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Ask the Team (2003 - 2004)

Ask the Team is for our fans to have the opportunity to ask anyone from the gym family something that is burning on their mind. Check out these questions from the 2003 - 2004 season!

Apr. 9, 2004 (for Elise Ray)

Kristen J. (U-M student from Bay City):
"I was just wondering when you were in the olympics you did a pass whip 1/2 rudi shushanova, why did you decide to add the shushanova after you're double full? Just curious." [Webmasters note: aren't we all?]

The former olympic captain responds:
"I wanted some variety. Gymnastics gets pretty boring if you don't change things up every one in awhile. Plus, I think it is an exciting pass to end the routine with. Another reason is that I was training a whip half full towards the beginning of the season instead of the rudi, we just recently put the rudi back in my routine, and the shus was in place already with the double full."

Mar. 31, 2004 (for a coach)

Sarah S. (gymnast from PA):
"I really like the changes that some of the girls did in their floor routines, especially Becca's! They look more exciting! Who changed them and will there be more changes made for the post season competitions?"

Bev responds:
"Thanks for noticing the changes. We used a choreographer as our volunteer coach and he came in and made a few adjustments. I really like what he did! He worked with Chris, Carol, Becca, and Lindsey. We hope to get him back at least once more! I think we are going to get him to do our camp this summer also... in the meantime, we will continue to sharpen our routines through the post season."

Mar. 25, 2004 (for Chelsea)

Abbey (Casper) M. (gymnasty fan):
"What exactly is wrong with your knee? I hope you feel better... PS- I'm coming to camp!"

The Co-Captain Chelsea talks about this in her Mar. 25 captain's corner entry...

Mar. 16, 2004 (asking a senior)

Jennifer L. (gymnast from Grand Blanc):
"What was it like for you playing in your last home meet?"

Cristina M. on the senior reply:
"Competing in the senior meet at Crisler was a bit of a bittersweet experience. It was exciting to be back at home and competing against a good team like Alabama. It was also sad to know that it was the last time competing at home with Calli, Ali and Elise after we all started together 4 years ago. It's exciting to know that we had another big crowd for the meet. The attendance has really gone up since my freshman year. It's great that more people taking an interest in our meets."

Mar. 10, 2004

Ben P. (gymnasty fan):
"Why hasn't there been a Q. of the Week posted in awhile?"

Rishi Says :
"That is an excellent question that doesn't have a clear answer :). Sometimes these things get delayed, but we'll be back on track beginning next week, so get some good questions prepared!"

Feb. 25, 2004 (for Calli)

Emily K. (U-M student):
"What is the name of the music you use for you floor routine?"

Calli Says :
"The music is a combination of two different pieces. The violin sequence is by this wacky drum and bass Dj named Aphex Twin... .I think he just titled it "Violin solo". The drum sequence however I'm not sure of...i'll ask my choreographer."

Feb. 16, 2004

Allison McMahon (gymnast from ohio):
"Is it hard being a gymnast and going to so many meets??"

Road warrior Kara Rosella says:
"By having a meet every weekend, our bodies sometimes get tired... but when we walk into an arena and see all the people there to watch some great gymnastics, we get fired up! You can only imagine about 50 percent of the excitement and sound of a cheering crowd. It's not until you are out there competing and you realize that all these fans are here for you. With that thought in mind, the adrenaline starts going and your smile is just waiting to burst out. You want to please this crowd, you want to hear the noise, it makes you run faster, jump higher, squeeze tighter, and have a ton more fun. Without the fans, a competition would just be another practice. The fans are what the meets exciting, they are the ones that turn the sport into an entertainment and performance. So everyone out there, keep on coming, we love you!!"

Feb. 13, 2004 (for Elise)

Chuck Raab (10.0 Booster):
"How did it feel to win first place in the all around at the Michigan Classic and celebrate your birthday at the same time?"

Elise Ray responded to this question in her Feb. 13 captain's corner entry...

Feb. 11, 2004

Lauren (U-M Student):
"Is Michigan going to host a NCAA Championships anytime soon?"

Assistant Coach Jo with the reply:
"Bev has asked our administration to please put a bid in for the next available National Championship (2008). We are hoping the attendance keeps improving, which would show our administration and the NCAA that the University of Michigan would be a great place to host Nationals. So, come on fans.....keep coming out and bring some friends!"

Feb. 4, 2004 (for Bev)

David (friends with Jackie @ EMU):
"I'm curious as to how you plan to approach vault this season. The team only starts from a 49.7, are we going to be seeing higher start scores later this season to be competitive at regionals and nationals?"

Bev has contemplated this:
Dear David,

A very good question. As you stated, right now we are competeing 3 vaults that do not start from a 10.0. We definetly plan to have those upgraded as the season goes along. Lindsey Bruck is working hard to add a full twist to her layout yurchenko and both Becca and Clare are working handspring front pike with a 1/2 twist. Becca can do the 1/2 but her handspring front pike is scoring higher right now. We also have Chris Mantilia perfecting a yurchenko 1/2 off layout front which is a 10.0. It is just a coaching decision right now to go with the 9.90 start value vaults because they are cleaner and will score higher than the 10.0 vaults, but we are working hard to get them ready for later in the season.

Jan. 26, 2004 (for Calli)

Erin D. (Opposing Team/Fan):
"I recently just saw your floor routine and thought your choreography and music was just outstanding!! Who did the choreography?"

Calli's very thorough response:
Originally, like my teammates, I had a routine choreographed early in September, however, the routine just didn't feel right to me. I just didn't get that thrill I usually get when performing in front of an audience. That "thrill" is what makes competing floor so much fun and I didn't want to miss out on that my senior year!

My old coach from club gymnastics suggested Dominic Zito for choreographing, and so late in December over Winter Break, Dominic and I frantically put my new routine together! It was a huge risk because my original routine was a big hit with the team (especially Bev), so the new one had to be special in order to convince Bev to allow me to compete it. Dominic was a sheer pleasure to work with, as all of his routines are innovative, unique, classy, and made to suit each individual's style and capabilities. Dominic is keen on detail and refinement. He is willing to invest all the time is takes in order to ensure that his routines will be performed to perfection!

Thanks to all who have responded with compliments - it makes me love to perform the routine all the more!

Jan. 22, 2004

Jeffrey Nardecchia (10.0 Booster):
"What is the worst injury you have had and still competed?"

Sarrie's audio response:
Click here (20 second .wav file)

Jan. 21, 2004

Jackie W. (EMU College Student):
"When can we expect to see Sarrie and Jenny in the lineup?"

Coach Bev's prediction:
"Thanks for the question, Jackie. Jenny is recovering from a sprained ankle right now. We hope to get her back in some line-ups as soon as possible. Bars will be the first event I would expect to see her in but it may still be a few weeks. Sarrie has had a few different things that have sidelined her for periods during the fall, so she is still trying to catch up and I see her making strides each day. We hope to see her in some exhibition spots fairly soon!"

Jan. 15, 2004 (for Clare)

Martin Flannery (Clare's Dad):
"r u studying?"

Clare's initial response:
"My dad wrote in to the website and asked if I was studying?? He calls me every day!"

Even more from Clare on studying (via Audio):
Click here (5 second .wav file)
Click here (9 second .wav file)

Jan. 9, 2004 (for Becca)

Becky Plinka (of Ann Arbor):
"Do you think you will compete for the all-around at all this year?? I think you are already so awesome!!"

Becca's answer:
"This year on bars we already have a really strong lineup. I'm always practicing and eventually I would like to compete bars. But the first priority is the team and we already have a strong line-up."

Webmaster's Note: Thanks for the inaugural Ask the Team question, Becky!

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