By SCOTT HARTMAN
Staff Writer

Add junior Gym Dog Karin Lichey to the list of University features spotlighted in the past year by Sports Illustrated.

The weekly publication included Lichey in this week’s "Faces in the Crowd" section, a portion of the magazine devoted to informing readers of lesser-known, but no less talented, athletes across the nation.

Lichey said the distinction surprised her.

"They just called me and told me about it," Lichey said. "I don’t really know how it all came about."

Sports Illustrated cited accomplishments such as Lichey’s six-time All-America status and her all-around score of 39.875 at the NCAA Southeast Regional Championships in the piece about the Cincinnati native.

Gym Dog senior Kim Arnold also has been featured in the "Faces" section earlier this year.

With Arnold graduating, freshman Amanda Curry said she believes Lichey will take over some of the leadership on the team.

"Obviously (Lichey) was one of our top two performers," Curry said.

"With Kim (Arnold) and Julie (Ballard) graduating it leaves some room for leadership positions next year. Karin will be in those spots."

Individual recognition aside, Lichey feels the recognition the Sports Illustrated spot brings to collegiate gymnastics is important.

"Any little thing that helps in promoting is good," she said. "(College gymnastics) is big in Athens, but not in many other places."

The tremendous circulation of Sports Illustrated should help people realize the talent of the Gym Dogs, Curry said.

Part of the Gym Dogs’ celebrity status at the University stems from the team’s involvement in the community.

Participating in programs such as the Athens-Clarke County MENTOR Program helps the team gain support, freshman Suzanne Sears said.

"We go out and meet people," she said. "Through some of our programs we kind of reach out to the community."

With Georgia, Florida and Alabama finishing first, second and third at the NCAA Championships, Sears believes Southeastern Conference gymnastics commands respect nationwide that is analogous to SEC football.

"Football is so big in the south, but now people can see how good SEC gymnastics is too," Sears said.