Aug. 19, 2008

AUBURN - It's that time of year again. Auburn students filtered back into lecture halls, classrooms and labs on Monday as classes for the fall semester began. Not only were students returning to campus, but Auburn gymnasts returned to the gym to gear up for the 2009 season. The Tigers return nine to its squad, but new faces are abundant, with eight freshmen joining the team.

"We are so ready for this year to get started," head gymnastics coach Jeff Thompson said. "Adding our eight freshmen to the mix with our nine upperclassmen will certainly be interesting and exciting. The upperclassmen are excited about our newcomers and are looking forward to helping them develop into Auburn student-athletes. With half our team being new, it is going to be fun to watch the chemistry develop and evolve into a team that's ready to win in January."

A trio of seniors are entering their final season on the Plains, including last year's co-SEC Gymnast of the Year Lindsey Puckett. Puckett welcomes the responsibility that comes with being a senior, especially being a veteran on a team loaded with freshmen.

"I'm excited to be back, especially as a senior," Puckett said. "That means that I have a lot of responsibility and to me that's exciting because I know that I can impact the team. I don't want to leave anything on the table and that's the mind set I'm going to have heading into the season. It's my last year and I want to leave my mark on Auburn."

Eight freshmen scattered from around the country have arrived and moved in Auburn. Composing nearly half of the 2009 roster, these freshmen could play a valuable role. Rookie Kylie Shields from Mahopac, N.Y., sees having seven other freshmen in the same situation beneficial to the team, but also to one another in making the transition to collegiate gymnastics.

"I'm excited because there are so many of us," Shields said. "I know that with so many of us, we already have expectations. We're going to look towards the older girls as role models, but we also want to be able to pull our own weight.

"A lot of us are a long way from home and having seven other girls in the same situation creates a comfort zone," Shields explained. "We'll be able to pick each other up because we all get along so well. With all of us coming from all over the country we bring more variety. I hope we can come together as a great team."

The Tigers officially begin practice Sept. 7, and open the 2009 campaign Jan. 4, at Illinois-Chicago.