One last time. The end is near, and the good news is that things are looking up for the Seattle Pacific University women's gymnastics team. Following a season-high score, the fifth-ranked Falcons (4-9) are back in town for the final two local appearances of the season. The first of two three-way meets is Friday (Mar. 21) at Washington (13-6) and with Cal State Fullerton (9-6). Saturday (Mar. 21) is Senior Night at home against Fullerton and Alaska Anchorage (1-11). SPU competes at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships in Sacramento March 29.

Magic number is over 190. Despite seeing its dual-meet win string snapped at three, Seattle Pacific managed to score a season-high 192.325 at Sacramento State last week. The Falcons recorded event highs on vault (48.050) and bars (48.575) and placed two athletes among the top three finishers on those respective apparatuses. In its last six meets, SPU has pocketed four wins and has scored above the 190-point plateau as many times, including a score or 190.600 or higher in each of the last three outings. Last week's score lifted SPU from sixth to fifth in the USA Gymnastics statistical rankings, and Coach Laurel Tindall says a No. 3 seeding for nationals is within reach. Texas Woman's, defending champion Air Force, UC Davis and Temple are currently Nos. 1-4.

All-around nice job. One big reason for the Falcons' strong score was the individual breakthrough by Corrie McDaniel (So., Lawrence, Ks./Lawrence). Finally able to hit on all four of her events, McDaniel won the beam and all-around, the latter with a career-high and No. 5 all-time total of 38.975. That included a 9.700 on vault, 9.675 on floor and career-bests of 9.825 on beam and 9.775 on bars, her most troublesome event this season. She took third on vault and fourth on bars. Her previous best all-around this season had been 38.125. McDaniel now ranks seventh nationally on beam and eighth in all-around.

Raising the bars. Tindall has put together a fantastic vault lineup all season long and it was no surprise the Falcons improved upon their high mark for the second week in a row (48.050), but perhaps even more impressive was the fact that they scored a 48.575 on the uneven bars to virtually obliterate the previous high. Led by, Melissa Stanton (Jr., Rapid City, SD/Central-Hamline), the Falcons scored 48.575-.300 better than their previous mark. Five of six gymnasts swung a 9.625 or better, led by Stanton's 9.825. Nationally, SPU is ranked No. 2 on bars and it is No. 3 on vault. Individually, Stanton is No. 2 on bars.

On your marks. In addition to McDaniel winning the all-around and balance beam and Stanton notching the Falcons' top score on bars, Rachael Anderson (Sr., Yakima, Wa./West Valley) performed a team high 9.750 on the floor exercise mats during the third rotation. A floor specialist, Anderson has virtually led SPU on floor most of the season and, with the addition of a Yurchenko skill during the offseason, she has been near the top of Tindall's vault lineup as well. Anderson finished in fifth place on vault with a 9.650. Kristen Strid (Sr., Kingsburg, Ca./Kingsburg Joint Union) was close behind Stanton and McDaniel on bars with a 9.700, good for sixth place, and Courtney Amonsen (Sr., Redmond, Wa./Inglemoor) tied a career-high on balance beam with a 9.675 to tie for fourth place. Elisabeth Kingsley (So., Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison) notched a career high on floor with a 9.700.

Gym shorts. Last week's team score ranks No .8 all-time...McDaniel (all-around) and Stanton (bars) remain in close contention for individual at-large berths in the NCAA regional, to be held Apr. 12 at Washington...Annastasia Ahr (Jr., San Antonio, Tx.), a fixture in bars, beam and floor, missed last week's meet after sustaining a knee injury in practice. She is doubtful for the meets this week...The Falcons, who have had trouble on floor all season long, placed just one athlete amongst the top seven finishers on the mats. Versus Sacramento, SPU's team score on vault, bars and beam was .325 better than the Hornets...Stanton's 9.700 on beam was a season-best...Jennifer Christman (Jr., Fairfield, Ca./Benicia) swung a 9.650 on the uneven bars and vaulted a 9.550...Kari Kelly (Fr., Yakima, Wa./Eisenhower) swung a 9.625 on bars and vaulted a 9.600, tying a season-high on the latter...Cindy Reed (Fr., Antioch, Ca./Deer Valley) scored a 9.550 on vault and a 9.475 on beam en route to a fourth place finish in the all-around competition...Jaynie Reynolds (Fr., White Rock, BC/South Delta) danced a 9.525 in her first appearance in the floor lineup. She had only vaulted previously...Anna Leiferman (Fr., Thornton, Co./Horizon) and Julie Evin (Fr., Vancouver, Wa./Mountain View) did not compete. Leiferman and Evin will likely miss the remainder of the season due to injury.

Tickets, please. General admission tickets for all SPU home gymnastics meets are priced $5 with students, youth and senior citizens $3 with proper identification. Teams or groups can qualify for discount rates by call (206) 281-2085 in advance.

SPU Coaches. Coach Laurel Tindall is a veteran of the sport and is synonymous with the university. Originally, she competed for the Falcons, then replaced her mentor, George Lewis, immediately following graduation. Subsequently, she has served in her position for 27 years. Under her guidance, SPU has won three national championships and, individually, her gymnasts have taken 15 titles. Three times Tindall has been honored as national coach of the year. Kathy Siwek returns for her third season as an assistant coach. Siwek was a two-time All-America and a member of the 1997 national championship team. Alison Siegel-McAfee joins the staff after having completed her career in 2002 as a four-time All-America and school record-holder in vault, beam and all-around.

Missing links. For the latest and best information on Seattle Pacific University athletics, stay where you're at -- on The Falcons Online. For updated standings and statistics, see the Great Northwest Athletic Conference web site.