When a three-time defending national champion has been No. 1 in the country for most of the season (minus a week at No. 2), it’s hard to say that it’s had an up-and-down year.

But recoveries from injuries and surgeries, sicknesses, personal issues and inconsistencies have made 2008 a rollercoaster for the top-ranked Gym Dogs. This week, senior Katie Heenan is likely to make her return to the floor exercise against Kentucky, but may not take her usual leadoff spot in the beam lineup. Courtney Kupets, whom head coach Suzanne Yoculan said got a concussion in practice before last week’s meet, will not compete in the all-around for the second straight week.

Because of all that’s been happening, the team’s seniors called a meeting earlier this week to discuss some issues.

“It was about coming together as a team and backing one another wholeheartedly and knowing that we only have two and a half months left in the season, and why not give it all you’ve got now so we can’t look back and say what if,” Heenan said.

Yoculan said she had already planned on a meeting to address similar issues, but her seniors stepped up and beat her to the punch.

“Basically the gist of it was that there’s just too much individuality right now in terms of people’s comments and goals and what’s driving them,” she said. “Depth is a great thing to have but when you have depth, you have emotions and feelings that you have to address.”

Having three all-arounders of the caliber of Heenan, Kupets and Tiffany Tolnay doesn’t leave room for many more gymnasts, but Heenan said the meeting was beneficial to all involved.

“We kind of talked through some issues and I think it really turned out to be a good thing and I think it brought the team together in many different ways,” she said.

The Gym Dogs are 60-0 all-time against the Wildcats.