Gymnastics Back On Campus As Preparations Begin For 2010 Season - AuburnTigers.com

Gymnastics Back On Campus As Preparations Begin For 2010 Season Student-Athletes arrive on campus to find new changes

Auburn gymnastics prepares for the 2010 campaign beginning soon.

Aug. 17, 2009

AUBURN - The Auburn gymnastics program welcomed 19 student-athletes to campus on Monday as classes began. Day one consisted of a team meeting, where head gymnastics coach Jeff Thompson welcomed back 13 returners, as well as six newcomers.

"We are definitely ready for this year to get started," said Thompson. "Adding six newcomers to our already solid group of returners will certainly make for an exciting season. The upperclassmen are excited about our newcomers and are looking forward to bringing them into our family."

A pair of seniors enter their final season at Auburn in Krissy Voss and Carmen Nelms, who participated in every meet last year as juniors. The team also consists of a quartet of juniors to go along with seven sophomores and six freshman.

"We're very excited to be back," said Voss." We have a great team, new year new beginnings and we're all very excited for this season," said Voss of returning for her senior season.

Also new to the mix are 10 banners as well as a "Tiger Eyes" mural in the squad's practice facility. The banners feature 16 Auburn gymnastics legends, including All-American's, and All-SEC members as well as Auburn record holders.

The McWhorter Center has added 10 banners, honoring A.J. Mills, Barbie Andrzejewski, Danielle Pitts, Heather Brown, Kerry Ragens, Lindsey Puckett, Becky Erwin, Sarah Wentworth, Courtney Puckett, Julie Dwyer, Natica Johnson, Rachel Tarantino, Kristi Boyle, Shannon Edmondson, Sally Cantrell, and Lisa Grieco.

"This is something Jeff and I have been looking to add to our facility for several years now," said Associate Head Coach Rachelle Thompson of the new addition. "Not only do the banners enhance our facility, but they honor the greatest gymnasts Auburn has had. These banners will certainly serve as an inspiration to all of our student-athletes."

Practice officially beings on Sept. 13, which includes the team's first intrasquad meet. The season opener is Jan.8 against Alabama in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum.