Pickens leads a precocious Alabama team that will be a step behind Georgia's. Ravel Call/NCAA Photos

1. GEORGIA
Coming off a 29-meet unbeaten streak over the past two seasons, the Gym Dogs are in pursuit of the three-peat that has eluded teams since Utah's run in the mid-1980s. Although two-time NCAA all-around runner-up Karin Lichey has graduated, little sister Kristi, a four-time All-America, leads a well-rounded squad that has won two straight national titles and includes All-Americas Brooke Andersen (vault), Amanda Curry (vault, beam) and Suzanne Sears (vault).

2. ALABAMA
Headlined by its super six, a strong sophomore group led by 1999 balance beam co-champion and five-time All-America Andreé Pickens, the Crimson Tide might still be young but no longer inexperienced. With only two significant contenders lost to graduation, Alabama will post its 13th top three finish in 15 years and has a good chance at closing in on archrival Georgia, with whom it jockeyed for the top spot throughout the 1999 regular season.

3. UTAH
Led by Greg Marsden, the winningest coach in collegiate gymnastics history and the owner of a record 10 national titles, the Utes have the nation's top gymnast, sophomore Theresa Kulikowski, a 1996 Olympic alternate who captured the NCAA all-around title last year. Junior Shannon Bowles has the potential to join Kulikowski at the top of the all-around rankings.

4. UCLA
This season belongs to Heidi Moneymaker, who finished third in all-around competition last year despite two sprained ankles, while the Bruins' future is in the hands of freshman Sarah Deegan, the 1997 Canadian all-around champion, and two-time defending U.S. all-around champion Kristin Maloney, who signed a letter of intent to compete at UCLA after the 2000 Olympics.

5. MICHIGAN
The runner-up at last year's NCAA championships enters 2000 having graduated five gymnasts, including All-Americas Nikki Peters and Lisa Simes. First team All-Americas Bridget Knable (floor) and Karina Senior (beam) will rejoin Sarah Cain, Michigan's most solid performer in 1999.

6. ARIZONA STATE
Hoping to keep up the momentum from last year's fourth-place finish at nationals, the Sun Devils will be anchored by senior Elizabeth Reid, who regained her form of 1997, the year she took the NCAA balance beam title.

7. LSU
At the NCAA championships last year LSU came within five hundredths of a point of qualifying for the Super Six team finals and posted three top 10 finishes in the individual event finals, a best-ever showing that can only be improved upon by senior Stacey Wegener and this year's all-veteran team.

8. NEBRASKA
Last season's NCAA Coach of the Year, Dan Kendig, has an improving team that features two-time U.S. national team member Heather Brink, whose fifth-place all-around finish at nationals last year was the highest in Huskers history. Brink is also the first Husker to compete in the Pan Am Games.

9. PENN STATE
With top all-arounders Ellen Casey and Missy Leopoldus gone, this year's team is going to have to work hard to reach its sixth straight NCAAs. Expect Nikki Smith, who placed 12th last year in all-around competition, to put up big numbers.

10. OREGON STATE
Having lost only two seniors, this young team will be led by Pac-10 floor champion Lara Degenhardt. But keep an eye on freshmen all-arounders Annie Campbell and Tanya Ricioli.

Hot Dates

Jan. 8
Super Six Challenge, University of Georgia

April 13-15
NCAA championships, Boise State University

Cybersources

www.usa-gymnastics.org
USA Gymnastics' official site

www.troester.com/gym/
Updated rankings and links
to team sites

Division II

Like Texas Woman's University's championship year of 1996, when a dynastic incoming class made up for the loss of six seniors, 10 talented freshmen -- including Texas high school national team member Patty Walpert and Denver-area standout Luci Romberg -- will fortify an inexperienced Pioneers team.

Division III