UA gymnasts get two All-Americans back from injuries

Jeffrey Williams Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore gymnast Kara Fry works on her floor routine Tuesday afternoon. The Wildcats face Pac-10 rival Oregon State tonight at McKale Center at 7:30 with the return of seniors Heidi Hornbeek and Maureen Kealy, who did not perform last year due to injuries.

"We really didn't want to rush them back into the lineup, but both girls feel they can compete a high level already," UA head coach Bill Ryden said.

Both Hornbeek and Kealey are returning from early season ending injuries in 1998, with Hornbeek's shoulder injury so severe that she was only given a 50 percent chance of coming back to gymnastics.

"I am excited, but it will probably still be a late decision on some of the events," said Hornbeek, who has been tentatively scheduled for the all-around. "I have been working real hard to get back to competition so the Oregon State meet will help me determine where I'm at."

In 1996 both gymnasts earned All-American status in the bars, floor and all-around. Kealey, however, will not compete in the floor event tonight because of the strain put on her healing left leg.

"I am not really 100 percent yet," Kealey said. "It still hurts when I do my floor routine and on my vault landings."

Arizona's two returning All-Pac-10 performers, senior Kristin McDermott and sophomore Kara Fry, will also make their return to the all-around. This gives the Wildcats a lineup consisting of four All-Pac-10 gymnasts, with McDermott joining Hornbeek and Kealey as former All-Americans.

"This is by far the deepest lineup we have had in a while," Ryden said. "Not only is there a great deal of talent, but also some big-time experience in competition."

Tonight will also mark the collegiate debut of three freshman gymnasts.

Brooke Stan is penciled in for the vault, bars and floor event, Randi Liljenquist will perform in beam and floor, and Emily Peterman will do bars.

"I'm real excited about the meet," Stan said. "My parents are coming in and it is going to be a great opportunity for me to perform well."