California opener. Brimming with several promising new recruits and boasting a cadre of decorated veteran performers, the Seattle Pacific University gymnastics team swings into its 32nd season Friday night (Jan. 14) when the Falcons visit Sacramento State (0-3). It’s the first of nine away meets on a schedule which culminates in mid-April at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships. Seattle Pacific brings back nine returnees, including five All-Americans, from a squad which finished seventh nationally. Following its debut, SPU hosts its first home meet Jan. 21 versus San Jose State. Four of the first five meets are on the road.

Schedule highlights. The core of the 2005 schedule is a half-dozen match-ups with fellow Mountain Pacific Sports Federation members Sacramento State, San Jose State, Air Force, UC Davis and Alaska Anchorage. The MPSF championship meet is March 25 in Davis, Ca. In addition to the conference dual and three-way meets, four-time national coach of the year Laurel Tindall has scheduled meetings with several Division I elites, including perennial Pac-10 powers Oregon State, Washington and California. The Beavers visit Brougham Pavilion for the first time in nine years Feb. 12. The USAG Championships will be held in Ithaca, N.Y., and hosted by Cornell Apr. 14-16.

Tradition of champions. Youth or inexperience have never kept a Seattle Pacific gymnastics team from reaching for the gold, and the Falcons have made it a habit to land among the best in Division II, year after year. For the last 22 seasons SPU has for the national championships, including a string of 21 straight top-four placements from 1983-03. After an interruption in that run last season, Tindall hopes to have her mixture of proven veterans and promising newcomers in the hunt for a national title again.

Framework for success. Tindall has nine returnees among her 18 squad members, and between Jaynie Reynolds (Jr., White Rock, B.C./Marriot), Debra Huss (So., Orangevale, Ca./Bella Vista), Kari Kelly (Sr., Yakima, Wa./Eisenhower), Sarah Sullivan (So., Salem, Or./Sprague) and Corrie McDaniel (Sr., Lawrence, Ks./Lawrence), she has All-Americans on all four events plus the all-around. Reynolds finished among the top six on both bars and beam in 2004, while Huss and Kelly were All-America on floor. Sullivan received her honor via the vault. Kelly is the school record-holder on vault (9.875). McDaniel missed the national meet last year due to a dislocated elbow, but owns a pair of All-America medals in the all-around. She is slated to compete in ‘05 on her three strongest rotations: vault, beam and floor. Sullivan, Reynolds and Huss are the best bets to make all four event lineups. Elisabeth Kingsley (Sr., Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison), Tindall’s third senior, is expected to shine on floor and vault.

Exuberant youths. Tindall is hopeful that some of her youngsters will be strong contributors. Kristin Bryant (So., Anchorage, Ak./West Anchorage) is among the top candidates on vault, beam and floor while Haley Krommenhoek (So., Seattle, Wa./Mount Rainier) and Chelsey Cox (So., Valencia, Ca./Saugus) are vying for places for at least two events. Injury-free recruits Christie Chinaka (Fr., Honolulu, Hi.) and Ashley Domres (Fr., Phoenix, Az./Scottsdale Christian) could be catalysts for the team achieving something great, and will figure into the mix for various events.

Gym shorts. Tindall will be among the final five charter inductees to the Falcon Legends Hall of Fame Feb. 4. She was inducted into the Washington State Gymnastics Hall of Fame in September...The Falcons would like to eclipse last year’s school record opening night mark of 190.850, set against Sacramento State at home...School records that were established in ‘04 were Kelly’s vault at Oregon State and team marks for floor and beam, 49.175 and 48.675, respectively. Kelly also had two other vault scores among the all-time top five. Huss scored three floor performances at 9.900–all tying for No. 3 all-time...Last year’s biggest victory was the home win over Washington...The Falcons started off ’04 with the record team total and near midseason hit a 192.150 and did not look back. They strung together six consecutive scores in excess of that total, including a near-record 193.500 at Washington...SPU will begin the season with seven athletes unavailable for consideration. Among those missing are prized recruits Maddi Bernhardt (Fr., Littleton, Co./Highlands Ranch), Amy Potrawski (Fr., St. Charles, Il./St. Charles East), due to shoulder and foot injuries, respectively.

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 30 years. Under her guidance, SPU has won three national championships and, individually, her gymnasts have taken 15 titles. Four times Tindall has been honored as national coach of the year. Kathy Siwek returns for her fifth season as an assistant coach. Siwek was a two-time All-America and a member of the 1997 national championship team. Kristen Strid is back for her second year on the staff after having completing her career in 2003 as a three-time All-America and national champion on bars.

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 Mountain Pacific Sports Federation web site at www.mpsports.org, or the Collegiate Gymnastics Information Center at www.troester.com/gym. .