Thursday, December 23, 2010

The Newest Member of The Tide


Sarah Patterson must have been buying some magenta hair dye trying to cover up the grays she's gotten trying to replace Morgan Dennis on floor.  While Morgan was a bit of a second rate Miles/Pickens Vault and Floor anchor, she was a reliable competitor.  Ashley Sledge hasn't looked to be quite ready to rock a 9.950 week-in-week-out and Jordan Moore is recovering from surgery to insert a rod in her leg.  Diandra Milliner, who graduated from high school a semester early to join the squad, is the perfect gymnast to fill that role.  She won vault at the 2009 and 2010 JO Nationals and earned a floor title in 2010 as well.  She finished second all-around in '09.  Diandra is heading to T-Town after the holidays.

As much as it pains me to say it, Alabama is a force to be reckoned with this season.  Their freshmen will have plenty of competitive experience by the time Ashley Priess and Jordan Moore return to full strength just prior to post season.

2 comments:

  1. Its interesting to compare the Bama incoming class to UGA's class. Bama's is better, but they also are poised to fill in the holes left by the seniors much better. We haven't much of UGA lately, but their freshman look to fill in the holes on vault and floor (though McCool was a solid 9.95), but bars and especially beam look like they will be holes left open. With that said, it could be a wash as UGA looks like they could be more of a power team this year.

    Its pretty clear that Milliner, Moore, Demeo, and Jacob will be the core of the freshman, and those 4 not only look to fill in those holes left by Dennis, Lebegern, and Price, but possibly exceed them in some places. Of course, UGA proved last year that a good class may not pan out (Worley at first and Tanella didn't perform like they were capable of) but its an interesting comparison nonetheless. Should be an exciting season in the NCAA!

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  2. Bama's method of recruiting seems familiar They recruit like a football or basketball team. Take as many as possible, evaluate them in the preseason (you never know who will surprise you or who just isn't cutting it) and then making cuts.

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