Kent, OH (U-WIRE) -- Expectations can be a funny thing.

Some teams show the ability to thrive on them. Still, other teams aren't able to handle the pressure and underachieve.

After a second-place finish at the Mid-American Conference Championships and an 11-2 overall record last season, it wouldn't be crazy to say that big things are expected of the 2005 women's gymnastics team.

The Flashes will begin attempting to fulfill those expectations tonight at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center with the Blue & Gold Meet, the team's annual intrasquad competition.

Kent State coach Brice Biggin said this team has a chance to have the same kind of successful season as they experienced last year.

"It's certainly hard coming off of a year where you feel things went really well for you. We stayed injury-free and we had a very consistent team," said Biggin. "I think our big thing is if we can try to be as consistent of a team as we were last year, then I think we'll be looking at a very successful season."

For the Flashes to achieve their goals, they will be counting on strong senior leadership. This year, that responsibility will rest on the shoulders of returning All-MAC first team selection Earline Feugill, All-MAC second team selection April Zentko, Erika Linnersten and Lauren Wheatley.

"On paper, I feel like this is one of our strongest groups of seniors," Biggin said. "I think as far as the leadership in them being able to go out and perform good routines and hopefully, show the underclassman what competition is all about. We're really looking for them to pick up where the seniors left off last year."

A repeat of last year's success will not be easy. This season, the Flashes will be competing against some of the best squads in the nation. Kent State will certainly be tested by some of the nation's top programs such as No. 11 Oklahoma, No. 19 Auburn, No. 23 West Virginia and No. 26 Michigan State.

Rather than shy away from facing big-name programs, Biggin says his team welcomes the opportunity to prove themselves.

"It's definitely a challenge that I think us as coaches definitely look forward to," he said. "This is probably our most difficult season that we've had in terms of a competitive schedule. I think our kids are excited about it because we have a chance to go out against some of the top competition in the country and see how we fair against them."

Depending on how you want to look at it, youth can either help or hinder a program.

Sometimes, youth can provide a spark for a program, a desire to prove oneself that comes with being a newcomer. On the other hand, youth can hurt a team through mistakes and errors that experienced competitors would be able to avoid.

For the Flashes, they are hoping that the former is the case as they welcome eight freshmen to the program this season. Graduate Assistant Coach Kurt Hettinger feels that the incoming class has a chance to be an important part of the team.

"The core group of freshmen we have this year is a really talented bunch," Hettinger said. "As far as how they're going to perform in the year, they're going to get a good test today (at the Blue & Gold Meet). If they can perform the way we think they can, we're going to be in pretty good shape."

Biggin, who has led four Kent State teams to MAC Championships in his tenure, feels that his team has something to prove in conference play this season. For the second consecutive season, the Flashes performed well in the championship meet but fell to Central Michigan by .675.

"We felt like last year we had the best team," said Biggin. "We were disappointed because we felt that we competed the best out of anyone at the MAC Championships, but unfortunately things didn't fall our way."

Biggin thinks that last year's second place finish at the championships will provide them with ample motivation as they look to send the current seniors out on a high note.

"I think hopefully (last year's finish) will give us a little bit more determination," said Biggin. "These kids really have worked hard, especially our seniors. We'd like to see them go out with a MAC Championship."

(C) 2004 Daily Kent Stater via U-WIRE