National appearance. Tradition carried on in 2006 as the Seattle Pacific University gymnastics team yet again found itself competing among the top programs in NCAA Division II. The Falcons wrapped up their campaign Apr. 15 in Ithaca, New York by placing eighth at the USA Gymnastics Championships. The outcome marked just the second time in the last 23 years that SPU did not finish among the national meet’s top four. The good news: all but one of the team’s top performers is expected back next season.

Closing time. Given the injuries sustained by key SPU athletes, Coach Laurel Tindall was perhaps bettered prepared to deal with the disappointing placement. Still, the score of 188.200 was not indicative of the team’s ability. To advance to the USAG finals, the Falcons needed a 190.300–a sum they had managed three times earlier this season. Top-seeded Texas Woman’s won their first title in three years and eighth overall. UC Davis was second, followed by host Cornell and William & Mary. Defending champion Rutgers, Centenary and Temple were eliminated along with Seattle Pacific during prelims. The Falcons finished fourth or higher each season from 1983-2003, including national crowns in 1986, 1992 and 1997. The streak was snapped in 2004 by a seventh-place finish, but in ‘05 the team rebounded with a third-place tie and four individual champions.

All-America awards. Jaynie Reynolds (Sr., White Rock, BC/Marriot) completed her career with three additional awards, including the Division II Athlete of the Year from the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches. Reynolds was also chosen the Senior Athlete of the Year by USA Gymnastics and made second team All-America on uneven bars. Sarah Sullivan (Jr., Salem, Or./Sprague) earned All-America honors in the all-around (third place) and on vault, and was second team on beam. Kristin Bryant (Jr., Anchorage, Ak./West Anchorage) earned her first All-America accolade on vault, as she and Sullivan placed fourth (9.700) and third (9.713), respectively.

On the bright side. The highlight of the season was Seattle Pacific’s victory at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships. It was the team’s first conference crown since 1998 and came after the Falcons had already lost their top all-arounder, Debra Huss (Jr., Orangevale, Ca.), to a season-ending ankle injury. Despite that loss, SPU appeared to be on the upswing entering the national meet, with three consecutive scores in excess of 190. The total at Ithaca was the lowest in a national meet since 1994 and a bars count of 45.800 proved to be the culprit. The strongest event was vault (47.875), followed by beam (47.525) and floor (47.000). Bryant managed a fifth-place vault finish (9.700) on the opening night, and Sullivan scored 9.675 on vault (8th) en route to placing third in the all-around (38.000).

Academically speaking. Five Falcons were named Academic all-MPSF. Bryant and Sullivan were both named for the second time while Brianna Piedmonte (Jr., Chandler, Az./Desert Vista), Christie Chinaka (So., Honolulu, Hi.) and Ashley Domres (So., Phoenix, Az./Scottsdale Christian) were first time selections. Sullivan is an art major with a 3.64 grade point average and Bryant is a political science major with a 3.11. Piedmonte has a 3.09 in exercise science, Chinaka a 3.71 and Domres a 3.78 in textiles/interior design.

Recruiting in progress. While Tindall will bid farewell to Reynolds, whose all-around career concludes with three all-America awards prior to ‘06, her eyes are ever looking ahead to the next team assembly. Huss will hopefully return to health and form. She, Sullivan and Brianna Schwartz (Fr., Bonney Lake, Wa./Sumner), can fill half of the lineup slots. Bryant, who owns the school’s No. 2 all-time vault mark, will be back to lead on vault, beam and floor, while Domres is expected to contribute on bars and beam. Tindall is already searching for the up-and-coming team additions. So far one recruit has been signed–Kelli Bates from Port Orchard and Grace Gymnastics in Tacoma.

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.