Kristin McDermott bounces back to top form

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior Kristin McDermott practices her floor routine during practice last year. McDermott scored a 9.775 in the individual performance helping the No. 21-ranked Wildcats complete a season-best performance on the beam last Saturday in Berkeley, Calif. The Wildcats won 192.050 to 190.200 over California.

The UA gymnastics team scored a 47.925 on the beam, led by McDermott's 9.775 individual performance. The mark was also assisted by the performances of freshman Randi Liljenquist (9.850) and sophomore Kara Fry (9.700).

McDermott's winning style extended past just the beam as she scored a 9.600 or higher in all of her other events as well.

"I was really excited," McDermott said. "I finally made my beam routine, as well as the floor and bars.

"I even tried a new vault on my second try and almost made that."

McDermott marked a meet-high finish for herself in the all-around with a 38.950 performance after missing a meet at Boise State the prior week due to illness.

"Kristin did very well," UA head coach Bill Ryden said. "By far she had the best performance of the weekend.

"It was very good for the team as well. We're finally making some fine tune touches to our routines."

This will be McDermott's last season as a Wildcat, but she will still be a familiar face on campus as she finishes her business major. The Brooklyn native started her academic and gymnastics career as a Wildcat in the '95-'96 school year, after completing high school at Allentown Central Catholic High in Allentown, Pa.

In 1995, she was a Level 10 state champion and in 1992 she competed in the Olympic Trials, as well as participating in the Olympic Festival in '91.

"I came to meets in Arizona with my club team," McDermott said. "And I loved it, the coaches, the academics and business program, the weather... and I got along well with the team."

Ryden said he was pleased in McDermott's choice to wear the UA letters.

"Kristin is very much a vocal leader," he said. "She speaks her mind and is very opinionated and has the gymnastic skill to back it up."

McDermott said the leadership position she fills for the team isn't much of a planned effort, but more a natural tendency.

"I feel I just come out to compete," she said. "I have been doing this so long that to me, it's just another competition, but I like to help the other girls if they're having any problems in an area."

Lending the helping hand to teammates is a factor McDermott contributed to her individual and the team's overall performance against California.

"It's one of my favorite things to be a part of a supportive team," she said. "It's a better atmosphere. It's fun to compete with everyone cheering, and it's so nice to see more people at the meets."

Two people McDermott will be especially excited to see among the crowd are her parents, James and Eileen, who will be making the trip from New York to be present at her last home collegiate meet against Arizona State March 26.

"I'm sad (that) it's coming to an end," McDermott said. "I am going to miss it. I have been involved with gymnastics since I was nine.

"I will miss the players, the coaches, working out... but, my time is done."

Ryden said a new recruit has been found to step up to the mark McDermott will be leaving behind on the UA gym floors, but he said the team will miss her leadership.

"We'll be hurting in leadership," he said. "Nothing can replace the experience of what it is like to compete at the collegiate level."

But the final tune has not been sung for McDermott as she still has a season left of performances to accomplish her season goals.

"I would like to place All-Conference," McDermott said. "And make all-around in any event. I want to hit every meet on all events and I want to work on my new vault."

She will start working on that vault this Friday when the Wildcats host Utah at McKale Center.

Kate Longworth can be reached at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.