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Gymnastics still searching for win

In search of its first Pacific 10 Conference win, the Arizona gymnastics team returns to McKale Center tonight against the California Golden Bears and the Southern Utah Thunderbirds.

"Wins and losses aren't relevant in gymnastics," head gymnastics coach Bill Ryden said. "Building our score every meet will help us qualify for regionals at the end of the season, and that's our main goal."

The meet will bring the Thunderbirds (1-2) and the Wildcats (3-4 overall, 0-2 Pac-10) head-to-head for the first time.

The other challenger for the Wildcats, the Golden Bears (1-3, 0-3 Pac-10), are coming off a season-high team total of 192.00 in a home loss against Oregon State. The Wildcats beat the Golden Bears last season and are hoping that a repeat performance will earn them their first Pac-10 victory.

"The only way to get better at competing in meets is to simply compete," Ryden said. "And with every meet the girls are gaining confidence."

UA senior All-American Heidi Hornbeek is getting healthier everyday and will likely compete in more than one event in tonight's 7:30 meet.

The Wildcats also will count on sophomore Randi Liljenquist and freshman Nikki Beyschau to give solid performances in all four events.

Liljenquist scored a career-high 39.125 in the all-around against San Jose State, winning her second all-around title in her career.

"She (Liljenquist) has a lot of intangibles," Ryden said. "She loves what she is doing, and that really comes out in her performances."

Beyschau has lifted the team with her consistent performance in all four events and holds the top Arizona individual scores on the vault (9.775) and the bars (9.9) this season.

"Nikki is doing very well for her first collegiate season," Ryden said. "She is always smiling, and the judges see that when she competes."