University of Washington - Home

April 5, 2012

SEATTLE -Our Seattle Regional preview continues as we take a look at what to expect and who to watch as Alabama, LSU, Arizona, Washington, Iowa, Central Michigan, and individual event-specialists compete in beams, floor, and in the all-around competition at Alaska Airlines Arena Saturday at 4 p.m.

BEAM
What to Expect:Washington holds the 23rd spot in the nation, based off their Regional Qualifying Average (RQS) of 48.855. Assistant coach Elise Ray sees the regional as a fresh start for the Huskies and hopes that they can finish the season the way they started it, with everybody hitting. Washington joins Alabama, LSU, and Arizona in the top 25, with Alabama and LSU leading the Seattle Regional teams. Ray says beam is one of Alabama's strongest events and overall this should be an event that will be fun to watch.

Who to Watch:Husky Junior Paige Bixler leads to team in beam with an RQS of 9.845. Senior Ruby Engreitz will hope to up her season high score of 9.800. Their teammates--senior Hatsune Akaogi (9.800), sophomore Aliza Vaccher (9.875), and freshman McKenzie Fechter (9.850)--will also be looking to beat their season bests in hopes of helping the Huskies claim one of the top two spots that advance on to Nationals. The top performers for the other schools participating in the meet are: Ashley Priess, Alabama (9.890); Katie Matusik, Arizona (9.885); Jessie Jordan, LSU (9.865); Jessa Hansen, Iowa (9.850); and Kristen Teubner, Central Michigan (9.805).

Individual Qualifiers: Nicolette Lew representing California qualified individually for the balance beam with an RQS of 9.765.

FLOOR
What to Expect:With a team RQS of 49.020, Washington is currently 24th in country in the floor exercise. The Washington women have been working hard this week on improving their landings and putting their routines together says sophomore Aliza Vaccher. After performing well in floor at the Pac-12 championships, Vaccher thinks they will be able to carry that momentum over to the regional.

"Expect high-energy and fun floor routines."

She is also excited about being at home and believes it could be an advantage for the team. "We get to perform for our fans on an event we feel confident about, so it should be a lot of fun."

Alabama comes in at number three while LSU and Arizona hold spots in the top 15 as well. Watch for some big tumbling by Alabama and LSU, adds Vaccher.

Who to Watch:Engreitz, Washington's top floor performer with an RQS of 9.855, should be a strong competitor in the event. Junior Lauren Rogers and Fechter have season highs of 9.875 on the floor and both hope to top that on Saturday. The top gymnasts representing the five other schools in the regional on the floor exercise include: Lloimincia Hall, LSU (9.930); Aubree Cristello, Arizona (9.905); Geralen Stack-Eaton, Alabama (9.905); Kristen Teubner, Central Michigan (9.845); and Emma Willis, Iowa (9.800).

Individual Qualifiers:Kailey Hansen of Sacramento State qualified for the floor exercise with an RQS of 9.865.

ALL-AROUND
What to Expect: The all-around will feature members from each team, as well as five individual qualifiers that are assigned to each regional team and will compete in their rotations. The top two teams and the top two all-around competitors (who are not on an advancing team) from each regional will receive an automatic berth to the national championships in Duluth, Georgia, April 20-22, hosted by the Gwinnett Center and Georgia Institute of Technology. Washington comes in at number 23rd in the all-around rankings based on their RQS of 195.595. Alabama and LSU are in the top 10 and Arizona sits at number 16 with an RQS of 196.020.

Who to Watch:The Huskies two top gymnast in the all-around is Fechter. The all-around will also feature Rheagan Courville from LSU (39.450), Geralen Stack-Eaton representing Alabama (39.420), Aubree Cristello from Arizona (39.375), Kristen Teubner from Central Michigan (39.185), and Jessa Hansen representing Iowa (39.050).

Individual Qualifiers:The individual qualifiers for the all-around will include: Kalliah McCartney, Sacramento State; Katie Yamamura, UC Davis; Tiana Montell, UC Davis; and Madisyn O'Brien, California. Morgan Cook from Alaska Alaska-Anchorage will be filling in for California's Mariesah Pierce, who is unable to compete. McCartney will be in Alabama's rotation, Yamamura in LSU's, Cook in Arizona's, Montell in Washington's, and O'Brien in Iowa's rotation.

Friday's practices are open to the public at Alaska Airlines Arena. The first practice session is 1:15-3:01 p.m., featuring Alabama, LSU and Washington. The second practice session is 4-5:46 p.m., with Arizona, Central Michigan and Iowa.

Check out the Seattle Regional site and get your tickets now: http://www.gohuskies.com/sports/w-gym/mtt/12ncaaregional.html.