Previous Entries March 21, 2008 January 28, 2008 January 6, 2008 November 7, 2007 October 12, 2007 August 27, 2007 May 2, 2007 January 19, 2007 January 6, 2007 December 5, 2006 November 27, 2006 November 2, 2006 September 25, 2006 April 25, 2006 March 27, 2006 March 18, 2006 Feb 27, 2006 Feb 20, 2006 Feb 19, 2006 Feb 8, 2006 January 23, 2006 January 9, 2006 January 6, 2006 December 29, 2005 December 16, 2005 December 13, 2005 December 9, 2005 December 7, 2005 November 22, 2005 October 26, 2005 October 14, 2005 September 14, 2005 May 19, 2005 April 25, 2005 March 18, 2005 March 9, 2005 March 2, 2005 February 21, 2005 February 15, 2005 February 12, 2005 February 9, 2005 February 6, 2005 January 29, 2005 January 24, 2005 January 20, 2005 January 16, 2005 January 11, 2005 January 8, 2005   Archives

January 8, 2005

For the past few months the common question I've been asked is, "How are we going to be this year, Coach?" My answer up until last night was, "We certainly are talented, but we are also in a re-building phase."

My uncertainty came mainly from our freshmen. Jordan Schwikert and Lindsey Vanden Eykel both had what could have been career-ending surgeries two years ago and weren't fully rehabbed when they reported to us in September. We knew Tasha Schwikert has the talent and experience, but we also know that she has the added pressure of fame.

After our season opener against Utah last night, I can now answer that same question a bit differently: "We certainly are talented, and our re-building season looks more like we've re-loaded."

Three things were blatant last night:
1) Our freshmen are "gamers". All three of them competed with poise and confidence, putting finishing touches on their routines that we usually don't see until mid-season.
2) Our returnees are definitely not resting on their past successes. Lori Winn and Christie Tedmon, in particular, competed better than they did last year at our national championship, having worked all pre-season on specific technical changes.
3) The goal of "Calm Confidence", which we aspire to each season through thorough preparation during pre-season, permeated every one of our team members last night. That feeling was the first thing they all commented on at the end of the evening.

We look forward to mixing up our line-up quite a bit for our meet this Friday up at Oregon State. And then... we take on Nebraska at HOME!

Monday, January 17th
2:00pm in Pauley Pavilion
Martin Luther King Holiday

See you all there!!!

miss val