The word potential was a great way to describe the Sac State gymnastics team the last two years. It was young, hard working, and improving each time they stepped out on the mat. In 2001 however, coach Kim Hughes and his team feel that they are now beyond potential, and ready to shine at the national level.

For the first time in team history, the team was given a pre-season ranking in the top 30 (29), and in its first two meets of the year they?ve been hitting on all cylinders.”We finished our first two meets with no falls,” Hughes said. “It was great to get the wins, but that was the first time, I think, since I?ve been here (23 years) that we?ve gone two meets in a row without a fall.”

Those two wins came against Cal-State Fullerton two weeks ago, and Friday night across the Causeway against UC Davis.

This year?s team will feature some key returning players from last year, who are now a year older, a year better, and they are on the right track to make themselves a contender in the NCAA?s.

Jolane Parr is coming back for her senior season, and Sophomore Toni Petersen will be looking to improve on a freshman year that made her the best all-around performer in Sac State history as she put together a score of 39.125 to pace last year?s team records of high scores.

Juniors Wendy Baisdon and Jami Scoville will also return to action this year. Baisdon has set marks of 9.9 on the uneven bars in both of the first two matches this season, and Scoville will contribute in several areas, as either an all-around performer or as an event specialist.

Adding depth to this year?s roster will be newly recruited freshman Binta Coleman. Coleman, an Elk Grove native will add depth to this team as an all-around performer, and will contribute to a couple of weaknesses in last year?s team: the vault and the beam.”This should be the strongest team that we?ve ever had,” Hughes said. “I know that?s said every year, but we?re as strong to start off this year as we were at the end of last year. “Binta (Coleman), has counted significant scores already this year in both the beam and the vault, and she will help us considerably in those areas.”

While most teams don?t get over- excited about pre-season rankings or expectations, Hughes feels that it?s important to be recognized nationally, and it will be a big plus for them.

“It makes a difference,” he said. “It matters when you?re in Division one to get that recognition because it helps you establish yourself, and the recruiting process becomes much easier.”

Right now, the Hornets are concentrating on this Saturday?s match up against Boise State, in Boise, Idaho.

“This will be a good test for us,” Hughes said. “We won our first two matches, but those were wins with local judges. Some people will put that against us, but when we get to Boise, and get some out of state judges looking at us, we will see how well we can really do. It will be a good test on the road.”