April 15, 1998

General Comments

Utah Head Coach Greg Marsden: We're glad to be here. It's going to be a great meet. I think a lot of teams can do well. I think we all agree that Georgia is the favorite. We're looking forward to some great competition.

North Carolina State Coach Mark Stevenson: It will be a lot of fun to compete in this meet. The team competition will be great.

Georgia Head Coach Suzanne Yoculan: First, I'd like to congratulate Mark on his first appearance in the NCAA Championships. I remember how much fun my first time here was. This meet will be decided on two things: steps and falls. The team that makes fewer steps and falls will be the winner.

What are you working on?

Georgia's Kim Arnold: We're very focused. Everyone is giving everything they have. They can't wait to compete and get better.

Yoculan: Staying warm. We've always practiced very hard. All season we've practiced hard. We're going to go full out.

Are you concerned about defending your all-around title?

Arnold: Not at all. We're focused on winning the team title. One of my main goals coming to Georgia was to win the team title.

Favorite event to start on?

Marsden: Beams and bars are the toughest. It's tough to control your emotions on those events. I've always said vault is the best place to start. If you take steps or fall, you get another chance. On no other event do you get a second chance.

Yoculan: (jokingly) We want beam first, of course. We've had it the last couple of years. We're ready for it.

First time experience for NC State.

Stephanie Wall, NC State senior captain: My four years have been a great building process. Everyone has been focused on the same goal. We've all put our hearts and souls into it. It means just as much to them (the freshmen) as it does to the seniors.

Alabama Head Coach Sarah Patterson: I remember the last time UCLA hosted the championship, when I walked into the arena and saw my peers and the athletes. It made me think back to the '84 Olympics which were here and how far this sport has come... It never gets old to come to the culmination of your sport. It is truly an honor to be here. Three conference champions are not here. It shows the parity in the sport.

ASU Head Coach John Spini: We are happy to be here. I think we are the heart attack team. I didn't think we would be here after missing our first event at regionals.

UCLA Head Coach Valorie Kondos: I was here in 1984 (last time UCLA hosted) as an assistant coach. I am thrilled to be granted the championship again this year. For the first time in fourteen years the championship is west of the Rockies. We had a great year. All my peers know what it is like to repeat. Every year is a different team, whether you lose one or more athletes. Stella threw in some drama for us at regionals. We used to be able to take it for granted that you are going to the National Championships. We are truly thrilled to be here and to be hosting.

Georgia is the strongest team on the floor. If they open the door, we will be ready to take it from them. I have not seen most of the teams in this year's 12, but I feel we are prepared. We have hit under stressful situations in the past and are ready.

Washington Head Coach Bob Levesque: It is great to be in L.A. and not have to travel half way across the world to compete. It is the first time we have made back-to-back trips to the NCAAs. This is our best team ever at Washington. We won the regionals for the first time ever. No one can take anything for granted tomorrow. It will be a battle tomorrow.

LSU Head Coach D-D Breaux: The important thing in this meet is consistency. The team started slowly and progressed toward the conference championships being the best team we could possibly be.

BYU Head Coach Brad Cattermole: This is a meet that has more teams that are capable of doing well than any I have seen before.

Florida Head Coach Judi Markell: Each year I am astounded by how much better it (NCAA Championships) gets. I think anybody can get into the Super Six and anybody can be on the awards stand. I think we are in the best shape we've been in all season.

Florida Gymnast Susan Hines: I just try to keep to myself and worry about myself and not worry about what other people are doing.

Penn State Steve Shephard: This is probably the best team we've had at Penn State. What we've told our team all year is to focus on the process.

Michigan Head Coach Bev Plocki: The field this year is a little different. I think that goes to show that the teams that are here have fought a lot and have done a lot. I think any of them have the opportunity to be on the awards stand and win a championship. Our goal will be to hit 24 for 24 routines. If we do this then we will have absolutely nothing to regret. We've had some struggles, but we've come together. I have not seem them this fired up in the last however many times we've been to a championship.

Our biggest strength is the depth of our program and it is also our savior. I think that at about the three-quarter point of the season we realized what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger.