Gym Dogs Voted Preseason No. 1

From UGA Athletics...

The Georgia gymnastics team will begin the 2009 season in a familiar place in the rankings.

The Gym Dogs have been chosen as the No. 1 team in the 2009 Preseason Coaches Poll. Georgia, which has won four consecutive NCAA titles, received 26 of the first-place 33 votes to outdistance No. 2 Utah.

We re honored to be ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll, said Georgia gymnastics coach Suzanne Yoculan, who is entering her final season. It s a compliment and it s an honor we certainly appreciate. At the same time, we know it s a long season and we have to work hard every day to put ourselves in position for the poll that matters the most the last one.

Georgia will face 11 teams in the preseason poll, including six from the top eight spots. The Gym Dogs will entertain No. 23 West Virginia, No. 2 Utah, No. 6 Alabama, No. 15 Auburn, No. 3 Florida and No. 8 Michigan. Georgia has road dates against No. 4 UCLA, No. 7 LSU, No. 12 Arkansas and No. 25 Kentucky.