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Brougham opener. It’s been a decade since Seattle Pacific University last won a national championship in gymnastics and the Falcons seek to celebrate that anniversary in grand style later this spring. But first things first. SPU begins the 2007 season at home Friday night (Jan. 19) when it meets UC Davis (0-1) for a dual. It’s the first of 10 regular season events, with four at home. Next week the team travels to San Jose State for a four-way meet.

Full circle. The Falcons’ season will end exactly where it begins–at home. Seattle Pacific was selected to host the USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate Championships presented by Leisure Care, with the top eight teams and individuals coming to Brougham Pavilion April 19-21. Prior to that, SPU will also host the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships Mar. 30. The Falcons won the MPSF title in ‘06 and finished eighth nationally. In all, there will be eight dates of activity in the pavilion, including the three for nationals. The other regular season duals are Sacramento State, San Jose State and Washington.

Let’s do it again. It so happens that the last time the USAG Championships were held in Seattle, the Falcons won the title. Coach Laurel Tindall hopes that history repeats itself, yet realizes it will be a tall order. The competition is top-notch and the sport itself is grueling. Already Tindall has lost her top recruit for the season and two of the top returnees are coming back from injuries. Her championship team was virtually injury-free in ‘97. Seattle Pacific’s other two national titles came in 1986 and ‘92.

Program’s pedigree. If there is a fairytale ending to this season, the Falcons must get big performances from the frontline people, plus develop depth. With an explosive vault lineup and relative consistency on beam and floor, Tindall has the necessary tools to contend at the USAG. Now in her 32nd year, Tindall has taken SPU to either the NCAA or USAG meet 26 times, finishing among the top four teams 21 of the last 23 years.

Senior citizens. Shouldering much of the load will be the senior class and it’s three All-Americans. Eventually they will provide a solid foundation in each of the event rotations, Initially, their activity could be limited as they mend from injuries. Three-time national champion and school all-around record-holder Debra Huss (Sr., Orangevale, Ca./Bella Vista) and four-time All-American Sarah Sullivan (Sr., Salem, Or./Sprague) are coming back from ankle and hand injuries, respectively. Sullivan fractured her left hand in preseason training and only recently was given medical clearance to train. Huss missed the latter half of the season entirely. She had won the USAG bars, floor and all-around and finished second on beam in ‘05. Kristin Bryant (Sr., Anchorage, Ak./West Anchorage) is healthy and will be looked to for leadership and strength on vault and floor. Bryant was an All-American vaulter last season when she finished fourth at nationals. She owns the No. 2 all-time SPU score on vault.

Picking their spots. With Huss and Sullivan currently on the mend, others will be relied upon to step forward. Brianna Schwartz (So., Bonney Lake, Wa./Sumner) is another all-arounder, and has added new skills to her vault and improved consistency on bars. Danna Nelson (So., Maple Valley, Wa./Tahoma) is a potential member of each event lineup. Nelson was a valuable contributor on beam and floor as a frosh, and her vault and bars are much improved. Tindall is also counting on Ashley Domres (Jr., Scottsdale, Az./Scottsdale Christian) on bars and beam, and Amber Lundgren (So., Temecula, Ca./Temecula Valley) on bars. Melissa Daniels (So., Salinas, Ca./N. Monterey Cty.) was a consistent contributor on vault a year ago and Christie Chinaka (Jr., Honolulu, Hi.) frequented the bars lineup.

Gym shorts. The USAG meet features two sessions on the first day, when the individual all-around title and qualifying for team and individual event finals are determined. Team finals consume the second day and individual finals conclude the meet...When SPU hosted nationals in 1996 and ‘97, the men’s championships were held in conjunction...Leisure Care, the national meet’s presenting sponsor, is one of the nation’s largest privately-held retirement and assisted living companies with an outstanding reputation for providing quality, innovative senior services. Leisure Care is headquartered in Seattle with more than 30 facilities throughout the western U.S…Besides Kelli Bates (Fr., Port Orchard, Wa./South Kitsap), an 11-time All-American at YMCA nationals, the Falcons have also lost their other freshman for the season. Katelyn Degner (Fr., Hillsboro, Or./Glencoe) sustained an injury to her right arm...The Falcons’ best opening-night score came last season with a 191.850 at home…Last year’s conference championship was the first crown since 1998 and came despite the absence of Huss...Sullivan finished both third in all-around and vault at nationals last season. The biggest loss due to graduation is Jaynie Reynolds, voted the NAGC Division II Gymnast of the Year.

Tickets, please. Ticket prices for all SPU regular season meets are $5 for general admission, with students and senior citizens $3. Group and team rates are available by phoning (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 Collegiate Gymnastics Information Center or Mountain Pacific Sports FederationWebsites.