Schwikert Wins NCAA All-Around

UCLA senior Tasha Schwikert won the all-around title while the University of Georgia led the team qualification Thursday at the Women's NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga.

Schwikert, who won the all-around title as a freshman in 2005, edged Utah's Ashley Postell, 39.600-39.550. Georgia senior Katie Heenan tied teammate Tiffany Tolnay, Utah's Kristina Baskett and Florida's Melanie Sinclair for the bronze with 39.525.

Tasha Schwikert (UCLA)

Scwikert's UCLA team failed to advance to Friday's Super Six team final, finishing fourth in its session. The top three teams in each of the two sessions qualify to the final.

"Honestly, I am shocked I won," Schwikert said. "Our sports information director came back into our locker room and was looking at me and I said, 'What?' and she said, 'You won.' All I could think was no way. I've been through a lot of pain this year with my Achilles, but tonight I came into the meet with a team focus about getting my team to the next round. I definitely wasn't ready for them to announce that I had won the individual championship. This one is bittersweet to win on my last meet, but I would exchange that for my team to get to the next round in a heartbeat."

Georgia, the three-time defending champion, won the evening qualification session over Utah and Stanford with the highest score of both sessions.

Heenan led Georgia with scores of 9.900 on vault and uneven bars and 9.950 on balance beam. She scored 9.775 on floor exercise after stepping out of bounds.

"The team did a tremendous job," said Heenan, a double bronze medalist at the 2001 worlds. "We came in with a mission tonight. I think we set the bar and got confidence for tomorrow. We made some mistakes tonight, but making them tonight might be kind of a good thing because we know we have something to improve on. I am excited and really pumped up now."

Florida, Alabama and Lousiana State were the top three teams in the afternoon session, and also advance to the team final.

The competition begins at 6 p.m. EST Friday. Live streaming video will be available for free at GeorgiaDogs.com.

2008 Women's NCAA Championships
April 24, Athens, Ga.

Top three teams from each session advance to final

Session I
1. Florida 196.90
2. Alabama 196.650
3. LSU 196.575
4. Oklahoma 196.075
5. Arkansas 195.825
6. Oregon State 195.475

Session II
1. Georgia 197.625
2. Utah 196.950
3. Stanford 196.900
4. UCLA 196.725
5. Michigan 196.075
6. Denver 194.200