Homecoming of sorts. Savoring the taste of its first victory of the season and perched atop the USA Gymnastics national rankings for the second week in a row, the Seattle Pacific University gymnastics team will need to continue to show plenty of moxie as it returns to its home floor to host Division I power Oregon State (4-3). The Falcons (1-6) face the No. 21-ranked Beavers in a dual contest Saturday night (Feb. 12) before taking to the road the next three meets, beginning Feb. 18 at UC Davis.

The day after. It’s been 29 years since SPU last defeated Oregon State, but some circumstances make this meeting an opportune time for an upset. First of all, the Falcons are the host for the first time since 1996. Secondly, the Beavers will be coming off a triangular with No. 12 Arkansas and No. 19 Washington the previous night, and therefore may be resting some key performers. It shapes-up as a scenario similar to that when Seattle Pacific beat the Huskies last season.

Brougham momentum. Adding more fuel to the fire, the Falcons have proven formidable at home. Last season they averaged 192.200 points in winning their final three home meets, including victories over San Jose State, UC Davis and Washington. Over the last two years, SPU has won six of its last eight at home. The Falcons returned from Colorado Springs with a season-high team score (191.800) in finishing second to defending USAG champion Centenary (193.525). Air Force was third with 188.600. To have a chance at beating the Beavers, Seattle Pacific will likely need to be near its school record team total of 193.700. It scored 192.875 against the Huskies last season.

Pinch-hitter. Laurel Tindall was a first-year head coach when SPU last tamed OSU, and last week she was reunited with former teammates and members of that squad while being inducted into the Falcon Legends Hall of Fame. While Tindall was being honored during homecoming festivities, assistant coach Kathy Siwek ably guided the Falcons to season-high event finishes on vault (48.025), balance beam (48.100) and floor exercise (48.725). In fact, Seattle Pacific was in the ballpark of its school record 49.175 floor team tally as all five scoring routines were 9.700 or better. The Falcons rank No. 2 nationally on floor.

Kari Kelly managed to pick up her second win on vault at Air Force. She ranks fourth among USAG vaulters.

Kelly comes up big. School record-holder Kari Kelly (Sr., Yakima, Wa./Eisenhower) managed to pick up her second win on vault at Air Force. She ranks fourth among USAG vaulters and launched a 9.775 to finish .50 ahead of Centenary’s Carmen Reid. Kelly led five Falcons, all scoring above 9.525, to a second place total on the runway. Kelly managed a 9.525 on bars and a 9.575 on floor exercise to compliment her gold-plated finish. Kelly’s record of 9.850 was scored against Oregon State last year in Corvallis. Debra Huss (So., Orangevale, Ca.) solidified her top-ranking among USAG athletes on floor exercise at Air Force, with a 9.800, second-place routine. Centenary’s Kristina Menne won floor with a 9.825.

Tight all-around contest. The all-around title was decided by a just a sliver as, amazingly, a half-dozen competitors were all within a point of victory. Centenary’s Sarah Ball took the title with 38.850, followed closely by Menne at 38.700. Air Force’s Lauren Robison finished third (38.625), just ahead of Jaynie Reynolds (Jr., White Rock, B.C./Marriot) at 38.500. Reynolds took home two All-America awards at last year’s USAG national meet and is currently ranked first among USAG all-arounders. Only recently has Reynolds begun regularly competing four events. Huss was a close fifth with 38.150.

Gym shorts. Sarah Sullivan (So., Salem, Or./Sprague) did not compete all-around, but scored 9.550 on vault and beam and earned 9.750 on the floor mats...Christie Chinaka (Fr., Honolulu, Hi.) swung SPU’s highest score on bars with 9.625...Kristin Bryant (So., Anchorage, Ak./West Anchorage) continued her weekly improvement by launching a 9.650 on vault, 9.625 on beam, and 9.700 on floor...Corrie McDaniel (Sr., Lawrence, Ks./Lawrence) scored a season-high 9.725 on floor and negotiated a 9.575 beam score...Elisabeth Kingsley (Sr., Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison) launched a 9.275 on vault and Ashley Domres (Fr., Phoenix, Az./Scottsdale Christian) negotiated a 9.050 on beam...Trailing SPU (190.706) in the USAG team scoring average table are Centenary (190.525), Rutgers (189.937), Alaska Anchorage (189.810), Air Force (189.387) and Texas Woman’s (189.342).

Tickets, Please. General admission tickets for all SPU women’s gymnastics meets are priced $5, with students, youth and senior citizens $3 with proper identification. Teams can qualify for special discount rates by calling (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. .