Feb. 28, 2002

Santa Barbara, Calif.

Sometimes emotional tributes effect a team's concentration, other times they motivate a team. In the case of UCSB's womens gymnastics squad the tribute, which led to an emotional outpouring, was a jump start to their best performance of the season.

The Kminek's, Marion and Frank, parents of coach-to-be Mari-Rae Sopper, where flown out on the team's expense, for a tribute to the life of truly special individual.

"When ever Mari- Rae Sopper did something, she did it in a big way, with long lasting effects," said Marion Sopper, "She will be remembered for her loyalty, strong values, excellent work ethics and spirit for life."

The season, dedicated to the memory of Sopper, has been one filled with numerous obstacles on and off the mat. This squad has been characterized by their resiliency this season, an attribute Sopper would have truly valued.

"I can picture Mari-Rae out their with these girls,' said Kminek, "I can see characteristics of her in all of them, they are a very focused, motivated and inspirational group. I will do anything in my power to help keep this program alive, because that was my daughters dream."

The meet, in which the team set a season high team score (188.525), was unfortunately not as successful on the individual level, as the Gauchos failed to place any gymnast in the top three.

Eastern Michigan took the team title with a score of 193.525, following by San Jose State (192.250), UC Davis (190.600), and UCSB.

Outstanding Freshmen Nicole Longnecker set career highs for the second straight meet. Those personal records were on the floor exercise, where she scored 9.725, and in the individual all-around competition (38.425). Both of Longnecker's scores were team highs and she missed the top three in the all around by just .275.

Of all the Gauchos, sophomore Lesley Ross has been by far the most consistent and this didn't change tonight. Ross recorded team high scores on the balance beam (9.675), and uneven parallel bars (9.500), showing again that she has no room for a sophomore slump in her routines.

Look for the Gauchos to build on the momentum gain in this meet as they travel to San Jose State next Saturday for a dual meet with the Spartans. Santa Barbara returns home in two weeks for their final home meet of the season. Friday, March 8th the Gauchos will take on UC Davis, Boise State, and Air Force.

Team Results 1. Eastern Michigan, 193.225; 2. San Jose State, 192.250; 3. UC Davis, 190.600; 4. UCSB, 188.525.

Individual All-Around 1. Flora Bare, UC Davis, 38.775; 2. Dani Albright, SJSU, & Natalie Hashimoto, Eastern Michigan.

Vault 1. Natalie Hashimoto, Eastern Michigan, 9.875; 2. Dani Albright, SJSU, 9.800; 3. Laura Holensworth, Eastern Michigan, 9.775.

Uneven Parallel Bars 1. Ericka Ruelas, UC Davis, 9.850; 2. Natalie Hashimoto, Eastern Michigan, 9.750; 3. Flora Bare, UC Davis, 9.725.

Floor Exercise 1. Sara Wasilenko, Eastern Michigan, 9.950; 2. Kim Cianci, SJSU, & Dani Albright, SJSU, 9.900.

Balance Beam 1. Dani Albright, SJSU, 9.750, 2. Jessie Spindler, Eastern Michigan, 9.725; 3. Missy Thompson, Eastern Michigan, 9.700.