Gymnastics: Pioneers ready for challenge

Posted: 08 Jan 2011 02:55 AM PST

TWU gymnasts open Kudlac's final season

12:25 AM CST on Saturday, January 8, 2011

By Todd Jorgenson / Sports Editor

With each milestone passed by TWU this season, the reality sinks in further for Frank Kudlac. It's his last time doing this or that.

Tonight, the longtime TWU gymnastics coach will begin his 33^rd and final season when the Pioneers face Centenary in a season-opening dual meet in Shreveport, La.

Kudlac, who launched the TWU program in 1978 and has coached the Pioneers in hundreds of meets since, plans to retire this spring. And while he acknowledges that this final season always will be special to him, he doesn't want the focus of the season to be one long farewell tour.

"Obviously, every day I think about it," Kudlac said. "I know what a senior feels like now. I'm trying not to take anything for granted. I'm trying to absorb and enjoy every day and every practice."

For the TWU gymnasts, the impending departure of their leader provides some extra incentive before the reins are turned over to associate head coach Lisa Bowerman, who will lead the program next season.

"I think it gives each and every one of us a little extra motivation," said senior Mollie Blessing. "We want it to be special for him."

From a results standpoint, Kudlac admits things might not be too special at the outset, with TWU entering the season trying to deal with a variety of injuries to key contributors.

Among those who won't be at full strength during the first several meets are junior Rashonda Cannie and sophomore Kristin Edwards, who were the Pioneers' most consistent all-around scorers a year ago. Cannie has won back-to-back all-around titles at the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships.

"Injuries are common in gymnastics," Blessing said. "I think we've trained all season with that mentality, that everybody has to be prepared. I think a lot of people have stepped up."

While it could be a month or more before Cannie and Edwards are competing all-around this season, the Pioneers will compete with a younger lineup -- including a few freshmen -- that will be focused on clean routines (with lower degrees of difficulty, in many cases) and gaining experience for the future.

"It's going to be late February before everybody is back and strong," Kudlac said. "A lot of people will get some experience at first."

One of the top gymnasts at the outset should be sophomore Brittany Johnson, who won a USAG individual title on balance beam last year. Johnson is expected to compete in all-around this season, beginning with the Centenary meet.

Another gymnast who should factor into the TWU lineup on a regular basis is Blessing, who returns from a back injury that sidelined her last season. She will compete on vault and floor exercise.

Junior Chaynade Knowles (floor, uneven bars, vault) and sophomore Amy Winczura (vault, beam, floor) also should be among the top scorers for the Pioneers, along with Bethany Larimer, a sophomore from Richardson and newcomer on the roster who originally signed with Kentucky. Utah native Paisley Read highlights a promising freshman class.

The goal becomes for TWU to gradually improve and peak near the end of the season, in time for the USAG national meet, which TWU has won a record nine times.

"I'm looking forward to the season because I think it could be one of the best teams we've ever had," Kudlac said. "The key word for everyone is patience. We can see the potential, but it's just going to require some time to bring everybody along."

For the returnees on TWU's roster, another source of motivation will be a heartbreaking defeat to Bridgeport during the 2010 USAG national meet at Kitty Magee Arena, in which the Pioneers fell by less than a half-point after leading much of the way.

"It really is hard when you lost it just by a few tenths [of a point]," Johnson said. "So when you come back, you have that fire in you."

It was the second straight year in which critical mistakes cost the Pioneers a chance at a national title, and Kudlac said his upperclassmen are more determined as a result.

"I know that doesn't sit well with the girls who won it the year before [in 2008]," he said. "Basically, we gave away two national championships, and if that's not motivation, then I don't know what is."

The schedule again is challenging for TWU, including a home opener against perennial power Oklahoma on Jan. 23, and road meets at BYU, Oklahoma and Arizona, among others.

The USAG meet will be April 8-10 in Colorado Springs, Colo., where Kudlac hopes the Pioneers will emerge with a 10^th national crown.

"I want to finish on a high note," he said.

TODD JORGENSON can be reached at 940-566-6871. His e-mail address is tjorgenson@dentonrc.com.

SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Jan. 8 at Centenary 7 p.m.

Jan. 15 at Denver 7 p.m.

Jan. 23 Oklahoma 4 p.m.

Jan. 29 Winona State, Hamline (Minn.) 7 p.m.

Feb. 5 SE Missouri State 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 at BYU 8 p.m.

Feb. 19 at SE Missouri State 7 p.m.

Feb. 26 Illinois State, Centenary 7 p.m.

March 4 at Oklahoma 7 p.m.

March 11 at Arizona 8 p.m.

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Saturday, January 8, 2011