STANFORD, Calif. – When Kristen Smyth was named Stanford's head coach in 2001, many Cardinal gymnasts did not know what to expect.
The team had just come off a Pac-10 title season and an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Championships. It was the program's fourth trip to the NCAA Championships in its 24-year history.
However, the team was unable to capture the program's elusive first Super Six appearance.
That would change.
Smyth and her staff worked quickly to connect with members of the team, set high expectations and went to work.
Stanford continued to grow and began to peak during the postseason. The Cardinal won the North Central Regional – the program's second regional title – and qualified for the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive year, the first time it had qualified in back-to-back years.
The Cardinal collected individual accolades along the way, two winning Pac-10 individual titles, and three combining for four regional championships. Three Cardinal earned four All-America honors.
The most important accomplishment came when the Cardinal edged Minnesota, Florida and Oregon State to place third in their NCAA prelim and claimed the competition's final Super Six berth. It was a performance that helped Stanford become one of the nation's elite programs.
Since 2002, Stanford is one of only seven in the nation to make at least seven Super Six appearances, joining Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, UCLA, and Utah. Stanford has qualified for 12 of the past 15 NCAA Championships, including nine of the past 10.
But the 2002 team was the first, accomplishing something no other Stanford team had.
The memories and emotions are still as fresh as they were 15 years ago.
Kendall Beck
» Human Biology
» Vault, Beam
» Gastroenterology fellow at the University of California San Francisco"We had a close knit team in 2001-02. Our collective goal was to get Stanford women's gymnastics to the pinnacle of collegiate athletics, and we knew we had the talent to to do that, it was just a matter of believing in ourselves.
"Our seniors were instrumental in instilling the confidence in us that we needed to compete at this high level, and by the time NCAA's came around, we were able to put all of our best performances together, to have the most successful year SWG had ever had by that point. We ended the qualifying competition on the vault, and each vault built on the one before it, raising the excitement of the evening.
"While we were thrilled to qualify to Super Six, it felt almost expected, given all the hard work we had put in the months leading up to this night. The Super Six competition was simply icing on the cake for us!"
Alissa Cooper
» Computer Science
» Vault, Bars
» Engineer"We were very close as a team that year. I think we sort of knew the whole season that if we could put together our best set of performances we would have a good shot at making the Super Six, but it was still such a thrilling achievement on the day of the prelim -- followed by the realization that we'd have to put the whole meet together again the following day!
"I think at the time it felt like an important milestone, but also an opening into a bright future for the program, and the teams since have certainly built on that success."
Mandy Delgado Heerboth
» Human Biology, Sociology
» Vault, Beam, Floor
» Pediatric Nurse Practitioner"It was incredible to be a part of the 2002 Stanford women's gymnastics team. We fought hard the entire year, battled through adversity, and brought everything together for the NCAAs.
We were thrilled to make it to the Super Six for the first time in school history and there was so much excitement throughout the competition. It felt like it was the beginning of a new era for the Stanford women's gymnastics program, and I am honored to have been apart of it."
Caroline Fluhrer Traube
» Civil Engineering
» All-Around
» Building Performance Engineer"I recall entering the fall of 2001 feeling pretty uncertain as we were getting to know our brand new coaching staff. That uncertainly quickly turned to extreme enthusiasm as we all soon realized that we were extremely lucky to have landed with Kristen.
"Besides new coaches, the most memorable aspect of the 2002 season for me was being led by three amazing seniors in Katy Herbert, Becky Meldrum, and Kristen Jensen. I looked up to them tremendously and they really set the tone for what it meant to be a part of SWG.
"As the season progressed and we got healthier and more consistent, I think we realized how competitive we could be. At NCAA's, everyone covered for each other when it mattered most and we qualified for our first ever Super Six!"
Abby Gair Gaffney
» Political Science
» All-Around
» Attorney and Mom"As a senior in high school, I remember choosing Stanford over other quality programs with the hopes of being a part of a team that was taking a step to the next level. SWG 2002 did just that.
"As a team, our goal at the start of the season was to be competing on the floor on that last day of the season. We did that.
"Super Six was my last competition, and to be out on the floor that day with such an amazing group of teammates accomplishing that goal was, simply, unforgettable. I am blessed to be a part of the SWG family!"
Shelly Goldberg
» Mechanical Engineering
» Vault, Floor
» Director of Mac Product Design at Apple"I was a sophomore during the 2001-2002 season, and we had a large sophomore class (five girls). That year, my class was a lot more mature and prepared for a college competition season compared to our freshman year - we knew what to expect in terms of the long season, weekly competitions, and the need to balance school work and training.
"It was also our first season with Kristen Smyth as our coach, so we were starting new team traditions and learning her expectations as well. I think we had a big of a slow start that year, but Kristen always did such a good job pacing us to make sure we were at our peak and healthiest at the end of the season.
"I remember all of us being beyond excited when we qualified for Super Six - we had a bit of a rough start in the qualifying round, but the team pulled together so well for the later events, and we managed for qualify. We were all so happy for our amazing seniors (Becky, Katy, and Kristin) who had provided so much leadership to our team throughout the year.
"It was so special for them to have their last college competition be Stanford's first Super Six appearance."
Katy Herbert Kotlarczyk
» American Studies; MA Psychology; MBA (DePaul University)
» All-Around
» Department Head and Senior Director of Gift Planning and Leadership Giving for the University of Colorado System"My senior year, a new head gymnastics coach came to Stanford women's gymnastics. She's still there today, but back then we didn't know if Kristen Smyth would stick around (pun intended).
"I remember the team patiently explaining during her interviews and introductions that this would not be a building year for her. Some of us - three seniors - only had one year left and we weren't going to let it just slide away. It wasn't too far into the season when the same seniors pulled the young team (six freshman!) into a huddle on the floor before practice, reminding them that this was not going to be their building year either.
"But wow, we had a lot of fun creating something together. I remember the chaotic blur of the whole thing with some sharper moments: standing with our families on Senior Night, sticking my new vault the day of the NCAA qualifying around, and the tight breathless hug we shared as a team when we found out we made it to the Super Six. I still get chills.
"It's something I'll proudly carry with me forever, even as this mom of three young kids balances a whole new set of crazy - makes that old beam seem easy!"
Kristin Jensen
» Human Biology
» Bars, Floor
Lise Leveille
» Biomechanical Engineering, Human Biology
» All-Around
» Orthopedic Surgeon"The 2001-02 season was a special one because we worked really hard together as a team. At the end of the year all our hard work paid off and we made SWG history! Now, 15 years later, I remember less of the details of that year but cherish the relationships developed every day."
Becky Meldrum
» BA Human Biology, MA Cultural and Social Anthropology
» Bars, Beam, Floor
» Naturopathic Doctoral Student at Bastyr University and Mom"I have fond and vivid memories about SWG and making the Super Six in 2002. Making Super Six was not only a highlight of my Stanford career but a highlight of my entire gymnastics career. Overall, it was incredible to be part of a close-knit, record-making team led by Kristen Smyth during her debut as head coach at Stanford.
"However, one of the greatest parts of SWG is the feeling of team and family that includes team members who came after my time at Stanford, and especially, team members who came before. As a freshman, I was amazed, and sometimes astounded, by the tales of the upperclassmen and all they went through to help make the wonderful team of which I had just become a part.
"Without question, our success as seniors in 2002 would not have been possible without the hard work and passion of those women who came before us."
Marla Ranieri Pituch
» Human Biology
» Vault, Beam, Floor
» Doctor of Physical Therapy, Director of Preventative Services at Drayer Physical Therapy and App developer (HEP for Me)"It was a great feeling to be part of such an amazing team. Everybody on the team contributed in their own unique way and was an integral part of our success.
"I remember the seniors setting the tone from the day I arrived on campus and everyone just feeding off of each others energy. Our team was extremely close and everyone had the same goal.
"My favorite memory was just hugging each other after the competition and looking at each other knowing that we did exactly what we set out to do. When you have one team with one goal anything is possible and that's what I remember most about that year."
Kelsey Stillinger
» Product Design
» Vault, Beam, Floor
» Toy Designer"Our team that year was energetic, enthusiastic, and a very cohesive group. We were all such great friends inside and outside of the gym, which made our success even more special.
"I remember practices being tough - our competitive nature with each other fueled us to be better athletes individually and as a team. Then when it all came together and we made super six it was thrilling - I'll never forget the atmosphere that night, we were all buzzing with excitement."
Lindsay Wing Logan
» Human Biology
» All-Around
» Leads a global content marketing team at Twitter"What I remember most about the 2002 season was that it was a season of firsts -- it was Kristen's first season as head coach, and it was the first time that we made Super Six. Even though Stanford had never done it before, we believed that we could (and should!) be competing on the last day of the year with the top programs in the country.
"To see that belief become reality was incredibly rewarding, and served as motivation for us to make it back again. We had an amazing group of seniors graduating that year as well, so it was really special to send them off on such a high note."
Kristen Smyth
» Head Coach"They were a tough, hungry group with something to prove. As a first year head coach it was inspiring to walk into a program that was so committed to each other and to the goals we set out to accomplish.
"They were also a spirited group, extremely welcoming, and excited to break new ground. With great leadership, talent and a ton of heart they found their way into the Super Six and made SWG history.
"It was an honor to coach them. They were hard working, passionate about the sport, they believed in each other and the program, and forged relationships that will last a lifetime. They helped set the foundation for future teams."
Larissa Fontaine
» Assistant Coach"The 2002 season was a magical year - it was a team on a mission, led by a seasoned senior class in Katy, Jens, and Becky, and our brand new head coach Kristen. As an assistant coach and alum, it was incredible to go from missing NCAAs in 2000 to making our first ever Super Six in just two years.
"Now, 15 years later, Stanford is a consistent national presence, has continued to demonstrate excellence both in the gym and in the classroom, and makes me forever proud and grateful to be part of SWG. "
Steve Ohel
» Assistant Coach"There was a sense of mutual respect shared by all coaches and athletes. We had trust in one another and shared a common goal to achieve a successful season by becoming better at what we do, challenging ourselves to learn new things and most of all, to enjoy the journey.
"I was struck by how diverse and unified our team was. I was fortunate to work with a team of intense, talented, funny, thoughtful, and surprising people. Those traits were not dispersed throughout the team - you could find all of them within each individual. We had a harmony that was so fluid it could be taken for granted. When you have all of that, success is inevitable.
"But it didn't happen by chance. Head Coach Kristen Smyth has an acute sense of what it takes to achieve success. Not only does she maintain a strong intuition when it comes to assembling a successful team, but she also understands both the technical and instinctual aspects of training, like when to peak, when to step up the intensity, when to ease off and how to mentally prepare and motivate the team both as a whole and as individuals."
Scott Green
» Volunteer Assistant Coach"That group was hungry for a team final. Hardworking, they always went the extra mile. They were trailblazers. We challenged them to be the hardest working team in the country, and they embraced the challenge. They loved that challenge. I was honored to be a small part of that historical season."
Scott Schuhmann
» Sport Administrator"The 2002 Stanford women's gymnastics team under the direction of first year head coach Kristen Smyth finished that season in the NCAA Super Six for the first time in Stanford history. It was the athletic ability, competitive edge and genuine compassion for each other that allowed them to reach heights never before achieved by Stanford."