In the 2000 Olympic Games, Elise Ray captained the U.S. women's gymnastics team, leading it to a fourth place finish, and taking 13th in the all-around and eighth on the beam. For many, it seemed as though Ray had reached the pinnacle of her career, and could do no more.

However, Saturday night at Rec Hall in the NCAA Northeast Regionals, a new Elise Ray was on display -- the collegiate gymnast. As usual, Ray dominated the competition, finishing tied for first with Iowa's Alexis Maday in the all-around with a 39.45, winning beam with a 9.900, and tying for first on vault with a 9.925.

Two years ago, Ray made an important decision involving her gymnastics future. Instead of retiring or touring like many of her Olympic teammates, Ray signed with Beverly Plocki and the University of Michigan Wolverines, making her the first Olympian in the history of the program.

Almost immediately, Ray made an impact, claiming the NCAA Championships all-around crown last year, and helping her team finish third in the Super Six. In her sophomore year, Ray has claimed the Big Ten crown on beam, and has tallied two perfect tens on vault. In addition, Ray broke the school record in the all-around with a 39.825, in route to claiming four all-around crowns. She also ranked second nationally in the all-around, bars and beam.

For Ray, though, her individual accolades pale in comparison to her main goal: a NCAA team championship.

"In the nationals, I really want to help the team win our first ever championship," Ray said. "We need to take the next week and a half that we have and give it our all in the gym and really work to improve.

"I really have no expectations for myself individually. I don't want to give myself any goals though, because they can add unnecessary pressure. I just want to take each day one at a time, and go out and hit my routines and cheer on the team. I just want to do the best I can for myself, and, most importantly, for the team."

When Ray entered the University of Michigan, she underwent a huge change in the way she approached gymnastics. As an elite, Ray was accustomed to competing alone, and having the pressure to succeed fall entirely onto her shoulders.

However, in college, Ray competes with a squad filled with other talented women, who are each ready and willing to pick up the slack when one member falters.

"For me, the difference between collegiate gymnastics and elite gymnastics, is really night and day," Ray said. "It just feels so different when I am out there now. I have 15 girls behind me, and they are there to help if I fall. We cheer each other on and it helps a lot. When I was elite, the pressure was all on me."

As an elite, Ray won the 2000 U.S. National Championships in the all-around and bars, and was a member of the 1999 U.S. World Championships team.

While many may choose to look back upon her previous accomplishments, Ray keeps her eyes fixed on what lies ahead for her team.

"Winning the all-around title tonight at regionals meant a lot to me," Ray said. "It helped our team a lot, since the team comes first, and I really mean that. However, we need to stay focused on what comes next and on our routines, instead of worrying about rankings. Tonight was just a really nice moment for me, since I got to stand on the top step with Alexis (Maday), who I've known for so long and am really close to."