected to contribwhen three underclassmen ute on both bars and beam this stepped up in her absence. weekend in Nebraska. Whether his team is completely Freshman Stephanie McAlhealthy or not, head coach Greg lister also filled in during Kim's Marsden might need much of the absence and did so in an imsame this weekend when Utah pressive fashion by setting two tries to win its first NCAA cham- career highs—a 9.8 on the beam and a 9.850 on the floor. McAlpionship since 1995. At regionals, sophomore Jac- lister has also been a constant quelyn Johnson stepped up for contributor all season on the Kim by performing the first un- uneven bars. even bar routine of her Utah ca"One of the things we look reer and scored a 9.825, while for when recruiting is what type fellow sophomore Gael Mackie of experiences they've had and matched Johnson with a 9.825 of how those experiences and situher own on the vault, which was ations they've been in can help us," Marsden said. "The whole also a career high. "It's been especially frustrat- mentality of our team has been to ing for (Johnson)," Marsden said. think nationals. Many of our play"She's a talented athlete and her ers have been to nationals before. first year she was sidelined due So they've learned how to cope to various injuries. So that was with the pressure." really important for her, to take Baskett understands the imporadvantage of that opportunity. It tance of role players like Johnson, was good for her and the team as Mackie and McAllister, but knows that Johnson, her true freshwell." Marsden knows it will be more man teammate from Indianapothan two seniors that will need to lis, and fellow freshman Cortni be ready when called upon and Beers are the only two members any winning program has all ath- of the team who haven't been to letes involved, not just a select a national championship before. However, she thinks the freshmen few. "If you're going to win, every- have what it takes to make it on one needs to be ready," Marsden the big stage. said. "We have a lot of people "You're on such a high for those on our sidelines waiting for op- few days that you don't feel the portunities. We all know they're effects till after," Baskett said. "So capable and here we are now I'm hoping that for someone like competing in nationals, and a Steph (McAllister), she will be lot can happen. Those people, in the moment so much that you waiting to get in the rotation, don't even notice. Because you are just as important as the peo- compete and when you normally ple who are scheduled to line would let down we have treat- team at nationals. "I think it's been a good event for us all year," said head coach Greg Marsden. "I can't remember having to count a fall on a beam this year. I think it's a good event for us and we're very ready." The Utah gymnasts also feel confident in their ability to score well on the beam and are looking forward to showing the nation what they are made of. "We're lucky to have all the girls be able to do well on the beam and we have a really strong lineup from front to end," Kim said. "We're ready to get out there and show them what we've been practicing." p.fieldsted@ chronicle.utah.edu Coaches make rivalry the best in gymnastics TONY PIZZA U IUCAS \SIEY/IheDotyUwhCtironldi Utah Associate Head Coach Megan Marsden congratulates Gael Mackie during a meet this season. The positive performance of gymnasts such as Mackie helped make up for the absence of Nina Kim during the NCAA West Regional in Seattle. ment so you almost don't have time to let down." For the Red Rocks to be successful this weekend, all of the players will have to step up within their roles, but keep their emotions in check during the high-energy atmosphere at the national championships. "Our roles are important," Mackie said. "Everyone has had to contribute a lot all year. Knowing that and knowing we have our work cut out for us will just reinforce what we have to do." b.chouinard@ chronicle.utah.edu Quinn Wilcox contributed reporting. tah football only got a taste of what the Red Rocks get the chance to experience every year—SEC heartbreak. Unfortunately for Utah fans, they've only been able to upset the majority of the SEC these past three years. The SEC hasfiveteams at nationals this year, more than any other conference or region by a long shot. Last year in the Super Six, it was Utah and Stanford and then the SEC. It's probably why Suzanne Yoculan can allude to the fact that winning the SEC Championships is like a second tier NCAA Championship. After all, perennial national powerhouses Arkansas, Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida and Auburn all compete there. It's the same snooty "we're the best conference and as long as an SEC team wins the national title, it's like we all win" attitude that has prompted Greg Marsden to don his "SEC Sucks" shirt on more than one occasion. Utah might be a queer fish in a big SECdominated ocean, but they are a big fish and one that will try to sour Suzanne Yoculan's grand farewell. I've had the chance to meet and interview Yoculan on several occasions. She's an interesting character and a media member's best friend. She's got a southern arrogance that can lead you to one of two conclusions: you either hate her or you love her. She says what's on her mind and it usually smacks of bumptious charm. Georgia fans love her and rightfully so. Confidence seeps out her pores like garlic from an Italian. She wears lots of jewelry, leads her team to championships in red pumps and sports outfits that leave her ready for the club without skipping a beat or wasting a trip to her walk-in closet to change. Her team feeds off and harbors that confidence like sharks in the presence of See RIVALRY Page 12 - |