UA bids farewell to Hall of Fame coach

The Wildcats (5-8 overall, 1-4 in the Pacific 10 Conference) are holding their final home meet of the season when the team faces No. 11 Minnesota at 7:30 p.m. A win tonight would not only help the team's postseason hopes, but also end head coach Jim Gault's final appearance in McKale on a good note.

Gault, who was inducted into the Amateur Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992, has coached two National Champions in Anna Basaldua and current junior Heidi Hornbeek during his 18-year tenure. He has also won the conference coach of the year title eight times and been nominated nationally twice.

"This will be a special night," Gault said. "It will be my last home meet and we will have a good number of past gymnasts there as well."

Before the meet, there will also be a ceremony recognizing the team's four seniors - Cami Banholzer, Rose McLaughlin, Nancy Milberger and Tenli Poggemeyer.

"We really want to do well for coach Gault and the seniors tonight," UA freshman Kara Fry said. "We have gotten better over the last couple of meets and I really think we will shine on Friday."

The Wildcats had their best meet of the season last week when the team defeated ninth-ranked West Virginia and Temple. While the team fell short against seventh-ranked Penn State, Arizona's score of 194.475 helped keep the team's postseason hopes alive.

Fry led the Wildcats, setting a career best in the all around with a score of 39.250.

"We really needed to have a strong meet last weekend and I think we got it," UA assistant coach Bill Ryden said. "Our girls are now recovering from their early-season injuries. We are beginning to come together as a group."