Gym Dog Marline Stephens Out With Injury

October 08, 2002 | Gymnastics

Oct. 8, 2002

Athens, Ga.-------Junior gymnast Marline Stephens will be out approximately six months after suffering an injury to her right Achilles tendon during practice on Tuesday afternoon.

"She injured it on the punch to take off before tumbling," said coach Suzanne Yoculan. "This is a tremendous loss for our team, but this is more than a loss in scores, we are losing her experience.

"We will still rely on her in the gym this year. She is optimistic and already planning what she will do when she returns," Yoculan said.

Stephens was coming off a rehabilitation stint from surgery on her right wrist and elbow last May.

Stephens, a native of Houston, Texas, has already enjoyed success during her two-year career. She was a First-Team All-American on vault during the 2002 season, as well as the 2002 SEC floor and co-vault champion. During her freshman season she earned First-Team All-America honors on vault and floor, and was the SEC floor champion.