Dynamic Duo

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Kristin McDermott performs on the beam during a meet against Arizona State at McKale Center. She had her highest all-around score ever (39.525) in her final home meet against Arizona State

Kristin McDermott and Lisha Stone competed in their final meet of their Wildcat careers last Saturday as Arizona finished its up and down season by taking third at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Lincoln, Neb.

The two seniors came to Arizona from different backgrounds, different hometowns and with different expectations.

McDermott came in a highly regarded prospect out of Allentown Central High School in Long Branch, N.J.

"She was a highly touted freshman recruit," Arizona head coach Bill Ryden said. "Kristin was one of the top recruits in the country."

The cross country move by McDermott was a hard decision for her, but she said she was influenced by many factors.

"I really liked the business school (and) I felt academically it was a good school," McDermott said, "but the biggest thing is the coaches."

McDermott was as good as advertised, achieving All-American honors in 1996 and All-Pacific 10 Conference honors in 1998. McDermott has maintained her steady performance all four years.

"Kristin has never missed a meet in her career," Ryden said, a remarkable feat considering injuries have plagued many other UA gymnasts, including redshirt juniors Heidi Hornbeek and Maureen Kealey.

McDermott saved her best performances for the end of her Arizona career.

"This year Kristin has peaked," Ryden said, noting that in her final home meet against Arizona State she picked up her highest all-around score ever (39.525).

McDermott has shown a lot of growth throughout her stellar career but the most important thing she said she has learned is teamwork.

"The hardest part was jumping into a team atmosphere," McDermott said. "I have performed by myself since I was nine and it was hard to adjust to being a team player."

But she did adjust and she has emerged as one of the dominant leaders on the team. "Kristin is such a leader on the team," Ryden said. "Her leadership in and out of the gym is very solid."

McDermott has earned the respect of her fellow gymnasts.

"She's such a great performer," Stone said. "Kristin is always there to make people smile. She is the highlight of the team."

Stone's road to Arizona was paved out for her long before she decided to attend the school. She graduated from nearby Amphi High School in Tucson and was a fan of the Wildcats from early on in her life.

"I grew up my entire life in this community," Stone said. "I went to all the (Arizona) meets, I saw them on TV. I knew what I wanted to be... a 'Gymcat.'"

Ryden knew Stone was an avid follower but did not realize how much until he attended a Christmas party at her house.

"I walked into her bedroom and saw the walls covered with posters of past Arizona teams," he said.

Stone walked on to the team in 1996 and saw limited action for her first three years. Despite her commitment to the program, Stone hasn't been as lucky as McDermott in terms of staying healthy.

"Lisha's been hit with inopportune injuries," Ryden said.

Stone said her time at Arizona didn't pan out the way she wanted it to.

"It's been hard because I've been injured so much," she said. "It's been difficult not having accomplished all that I wanted. Time just ran out on me."

Though the two seniors took different paths to Arizona, both have been instrumental in the ongoing success of the program.

Stone credits the coaches with helping to make her experience memorable despite her injuries.

"The coaching staff has helped me make it through the rough times," she said.

McDermott agreed that Ryden has been instrumental in her success as well.

"If we ever need anything we can go to him," she said.

Both agreed their time at Arizona was well-spent.

"It was the best experience I've ever had in my life," McDermott said. "I wouldn't do anything to change it."

Stone echoed those sentiments.

"I don't ever regret the choice to come here," she said. "I've learned dedication, team unity and follow-through... we are the pride of Arizona."

Derek Larson can be reached at Derek.Larson@wildcat.arizona.edu.