NCAA Regional Fields Announced
March 26, 2012
SEATTLE - Several Husky gymnasts along with their coaches and staff members watched the first-ever NCAA Selection Show on NCAA.com for their sport on Monday afternoon in the Conibear Shellhouse.
UW already knew it was hosting one of the six regionals this season at Alaska Airlines Arena on April 7 at 4 p.m., but wasn't sure which other teams would be joining them. As the region fields were announced, UW found out that some familiar opponents would be returning to Seattle.
The No. 1 seed in Seattle is Alabama who won the 2011 National Championship. LSU is the second seed, followed by Arizona, Washington, Iowa and Central Michigan. Five all-arounders and four event specialists from teams that did not make the tournament will also be at each regional site.
The top two teams from each region will compete at the NCAA Championships April 20-22 in Duluth, Ga. The top two all-arounders from teams that don't advance will head to nationals along with each event winner if they aren't from one of the top two teams.
UW was the No. 3 seed in the Norman, Okla., regional last season and finished third, just missing out on nationals, scoring a 195.300. Individually, Aliza Vaccher represented UW at nationals in the all-around in 2011. The Huskies have not advanced to nationals as a team since 1998.
LSU visited Seattle on Feb. 17 for a tri-meet with Seattle Pacific, defeating UW, 196.450-194.975. The Huskies have also seen Arizona twice, on Feb. 24 for a dual meet and then at the Pac-12 Championships. The Wildcats finished ahead of the Huskies in both meets. Central Michigan competed at UW this year in a tri-meet on March 9 with San Jose State. UW won that meet with a 196.350.
The rotation order has also been announced, as UW gets the edge going in Olympic order, starting on vault. Alabama will start on bars, Iowa on beam, Central Michigan on floor and Arizona and LSU will start with byes.
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster online. Fans can also purchase tickets at the Husky Ticket Office in person or by calling (206) 543-2200.
Tickets are $12 for reserved seating, $9 for general admission adult, $6 for children and students and $4 for the group discount of 15+.
March Group Ticket Contest!
For the month of March, the group that calls the Husky Ticket Office and pre-purchases the most Group Tickets will win an exclusive pre-meet Pizza Party in the Founder's Club of Alaska Airlines Arena. The Pizza Party will begin at 2:30pm before the 4:00pm NCAA Regionals Meet on April 7th. Pizza, refreshments, and Husky Gymnastics give-a-ways will be available for your entire group!
Also, Husky Assistant Coach Elise Ray, an Olympic bronze medalist with the U.S. National Gymnastics Team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics will welcome your group. This past summer Ray was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame! The Group Sales Contest ends April 1st. Bring your family, friends, or entire gymnastics club to NCAA Regionals!
Call the Husky Ticket Office at #206.543.2200 to order your Group Tickets.
