Destination: 98105. After christening the season with a record opening-night score, the Seattle Pacific University gymnastics team makes the short trip across town to face a pair of imposing Division I programs. In the first of three straight road meets, the Falcons (1-0) visit Bank of America Arena Friday night (Jan. 27) for a three-way meet with Washington (0-2) and Arizona State (2-0). Both teams are ranked among the top 25. Next week, SPU visits San Jose State for a four-way meet and UC Davis for a dual. The next home meet is Feb. 10.

Home away from home. Over the years, the facility known as Hec Edmundson Pavilion has been the Falcons’ home away from home. If the Fremont Bridge doesn’t rise, it’s about a 15-minute commute, and lots of friends and family help make it the best setting, next to Brougham Pavilion. And it shows. In the last five visits to Washington’s floor, SPU has scored 191 points or higher, including the all-time top away score of 193.500 in 2004.

Starting with a bang. For the first time in four years Seattle Pacific started a season with a victory. Moreover, Coach Laurel Tindall’s squad not only beat Alaska Anchorage but hit their best-ever opening meet score in sinking the Seawolves, 191.850-188.300. The previous best had been 190.850 in 2004. With the victory, the Falcons extended their streak of scoring more than 190 points at home to 11 meets. Although Anchorage mustered 46.925 on bars for its best event performance, SPU finished each rotation with an advantage over the Seawolves. The Falcons’ highest cumulative score was on vault, where they hit a combined 48.400–just 0.250 off of last year’s top score.

An early lead. The USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships are still nearly three months away, but SPU posted the top score of the division. Texas Woman’s and Centenary scored totals of 190.687 and 189.112, respectively. The Falcons also own the top score in each event except bars, where they are No. 2 to Texas Woman’s. Rankings are calculated by using the season average for the first seven weeks of the season, and will switch to the Regional Qualifying Score (RQS), at that point, for the remainder of the season. Seattle Pacific finished third in the USAG Championships last year. This year’s national meet will be Apr. 13-15 in Ithaca, N.Y.

Huss premieres AA gold. In front of a supportive home crowd of over 600 fans, Seattle Pacific claimed seven top-three finishes, highlighted by Debra Huss (Jr., Orangevale, Ca./Bella Vista) who won the meet all-around title plus two events. Huss, who claimed three national crowns last season, accumulated 38.450 over four events and also took first on uneven bars (9.700) and floor exercise (9.825). Anchorage’s Lauren Agostino finished second in all-around (38.400) while the Falcons’ Sarah Sullivan (Jr., Salem, Or./Sprague) took third (38.375). Sullivan also placed first on balance beam (9.750). Kristin Bryant (Jr., Anchorage, Ak./West Anchorage) was the other Falcon to finish with top-three marks. She tied for second on floor exercise with the Seawolves’ Jessica Portlock (9.625) and took third on vault (9.750).

Leading lineups. Staying above 47.675 points per rotation, Tindall saw solid performances from several gymnasts in each lineup. Jaynie Reynolds (Sr., White Rock, BC/Marriot), the school co-record holder on vault, finished fourth in that event (9.725), as well as the all-around (38.275). Newcomers Brianna Schwartz (Fr., Bonney Lake, Wa./Sumner) and Amber Lundgren (Fr., Temecula, Ca./Temecula Valley) had a successful collegiate debuts. Schwartz, who competed all-around, finished third on uneven bars (9.600) for her best event of the night. Lundgren tied for fourth on beam with teammate Ashely Domres (So., Phoenix, Az./Scottsdale Christian).

Gym shorts. For the first time in at least five seasons, Tindall had four all-arounders in the lineup...Individually, Huss got the top all-around and floor scores among USAG competitors last week. Sullivan and Reynolds ranked 2-3 in the all-around...The Falcons are seeking their first win in the last four regular season road meets. They managed a win at Air Force last season...Melissa Daniels (Fr., Salinas, Ca./N. Monterey County) contributed to the team’s stellar vault mark with a score of 9.650...Reynolds scored 9.475 on bars, 9.575 on beam and 9.500 on floor...Sullivan vaulted 9.600 and scored 9.575 on floor...Domres swung a 9.450 on bars...Schwartz scored 9.525 on vault and 9.475 on floor...There will be live statistical updates from Friday’s meet online at gohuskies.com.

SPU Coaches. Coach Laurel Tindall is synonymous with Seattle Pacific gymnastics, having either competed or coached each of the program’s 33 years. Under her guidance, SPU has won three national championships (1986, ‘92, ‘97) and, individually, her gymnasts have taken 19 titles. Now in her 31st year, Tindall has been honored as national coach of the year four times and last year she was the MPSF coach of the year. Originally, Tindall competed for the Falcons, winning a national crown on vault as a senior. She then succeeded George Lewis as head coach. Tindall is a charter member of the Falcon Legends Hall of Fame. Kathy Siwek returns for her sixth 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 third year on the staff after having completing her career in 2003 as a three-time All-America and national champion on bars. Four-time all-American Corrie McDaniel joins the coaching staff this season.

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 calling 206-281-2085 in advance.

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. For updated gymnastics standings and statistics, see the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation web site, or the Collegiate Gymnastics Information Center.