Battletested: McDermott emerges to lead depleted Wildcat team

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Kristin McDermott

She was competing in the Olympic trials.

"I was so nervous when I stepped out to perform," McDermott said. "But I felt like I gave a great effort and really enjoyed the competition."

And while McDermott came up two spots short of making the team six years ago, that experience has helped her emerge as one of the leaders on an injury-depleted Arizona gymnastics team.

"Kristin is an excellent competitor and someone we have a lot of confidence in," senior teammate Cami Banholzer said. "She has done a great job in the all around."

She also enjoys collegiate team competition over the cut-throat attitude she witnessed in individual competition.

"At Arizona, I feel almost like the member of a big family on this team," McDermott said. "As teammates we can sort of feel each other's pain and give each other advice. It's much more enjoyable and fulfilling to win as a team than as an individual."

And even though McDermott hails from New Jersey, she has been a perfect fit at Arizona since her arrival.

"She obviously liked Arizona from the moment she stepped on the campus," UA gymnastics coach Jim Gault said. "We noticed that she was very sincere and had an engaging personality. She looked like a Wildcat right off the bat."

McDermott, a 1996 All-American in the beam and 1997 NCAA national competitor, is currently UA's sole all around competitor after season-ending injuries to juniors Heidi Hornbeek and Maureen Kealey. She was one of the few bright spots in Friday's meet against Utah, recording a 38.250 to take third place in the all around.

"Ever since we entered her in the all around in last year's regional (tournament), Kristin has performed well in that role," Gault said. "Her success has continued this season partly because the NCAA will allow (gymnasts) to perform the Yurichenko vault (a round off to the springboard, punching backward onto the horse).

After a successful freshman campaign in which she earned second-team All America status in the beam event, McDermott suffered a costly leg injury that plagued her during most of her sophomore season. But as the team entered the Midwest Regionals late in the season, Gault decided to put McDermott in the all around for the first time in her career.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, McDermott topped Arizona with an eighth place finish, earning herself a spot in the NCAA Championships. And while her success last season has opened the door to a prospering 1998 season, the physical demands of performing every event each day will take some adjustments.

Gault was also a little concerned about McDermott's stamina when the season began, but her work ethic and recent strength improvements changed his idea.

"We were worried about her strength at first," Gault said. "And while she doesn't have the great muscle definition, she is deceptively strong."

McDermott is also working on upgrading her vault to the 10.0 level in competition.

Her current Yurichenko vault earns only a 9.8 if done properly, making it the only event not judged on a 10.0 scale.

"Right now I am practicing a new vault and hope to start performing it pretty soon," she said. "I'm also going to be adding a new dismount on the bars."

In the mean time, McDermott's consistency and high-scoring ability continues to lead the Wildcats against top opponents.

"Kristin's play has really helped our confidence, especially with all the injuries we've had," said senior Nancy Milberger, who is currently inactive due to a knee problem. "We know that she always goes out there and gives her best and that is a big boost for our team."

Coming Along

McDermott, a 1996 All-America in the beam and 1997 NCAA national competitor, became UA's sole all around competitor after season-ending injuries to juniors Heidi Hornbeek and Maureen Kealey last weekend. Here's a look at her progress.

1996: In her first time competing in the all around for UA, McDermott finished eighth at the Midwest Regionals - becoming the Wildcats' only gymnast to make the NCAA Championships. Her 21st finish at the NCAA's was not good enough to qualify her for the finals.

Jan. 9 against Boise State: Placed second in the all around with a 37.775 mark in Arizona's win over the Broncos.

Jan. 16 against Utah: Finished third with a 38.250 all around score as the Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season.