The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: FRANNIE FABIAN Freshman Cassidy McComb performs on the balance beam at Stegeman Coliseum in a meet against Iowa State. Beginning today, the Gym Dogs will be held up in a hotel room without any outside contact to prepare for competition. [Click to enlarge]

There are a number of ways to deal with the pressure that comes with hosting the NCAA Championships, but head coach Suzanne Yoculan is trying something new this year.

Though the championship is taking place at Stegeman Coliseum, the Gym Dogs will be leaving their respective dorm rooms and apartments behind as they check into a hotel at 9:30 this morning.

Yoculan also said she plans to take away the gymnasts' cell phones to avoid "those 3 a.m. phone calls."

The Gym Dogs seem to be taking their week-long lockdown in stride, but the news of a cell phone ban came as a surprise.

"She's taking away our phones?" sophomore Courtney McCool asked.

"She mentioned it a while ago, but we didn't think she was serious," freshman Cassidy McComb said. "I hope my phone doesn't get taken away."

Serious or not, it is clear Yoculan is taking no chances as the No. 1 Gym Dogs look to claim their fourth consecutive title on their home floor, where success has not always been a guarantee.

The Gym Dogs won the first championships held in Athens in 1989, but have not captured a title on their home floor since.

Georgia finished a disappointing fifth place at home in 1995 and fell to UCLA the last time Athens hosted in 2001.

Though history is not necessarily on the Gym Dogs' side, the current crop of gymnasts still views its home floor, hotel stay and all as an advantage.

"People can see a disadvantage to us being at home and being able to be distracted by friends and family, but we've been reassured that that's not going to happen, and our team is very determined to stick to that policy," McComb said.

McCool said the Gym Dogs' schedule this week will follow the pattern of the team's road trips during the regular season.

Continued...

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