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DEPARTMENTS INSIDE USA GYMNASTICS •••••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••••••••• 6

GYMNASTICS UPDATE •••••••••••••••••••.••••••.•••••.••••••••••••••• 9

BODY BALANCE ••••••••............•••••.•••.•.••••.•••.•.••••••.•••••• 10

COLLEGIATE CORNER ••.•.•••.•.•..•••.................•••.•...••••• 13

FACES IN THE GYM ..•.••••••••.•.•••••••••••.•.••.•.•.•.•••••.....••• 14

REEBOK@ COACHING CORNER .....•...••••••••.•.•.•.••.•.•••. 16

EVENT SCHEDULE ..•.••••••••••••.•.•••.•••.•.•.••.•••.............•.. 20

GYMNASTICS RESULTS ••••••••••.•.•.•••.•.•.•.••••.•••.•.•..•.•••• 30

CHALK TALK •.•.•...•.•••••.•.•.••••••••.•.•..•...........•.•......•..••• 36

SELECTION PROCEDURES .•••.••.•.•••••••••.•.•••..•••.•••.••.•.•• 37

CLASSIFIEDS ••.••.•...••••••.•.•.••••••••.•••.•.•••........••.•••••.•.•••• 38

FEATURES

SCRAPBOOK OF CHAMPIONS .. 8

USA Gymnastics will feature scrapbook photos of a National Team member in each issue. You'll see what Us.'s top gymnasts looked like growing up. Jason Gatson is featured in this issue's ScrapBook of a Champion, check out his muscles at age 6!

SUPERCOACH CONTEST ... 1 7

USA Gymnastics asked readers to send in photos and tell us why their coach is a "Super Coach." Check out all the winning Super Coaches in this issue.

(oVER PHOTOGRAPH OF MATAUE lAtuESTA USA GYMNAST1CS PHOTOGRAPH © STEVE lANGE

Above: Oregon Gymnastics Academy Senior Group Right: Rhythm/lex Junior Group

RHYTHMIC NATIONALS ................. 22

Natalie Lacuesta won the title at the 1997 Rhythmic National Championships in Houston, Texas. Up-and-coming star Kate Jeffress won the Junior Title.

CHAT WITH A CHAMPION, NATALIE LACUESTA .......... ..... ........ . . .... .... ... . 26

Natalie Lacuesta spoke with USA Gymnastics about her career thus far and future goals. Lacuesta is a two-time Junior National Champion and the current Senior Champion in rhythmic gymnastics.

JAY THORNTON THRIVES TO SUCCEED

....... ..... ..... ...... 27 Jay Thornton has been around the nation­

al gymnastics scene for seven years and has many credentials to his name. Thornton spoke

to USA Gymnastics about his training schedule, likes and dislikes in the sport and future goals.

KRISTEN MALONEY MOVING Up

. .. 28 Kristen Maloney is the top gymnast on the

USA National Team from her win at the 1997 American Classic. Maloney is not only a top gym­nast, but maintains a social life and attends public

school. She keeps everything in perspective. Maloney talks about her future goals and training sched­

ule, and gives advice to other young gymnasts.

USA GYMNAST1CS (ISSN 0748-6006I(USPS 0005-6661 is published bimoo1h~ lor S15 per yeo, iN !HE U.S., 532 per yeo, in Canod. or Moxico, and $45 per yea, in all aIher ' '''ntries. USA GYMNAST1CS is published by USA GymnostilS, P.n Ameri,.n Plaza, 201 S. C.pil.1 Ave., Suile 300, lndianopot., IN 46225, (317) 237-5050. Periodical postage paid at Indianapolis, IN 46204. POSTMASTER: Send addr", changes 10 USA GYMNAST1CS, 201 S. Capitol Ave., SIi1e 300, Indionopot., IN 46225. USA Gymnastics is !he sole naIionol ga,erning body lor !he sport 01 gymnastics. A nol·lor·profit organization, USA Gymnastics salem, kains ood odminist", !he U.S. Gymnastics Team, induding !he U.S. Olympic Gymnosti<S Team. Contributi ... and support 0" always welcome and ore I.x..!.dumbl •. © 1997 USA Gymnastics. All righh ,eserved. Prinled by Sport Grophics, Inc., Ind~nopalis, IN, USA..

publisher Kathy Scanlan

Editor Luan Peszek

Designer Julie T. Jones Design Associate

Mary Burkhart Men's Program Director

Ron Galimore Women's Program Director

Kathy Kelly Rhythmic Program Director

Nora Campbell Education and Safety Director

Steve Whitlock

USA Gymnastics Board 01 Directors

Chair: Sandy Knapp; President: Kathy Scanlan; President Emeritus: Mike Donahue; Constituent Members: Amateur Athletic Union: Mike Stanner; American Sokol Organization: Jerry Milan; American Turners: Betty He ppne r; Colleg e Gy mn as ti cs Association-M: Roy Jolmson; National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women: Gail Davis; National Association for Girls and Women in Sport: Marilyn Stra,,,'bridge; National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges: Yvonne Hodge; National Collegiate Athletic Association: Chris Voelz, Tom Dwm; National Federation of State High School Associations: Susan True; National Gymnastics Judges Association: John Scheer; National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association: John Brinkw orth; U.S. Association of Independent Gym Clubs: Lance Crowley; U.S. Elite Coaches Association for Men's Gymnastics: Mark 'Williams; U.S. Elite Coaches Association for Women's Gymnastics: Gary Anderson, Roe Kreutzer; U.S. Men's GYIIUlastics Coaches Association: Marc Yancey; U.S. Rhy thmic Gymnastics Coaches Association: Suzie DiTullio; Young Men's Christian Association of the USA: Ric k Dodso n; USA Gymnastics National Membership Directors: Men's: Ray Gura, Jim Holt; Rhythmic: Tamara Dasso, Alia Svirsky; Women's: Linda Chencinski, David Holcomb; Athlete Directors. Tanya Service Chaplin, chair; Chris \"'aller, vice chair; Kristen Kenoyer Wood land, sec; Miche lle Dusserre­Farrell, USOC athlete representative; Wendy Hilliard, Va nessa Va nd e r Plu y m, Peter Vidmar, Co nrad Voorsanger, Kim Zmeskal; Associate Members: Jewish Community Centers: Lori Katz; Special Olympics, Inc.: Kate Faber-Hickie; USA Trampoline & Tumbling: Wayne Downing; U.s. Competitive Sports Aerobics Federation: Howard Schwartz; U.S. Sports Acrobatics Federation: Bonnie Davidson.

USA Gymnastics Executive CommiHee

Chair: Sandy Knapp; Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Board: Roe Kreutzer; President: Kathy Scanlan; Secretary: Mike Milid onis; Vice Chair Men: Tim Daggett; Vice Chair Rhythmic: Candace Feinberg; Vice Chair Women: Jo an Moo re Gnat; FIG Executive Committee: Jay Ashmore; FIG Men's Technical Committee: George Beckstead; FIG Rhythmic Technical Committee: Andrea Schmid -Shapiro; FIG Women's Technical Committee: Jackie Fie; At Large Members: Jim Hartung, Susan True; Athlete Directors: Tanya Service Chaplin, Wendy Hilliard, Peter Vidmar; USOC Athlete Representative: Michelle Dusserre-Farrell; President Emeritus: Mike Donahue.

Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all articles, statements and views printed herein are attributed solely to the author and USA Gymnastics expresses no opinion and assumes no responsibili ty thereof.

USA GYMNASTICS

GYMNASTICS: ASp

Jor By Kathy Scanlan

President of USA Gymnastics

Congratulations to Natalie Lacuesta and Kate Jeffress, Senior and Jwuor Rhy thmic N ational Champions .

These superb athletes won the all-around titles at the Rhytlunic National Champion­slups in Houston, Texas. Both have been involved in our program for a long time and have represented the United States at various international meets. Since winning her second jwuor title, Kate also won the a ll-around Gold Medal at the Four Continents Championships this June in Sydney. Good work Kate!! Kate Jeffress won the all-around gold medal at the Four

Continents Championships. Att e nding th e

Rhythmic National I was struck again by what a great opportunity rhythmic Championships gave me an opportunity to be present at the National Team meet­ing and to talk with the athletes' parents

gymnastics offers for girls who enjoy dance and move·

ment combined with great athleticism. I hope many of

you and your friends will give the sport a try.

at Championships. I was struck again by what a great opportunity rhythmic gym­nastics offers for girls who enjoy dance and movement combined with great ath­leticism. I hope many of you and your friends will give the sport a try.

Meanwhile, the top artistic gymnasts are busy preparing for the John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Denver this August. Best wishes to all of the ath­letes aiming for the Championships!

This year we are introducing a new membership category for Team members and for Professional members in general gymnastics. General gymnastics is for any­one who is interested in non-competitive performance gymnastics. Internationally 30,000 people were at the 1995 World Gymnaestrada in Berlin and a similar num­ber are expected in 1999 in Goteberg, Sweden. We expect to send a delegation of about SOD-all of whom will pay their own way to Sweden. A group number is per­formed as well as individual performances.

Many clubs hold fund-raisers in order to earn enough funds to travel and participate.

Nationally our equivalent event is called GymFest. It has expanded from 175 participants at the first GymFest in 1993 to a projected 1,300 participants at the GymFest in Orlando this August. It' s great fun. In order to gain an internation­al flavor, we expect to have five or six international groups participating as well. Everyone who has ever attended a GymFest has come away a real fan of general gymnastics. It is interactive (everyone has to perform a big group number) and it's for all ages-adults as well as kids. So your parents can't just sit on the sidelines, they need to get out there and move around as well.

If you're going to the GymFest I hope you have a great time. If not, keep your eye out for coverage on this year's GymFest in USA Gymnastics magazine and get ready for the 1998 event. Also, everyone should be thinking about Sweden in 1999!

JULY / AUGUST 199 7

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This-Gymnastics has taRen photos from Jason Gatson's scrapbooR. Jason, 17, is the youngest member of the U.S. Men's National Team and a rising staT in the men's program.

TaRe a looR at Jason as he was growing up!

Have you ever wondered what top gymnasts in the U.S. looRed liRe as children? r~J:·IlQIRI

JISOI GlTSOI Bhthdate: JuDe 25, 1980

1IeaideDce: Colorado SprfDga, Colo.

Coec:hea: Ion Brent and YitaIJ MarJafk:h lobbies: SwimmIDg, bu1IetbIIl, drawing, c.omputen

1IometowD: Mesa, IrfzoDa

Club: u.s. OlJmpic 'l'reiDfDg CeDter Began GpnaetJcs: Age 6

REITON DELIVERS ANOTHER PERFECT 10 Olympic Champion Mary Lou Relton gave birth to her second child on April 15th in Houston. To no one's surprise the ener­gized Retton delivered three weeks early. McKenna Lane Kelley, a 5 lb. 9 oz., 18 /'4 in. baby gi~ is the newest addition to the Kelley fami~. Retton, 29, and husband Shannon Kelley, 31 , also have a two­year-old daughter, Shayla. 'We have always wanted a large fami~, and we are now well on our way," says Retton. "In fact, if we keep being blessed with children, we may have an entire team for the 2012 Olympic Games."

FANTASY GYMNASTICS? By Rachele Harless

You've probably heard of fantasytootbailleagues ... now there's "SimGym,"

HILARY GRIVICH 1991 WORLD GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDALIST KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT The gymnastics community is saddened by the death of Hilary Grivich, 19, a member of the 1991 World Championships Silver Medal Team, who was killed in a car accident on May 4, in Houston, Texas. Grivich, coached by Bela and Martha Karolyi, was the 1990 U.S. Junior National Champion. She also finished eighth all-around at the 1992 Olympic Trials, just missing a spot on the Olympic Team. According to the Houston Chronicle, Hilary

earned a diving scholarship at the University of Houston and was awarded the team's outstanding diver at the school's annual All-Sports Awards Banquet.

Hilary, who finished fifth in the three-meter springboard event and sixth in the one-meter springboard event at the NCAA zone championships, hoped to someday make the U.S. Olympic Team as a diver. "Hilary was a model student-athlete at the University of Houston," said UH interim athletic director Bill McGillis. "She was an extraordinary young lady whose vibrance and competitive spirit will be dearly missed by our stu­

dent-athletes, coaches and staff." Grivich would have turned 20 on May 23, 1997. She is survived by her par­

ents Peter and Helen Grivich and her younger brother, Alex.

WALLACE MILLER FORMER NATIONAL TEAM MEMBER KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENT The gymnastics community has lost a wonderful person, Wally Miller, 37. Miller, who was a former USA National Team Member, was killed in a car accident on February 9, in San Antonio, Texas. Miller represented the U.S. in several international com­petitions, including meets in China, Japan, and Great Britain . In 1980, Miller placed ninth at Olympic Trials and competed as part of the USA team in the Olympic Invitational for boycotting nations. He was also an NCAA All-American. Miller, from Bronx, New York, attended Southern Connecticut State University where he was coached by Abie Grossfield. After receiving his bachelor's degree in communications, Miller moved to San Antonio where he and Pamela Exum eventually opened up Gymnastics and Tumbling Express. Miller also pursued a career in radio and was a popular disc jockey known on the air as 'Wallace E," "Midnight Chaperone" and "Dr. Love." He worked for KTFM 102.7 for 10 years, was named employee of the month several times and loved his job. Miller is survived by his mother, five sisters, three brothers.

a fantasy gymnastics game. USA Gymnastics Online introduced SimGym, where players compete against one another in a simulated gym­nastics competition. Prizes are awarded to the top teams of each game. To play SimGym, you (acting as the coach) pick gymnasts for a team and choose the team lineup on each apparatus. Real scores from an actual competition are entered into the team's score sheet to calculate the team score. Following are the SymGym winners from four USA Gymnastics events in 1997: 1997 Winter Cup

Gold-Amber lucas Silver-Potrick Hoyden Bronze-Angie Hickmon 1997 Visa American Cup

Gold-Bobbie Colgrove Silver-Allen Boll Bronze-lindsoy Bloomfield 1997 American Classic

Gold-Anjel Vohrolion Silver-Melonie Schiff Bronze-Kerry Bleosdole 1997 International Team Championships

Gold-MoN Crobtree Silver-Morvin lim Bronze-Shonnon Adkins 1997 Rhythmic National Chaml'ionships

Gol~Cherise Neville Silver-D. Smith Bronze-Vichoi Cherdsuriyo

Visit hHp:/ /wwwousa-gymnasticsoorg/simgym/ for a schedule of upcoming games! SimGym Games are run in conjunction with selected USA Gymnastics competitions.

JUL Y/A UGU S T 1 997

PETER KORMANN HIRED AS USA GYMNASTICS MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM COORDINATOR

1995 World Championships and 1996 Olympic Team Coach Peter ""rrlle"H'" was hired as the Men's National Team Coordinator for USA Gymnastics. Kormann's role is to coordinate the efforts of the U.S. elite athletes and coaches across the country. He will assist with the development of individ­ual training plans and goals for the athletes and coaches, as well as for the U.S. team at major national and international events . He will oversee the visitation and elite clinician programs. He will also organize national team training camps and final prepa­ration camps for major interna­tional events. Kormann will also serve as the Head Coach of the 1997 World Championships Team, along with his assistant coach, Ron Brant, from the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Kormann resigned from Ohio State University to take the position . "After 20 years of coaching in col­legiate gymnastics I felt it was time to move on and try some other things," said Kormann . "I'm loak­ing forward to working with USA Gymnastics."

USA GYMNASTICS.I

DEVELOPING HEALTHY ATTITUDES

AND HABITS o

By PaHi Tveit Milligan, MS RD

Did you know how you think about food can affect your workouts and perfor­mances? Did you know nutrition and food are real­ly another gymnastics event you should train? Did you know YOUR body is uniquely made and has a built-in system to let you know 30 minutes before your energy level is going to drop?

Read ahead if any of these questions peaked your interest!

As we all know, food is really the fuel to feed ou r muscles and brain. That is why as a training athle te, you want to feed your body the fuel that w ill maxi­mize you r workouts, help repair your injuries and allow you to perform your best. However, this is not as simple as it sounds because how we view food and our bodies can get in the way of choosing the best food . We are talking about eating a ttitudes-the relationship we have w ith food and our bodies .

WHAT IS HEALTHY EATING? Healthy eating is trusting your body to eat w hen you are hungry and stopping when you are full. It is viewing food as fuel and not as something to fear and resist.

Healthy eating is flexible and may vary w ith your schedule, emotions and your hunger level.

BJUSA GYMNAST ' CS

DO YOU HAVE A HEALTHY EATING ATTITUDE? Below are questions that can help you see how your thoughts may affect your eating attitudes and your view about your body and food .

Answer these seven questions honestly and then total up your points. Look at the key and see how you score.

Never Sometimes Often Always

1. I think about food all the time. 0 1 2 3

2. I compare my body w ith others and wish I looked like them . a 1 2 3

3. I dislike seeing myself in the mirror. a 1 2 3

4. I feel guilty, dep ressed or mad when I eat. a 1 2 3

5. I have tried to lose a few pounds by one of these methods: fas ting, not eating, induced vomiting, laxatives or diet pills. a 1 2 3

6. I feel if I lost weight, I would perform better in gymnastics and I would like myself better. a 1 2 3

7. My thoughts about my body and food are mostly negative and self-critical. a 1 2 3

Add up your score.

Score of 0-8: Your eating attitudes and personal image of your body are within the healthy range for most athletes. Check yourself in another six months to see if any of your attitudes have changed.

Score of 9-16: Your eating attitudes and personal image of your body reveal some COI1-

cern about the way you look at weight and food . Take time to learn about nutrition and how food can work with you to achieve your gymnastics goals!

Score of 17-21: This score indicates that you are struggling with your relationship with food and your body and may have some unhealthy eating attitudes. You may need a little help getting your eating attitudes back in the healthy range.

*Ifyou suspect that you may be struggling with your eating attitudes or know someone who might be, remember admitting this does not mean you are a bad person. It is important you bring your concem to an adult or coach you feel comfortable discussing this with. There are great resources to help you . Just like needing extra help with strength or conditioning, nutrition and healthy eating attitudes is another gymnastics event, so getting a little help with it makes good gymnastics sense!!

JULY / AUGUS T 1 997

•

Healthy eating takes up some of your daily schedule to plan and eat, but should not take central focus over all of your thoughts and feelings .

Healthy eating involves enjoying food. It does not involve judg­ing yourself just by the food choices you make one day.

There are several fun activities that you can do in the gym to promote healthy eating attitudes and encourage experimenting with food! Look below and try one of these activities:

1. Try different recipes and share w ith your fellow teammates.

RECIPES

. h 2 ISp sugar or hone~ (serves 4) . 1 \0-\2" pilla, sweelen wII .

. dough miX or 1 rI \ palkoge P)\llOI .ners 01 lemon Hovored non 01 ~Ohgu . kiwi slrawberries, gropes, 2 \ b ouOte lon 01 . \ 1 voriel~ in lolor SUl as. ,

I· led hesh hUll go or 3 lUpS S I dorin oronges, elc ..

lonloloupe, mon e hOlen lQnlenlrole 3 Ibsp. oronge lUll \ Isp. powdered sugor . . ns and add in

1 . I kao-e dlrec\:J.o \ sprig a min ding to the pac 0 . und pizza pan.

h miX accor circle on to Prepare plzza doug Sh ape dough into a lar~~ol the finish ed crust.. d

1. the sugar or hont~i:he package directIons. t "Begin with the kiWl an ~~~ ~~~~ · d~~ . S read evenly the le~o~~~~huit in a circle aroun until smooth, then dri~il

2. a~range each group 0 t w lth powdered suga: h of mint for color- Chi . . ce concentra e. Add the garrus

3. Mix orange )\.11 of the fruited pizza. zle over the top fo r at reastl~hour. k

m for a snac . d 01 lories 4. Enjoy.. . is very well to school or ~I \-\9% \01 lolories) 71% (olboh~ I e (0 5. This piZza tt ave . . 309 (olories \onl~ 3 gloms 0 Q

. . t t pel servlftg. I . Nutrition (on en . d 241 mg 0\ (0 (lum. ond \ 4% prolein (olones on

ThIS 15 50 eas BLACK BEAN AN behll1d PI{z:n~~~:;I~~ ~oOd IS the fas tes t gr VEGGIE QUESADILJ 2 Whole Wheat ~ . ' ependmg how h Owmg food in th J Y2 tbsp bl k b orttllas (orlry the new din tmgry you are e U.S., rIght 2 b . ac eons (yOU COn Use . erent colored tortil/as-m .

;x~m;fe;.o~hofavorite veggies (t;;~:ei~C!~;t rinse them to reduce t~~ ::;i~~m Veggie sources) chopped s;rin/td tomatoes, chopped gree~ at le~t 2 diHerent kinds) Content or buy reduced

2 tbsp. shredded I ~ns-go for the color!) or re peppers, corn, broccoli ev J tbsp. salsa a at cheese (try to find cheddar ad ' en peas or 2 t n mozzarella m· k o sp. nonfat yogurt or nonfat so IX-ma es for nice flavor)

n a plate la ur cream Sprinkl ' Y Out one tortilJ

2 H e the cheese all a, Spread the b . ea t in th · arotmd. Lay th eans and veg .

3 T. . e mIcrOwave until th e other tortilla gIes on top of it . op Wltll t1 e che · on top . 4. le salsa and ese IS melt d . . Erljoy. nOnfat yogurt e

Nutrition content er • carbohydrate is 66% ~f se~vmg (estimating above

colones and protein is 22% o/ceartve~ 2): Calories: 223 (3 grams f I J ones. 0 rat only 12% lot

JULY / AUGUST 1997

2. Another activity is to clip pictures of foods that are healthy for a gynU1ast's diet and paste them w ith a glues tick on a poster board for your room or the gym. High carbohydrate and lean protein foods are good choices. I bet YOlL.Can. __ _ name many foods but here's a start: banana, oat-meal, fig bar, black beans, whole wheat tortilla, baked potato, corn, and turkey breast.

3. Save different nutrition articles and share them with the coach and fellow gymnasts. Discuss the article to check proper informa-tion and helpful hints.

Remember: Just as there are no two beam routines alike in the gym and no two smiles the same - each of you has a wonderful and unique body to perform gymnastics. Celebrate the differences! Getting your unique body to be the strongest, healthiest it can be is a great goal! To help you achieve this goal, begin thinking positively about food and de v e loping healthy eating attitudes, which will benefit you all tlu-ough your gym­nastics career and even beyond the sport!

Patti Tveit Milligan is a former collegiate gymnast and a registered dietitian. Milligan has been providing nutritional education to gymnastics clubs and other sports groups for the past six years. She also is the corporate nutritionist for a natural food grocery chain called Henry's Marketplace, Inc., in San Diego, Calif.

USA GYMNASrleslll

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NCAA MEN'S REGIONAL COACHES OF THE YEAR

Tom Dunn Univ. of Iowa Central Region Coach of the Year Barry Weiner California Western Region Coach of the Year Roy Johnson Massachusetts Eastern Region Coach of the Year

Phil Cahoy of Omaha, Neb. and Geoffrey Cardinali of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy were recognized for 25 years of service. Miles Avery of Ohio State was named Notional Assistant Coach of the Year.

SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN GRANTED REINSTATEMENT FOR A ONE-YEAR PERIOD. They must raise additional funds, as well as give university administrators time to re-evaluate the program. If you would like to help in any way, contact: Gene Rabbitt, 17 Woodside Dr., Greenwich, CT 06830.

1997 NCAA Gymnastics Championships

CALIFORliIA CRUISES TO THE-TOP By Rachele Harless California Team

The Califarnia Golden Bears entered the 1997 NCAA Men's Gymnastics Championships focused on a singular goal: to win the team title. Erasing the painful memories of last year's runner­up ranking, the Cal team asserted their dominance and confi­dently captured their first championship in 22 years an April 17-19 at the University of Iowa.

"Last year, I thought we had a really stylish, really beautiful team, and we were narrowly edged out," explained Cal's head coach, Barry Weiner. "I brought a bunch of hungry kids back. You know, it's hard to be second; it's hard to miss by a little. "

During Prelims Cal emerged as the leading qualifier, while Oklahoma jumped from fourth to second in the last rotation with fantastic Hoar. The hast Hawkeyes wrestled third place from Ohio State by a mere .05. "I had no idea we'd have to

beat Ohio State to be in the tap three," said Iowa coach Tom

Cal won the team titles in 1968 and in 1975, under

Coach Hal Frey, who

delighted in congratulating

the 1997 Golden Bears in their long­

anticipated return to the

top.

Dunn. "For some of the guys, it was somewhat of a revenge; we've been beaten by them seven times in a row. For me, it was just getting in the top three."

Blaine Wilson

What happened to the fourth-place Buckeyes, ranked No. 1 at the start of the meet? "We just didn't get the job dane," answered Blaine Wilson, leader of the Ohio State team and winner of the 1997 Nissen award far the best collegiate gymnast in the country. Despite the individual glary of win­ning the all-around title, a deRated Wilson revealed his true emotions: "My heart is killing me right now. I thanked all of my teammates for a great year, for the last twa years. I won it wi th the same guys last year. It hurts a lat."

Penn State, led by freshman standout Mike Dutka, placed ~fth , while 11 th-ranked Stanford, happy to qualify to Champion­ships alter injuries wrecked their regular season, took sixth.

continued on page 34

J ULY/AUGUST 1997

A TRIUMPH BRINGS SMILE AFTER TRAGEDY

Kristin Quackenbush was honored with the AAI Award, honoring the notion's best female collegiate gymnast, less than two days after her 48-year-old father was killed.

John B. Quackenbush, a professional landscaper, was killed while cutting down a tree in Deerfield, N.Y.

"This was a freak thing," said Jill Henderson, Kristin's coach of 15 years at Volley Gymnastics in the Utica sub­urb of New Hartford. "He would have been so proud of her. John just always believed that if you try your best, then rewords will come to you."

Kristin couldn't make it to the ceremony to accept the award because she was attending her father's woke. West Virginia coach linda Burdett and two assistants accepted it for her.

Kristin dedicated the award to her dod who, along with her mother, helped mold her into a gracious champion.

Kristin, a senior, is the most honored gymnast in West Virginia history. She holds school records on vault, beam, floor and all-round, and has recorded five career 10s. She also is a scholastic All-American with a 3.27 grade point overage.

1997 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships

UCLA MAKES HISTORY BY WINNING FIRST-EVER NCAA TITLE By Liza David

In the history of the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, only three teams had ever wan the ti~e. Make that four.

UCLA made history by becoming the first team outside 01 the Utah-Alabama-Georgia triumvirate to win the NCAA title, doing so in dramatic fashion April 17-18 in Gainesville, Florida. The Bruins used a school-record score on bars in the final rotation to overtake Arizona State 197.15 to 196.85 fo r the championship.

"All year we have been confident in ourselves and our abilities," said UCLA senior Amy Smith. "We're nat a big, flashy team. We just went out there and did our job."

Their jab got easier even before the Bruins started the competi­tion . Not only were nine-time champions Utah and three-time and defending champions Alabama nat even competing in the Super Six Team Finals after having been eliminated in the pre­liminaries, but Georgia had to count two falls on beam in its first rotation . Those miscues took the Gym Dogs out of the running.

The pressure then shifted to No. 2 seed and pre-season No. I UCLA, which had to follow Georgia on the dreaded beam to start its competition. But the Bruins were undaunted by the pressure and performed like they had all season with-with calm confi­dence. After leadoff performer Susie Erickson hit for a career­high 9.85 and final performer Stella Umeh landed wi th a 9.925, the Bruins went solely past the mast pressure-packed event with a team score of 49.2.

USA GYM

Kim Arnold

continued on page 35

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RICKY DECI STAFFORD, TEXAS

Ricky, 9, is the Texas Closs V Gymnastics Champion. Ricky also placed first on floor, high bor, parallel bars, and vault. He ploced second on rings and fourth on pam mel horse. Ricky is a third grader at Riverbend Montessori School in Fort Bend County. He does his gymnastics training at MEGA Gymnastics in Stoffard under coaches Jerit Pogue, Grant Qualls, and Wade Winters. Ricky has been competing since he was 6. Ricky has coptured a State Title in all three years!

BRIAN STOWERS HUNTSVILLE, AlABAMA

Brian, 11 , is a Class VI gymnast and a sixth grader at Monrovia Middle School where he is on the A-B Honor Roll and in the Beta Club. He placed second all·oround at the State Championships with a score of 55.45, which qualified him to Regionols. He also placed first an pom· mel horse, second on floor and high bor, ond third on porollel bors ond voult. He troins ot Astro Floirs Gymnastics Center and is coached by John Rogers. He will compete as a Class V next year.

RAIMEY ISELIN PUYALLUp, WASHINGTON

Raimey, 11, is a Level 8 gymnast training with Brad Loan at Puget Sound Gymnastics. A consecutive three·time State Champion, Raimey went on ta win Region 2 Championships. She ploced first on bars with a 9.175 and won vault with a score of 8.80. Roimey is alsa a member of the 1996 Notional TOPs Team.

ANGEL SIMONINI ANTIOCH, ILLINOIS

Angel, 10, is a Level 6 gymnast and trains at the Gymnastics Factory with coaches Dono and Maria Noguez. Her team is ranked #1 in the stote of Illinois. She trains 21 hours a week and is currently training as a Level 8. She began gymnostics when she was one year old. Her most exciting accamplishment was taking first oll·around with a 37.75 at the Revco Buckeye Classic, a competition aHracting more than 2,000 gymnasts from 28 states.

JULY/AUGUST 1997

•

MEGAN PERNER BOISE, IDAHO

Megan, 9, is a level 8 gymnast at Bronco Elite Gymnastics. She placed second all-around in 1996 levelS. After winning her first level 6 meet with a 35.00 all-around, she earned optional sta­tus. She took first in vault at State Meet for level 8. Megan recently began trompoline and power tumbling. She placed first in three events at regionals for level 9 and looks forward to competing in nationals. One of her coaches, Sonia Rebello­McCloskey, is a 1988 Olympian from Spain. Megan loves both sports. Her goal in gymnastics is to compete level 9 next season.

SAVANNAH EVANS DESTIN, FLORIDA

Savannah recently won first all-around in-the Florida State Gymnastics Championships for level 8 with a score of 37.025. Savannah, 12, is a gymnast for u.S. Gold Gymnastics Academy in Destin, Fla. Her coach is Kathy Dwyer, a 1989 NCAA Gymnastics Champion for the University of Georgia. Savannah is a two-time academic schol­arship winner at SI. Mary Catholic School in Ft. Walton 8each, Fla. Her hobbies are all kinds of sciences, swimming with dolphins and manatees, and of course, gymnastics.

ANTHONY MAY

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Anthony "Wook" May Jr., 10, is the 1997 silver 011-around medalist for Texas (52.501 and Region III (55.051 as a level V 8-9 year old gymnast. He is the state champion on rings and pommel horse, and the Regional champion on rings and parallel bars. He also took the all-around (52.101 at the Western Shootout in Albuquerque, New Mexica, winning six gold and one sil­ver medal. Anthony is work­ing on his Class IV skills ot Capitol Gymnostics and is caached by Marc Yancy and Phil Salazar.

MELISSA CHAN lOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA

Melissa, 10, trains at Airborne Gymnastics in Santa Clora, Calil., and is coached by Melanie Weispfenning and Steve Ohel. As the youngest competitor of the level 10 State Meet, she had the highest all-around scare of 37.85 from all divisions to be the top level 10 competitor on the A team to represent Nor Cal Stote ot Regionols. She olso took first oll-oround in her division, 9-12 years old, ond won voult, beom ond floor ond took second on bors. She hos been 0 two-yeor member of the Notionol TOPs Teom.

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Here are a few of my favorites:

DRILL # 1: LATE TOE-ON TRAINING EQUIPMENT • Vault Board • lowered Bar The vault board is placed a comfortable distance from the bar. The athlete jumps from the board to a pike sole circle dismount. POINTS OF EMPHASIS • late drop foot placement • Smoothness of toe·on • Head position • And NO shoulder angle As the gymnast gains proficiency at this drill, raise the board for a more appropriate simulation of the circle drop.

REMAINDER OF DRILLS MUST BE SPOTTEDI

DRILL #2:

MINI­CAST

TO PIKE SOLE

CIRCLE AROUND THE BAR

The drill begins with a small cast to a pike, late toe-on. The gymnast rides the circle to stop point, shifts her grip and presses her feet off the bar 3 to 5 inches, and continues into the next late drop. Repeat 3 to 5

By Jack Carter: International Elite Coach Parkelle Gymnastics Computer Outlay: Eric Harris ParkeHe Gymnastics

PROBLEM AREA Grip shift at toe-on contact. DO NOT allow any reg rasp once the gymnast has left the board surface.

circles. As the athlete gains proficiency at the late drop and shift, allow her to progres­sively rise higher and higher. By the third or fifth circle arriving in the handstand.

DRILL #3: STRADDLE SUPPORT TO STALDER CIRCLE

Stalder Circles are done identically. (That is after prerequisite flex­ibility and static position training is complete.) The only difference in stalder and pike toe on drills-initial stalders may start in straddle support, each circle must finish in pike, semi-pike or handstand (feet together)_

EQUIPMENT • low Bar (Raised or lowered) • Two Spotters Shoulder Height

PROBLEM AREAS • Regrasp at toe-on problems • Head position • Early straddle • Early shoulder angle (Stalder) • Chest thrust or excessive elbow bend at shift point • Early toe-on

•

•

•

•

~ . , . \ . ~

In the March/April issue of USA Gymnastics, we asked you a question-Do you have the best, nicest,

greatest, gymnastics coach in the USA? Many of you responded with letters and photos telling us why your coach

should be a winner in the "Super Coach" contest.

Thanks to everyone who sent us a nomination. It sounds like there are a lot of "Super Coaches" working in gyms all across the country. Here are the "Super Coaches" for 1997.

COACH TISH BURNS Gwinnett Gymnastics Center Lilburn, Georgia

Tish is always encouraging, supportive, knowledgeable, and loving hearted . As a teache r, Tish always uses examples and makes sure you understand. When you're mad at yourself and ready to give up, Tish is there pushing you to go the extra mile. Any day, she wil l stay after and help or spot. Tish designs interesting and fun games to play while we work. One example, we split into two teams, then we pullout of a hat an exercise and the whole team has to do that exercise. We may have to standW five vaults, do one timer vaulC o~r ~ stand on our heads and whistle for a minute. When your hat is empty, your team wins. Tish has done a lot for me. She has given me courage, someone to trust, ____ and a strong desire to learn new gymnastics skills . She's a great coach and friend .

By Tara Hayden

COACH DANIELLE SLABODA Houston, Texas

Danielle has been my coach / ever since I started gymnas­tics. She's like a second mom to me because I'm at the gym so much . Our team won Level 5 and 6 Districts because of Danielle. At the beginning of Level 6, Danielle was in a car accident and was seriously injured. We were coached by her twin sister, Dawn. When Level 6 Districts came, my team won Districts for Danielle. Even though she was _ -C"""lOL,,,, ,,, in the hospital, si;!e was with me at heart. The very next day, my team and I went to the hospital and put the medals we all won around her neck and showed her a video. We love her so much. She really is a SUPER COACH! •

By Emily Kennedy (Level 4)

JULY /A UGUST

All American Gymnastics Academy Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Jon's love of coaching comes from watching girls work hard and suc­

ceed. He has a lot of patience and he will work with a gymnast on his

\ \ ..t;, own time if he knows she's really trying. He has very inven-tive ideas to help overcome obsta­cles. Jon does many things to moti­vate us such as "happy tape." Happy tape is a piece of athletic tape put on our leo. He uses happy tape to remind us of our accomplishments instead of defeats. It helps us to look at things in a more opti­mistic perspective. Jon's lessons he teach­es us in self-confidence not only enhance our gymnastics abilibes, but also helps us to succeed in our life endeavors.

By Level 6 's Annie Albers (12), Alex Hughes (9), and Katie

Keiserman (13)

COACH VIN ELOV ALVAREZ Universal Gymnastics Miami, Florida

Yin Eloy Alvarez is the head coach for the boys team and is

loved by all. His character refiects his passion for gym­nastics. His encouragement towards us makes us appreCiate him. We respect him deeply. He keeps his head up and explains to us that each one of us is unique and special. In the State Championships in Florida, we won first place in Class 6 & 5 and second place in Class 7. Three of our Class 6 teammates made it to Regionals and won first, third and fourth place all­around. Also, our Class S gymnast won first place all­around. We owe it all to Yin! Yin buys us videos of great gymnasts so we can learn, calls us when we don't go to gym to make sure we're OK, and checks our report cards to make sure we're keeping up with our grades. Our goal is to make the Olympic Team and with Yin by our side, I know we will do it.

By The Universal Gymnastics Boys Team

Midwest TWisters Gymnastics : . South Milwaukee, Wisconsin .' I Meri has been with us for years and we con- * sider her a friend, coach and mom. She devotes all her time and talent to us girls at gymnastics. She teaches gym classes at an elementary school during the day and at night she comes straight to the gym to teach us. There is no time for her to get a good home cooked meal, so we have our moms help, once in a while, by cooking her something to eat while we warm up. Meri is at the gym six days a week teaching us new skills and routines. We are all her special kids and she has a lot of patience. She even demonstrates stuff to us once in a while . She rewards with praise and sometimes a treat if we hit our skill. We all love her coaching and her as a person .

By the Level 4, 6 & 7 Teams of Midwest Twisters Gymnastics

continued next page

USA GYMNAsr,C'slD'

COACH SAHDV COACH JASON REISSIG PEARSOH Ashland, Virginia McAlester, Oklahoma

Sandy was my coach when I was 4 My coach, Jason, is a very nice coach. years old unbl now and I'm lO. I When we arrive at gym he plays soccer, miss her very much because no baseball and foobball with us. Then we get matter what, I knew I was special to in a circle and stretch. When we're not in her and she cared about me very meet season he takes me golfing, fishing, much. I wish I could sbll have her lIaLJ..!:;!~W';;':'~""""'- and swimming. My coach is such a gooc coach me. She's an outstanding spotter. She always coach that I won every event and scored 50.325 as a knows if you need a spot or not. She's always there for Class IV. He also coached me to a fourth place finish at you. She's strict but lovable. She pays attenbon to every- the nabonal compebbon and I made the Junior Olympic one no matter how good or bad you are. She says it Developmental Nabonal Team. Jason drives me a long doesn't matter how low your scores are if you do your way to train with a pit because we don't have one. If that best. She says, irs nothing to run home about, but it is isn't a Super Coach than I don't know what is. I really something to walk home with. The appreciate him. best thing about Sandy is that she always believes in me so I do my best.

By Victoria L. Bergreen (age 10, Level 8)

COACH SUZIE REVELS International Gymnastics Academy Charlotte, North Carolina

Suzie must be a Super Coach because she was nominated by three -----:, different gymnasts, Karyn Fein, Kendall Firman and Abbey Myles. Karyn says, "Every day Suzie gives us our own specialized individual work­out. She also takes time to organize bowling parties, sleepovers at the gym, adventures at --....... ~,;~ the local water park, and spends time with us at the COACH CHARLES pool in the summer. Suzie has a life out of the gym and has a wonderful husband, but she still has enough love to share with us. One day after having a frustrating week at the gym, I found a note from Suzie letting me know that she was behind me and encouraging me to work through it. Her philosophy is this--10 years from now, you won't remember your scores and places at every meet, but you wil l remember your career as a gymnast. Her goal is for all of us to look back on the sport as a fun , exciting time." Abbey says, "In the sum­mer Suzie takes us to Woodward camp. Last year we had a blast. Suzie is the nicest person I've ever met. She doesn't judge you by how good a gymnast you are, but what kind of a person you are." Kendall added, "I love Suzie a lot and I think she should win. She works really hard and mobvates everyone to do the best they can, but most of all to have lots of fun . She's an awe­some person!"

By Karyn Fein, Kendall Firman and Abbey Myles

COACH JESUS VAZQUEZ

st. Cloud, Minnesota

Jesus is the greatest coach because he takes us to other gyms

and introduces us to many new peo­ple. He also invites other teams to our

gym so we can spend time with them. He Is one of the coaches at Lake Owen

Gymnastics Camp in Wisconsin . He shows us that gymnasbcs is more than

just compebbon. He has taught us that you don't have to be first to be a winner, just as long as you do your best. He copies off sheets of motivabonal say­ings for us so that we can take them home and put on our walls. He helps us to stay calm before and during meets. He's helped our whole team to be successful!

By Meggan McClelland and Mary Supan

mUSA GYMNASTICS

MUSGRAV Salt Lake City, Utah

Charles is the best coach in the whole wide world.

When I first started training with. ,..:h.:::im~,.~r--l he got me over my ~

mental block of doing back walkovers on the high beam. During the summer we go running and Charles goes with us. He has taken us swimrning for condition­ing, too. At our meets he dresses up to the theme of the meet. One time he dressed like a cowboy and another time he dressed as a space alien. At our State Meet, he had the name of our gym dyed into his hair. He recently had shoulder surgery but still comes to the gym and coaches. He knows how much we depend on him and he never wants to let us down.

By Brittany Daniels

COACH KEVIH STAHDRIFF Gym Force Athletic Training Center Tallahassee, Florida "Kevin's greatest quality is his ability to motivate peo­ple," said Lawton Hill. "If someone misses his routine, he's always there to get them fired up to hit the next routine." Jared O'Donnell said, "Irs hard to say all the things Kevin means to me and my family. For many years I was critically ill with an inoperable brain tumor. All throughout my illness I had the hope of moving to be coached by Kevin. Through many miracles I had a successful surgery and relocated to Tallahassee fu lly capable of dOing gymnastics. Kevin immediately put

me on team and we never once looked back" Brian Clark said, "At the 1997 Regional Championships my teammates and I placed top three in the all-around. We've also won first place team at every meet this sea­son except one. Kevin also takes time to do fun things with us like lunch, go to the park, Q-Zar to play laser tag and arcade games" Wade Forman added, ''Some of my personal experiences with Kevin mean a lot to me. For example, when his son was being born he called rne from the hospital to wish me a happy birthday." Matt Minnoely said, "At Regionals he questioned a ring score for me, and he was right, so my score got changed and I made it to Nabonals." Kelly Lang said, "At Regionals I was on my last event, pommel horse, and if I hit I would be Regional Champion, but if I fell I would be just short of my goal. I was very nervous. Pommel horse had been my biggest challenge, mentally and phYSically, the enbre year. I had hit the roubne in only one other meet. Kevin calmed me down and I made my routine. Kevin was the first to congratulate me. He's the best coach in the world."

By Lawton Hill, Jared O'Donnell, Brian Clark, Wade Forman, Matt

Minnoely, and Kelly Lang

Loveland High School

Gary has been coaching for 24 years at Loveland High School, teaches English and Bible Literature, is the

youth pastor at Grace Community Church, and Is extremely committed to his Wife and two sons. He's

never yelled or raised his voice to any of us. He believes that gymnastics should be a pos­itive experience for all who partiCipate. And his methods sure work, we won our fourth State Team Championships in this decade this year. While most high school coaches take it easy in the summer, Gary is working in the gym everyday with his gymnasts in order to let them have the best training opportunities for the non-club athletes. Gary is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish the goals of the team. Gary is not only a great coach, but

has taken the time and dedication to touch the lives and hearts of so many children .

By Nicole Miner

COACH JEHHIFER BRETZ

I'm a Level 8-9 gymnast with four other teammates compebng. We think we have the best coach! Jennifer figures out ways to have fun both in and out of the gym. We have pool parnes, sleep­overs, birthday parnes, pizza parties, make up cheers, make up dances, and go bike riding, etc. ~ Jennifer has a lot of faith in us. In the sumrner we didn't have

a gym so we went from gym to gym, /' but she kept us together because she knew she would make a winning team out of us. We worked really hard at all the open gyms we could find before Rob opened Excel, our new home. We won the Level 8 team at the Coca-Cola Classic in st. LouiS this spring. We placed fifith at Buckeye

J ULY/AUGUS T 1997

1--

I

J

Classic in Ohio. Two of us took first and second all-around in our age group at the TWisters Invitational in Florida. It only hap­pened because Jennifer coached us and made us believe we could do it.

By Courtney Butler

COACH JONI SPATA Eli te Sports Complex Downers Grove, Illinois

Joni Spata is the Rhythmic Gymnastics Director and Instructor at Elite Sports Complex. I have only done rhythmic gymnastics for a year-and-a-half, but I have learned a lot. There are so many small and large things Joni does for us. An occa­sional get together outside of the gym, notes and gifts of encouragement at meets, decorating our doors at away meets, and always being a person we can talk to. But these things aren't what make her a Super Coach. Her personal ity and the lessons she teaches us is what sets her apart. I have learned that frustration and anger wi ll get you no where and that it's much better to try your best and be patient. I have learned that no matter the outcome you should be proud of yourself. The hard work and effort you put into your gymnastics should be far more important than winning first place. I know that someday I will stop dOing gymnastics, but what I have learned from Joni will last longer than the abil­ity to do leaps and turns. There will never be enough ways to thank you, Joni.

By Lauren Beeks,

COACH RACHEL PETTITT

Cascade Eli te

Rachel has be.en my coach since 1995.

She always makes sure you're inspired and dedicated to the sport. At meets she doesn't care how well you do as long as you try your hardest and give 100%. Her motto is "No should'a, could'a, would'a ." We always have li ttle pow-wows to figure out how we can work more efficiently and make ourselves better!

By Kelsey Roberts

COACH DESPINA NIKAS Desi's dedication to our team is amazing. Her work doesn't end when she leaves the gym. She's always thinking about new drills or new tricks we should try She writes notes down in her notebook. If she can't figure out why one of us

is having a problem with a certain skil l, she calls another coach for adVice. Desi is a role model for all of her gymnasts. She's very physically fi t. BeSides coaching, she teaches aerobics and takes adult gymnastics classes. She also eats very healthy and tries to make sure we do the

- -'1'--_1 same. Desi makes gymnastics fun. ....... 11 She always uses a variety of drills and

warm-ups so that we won't get bored. One time she told us to pack up our grips and get our

JU L Y/A U G U S T 1997

jackets then she took us all to Friendly's and treat­

ed us to ice cream. We have strength contests,

handstand contests and team sprinting contests. This summer we're taking a lot of mini-trips like to the beach, movies, a water park, and we're going to workout at Chelsea Piers, a sports com­plex with a really big gym. When I come home from school each day I can't wait to get to the gym. My team­mates and I are so lucky to have Desi as our coach.

By Caitlin Dean

;::~TRICIA '~ BIANCONE

North Stars Gymnastics Team Berlin, \7ermont

Tricia came to us in the summer of 1996. Our gym could not financially survive and the team girls had no where to go. Our meet season was only two months away and things didn't look good. Through a tremen­dous effort of a few indiViduals a coach was found. Tricia owned a small gym in Waterbury, Vermont. She was informed of the Situation and said she would help out until we found a coach. She loved working with the team girls so much she deCided to stay Tricia's ambition and energy towards gymnastics has inHuenced many indiVid­uals. She has had a great impact on many of our lives. Tricia lifted a small dying gym to a successful running

HONORABLE MENTIONS Coach Yulia Hancheroff Tumbletown Gymnastics, Seattle, Washington By Carrie Christensen Coach Donald George Clark Clark's Gymnastics, Chester, Maryland By Clark's Gymnastics Level 6-8 Team

Coach Lance Phillips Redding Gymnastics Center, Redding, California By Jessica Love

Coach Gretchen Olson Duluth, Georgia By Tracey Collins, Heather Smith, Carrie Collins Coach Crystal Tew Olympian Gymnastics, Mesa, Arizona By Nicole Edson and friends

Coach Steve Elisbury Crossroads Gymnastics, Indianapolis, Indiana By Sierra Stephens

Coach Gene Alexin (Coach A) Memphis Centre of Gymnastics, Memphis, Tennessee By Ussy Smith

Coach Roberto Pumpido To the Top Gymnastics Academy, Ft. Lauderdale, flOrida By Ashlyn D. Scheff Coach Mike Domagalski Sumter Twisting Aerials, Sumter, South Carolina By Laura Ybarra

Coach Mr. Brian West Seneca, New York By Olivia Haas

Coach Pavel and Elena Miligulo Perpetual Motion Gymnastics Center, St Paul Park, Minnesota By Hayla Land

business. The future looks bright and hopeful for the gymnasts of North Stars Gymnastics

By The North Stars Gymnastics Team

COACH DON SPENCER Spence Gymnastics and Dance Company and Go For It Academy Las Vegas, Nevada

I received many letters tell ing me why Coach Don Spencer is a Super Coach . Here are some highlights: Don takes us to Grand Slam Canyon, State line Roller Coaster-Desperado, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, Castles and Coasters, and the beach. However, the team works hard in the gym, too, because we are state champions in every age group in every level, boys and girls. Don helps each of us pick a nickname. He also has each of us make up a team cheer or chant and share it with every­one. On birthdays, coach lets us take the birthday per­son outside and throw a pie in his/her face. When we get a new skill we ring a brass bell and everyone stops and claps for us. When we get a new routine, Don calls for a spot light. Don starts and ends each practice with a team meeting, he yells line up, and the team lines up smallest to tallest. We end by bowing to the coaches, turning and bowing to the American Hag, saluting the ftag, and say­ing Jon suk" which means work with your mind, body, and heart as one. Then we end with each g\lmnast ge",t,,--__ ---; ting a high five or a hug from every coach. Coach teach-es us endurance by having us compete in a triathlon every year. We swim 1/4 mile, bike 8 miles and run 3 miles. Our entire team thinks Don is a Super Coach!

By Genna, Michaela, Dawn, Connie, Sarah, Taren, Tori, Danny, Jonathan, Bailey, Lori, Jessica, Katie, Bridgett, Amanda, Marina, Lacy, Rachel, Julie, Jessica, Josh, Erica, Melissa, Jeff, Chelsee, and Krysten

Coach Yulla Hancheroff Tumble Town Gymnastics, Seattle, Washington By Jessica Trulson

Coach Keith Kirkpatrick KldsGym, Grantspa55, Oregon By Wendy Love

Coach Kim Orrlss World Cup Gymnastics, Marlboro, New Jersey By Megan Tkach

Coach Harry Tate Half Moon Bay, Callfomla By Vanessa Baume

Coach Marco Bravo Midwest Academy of Gymnastics, Warrenville, illinois By Georgia Oros, Crlstine Roberts and Courtney Priess

Coach Jerry Ballinger Lakota High School, Middletown, Ohio By Mardi and Margi Sammons

Coach Shannon TOOesco Whip City Gymnastics, Southwick, Massachusetts By Michelle Chlotakis and Jamie Crapser

Coach Usa Miller Springfield, Missouri By Courtney Dahlberg, Jessica Johnson and Hall Clark

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(Dates & Events Subject to Change or Cancellation)

JULY 2-7 Senior Pan American Championships (M/W/ R) 9-13 Elite Judges Course (W) 12 U.S. Championships Qualification Meets (M) 12-13 Regional Elite Meets (International Only) (W) 19-20 Region IV Congress 19-20 International Junior Team Meet (R) 24-27 U.S. Classic/Notional Gymnastics Festival (W)

AUGUST 9-13 FIG Continental Judges Course ( R) 13-16 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships (M/W) 14-17 USA Gymnastics Notional Congress 20-31 World University Gomes (W) 22-24 FIG General Gymnastics "Group Performances" Course 24-27 USA Gymnastics Notional Gym Fest (GG) 28-31 Junior Olympic Notional Team Training Camp (W) 31-7 Artistic World Championships (M/W)

SEPTEMBER 5-7 GAT Convention 5-7 Region I Congress 5-7 Region VII Congress 11-18 International JR. Gymnastics Competition (M/W) 25-0d 2 Junior Pacific Alliance Championships (M/W)

OCTOBER 2-5 Region V Congress 4-5 Notional TOP Testing West (W) 5 USA vs Germany Dual (Junior - M) 10-12 Region VIII Congress 11-12 National TOP Testing East (W) 11-12 J.O_ Group Championships ( R) 18 Regional Future Star,s (M) 20-21 FIG Symposium-Development of

Jr_ Talent for Artistic &Rhythmic 22-24 FIG Symposium-Development of

Men's Artistic Gymnastics 22-26 Rhythmic World Championship ( R) 24-26 Region VI Congress 25-26 FIG Sympasium-Strudures &

Sd!edule of FIG Competitions 27-Nov 1 PAGU Junior InterOub (MIN) 28-29 AG ExlKlllive Symposium TID AG General Gymnastics Instrudors Course

NOVEMBER 7 21

Nalional Gymnastics FocnIation Board Meeting USA GyI1Inastics ExlKlllive Committee Meeting

1997 NBC SPORTS TELEVISED EVENTS

BROADCAST: Aug. 16 {WI John Honcock u.s. Aug. 17 {WI Gymnostics Sept. 13 {MI Chompionships

McNichols Areno

Medellin, COL Tempe, Al Vorious Sites Various Sites Minneapolis, MN TBD SeaHle, WA

Colorado Springs, CO Denver, CO Denver, CO Sicily, ITA Orlando, Fl Orlando, Fl Colorado Springs, CO lausanne, SUI

Austin, TX Santo Claro, (A

E.Stroudsburg, PA Yokohama, JPN Colorado Springs, CO

Cincinnati, OH Reno, NV Colorado Springs, CO SI. Petersburg, Fl Rochester, NY Atlanta, GA Various Sites

Berlin, GER

Berlin, GER Berlin, GER Boxbaro, MA

Berlin, GER HoustOll, TX Berlin, GEl USA-TID

EVENT DATE: Aug. 13·16 Denver, Colorodo CIt ... .,.. .... ........... ,..1Y.

JULY/AUGUST 1997

senior nationcir. ... ~~97 k'hvlhmlt':

National Championships, Houston, Texas, on the campus of University. Lacuesta, who trains at Rhythmic Gems, won the ti~e despite the absence of her head coach, Lana Lashoff. "I just wanted to do the clean-

~est job that I could possibly do, not I for myself, but also for my coach who CI isn't here," Lacuesta said. "She's preg­~ nant, so she stayed back home. You ~could say she's on a 'leave of @absence'," laughed Lacuesta .

; The new 1997-1998 USA Rhythmic - Junior and Senior National Teams were

selected at the Rhythmic National Championships, held May 2-4. The top eight seniors and eight juniors quali~ed for the coveted nafional team spots. The new year hardly brought a new order, however, with 12 of the 16 spots claimed by repeat nafional team mem-bers, all of whom maintained or improved their ranking from last year.

The gymnasts competed two roufines for each of the two preliminary days, with the top 12 seniors and top 12 juniors advancing to ~nals on the third day, when each athlete competed all four routines. The preliminary scores, which were used to determine the event champions, carried over to count for 30% of the final all-around total, with the remaining 70% of the ~nal score from the last day of competition.

Lacuesta led consisten~ throughout each day of compefifion. Prior to her all-around gold medal, she earned gold with the rope, silver for ribbon, and bronze for hoap and clubs. Entering the com­

petition as the highest ranking athlete, Lacuesta faced expectafions of suc­cess. How does Lacuesta handle the pressure? "Somefimes I put pressure on myself, but I try to block it away," noted Lacuesta. "I ~gure that if I keep puffing

OIF. MortIOVa, pressure on myself, there is CoidI of ... y_ no way I can do the best

that I could."

With a superb set of four roufines in ~nals, Lauri Illy, who also trains at Rhythmic Gems, jumped from ~fth in prelims to second place over­all. 'Whatever place I got was going to be ~ne with me, just as long as I did a gOod job. I'm very

USA .YMHASrlCS

Natalie Locuesto

happy with how I did, because thars exady what happened," said an exuberant Illy. "I had a great pull-up. Irs the ~rst time I can actually say that!" Illy took the top score of the competifion with her hoap routine on day three, which scored an 18.525. "I had one of the best roufines that I have ever done."

Lacuesta and Illy, who are only three months aport in age, are making a habit of their winning ways. Consider this: at 60th the 1994 and 1995 Rhythmic National Championships, Lacuesta was ~rst and Illy was second in the junior division. In 1996, their ~rstyear in the senior ranks, Lacuesta placed second to defending National Champion Jessica Davis, while Illy took ~fth . With not only the refirement of Davis, but also a year of train­ing and senior experience, this dynamic duo's current rise to the top is not surprising. This friendly pair has divergent styles: Lacuesta per­forms refined, elegant roufines of unquesfionable pro~ciency, while Illy's vibrant choreography affirms an expressive personality.

The compefifion was scored with the new FIG Code of Points, which uses two panels of judges to determine the score. The maximum mark is 20 points, which are distributed as follows: artisfic value, ~ve points; technical value, ~ve points; and execution, 10 points. "I think the new scoring is great!" grinned Illy. "Irs better than saying I got an eight; naw I can say 'I got a SEVENTEEN!'"

Ellie Takahashi, who placed sixth in the juniors last year, toak the senior division by

JIRIIor T8GIIl

placing third overall and winning the ribbon ti~e . Takahashi, who trains at California Academy, led a vel}' close pack of ~ve gym­nasts, all 5efXlrated by less than four-tenths of a point. California teammates Liriel Higa (fourth) and Sasha Chernenko (sixth) also qual­i~ed for the senior nafional team, giving California the most number of senior national team members.

Accordingly, California's head coach, Olga Morozova, was selected as "Coach of the Year" by her peers.

RhythmAex's Alicia Albe, 19, quali~ed for her sixth nafional team by taking ~fth place and tying for the clubs fi~e with Illy. Meaghan Muller, of A~anta Internafional, won the hoop fi~e but suf­fered mistakes with that same routine in all­around ~nals, dropping from second to seventh place. Muller was selected by her teammates as Rhythmic Sportsperson of the Year, an award which was presented at the post-compefition banquet. The ~nal spot on the senior nafional team was earned by Tara McCargo of United Gymnasfics, who was second in the junior divi­sion last year.

Kate Jeffress, of RhythmAex, seized the 1997 junior national ti~e by almost a seven point mar­gin! "I didn't feel pressure to place; I felt pressure on my roufines," explained Jeffress, composed and con~dent beyond her 14 years. ''The high­light from today has to be my last roufine, ribbOn, because I was nervous for it. I knew I could place on the team; I just wanted to do well, because I knew I could." Jeffress earned the top junior score on each apparatus in both sessions of com­petition, giving her an amazing ~ve gold medals in the junior compefifion! Jeffress was certainly a key contributor to RhythmAex's "Club of the Year" award, which is given annually to the best gym, based on the results of their top two juniors and top two seniors.

JULY / AUGUST 199 7

Jeffress's closest competition was a trio of 12 year oIds: Heilie Isaacs, Rhythmic Gems; Lindsay Powell, International Rhythmic; and Danielle lard, Oregon Gymnastics Academy. Second-place Isaacs, in on,>, her second nationals, felt particu­larly proud of her rope routine in finals. "1 just smiled and expressed it, and all of my turns were clean," said a bubbly Isaacs. "It made me feel good." Isaacs also won three event medals: a sil­ver in the rope, and bronze medals with ball and hoop. Powell, who will not be age-eligible for the senior division until 2000, climbed from sixth place after prelims 10 third overall 10 make her first national team. lord, who along with Isaacs will be a senior in 1999, moved from eighth place in juniors last year 10 fourth place here, thanks in part 10 her silver medal rope routine.

Jessica Howard (International Rhythmic, fifth), Erin Jeffress (RhythmAex, sixth), and Camille Branlon (Adanta International, eighth) all quali­fied for their first national team, while Amy Ng (RhythmAex) placed seventh 10 make her second national team. Howard, who dropped from sec­ond 10 fifth after mistakes with her hoop on the last day, eamed a remarkable three apparatus silvers, in hoop, rope, and ribbon. Erin, who is the younger sister of Kate, is the youngest nation­al team member at only 11 years old! She won the bronze in the ribbon.

Feeding off the popularity and visibility of rhythmic gymnastics at the 1996 Olympics, the group event returned 10 a warm welcome on the stage of the national championships. The senior group event was won by Oregon Academy; RhythmAex won the juniors . ... h" ..... m",. Gems' junior group member Isaacs rnnnl"\l"\r...-i

the two types of competition: "Both are group, you have 10 be synchronized and What the other people are doing. During individ­ual competition, you're out there all by yourself, and everyone's looking at just you."

The event was dedicated 10 the late Bill McElroy, the co-chair of the local Committee for the host club, Houslon Two weeks prior 10 the competition, while driving on a business trip, Mr. McElroy's car was crushed by an 18-wheeler and he died instandy. Two of Mr. McElroy's daughters, Michelle lorsen and Missy McElroy, are both former rhythmic nation-al team members, and I'I'IIlf. at Houslon Illusions. ' you hear m~ trageciy, this i· ,C1 Nora Campbell, U A <;7ymnasti mic Program Dir '1he thin nCl Judy McElro . _ hhe

ere incredible." e past-competition "'-1Pfv.nquet, USA cs presented the first Bill

McElroy Award .jLt.!fliemory of Mr. McElroy, an award accepte<n>y his survivi~ family mem­bers, who wenl lovingly greeted by the rhythmic community with an emotional standing ovation. The Bill McElrpy Award will become an annual honor 10 the ost devoted, suppartive parent in rhythmic gym stics.

RESULTS ON PAGE JO

CGllII .... 1llt1Oll wu scored ........

FIG Code of PoInts, wIIkh u ... two ........ of IudIu

to .......... 1M ICON.

1M IIIDI. I'll ... 20 poIlIII, which are ~ .. foIIows:

artistic val , five points; tech leal val., five pol II; ~ and execution, 10 points. I -I k ....... scanng I .. ......... an ..... 11.,. -It' ........ than saying 6

I got eight; now I can I say 'I got a SmmEI""

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By •• ch.l. H.rI ...

I just wanted to do the best that I could, the cleanest job that I could ptmib/y do. I c&dn't WIIIIf to go in there with a Iat of nerves; I knew that would probably throw me off.

It's partly experience. Then, there's always the rituals I have, like visuatllDlion. I just go thraugh my rltuak and I try not to think of the placement as much as the quality of my performance.

I did, because at last year's nationals I was second, IIJII JImim [Davis] refired. In a ~ I fait that I had to be on top. I fried nat to think about it a lat.

I I

It's tough, and confusing. Even sifting back home and trying to figure it out with our coaches, we are still confused. But I think it's good, bemuse they added artistry ido it, lIJIIexprmion, and they added the new panel of judges. In a ~ the new rules are good for a dmge, because they try to have the ath­letes perform their best without musing as much iniurY.

Overall, I think that made me amntrate more on my expression. I am sometimes very technical; I sometimes lose the expression in my routines. Having that new segment of the scoring being added, it helps me to COIK8IIIrate more on my performance, fadaI~ and~.

In gymnastics, I look up to everyone. Out of gymnastics, it's my parents and my sister. My sister was a compelilive figure skater, and she's helped me through everything. When I get down or when I am facing all the pressure, she's been through all that and so she helps me. I look up to her in every way that I am.

Rrst, I had this great feehng just getting over today. Nationak is always a long meet, bemuse it's a three-day meet. When you get over it, there is a great feebng of relief that you made it through. One of the other biggest moments of today's meet was being announced as the Senior National Champion. As a junior, I held this title for Iwo years, and so I was hoping to attain it. Now that I have attoined it, it's a big 'wow' to me right now.

A lot of times, I have trouble with tlflle things: a step here, a step there, very technical things. Every routine is hard, and has elements that are hard. It's a challenge to focus on every­thing, no motter how big or tlflle it IIIIIf be, to perfect it the way that you want it to be, so that you'D do it consistently.

. I

My next meet is Four Continents, in Australia; it's an FIG event. I've parIidpated in this meet before; this will be my third or fourth year. I'd Ie to continue my suuess in that meet. I went from the bottom to the top, so I would bke to ~ stay at that level or go further. long4erm, I haven't realy ~ thought about the yecrs ahead. One very frequent question is ~ the _ 01vmPics.1 just Ie to toke things day by ~ week 3!

by week, mOnth by month, year by yecu: When I faeI that it's I time to make CIIOIher long-term goal, more them a year, 11 I'l

think about it, but, as of right now, I'm just IakiJg things one ~ day at a lime. ~

AT THE 1997 RHYTHMIC NATIONALS

JULY/AUGUST 1997

By Luan P •••• k

Jay Thornton has been around the national gymnastics scene for seven years and has many cre­dentials to his name like 1990 J.O. National Champion, 1993 Big 10 Freshman of the Year, 1995 and 1996 Big 10 Champion on Aoar, 1995 NCAA Champion on Aoar, 1996 NCAA Champion on vault, four-time National Team Member, Olympic Festival Gold Medalist, and finally his most recent accomplishment of tying for third all-around at the 1997 Winter Cup Challenge.

We talked to Thornton to Rnd out a little more about his bockground and what he's planning for the future. Here's what he had to say:

Thornton: My dod is a (ardiologist, my step­mom is a nurse, my mom is a nurse, my step­dad is a lawyer. I have two younger twin brothers, Brad and Andy (Andy is on USA Junior EI~e National Gymnastits Team!, and two younger sisters, Gin and Charlotte. I was born in Washington and moved to North Carolina. When I was B, I moved ta Son Antonio, then to Augusta, Ga., when I was 13. My fami~ is still there. I went to college for four-and-a-half years at Iowa and moved 10 Colorado Springs 10 train at the Olympic Training Center in January 1997.

Thornton: II's good. He's doing a lot of high level skilk and he pushes me. Floor is his best event 100, we are even doing the same first pass. We always talk on the phone and discuss how things are going and how we're prepar­ing. Besides myself, he's my worst critic. He studies gymnastits all the time and reviews tapes. II's fun 10 bounce things off of him.

Thornton: Andy is a perfectionist at hearl, sa most of his pressure comes from himself.

COIIIII_ 011 page 40

Iy.P ...

When you're a top gymnast on the u.s. National Team, some­times you have to make sacri­fices. Take Kristen Maloney for example, she turned 16 on March 10, but couldn't ~nd a free weekend to celebrate her sweet 16 birthday until May!

While most 16-year-olds wouldn't be willing to wait two months to celebrate their birth­day, Kristen takes it all in stride.

Coach Donna Strauss said, "Kristen's success didn't come overnight. She had to work long and hard at it. She's able to set goals and stick to them."

Kristen's goal in 1996 was to make the Olympic Trials." She knew she was not an Olympic contender, and even doubted at times if she could make the Trials," said Strauss. "Kristen did make the Trials, but wished she would have competed up to her ability. Our training .into Trials was excellent. If we had Kristen do eight routines on beam, she hit eight routines. Unfortunately, I think she tried toa hard and fell on beam and Roar at Trials, which was very uncharacteristic. We picked out all the good points and talked about the upcoming year. She's never lost her inner drive and perseverance."

Now Kristen is on top of the U.S. gymnas~cs scene. She earned the silver medals on beam and Roar and the bronze on vault at the 1997 Visa American Cup, an i nterna~onal invita~onal with athletes competing from 23 countries. She won the 1997 American Classic, are-ranking compe~~on for the U.S. Na~onal

CIIIIIIIII • ,.. 41

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1997 RHYTHMIC NATIONALS JUNIOR ALL-AROUND FINALS # NAME ClUB ROPE HOOP ClUBS RIBBON TOTAL WEIGHTED

SENIOR ALL-AROUND FINALS 1. Kole Jeffrell Rhylhmflex 17.700 17 .100 17.500 16.950 69.250 41.550 # NAME ClUB ROPE HOOP ClUBS RIBBON TOTAL WEIGHTED 17.400 17.625 17.400 17.650 70.075 98.105 1. NOlolie Loweslo Rhylhmi( Gems 18.425 17.650 18.125 17.750 71.950 43.170 139.655

18.350 18.475 18.200 18.300 73.325 102.655 2. Heilie IsoDCs Rhylhmi( Gems 16.900 16.250 16.800 15.200 65.150 39.090 145.825 16.600 16.725 16.600 16.975 66.900 93.660

2. Louri Illy Rhylhmi( Gems 16.700 17.525 18.425 17.725 70.375 42.225 132.750 17.575 18.525 18.050 18.175 72.325 101.255 3. lindsoy Powell Inl'l. RSG 15.875 15.800 16.275 15.825 63.775 38.265 143.480

3. Ell ie Tokohoshi Colil. Acod. 17.675 17.475 17.425 17.825 70.400 42.240 16.350 16.950 16.350 16.800 66.450 93.030

131.295 17.750 18.000 17.800 18.050 71.600 100.240

4. Oonielle Lord Oregon Gym. 16.900 15.875 16.675 15.825 65.275 39.165 142.480 4. liriel Higo Colil. Acod. 17.950 17.725 17.7 50 16.775 70.200 42.120 16.125 16.700 16.175 16.500 65.500 91.700

17.850 17.950 18.200 17.625 71.625 100.275 130.865 142.395 5. Jelli(o Howord Inl'l. RSG 16.175 16.750 17.050 15.875 65.850 39.510

5. Alicio Albe Rhylhmflex 18.050 16.900 18.425 17.150 70.525 42.315 16.550 15.900 16.850 15.725 65.025 91.035 17.675 18.125 17.800 17.800 71.400 99.960 130.545

142.275 6. Erin Jeffrell Rhylhmflex 16.350 15.425 16.550 15.850 64.175 38.505 6. Alexondro Chernenko Colil. Acod. 17.600 17.400 17.825 17.450 70.275 42.165 16.075 16.275 16.200 15.875 64.425 90.195

17.650 18.050 17.700 18.050 71.425 99 .995 128.700 142.160 7. Amy Ng Rhylhmflex 15.675 15.450 16.600 15.075 62.800 37.680

7. MeoghonMulier Allonlo Inl'l. 17.725 18.050 17.950 17.225 70.950 42.570 15.500 16.225 15.700 16.325 63.750 89.250 18.350 16.950 17.950 17.850 71.1 00 99.540 126.930

142.110 B. Comille Bronlon Allonlo Inl'l. 15.575 15.500 15.650 15.725 62.450 37.470 8. Toro M(Corgo Uniled Gym. 17.050 17.325 17.325 17.100 6B.800 41.2BO 15.950 16.350 16.050 15.350 63.700 89.180

17.350 17.650 16.575 17.075 68.650 96.110 126.650 137.390 9. Jo(queline YonD Le Club 15.175 15.225 15.225 15.175 60.BOO 36.480

9. Kelsi Kemper Anelio's RSG 16.425 16.350 17.350 17.350 67.475 40.485 16.275 16.500 15.450 15.500 63.725 89.215 16.825 17.350 17.425 17.500 69.100 96.740 125.695

137.225 10. Sieionie Croyle Rhylhmflex 15.600 15.650 16.050 14.375 61.675 37.005 10. lindsoy Numedohl Red River Gym. 16.500 16.375 16.750 17.225 66.850 40.110 15.025 14.525 15.550 15.625 60.725 85.015

16.950 16.850 17.450 17.500 68.750 96.250 122.020 136.360 11. Mosho Krokovskoyo LA lighlS 15.625 14.B25 15.575 15.800 61.B25 37.095

11. K. S(horringhousen Allonlo Inl'l. 17.575 17.125 15.550 16.800 67.050 40.230 15.175 15.025 14.475 15.475 60.150 84.210 17.300 17.450 16.425 17.125 6B.300 95.620 121.305 135.850 12. Jenno Powell Colo.S(hool 15.575 15.875 14.975 15.500 62.100 37.260 12. Johonno Shoemoker Rhylhmflex 16.250 17.100 16.600 16.275 66.225 39.735

16.450 16.700 16.850 16.475 66.475 93.065 14.150 16.350 15.200 13.900 59.600 83.440 132.800 120.700

SENIOR EVENT FINALS JUNIOR EVENT FINALS ROPE CLUBS ROPE BALL 1. NOlolie Loweslo 18.425 1. Alicio Albe 18.425 1. Kole Jeffress 17.700 1. Kole Jeffress 17.500 2. Alicio Albe 18.050 1. Louri Illy 18.425 2. Heilie Isoocs 16.900 2. Jessico Howord 17.050 3.liriel Higo 17.950 3. NOlolie Lo(ueslo 18.125 2. Donielle Lord 16.900 3. Heilie Isoocs 16.800 4. Meoghon Muller 17.725 4. Meoghon Muller 17.950 4. Erin Jeffress 16.350 4. Donielle Lord 16.675 5. Ellie Tokohoshi 17.675 5. Alexondro Chernenko 17.825 5. Jessico Howord 16.175 5. Amy N~ 16.600 6. Alexondro Chernenko 17.600 6. liriel Higo 17.750 6. lindsoy Powell 15.875 6. Erin Je lress 16.550 7. Kossy S(horringhousen 17.575 7. Ellie Tokohoshi 17.425 7. Jenno Powell 15.750 7. lindsoy Powell 16.275 8. SUlonne Peorson 17.475 8. Kelsi Kemper 17.350 8. Amy Ng 15.675 8. Sieionie Croyle 16.050

HOOP RIBBON HOOP RIBBON 1. Meorhon Muller 18.050 1. Ellie Tokohoshi 17.825 1. Kole Jeffrell 17.100 1. Kole Jeffress 16.950 2. lirie Higo 17.725 2. NOlolie Loweslo 17.750 2. Jessi(o Howord 16.750 2. Jessico Howord 15.875 3. NOlolie Loweslo 17.650 3. LouriliX 17.725 3. Heilie lsoDCs 16.250 3. Erin Jeffress 15.850 4. Louri Illy 17.525 4. Alexon ro Chernenko 17.450 4. Donielle Lord 15.875 4. Donielle Lord 15.825 5. Ellie Tokohoshi 17.475 5. Kelsi Kemper 17.350 4. Jenno Powell 15.875 4. lindsoy Powell 15.825 6. Alexondro Chernenko 17.400 6. Meoghon Muller 17.225 6. lindsoy Powell 15.800 6. Mosho Krokovskoyo 15.800 7. Toro M(Corgo 17.325 6. lindsoy Numedohl 17.225 7. Sieionie Croyle 15.650 7. Comille 8ronlon 15.725 8. KOIlY S(horringhousen 17.125 8. Alicio Albe 17.150 8. Comille Bronlon 15.500 8. Jenno Powell 15.500

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DERIUGINA CUP GRAND PRIX "97 KIEV. MARCH 14-16 1. Elena Vilri,henko 2. Tolyono Ogryzko 3. Yevgenio Povlino 4. Siello Solopoliysko 5. Nololio UpkoVlkoyo 6. Toliono Popovo 7. Youlio Barsoukovo B. Tomaro Eraleevo 9. Swelo Tokoyev 10. Andrea Sebeslovo 19. Natalie Lacuesta

UKR BLR BLR BUL RUS UKR RUS UKR ISR m USA

7B.9B3 78.817 78.050 77.867 77.367 77.167 76.333 75.383 75.183 74.325 71.858

PAN AMERICAN INVITATIONAL COLEMAN COLISEUM. HOUSTON. TEXAS • APRIL 19. 1997 Coleman Coliseum of Houston was the site of the First Pan American Women's Gymnastics Invitatianal. This campetitian was spansored by the Hauston International Sparts Committee through the direction of John Kelley. Thirty seven athletes From 13 Pan American Countries participated in this inaugural event. The u.s. was represent­ed by National Team Members From Cypress Gymnastics. Marlene Stephens led the winning U.S. team by Finishing First in the all-around , vault, bars, and Roar. Brittany Thome Finished third in the all- around wi th Melinda Baimbridge Fourth . A strong yaung team From Brazil Finished second Fallowed by Canada in the team campetition. Competition results are listed below:

VAULT 1 Marlene Stephens 2 Daniele Hypolilo 2 Vanessa Meloche 2 Eileen Dioz

BARS 1 Marlene Stephens 1 Kristin Thome 3 Ursula Aores BEAM 1 Ooudine Pinard 2 Daniele Hypolilo 3 Marlene Stephens FLOOR 1 Marlene Stephens 2 Melinda 80imbridge 3 Daniele Hypolilo

ALL AROUND 1 Marlene Stephens 2 Ursula flares 3 Brittany Thome

TEAM 1 USA

USA 8razil Canada Puerto Ri[Q

USA USA Brazil

Canada 8razil USA

USA USA 8rozil

USA Brazil USA

9.150 8.975 8.975 8.975

9.050 9.050 8.950

9.350 9.250 9.175

9.550 9.375 9.300

36.925 35.775 35.575

Right: Gheza POlSar with gymnast from Honduras.

Marlene Stephens, Brittany Thome, Melinda Baimbridge, Kristin Thome Brazil Ursula Flores, Daniele Hypolilo, Comilo Comin, Polrido Aoki Canada Claudine Pinard, Vanessa Meloche, Korlene Moleparl

Below: linda Kardos and gymnast from Puerto Rico.

Fallowing the competition, all of the delegations plus four additional, traveled to the Bela Karolyi Gymnastics Camp for the Third Annual Pan American Training Camp. This camp has doubled in each of its three years of existence. Forty Seven athletes, 30 coach­es and judges, and 15 staff worked tagether intensely for four days at the camp. Coaching was dane by the USA Gymnastics National Staff members Muriel Grossfeld, Tammy Biggs, Gheza Pozsar, Artur Akopyan, and Vladimir Artemov with support from Vladimir Novikov, Linda Kardos-Woad , Pam Bileck, and Neil Resnick. Judge's sessions were given by Linda Mulvihill and the medica l needs of the camp were administered by Riga Carbajal. The purpose of this camp and competition is to develop the Pan American Union and further our relations with these countries.

The USA team at the Pan American Invitational induded from Lto R: Deena Parish, Louis Garda, Brittany Thome, Melinda Baimbridge, Kristin Thome, Marline Stevens and Debbie KaitS!huck.

JULY / AUGUST 1997

WORLD STARS INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION By Dennis Mcintyre

For the first time, the World Stars International Competition was hasted as a Grond Prix Gymnastics event. The meet was held in Moscow, Russia, March 29-30, and the coun­tries participating for the men were Belarus, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Latvia , Pakistan, Russian , Switzerland and the U.S. Participating countries for the women included Belarus, China, Denmark, Germany, Georgia, Greece, Romania , Russ ian , Switzerland, Ukraine and the U.S. Competing far the U.S. was Marvateens' Kathleen Shrieves, coached by Gary Anderson, and UClA's Steve McCain, coached by Doug Macey. Carole Ide was the women's judge. The highest profile athletes in the compe­tition were Russia's Svetlana Chorkina and Ita ly's YUri Chechi . The Russian men and women had just Finished their nation-al championships, so many of their "new" top gymnasts partrcipated in the event rncludrng Charkina and Alexr Bondarenko the 1997 Russian All-Around Champions. Upon arriving in RUSSIa , Shrieves thought she was to cam pete an Sunday but due to a redraw she had to campete an Saturday mornrng, only 30 hours upon arrival in the country " It was a very difficult SItuation," said Coach Anderson. Shrieves, an her first trip abroad, handled the sit­uation like a veteran. Her best event was bars, scaring an 8.95, which finished eighth in pre­liminaries. Unfortunately, she did nat qualify For the event finals because six of the eight spats were already taken by prequalified athletes. She also took 10th on vault. McCain hit six for six in the preliminary com­petition, but only qualified to compete an high bar, again, because gymnasts were already prequalified. McCain had trouble during his high bar routine in Finals and had a fall to scare 8.15. His overall Finish in the meet alter finals on each event including the gym­nasts prequaliFied was: 10th an Roor, 9th on pam mel horse and vault and parallel bars, and eighth an high bar.

Right (from Ito r): Dennis Mdntyre, Gary Anderson, Kathleen Shrieves, (orale Ide, Steve Mc{ain, Doug Macey and Vitaly Marinich visiting Red Square.

XI INTERNATIONAL RHYTHMIC TOURNAMENT OF THIAIS By Helena Greathouse

The XI International Rhythmic Tournament of Thiais took place in Thiais, France, March 14-16. Meaghan Muller, from Atlanta Internationol Rhythmic Gymnastics, gained valu­able experience on her second international assignment, taking 29th all-around aut of 51 competitors . Muller is coached by Marina Davidovich. The front runners in Thiais this year were the Front runners of the 1995 European Junior Championships. Bulgaria's Tsodora Alexandrova took First with a 76.80, followed by Russia's Elena Chalamova and Irina Tchaschina with sCares of 76.35 and 76.30, respectively. 1. Tsadaro Alexondravo BUL 2. Elena Cholomovo RUS 3. Irina T,ha"hino RUS 4. Olga Perepelilso BLR 5. Anno Glozkovo BLR 6. 8oriono Guinevo BUL 7. Boumweliliiol ISR 8. Susanna Marchesi ITA 9. Marlino Nodolini ITA 10. Amelie Villeneuve fRA 29. Meoghan Muller USA

76.800 76.350 76.300 76.125 75.250 74.575 74.375 74.000 73.850 73.650 70.525

Above{from Ito r): Judge Helena Greathouse, Gymnast Meaghan Muller, and Coach Marina Davidovich.

USA GYMNASr'CSm

Right: Whitney Morgan

VAULT • I. Chrilline Mcnlilia Arena 9.638 2. My· Lon Dodd COl(Ode Elile 9.363

~ 1 Samanlha Schueler Norlh Florida 9.313 ~ 4. April 8urkhalder 8rown'l Gym. 9.300 ALL·AROUND

4. Slephanie Kim 111inoil Gym. 1nsl. 9.300 1. Jeslie Lemp Brown'l Haullan 3B.400 6. Mondy Delgado Wesl Volley 9.2S0 2. Giselle Banilorli Ameri(On Twillers 3B.2S0 7. Soroh Y"kel Which Way 11 Up 9.17S 1 Helene Kenny MorVaTeens 3B.000

1997 WOMEN'S 8. Michelle Emmons Cyprell 9.075 4. Bridgel Knoeble Twin Cily Twillerl 37.825 9. Chrillie Tedman Pozlor's Gym. 9.025 5. Lonna Apilukh Brown'l Cenlrol 37.725

JUNIOR OLYMPIC 10. Tabilha Filzgerald Champion IKYI 7.213 6. KrillY Dreger LaFleur's SI. Pele 37.675

1 Nickie Bykovsky WeslValley 9.500 BARS 7. Belh Coleman Gym Spot 37.575

NATIONAL 4. Ashley Poslell CapilallVa.1 9.400 1. Nali(O Johnson GymlporlsAmer. 9.525 8. Lindsey Vagedes Illinois Gym. Insl. 37.550

CHAMPIONSHIPS 5. Lorisla Sieward Bart Conner Gym. 9.100 2. Kelly Sireicher Colorado Aeriall 9.500 8. Suzanne Searl Arlonla Sch. 01 Gym. 37.550 6. Suzanne Hui HUGS 9.050 1 Annie Rue Rebounders 9.450 18. Tanya Joseph Ailanlic GTC 37.550

10. Melissa Green Twislars USA 37.475 7. Samanlha Lulz MidweslAcad. 8.850 4. Annie Medcalf FLYTZ 9.425 11 . Erin Coppinger Dynamo IDH) 37.425

More Ihon 450 of Ihe top Level 10 8. Tobilho Vim Gym Max 8.625 4. TIllonr, Berry Brown'IMelro 9.425 20. Lindlay Troinham Arena 37.500 12. Chrislina Porro" Flipl 37.400

gymnasts in Ihe country gathered in 9. Slephanie Edney Ocean Tumblers 8.250 6. Kim C aussen Colorado Aeriall 9.300 20. JaneslO Grieco Galaxy 37.500 13. Kalie Sydes Brown's Melro 37.350

Orlanda, Fla ., May 1-3, for Ihe 10. Nicole BUller Gymslroda 8.100 7. Courlney Sianek FLYTZ 9.225 VAULT 14. Kim lillie CalWesl 37.325

1997 Junior Olympic National BEAM 8. Caroline Fluhrer Cal(Ode Elile 9.025 I. Ashley Lomb Capilal Cily INE) 9.700 14. Kara Fry Parkelles 37.325

Championships. The event was a I. Krislal Uzel" Parkelles 9.775 9. April Burkholder Brown'l Gym. 8.850 2. Krillin Parker Cenlrol Calil. 9.438 16. Breck Pribyl LaFleur's SI. Pele 37.300

great success. "The level of competi- 2. Ashley Kupels Olympiad 9.550 10. Shelley Harril Twillarl USA 8.300 2. Lori Loesch Brown's Houston 9.438 16. Nicole Mullins FLYTZ 37.300

tion was outstanding," said USA 3. Janoe Cox So. Ind. Gym. 9.52S BEAM 4. Danielle Albrighl Airborne 9.413 18. Kalhy Ugon Cypress 37.27S

Gymnastics Junior Olympic 1 Suzanne Hui HUGS 9.525 1. April Burkholder Brown's Gym. 9.625 5. Leandro Willis Pugel Sound 9.350 19. Ashley Burkholder Acrolil Gym. 37.2S0

S. Ashley POllell CopilaIIVa.) 9.450 2. Kacey Oiness Lal VegOl Flyers 9.500 S. Nikki Beyschau Arizona Sunrays 9.350 20. Robin Hawkins Memph, Gynmars37.225

Program Manager Connie 6. Slephanie Lilman HUGS 9.400 1 Elina Yang Emerald Cily 9.450 7. Phoedro Oixon Illinois Gym. lnll. 9.250 20. Kara Charles KG DC Twislers 37.225

Maloney. 7. Julie Dwyer Ind. Gym. Trg. Or. 9.375 4. Chriltine Manlilia Arena 9.400 8. Sorah Myers Walker'l 9.188 VA ULT

8. KrislinWesllall Soulhern Tier 9.300 S. LindlOY Magnani Phoenix Gym. INY) 9.375 9. Erin Signor"ci Gemini 8.150 1. Lora Degenhordl Solem YMCA 9.5S0

AGES 9-12 9. J"kieSummers Nail. Gym. Trg. Clr. 9.2S0 6. Kora Hellner Flipl Gym. ITX) 9.3S0 10. Koren Kuplicki LaFleur's Lorga 4.400 2. Bully Forshier TAGS Soulh 9.488

TEAM 10. Amber Healherly Knoxville Gym. 8.675 7. R"hel Colon Twillers INY) 9.175 BARS 2. Giselle Bonilorli American Twislers 9.488

I. Region VilA 188.000 FLOOR 8. R"hel Caylor GAGE 8.975 I. Ashley Lomb Capilal Cily INE) 9.600 4. Lindsey Vagedes Illinois Gym. Insl. 9.425

2. Region iliA 186.6S0 I. Jacey Droper Olympus 9.47S 9. Chrillie Tedman POZlor's 8.950 2. Whilney Morgan So. Ind. Gym. Sch. 9.57S 5. Erin Coppinger Dynamo 10H) 9.375

1 Region IA 18S.4S0 2. Janoe Cox So. Ind. Gym. 9.425 10. Lauren Colwell TullO World 8.850 2. Lindsey Miner Champion ICO) 9.575 6. Jessie Lemp Brown's Houslon 9.363

4. Region VA 185.100 2. AIlYlsa Snyder Wrighl'sGym. 9.42S FLOOR 4. Morgarel WojCiak GymkineliCl 9.550 6. Mikoro Sieinberg Brown's Melro 9.363

5. Region IB 184.900 4. J"kie Nguyen WeslValley 9.400 1. Chellea Kroll X·Cel 9.750 5. Krillen Sierner Kentwood 9.525 8. Kara Fry Parkelles 9.350

ALL· A ROUN D 5. Courtney Bumpers Allanla School 9.300 2. April Burkholder Brawn'l Gym. 9.700 6. Brandy Killion Twislall USA 9.400 9. Bridgel Knoeble Twin Cily Twislers 9.3 13

I. Krillal Uzelac Porkelles 38.17S 6. Suzanne Hui HUGS 9.275 1 Margarel Donn LaFleur's SI. Pele 9.500 7. Carly Raab Cascade Elile 9.375 10. Kim liItle CalWesl 9.2S0

2. Janae Cox So. Ind. Gym. 37.900 7. Melilso Chon Airborne 9.1S0 4. Annie Medcalf FLYTZ 9.475 8. Abby Gair Colorodo Aerials 9.175 BARS

1 Ashley POllell CapiloIIVa.) 37.7S0 8. Calsondro JUlina Noydenov 8.975 4. Chrilly Saslic X-Cel 9.475 9. Lori Loesch 8rown's Houslon 9.100 1. Jeslie Lemp Brown's Houslon 9.700

4. Ashley Kupell Olympiad 37.72S 9. Tabilha Vim Gym Max 8.850 6. Slephanie Kim Illinois Gym. Inll. 9.425 10. Emily Pelerman Colorado GI 8.500 2. Helene Kenny MorVaTeens 9.67S

S. Suzanne Hu i HUGS 37.575 10. Gino Rinaldi Gym. TC lilY) 8.77S 6. My· Lon Dodd Cas(Ode Elile 9.425 BEAM 1 Brilnee Bowden Olympul 9.62S

S. CallOndro JUlina Nardenov 37.575 6. UIO Clork Ricochels 9.425 1. Kelsey Slillinger Wesl Volley 9.450 4. Mindi Hillon Bailie's Gym. 9.600

7. Sarrie Rubin Waker's 37.300 AGES 13-14 9. Erin LaBarr Krolh Academy 9.050 2. Jenniler French Gymcarolina 9.400 4. Giselle Bonilorti AmeriCllnTwisfers 9.600

8. Lindsey Bruck Cyprels 37.250 TEAM 10. lIali(O Johnson Gymsporls Amer. 8.675 2. Sidney Field Emerald City 9.400 6. 8ridgel Knoeble Twin Cily Twillers 9.525

9. J"kie Summers 11011. Gym. Trg. Or. 37.175 I. Region iliA 189.200 AGES 15-16 4. LindlOY Troinham Arena 9.325 7. Kalhy Ligon Cypresl 9.400

10. MelillO Chon Airborne 37.125 2. Region VillA 187.000 5. Amber Giorgianni Airborne 9.300 8. Kara Fry Parke"es 9.22S

11. Lauro Ringl Buckeye 37.100 1 Region IA 186.825 TEAM 6. BellY Homm LaFleur's WI 9.250 9. Morilyn Ekdahl Calil. Gold 9.200

12. Shannon Yorek Cyprell 37.075 4. Region VIA 186.600 1. Region VA 189.3S0 7. Dawnell Barr Colorado Aerials 9.1 00 10. Tamami 110 Verdigo 9.125

11 Larisla Sieworl Borl Conner Gym. 37.000 S. Region VA 186.225 2. Region iliA 188.350 7. Jill Collinl GAGE 9.100 BEAM 13. Lauro Mikeska Inlinile 80unds 37.000 1 Region IA 188.300 9. Jane Mclnlosh Twislars USA 8.850 I. Jeslie Lemp Brown's Houllon 9.700 1 S. Jessica Azevedo New Hope Acad. 36.950

ALL·AROUND 4. Region IVA 187.SS0 1. April Burkholder 10. Erin Prewi" FLYTZ 8.825 2. Gino Weich mann LaFleur's SI. Pele 9.550

16. Tabilha Vim Gym Max 36.925 Brown's Houslon 38.400 5. Region VillA 187.050

17. J"kie Nguyen Wesl Volley 36.900 2. Chrilline Manlilia Arena 38.32S FLOOR 3. Lonna Apilukh 8rown's Cenlrol 9.475

1 Slephanie Kim Illinoil Gym. Inll. 37.800 ALL·AROUND 1. Alhley Lomb Capilal Cily INE) 9.650 4. Moriam 18. Samanlha Lulz Midwesl Acad. 36.850 1. WhilneyMorgan So Ind. Gym. Sch. 38.100 19. Caiilyn Pelligrino Porkelles 36.825 1 Nolica Johnson Gymsporls Amer. 37.800 2. Ashley Lomb Capilal Cily INE) 38.000 2. Brandy Killion Twislors USA 9.575 Poullhoushlari Hill's Angell 9.300

20. Mandie Rowell Noll. Gym. Trg. Or. 36.800 1 Annie Medcalf Flylz 37.800 1 Jeslica Cools Parkeltes 9.500 5. Kalie Sydes Brown's Melro 9.2S0

6. Margarel Donn LnReur's-SI. Pele 37.700 1 Krillen Sierner Kentwood 37.950 Kentwood 6. Hilory Thomplon American Gold 9.1S0 4. Lindsey Miner Champion ICO) 37.925 4. Krillen Sierner 9.450

VA ULT 7. Monico Bilordi Airborne 37.500 5. Erin Prewill FLYTZ 9.3S0 7. Helene Kenny MorVaTeens 9.100

1. Ashley Kupell Olympiad 9.S63 8. Lauren Colwell TullO World 37.500 4. Nikki Beyschau Arizona Sunrays 37.925

6. Krilla Gale D"ksiders 9.300 8. Randi Uljenquisl Gym World IAI) 9.025

2. Krislal Uzel" Parkeltes 9.4)3 9. Chelsea Kroll Hel 37.475 6. Erin Prewilt FLYTZ 37.900

7. SlacyWong Gymlowne 9. Krislen Maul Ameri<an Gym. (MI) 8.800 7. Lori Loesch 9.075

1 Nickie Bykovsky Wesl Volley 9.400 10. Samanlha Schueler Ilorih Florida Brown'l Houllon 37.825 10. Belh Boudreaux Gym Gems 8.4S0 37.450 8. Phoedro Dixon Illinois Gym. Inll. 37.800 8. Lindsey Miner Champion ICO) 8.775

4. Samanlha Lulz Midwesl Acad. 9.388 l1.Jenny Popp Norlh TX Gym. 37.425 9. Nikki 8eyschau Ariz . Sunrays 8.450 S. Alhley Poslell CapilaIIVa.) 9.363 9. Sidney Field Emerald City 37.7 50 FLO O R

6. Briltany Livingllan III. Gym. lnsl. 9.350 12. Annie Rue Rebounders 37.375 10. Dawnell Barr Colorado Aeriall 37.725 10. Slacey Mord"k Soulh TX Gym. 8.300 I. Jill Fisher TwislerllNY) 9.700

7. CaslOndra Jusino Naydenov 9.313 13. Sarah Y"kel Which Way II Up 37.350 11. Jenniler French Gymcarolina 37.675 2. Giselle Boniforli Ameri{on Twisters 9.600

7. Slephanie Lilman HUGS 9.313 14. My·Lan Dodd (Olcade Elile 37.275 11. Emily Pelerman Colorado GI 37.67S AGES 17 & UP 1 Lindsey Vagedes Illinois Gym. lnll. 9.575

9. Courlney 8umpers Allanla School 9.213 15.LiIO Clark Ricochels 37.250 13. Jill Collins GAGE 37.650 TEAM 4. Nikki Arnllad Gym Kids 9.550

10. Brooke Lawrence Big Spring Y 8.738 16. Erin Labarr Krolll Academy 37.225 14. 8elsy Hamm LaFleur's WI 37.625 1. Region VillA 188.950 5. Kim Liltle CalWesl 9.500 16. Olivia Trusly Rebounders 37.225 15. Danielle Albrighl Airborne 37.600 2. Region VIII8 188.075 5. Robin Hawkins Memphis Gymllars 9.500

BARS 18. Holey Von Meier Acrafil 37.200 16. Abby Gair Colorado Aeriall 37.575 1 Region iliA 187.675 7. 8ree Dorily Kearney Gym. 9.475 I. Krislal Uzel" Parkeltes 9.600 19. Kelly Sireicher Colorado Aerials 37.175 16. Slacy Wonl Gymlowne 37.575 4. Region VA 187.300 8. Helene Kenny MorVaTeens 9.075 2. Janoe Cox So. Ind. Gym. 9.575 20. Rebecca Halfield Aerial Works 37. 150 18. Undlay Ba er Wesl Volley 37.550 5. Region IVA 186.650 9. Bridgel Knoeble Twin Cily Twislers 9.025

mU 5A G Y M N A 5 r , C 5 JULY / AUGUST 1 997

1997 MEN'S JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS The Men's Junior Olympic National Championships took place in Orlanda, Fla ., May 14-18, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

For the men, 470 gymnasts com­peted in three divisians-Class I 16-18 year aids, Class II 14-15 year aids, and Class III 12-13 year aids. The men also competed for Regional Team Awards, All­Around Awards and Individual Event Awards. In addition , the tap 14 Class III gymnasts made the Junior National Team. The top 12 age-eligible Class I gymnasts and the top 12 Class II gymnasts qual­ified to the John Hancock u.S. Gymnastics Championships in Denver, Colo. , August 13-16 at McNichols Arena .

CLASS I TEAM 1. Region IX 2. Region VIII 3. Region VII 4. Region III 5. Region I 6. Region V 7. Region VI 8. Region IV 9 Region II

ALL·AROUND 1. Joson Golson OTC 55.100 2. Seon Townsend Gym Moslers 54.350 3. Yewki Tomilo Gym World olTu""n 54.100 4. Woller Joromillo Gold Cup 53.325 5. Kevin Agnew Buffalo Grove 52.525 6. Kevin Roulslon Preslige 52.350 7. Joson Furr Capilal Gym. 52.275 8. Andrew Thornlon Hoyden's Inl'l. Gym. 51.900 9. Geoffrey Howell Cascode Elile 51.875 10. Ryan Roberts Albuq uerque School 51.725 11. Gabriel Hansen Action Gym. Acod. 51.700 12. Jonalhon plonle Allanla Sch. of Gym. 51.675 13. Brendan O'Neil Pro· Gymnastics 51.650 13. David Duronle Surgenls Elile Gym. 51.650 15. Adam 8enas World Closs Gym. 51.325 16. Joy Nordelli Copilal Gym. 51.275 17. Daniel

DiOl·Luong Orl. Po. Acod. of Gym. 51.225

JULY /A UGUST 1997

Junior Elile III Notional Team

18. Eric Nishimolo California Suns 51.1 00 19. Adam 8erkenbile Gold Cup 51.025 20. Jonalhan Hom California Suns 51.000 Nole: The lop 12 age eligible Closs I gymnasls qualified 10 Ihe John Hancock u.s. Gymnaslics (hampionships.

FLOOR 1. 8rendan O'Neil Pro-Gymnoslics 9.500 2. Cody Cosey Soulh Coosl Gym. 9.450 3. Oorren Morace T. DoggeH Gold Medal 9.200 4. Andrew Thornlon Hoyden's Inl'l. Gym. 8.950 5. Woller Jaromillo Gold Cup 8.550 6. Sean·Poul

Crawford Soulh Coosl Gym. 8.050

POMMEL HORSE 1. Joshua Levin 8uffalo Grove Gym. 9.400 2. Jonolhan Planle AIIonlo S!hool of Gym. 9.100 3. Daniel

DiOl-Luong Orl. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 8.800 4. Andrew Leis T. DaggeH Gold Medal 8.700 5. Kevin Chow Slaniord Gym. Club 8.450 6. Yewki Tomilo Gym. World 01 Tu""n 8.100

STILL RINGS 1. Kevin Agnew 8uffalo Grove Gym. 9.050 2. Daniel

DiOl·Luang Orl. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 8.900 3. Andrew Fisher Oclavionos 8.800 4. Adrian Barnhorl Columbus Gym. Acod. 8.650 5. Seon Townsend Gym Maslers 8.550 6. Conan

Parzuchowski Mich. Acod. 01 Gym. 8.250

VAULT I. Seon Townsend Gym Maslers 9.050 2. Woller Jaramillo Gold Cup Gym. 9.000 2. Daniel

DiOl-Luong Orl. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 9.000 4. Brendan O'Neil Pro·Gymnaslics 8.950 4. Ted Johnson Mullnomah Alh. Club B.950 6. Dorren Morace T. DaggeH Gold Medal 8.900 7. J.G. Kelchen Knox. Gym. Troining 1.000

PARALLEL BARS 1. Daniel

OiOl-Luong Orl. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 9.200 2. Yewki Tamila Gym. World 01 Tucson 9.050 3. Wolter Jaromillo Gold Cup Gym. 9.000 4. Joson Golson OTC 8.850 5. Doren Lynch Gymken Gym. 8.450 6. Seon Townsend Gym Moslers 8.400

HORIZONTAL BAR 1. Joson Golson OTC 9.650 2. Seon Townsend Gym Moslers 9.500 2. Wolter Joromillo Gold Cup Gym. 9.500 4. Yewki Tomila Gym. World of Tucson 9.000 5. Gabriel Hansen Aclion Gym. Acod. 8.800 6. J.G. Kelchen Knox. Gym. Troining 8.750 7. Fredric Umali Top Flighl Gym. 8.700

CLASS II TEAM 1. Region III 2. Region VIII 3. Region I 4. Region V 5. Region VII 6. Region VI 7. Region IX 8. Region IV 9 Region II

ALL·AROUND 1. Krislopher

Zimmerman Buffalo Grove 52.500 2. Michoel Ashe Allonla S!h. 01 Gym. 51.275 3. Mallhew Abboud G. Brentwood Common 50.475 4. Michoel Evans Gym Maslers 49.725 5. Shannon Carrion Gym force Athletic Tr. 49.350 6. Duke Von Vleel Apollo Gym. 49.325 7. Heolh Mueller B. Conner Gym. Acod. 49.275 8. Raj Bhavsor Cyprills Acod. 01 Gym. 49.125 8. EvereHe Bierker World Cup Gym. 49.125 8. Sleriing Richards USA Gym. World 49.125 11. Josh Landis B. Conner Gym. Acod. 49.075 12. Joe Korecki Surgenls Elile 48.850 13. Tyler Morlall Cascode Elile 4B.800 14.lsoiah Vesl Top flighl Gym. 48.575 15. Koi-Wen Ton Top flighl Gym. 48.475 16. Cloy Slrolher Gym. Ele. 48.450 17. Jamey Houle T. DaggeH Gold Medal 48.375 18. Corey Burch Sporlan Gym. 48.100 19. Scol O'Cain Inl'l. Sporls Cenler 47.750 20. Joson Moresi Gym force Alhletic Tr. 47.625

Nole: The lop 12 Class /I gymnasls qualified 10 Ihe John Hancock u.s. Gymnaslics (hampionships.

FLOOR I. Corey Burch Sporlan Gymnastics 9.250 2. Mallhew Abboud G. Brentwood Common 9.100 3. Jock Slevens B. Conner Gym. Acod. 9.000 4. Krislopher

Zimmerman 4. Josh Landis 6. Jamey Houle 7. Richord Maguire

Buffalo Grove Gym. B. Conner Gym. Acod. T. DaggeH Gold Medal Inl'l Gym. School

POMMEL HORSE

8.850 8.850 8.300 7.500

1. Michoel Ashe Allanla Sch. 01 Gym. 9.400 2. Josh Landis B.Conner Gym. Acod. 9.100 3. Shail Aroslu S. Texas Gym. Acod. 8.650 4. Joson Moresi Gym force Alh. Training 8.400 5. Max Mollal USA Gym. World 8.300 6. Jamey Houle T. DaggeH Gold Medal 7.900 7. Will Becker USA Gym. World 6.550

STILL RINGS 1. Krislapher

limmerman Buffalo Grove Gym. 9.000 2. Raj 8havsor Cypress Acod. 01 Gym.B.750 3. Mallhew Abboud G. Brentwood Common 8.550

4. Michoel Ashe 5. lsaiah Vesl 6. Joson Lewis

VAULT 1. Krislopher

Zimmerman 1. Nick Balliner 3. Jock Slevens 4. Corey Burch 5. Michoel Evans 6. Beou Bailey

Allanla Sch. 01 Gym. B.350 Top Flighl Gym. B.l00 Porkelles 8.000

Buffalo Grove Gym. Neb. Sch. 01 Gym. B. Conner Gym. Acod. Sporlon Gym. Gym Maslers USA Gym. World

8.900 8.900 8.700 8.650 8.600 8.450

PARALLEL BARS 1. Krislopher

14. Groham Ackerman Casco de Elile 48.775

15. Bryon Powell Crenshaw Alhletic 48.700 16. Charles Jones Auroro Sch. 01 Gym. 48.650 17. Adam Pummer Porkelles 48.375 18. Curlis O'Rarke B. Conner Gym. Acod. 48.300 19. Michoel Kelly Technique Gym. 48.125 20. Michoel Benoil B.Conner Gym. Acod. 47.975 lIole: The lop 14 Class /1/ gymnasls made Ihe Junior National Team.

FLOOR I.ScoIIWeber 2. Paul Hamm

New Hope 9.100 Swiss Turners 8.900 Swiss Turners 8.750

Zimmerman 3. Morgan Homm

Buffalo Grove Gym. 9.000 4. Peler Shoslchuk Inl'l Gymnoslics 8.650 2. Raj Bhovsor Cypress Acod. 01 Gym. 8.950 5. Seon Golden

World Cup Gym. ~6. Graham Will·Moor Gy""m'-.. ~-,8",.5",50,---~~_

3. Everelle Bierker 4. Koi-Wen Ton Top flighl Gym. 8.450 Ackerman Cascode Elile Gym. 8.400 5. Cody Moore Arizona Sun rays 8.100 POMMEL HORSE

Surgenls Elile 8.050 1. Paul Hamm Swiss Turners 9.450 Hocking Volley Gym. 7.450 2. Benjamin Newman Dardona's S!h. 01 Gym. 8.550

6. Joe Korecki 7. Oick Hunlwork

HORIZONTAL BAR I. Isaiah Vesl Top flighl Gym. 2. Duke Von Vleel Apollo Gym. 3. Roberl Spelic Pillsburg Norlhslors 4. Kai-Wen Ton Top Flighl Gym. 4. Joseph Hagerly Gold Cup Gym. 6. EvereHe Bierker World Cup Gym. 7. Michael Evans Gym Maslers 7. Slephen Smilh Top Flighl Gym.

CLASS III TEAM 1. Region I 2. Region IV 3. Region III 4. Region VIII 5. Region VII 6. Region IX 7. Region II 8. Region V 9 Region VI

ALL.AROUND

8.500 8.400 8.300 8.050 8.050 7.900 7.800 7.800

l.Zoch Roberls Mission Volley YMCA 52.900 2. Paul Homm Swiss Turners 52.425 3. Morgan Homm Swiss Turners 50.825 4. Peler Shoslchuk Inl'l Gymnoslics 50.575 5. Lawton Hill Gym force Athlelic Tr. 50.175 6. Todd Thornlan Gym Maslers 50.075 7. Kerry Adderly Brown's Melro 49.950 7. OJ. Bucher aueen Cily Gym. 49.950 9. Anlhony Smilh Top flighl Gym. 49.725 10. Joshua Gore Copilol Gym. 49 .250 11. Bryon McColgan Orl. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 48.925 II. Sleven Vuong USA Gym. World 48.925 13. Jesse Nevin Cascode Elile 48.850

3. Lawton Hill Gym force Alhletic Tr. 8.100 4. Peler Shoslchuk Inl'l Grm. Sch. 8.050 5. Joshua Gore Copila Gym. 7.850 6. loch Roberls Mission Volley YMCA 7.800

STILL RINGS 1. Peler Shoslchuk 2. OJ. Bucher 3. Paul Hamm 4. loch Roberls 4. Lawton Hill 6. Bryon McColgan 7. Morgan Homm VAULT

Inl'l Gymnaslics 8.550 aueen City Gym. 8.500 Swiss Turners 8.450 Mission Volley YMCA 8.400 Gym force Alhletielr. 8.400 on. Po. Acod. 01 Gym. 8.350 Swiss Turners Gym. 8.250

I. loch Roberls Mission Volley YMCA 8.600 I. Kerry Adderly Brown's Melro 8.600 3. Geoffrey Corrigan ~nnode Gym. Acod. 8.550 3. Scoll Weber New Hope 8.550 5. Kennelh lin High Sierro Gym. 8.350 6. Graham

Ackerman Casco de Elile Gym. PARALLEL BARS I. loch Raberls Mission Volley YMCA 2. Adam Pummer Porkelles 3. Kelly Long Gym. force Athlelic Tr. 4. Jesse Nevin Cascode Elile Gym. 5. Shown Mowry Top flighl Gym. 6. Anlhany Smilh Top flighl Gym.

HORIZONTAL BAR

8.300

9.200 8.750 8.700 8.650 8.400 7.850

1. Paul Hamm Swiss Turners 9.100 2. loch Roberls Mission Volley YMCA 8.950 3. Todd Thornlon Gym Maslers 8.750 4. Morgan Hamm Swiss Turners 8.400 5. Jesse Nevin Coscode Elile Gym. 8.050 6. Chorles Jones Aurara Sch. 01 Gym. 7.900 7. Michoel Kelly Technique Gym. 7.700

Gymnaslics Results (onlinued on page 37

USA GYMNAST'CSIE],

NCAA Men continued from page 13

Col, who led through every rotation of pre­lims and finals, charged up with a 39.125 on their first finals event, Aoor. At the halfway paint, however, Cal's lead was small (116.675), with Oklahoma (116 .400) and Iowa (116.375) ready to strike .

The Cal squad responded with a school­record 38.95 on vault, pulling away from the field with their two best events rema in­ing . Col then scored 39-plus on parallel bars and high bar to claim the coveted team title with a record 233.825-the highest score in any regional or NCAA championships under current rules. Senior Trent Wells, who scored three 9.85's in team finals, declared, ''I'm just astounded by the whole thing ."

The Oklahoma Sooners stayed in second place with a remarkable performance af their own, . na il ing routines with a consistency A~ove: Drew Durbin unmatched by any other team: a hit ratio Right: Marshall . of 1 OO%! The Sooners were anchored by Below: Jeremy Killen senior Casey Bryon, who set a new school all-around record of a 58.60.

The Iowa Hawkeyes won pommel horse and rings, anchored by 9.8's on the former event from freshman Todd Strada and spe­cialist Greg Gebhardt. In a focused team effort, the third-place Hawks did not compete any all-around gymnasts.

Individually, Wilson adeptly defended his all-around title . Second went to Bryan, a former World Championships team member. Senior Drew Durbin (Ohio State) and freshman Travis Romagnoli (Illinois) tied for third .

Wilson earned two more championships, defending his ring title with a 9.90, and vaulting a handsflring front, layout Rudi for a 9 .8125. On rings, he faced a stiff challenge from Victor Prisk (Michigan State)' whose score of 9 .875 was booed by the crowd. Two freshmen pressured Wi lson for the vault title: Anthony Petrocelli (2nd, lawa) and Romagnoli (3rd) . Durbin swung fast and smooth for yet another Buckeye title, individ­ually his third pommel horse ti tle.

Killen won floor and said, "It's just great to end my career in on OU uniform with this honor." Future floor fina ls look promising, thanks to three freshman: Andrew Hampy (2nd, Cal), Andy Howard (5th, Oklahoma), and Brion Hamilton (6th , Iowa) .

Saphomore sensation Marshall Nelson (Nebraska) won parallel bars with a 9 .95, the highest score of the meet, and the largest margin of event finals victory (.1125). Nelson also won high bar, this time with the smallest winning margin of event finals (.0125) .

TEAM PRELIMS POMMEL HORS E I. Colilornio 232.500 1. Drew Durbin Ohio Slole 9.9125 2. 0klohomo 231.550 2. Kendoll Schiess New Mexico 9.8250 3. lowo 31.325 3. Scoll Finkelslein Sloniord 9.7875 4. Ohio Slole 231.275 4. Ben Hoyword Army 9.7250 5. Penn Slole 22B.975 4. Bloine Wilson Ohio Slole 9.7250 6. Slonlord 22B.650 6. Cosey Bryon Oklohomo 9.7125 Teom finols RINGS I. Colilornio 233.825 I. BloineWilson Ohio Slole 9.9000 2.0klohomo 232.725 2. Viclor Prisk Michigon Slole 9.8750 4. lowo 231.BOO 3. Don fink Oklohomo 9.8250 ALL·AROUND 4. Chris Comiseioli lowo 9.7875 fop Six mok. AlI·Americon 4. Loleel Crowder New Mexico 9.7B75 1. Bloine Wilson Ohio Slole 5B.625 6. Dove Nemovill lowo 9.7625 2. Cosey Bryon Oklohomo 57.775

VAULT 3. Drew Durbin Ohio Slole 57.675 I. BloineWilson Ohio Slole 9.8125 3. Trovis Romognoli Illinois 57.675 2. Anlhony Pelrocelli lowo 9.7750 5. Dovid Kruse Colilornio 57.525 6. Don fink Oklo homo 57.325 3. Trovis Romognoli Illinois 9.7250

7. Mike DUlko Penn Slole 57.250 4. Cosey Bryon Oklo homo 9.7000 5. Morsholl Nelson Nebrosko 9.6875 8. Keilh Wiley Sloniord 57.100 6. Keilh DouglOl Michigon Slole 9.6250 9. Bill Mulhollond Nebrosko 57.025

10. Loleel Crowder New Mexico 56.975 PARALLEL BARS IUo Lo Horo Michigan 56.90 I. Morsholl Nelson Nebraska 9.9500 12. Derek Leiler Nebraska 56.60 2. Blaine Wilson Ohio Slole 9.8375 13. JomieEllis Sloniord 56.575 3. TrenlWelis Colilornio 9.8125 14. Joson Kolsompes Sloniord 56.550 4. Todd Bishop Oklahoma 9.7875 15. Scoll finkelslein Sloniord 56.425 5. Goron Rowlond Oklohomo 9.7375 16. TIm Elsner Ohio Slole 54.650 6. Drew Durbin Ohio Slole 9.6125 17. Jeff Lovollee Mossochusells 53.875 HIGH BAR FLOOR 1. Morsholl Nelson Nebrosko 9.7875 I. Jeremy Killen Oklohomo 9.8250 2. David Kruse Colilornio 9.7750 2. Andrew Hompy Colilornio 9.8000 2. TrenlWelis Colilornio 9.7750 3. Cosey Bryon Oklohomo 9.7875 4. Ryan McEwen Nebrosko 9.7375 4. TIm Degrow Michigan 9.7500 5. Greg McGlaun Illinois 9.7250 5. Andy Howord Oklohomo 9.7125 6. J.M. Michel Penn Slole 9.6375 6. Brion Homilton lowo 9.6750

U SA GYM N AST I CS

USA GYMNASTICS NATIONAL COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS APRIL 10. 12, 1997 SEAnLE PACIFIC UNIVERSITY MEN'S TEAM FINALS CLUB DIVISION 1. UClA 221.575 2. Miami Dode CC 215.925 3. Arizono Slole 211 .550 4. Woshinglon 203.950

ALL· AROUND CLUB DIVIS ION 1. SIeve McCoin UClA 2. Bob Kior Arizona 51. 3. Jim foody UClA

MEN' S TEAM FINALS COLLEGE DIVIS ION 1. William & Mary 2. Air force Acod. 3. Son Jose Slole 4. UC-Sonlo Borboro 5. Springlield College 6. Univ. 01 Vermonl

217.525 216.725 207.050 203.675 198.400 179.650

57.000 55.B50 55.775

ALL. AROUND COLLEGE DIVISION I. Jerry Leybo Son Jose Slole 53.550 2. Ben Smilh Air force 53.450 3. Jos Downs William & Mory 52.500

EASTERN INTERCOLLEGIATE GYMNASTICS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS TEMPLE UNIVERSITY MARCH 22·23 TEAM 1. Temple 224.950 2. UmOls 224.700 3. Syracuse 217.700 4. Novy 217.225 5. Army 215.275 6.Springlield 189.500

ALL·AROUND I. Kenny Sykes Temple 56.450 2. Jell LoVollee UmOls 56.250 3. Slephen Pryor UmOls 55.250 4. JOlon Krone Temple 55.150 5. Dorin Gerl"h Temple 54.650 6. Aaron Vexler Temple 54.500

INDIVIDUAL EVENT FINALS (ALL DIVIS IONS ) FLOOR !.Jim foody UClA 9.675 2. SIeve McCoin UClA 9.650 3. Jordon Eison Williom& Mory 9.500

POMMEL HORSE I. Spencer Siolon UClA 9.600 2. Bob Kior Aril. Slole 9.500 3. Yuri Solkowski·Bortlell Williom & Mory 9.100

RINGS I. Jell Johnson Woshinglon 9.750 2. Thomos Hylond UC-Sonlo Borboro 9.650 3. Sinoisky Nunez Miomi Dode CC 9.600 VAULT 1. SIeve McCoin UClA 9.650 I. Roberlo Aldolobol Miomi Dade CC 9.650 3. Sinoisky Nunez Miomi Dade CC 9.600

PARALLEL BARS I.Roberlo Aldozobol Miomi Dode CC 9.875 2. Jim foody UClA 9.700 3. Yuri Solkowski·Bortlell Williom & Mory 9.625

HIGH BAR 1. SIeve McCoin UClA 9.800 2. Bob Kior Arizona Slole 9.450 2. Sergio Luna Woshinglon 9.450

BIG TEN CONFERENCE MEN'S GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MARCH 22·23 TEAM 1. Ohio Slole 230.825 2. Iowa 230.700 3. Penn Slole 228.000 4. Minnesolo 227.450 5. Illinois 227.220 6. Michigan Slole 227.050 7. Michigon 222.225

ALL·AROUND I. Blaine Wilson Ohio Slole 58.825 2. Drew Durbin Ohio 510le 57.850 3. Trovis Romognoli Illinois 57.550 4. Yuvol Ayolon Illinois 57.400 5. Jose Horo Michigon 57.325 6. TIm Eisner Ohio Slole 56.950

EASTERN COLLEGIATE MOUNTAIN PACIFIC ~b'~l~iNCE MEN'S SPORTS FEDERATION GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS fMW~~NSHIPS WILLIAMSBURG, VA. NEBRASKA MARCH 8 MARCH 28· 29 TEAM 1. Nebrasko 230.700 1. UmOls 225.100 2. 0klohomo 230.100 2. Navy 223.900 3.Colilornio 229.800 3. William & Mary 221.075 4. New Mexico 225.025 4. Temple 218.250 5. Slonlord 224.650 5. Army 216.725 6. Brighom Young 223.700 6.Syr"use 215.450 7. Air force 211.750 7.Springlield 195.300 8. Son Jose Slole 201.300 8. James Madison 193.550 9. Sonlo Borboro 196.700 9. Vermonl 177.300 ALL·AROUND ALL·AROUND I. Keilh Wiley Sloniord 57.400 1. Moll Tucker Novy 56.150 2. Derrick Leiler Nebrasko 56.975 2. Scoll McColl William & Mory 56.100 3. Cosey Bryon Oklo homo 56.950 3. Slephen Pryor Umoss 55.750 4. J.D. Reive Nebraska 56.925 4. Jell LoVollee UmOls 55.300 5. Bill Mulhollond Nebraska 56.825 5. Kenny Sykes Temple 54.900 6. fobricio Olsson BYU 56.075 6. Dove Huber Novy 53.950

JUL Y/ AUGU S T 1 9 97

NCAA Women continued from page 13

Steady scares ensued a n floor for the Bruins, which scored a 49. 125, a nd a fter two completed rotations, UCLA, with its 98. 325, trailed No. 1 seed Michiga n (98.85) and Arizona State (98.425) .

In ra tation five, Arizona State closed its competition on fl oor with a 49.15 to raise its final total to 196.6. Michigan's small bob­bies began to add up on becm, and the Wolverines saw the ir lead disappear after scaring a 48.775. UCLA in the meantime scored a 49.3 on vault, anchored by a 9.9 from Lech Homma, to bring its three-rota­tion total to 147.625, tied with Michigan going into the final rotation . ""'-"""-==-=~ooo1!!!m'Jb.!!:J UCLA finished on bars, considered to be its best event during the season, while Michigan cancluded on floor, the lowest-scoring event of the champianships. In order to surpass ASU, both teams needed a 49.25.

The Bruins responded with a school-record 49.525, with na scare caunting below a 9.85. After its final three performers scared above 9.9-Umeh and Heidi Moneymaker (9.925) and Homma (9.95), UCLA sewed up the title with a total of 197.15, three-tenths better than Arizona State. Michigan could only muster a 48.875 and finished in fourth place behind Georgia, which made an amazing rally to finish third .

"I've said since the very beginning of the season that if Georgia opened the door and we hit that we would win the meet, and that's exactly what ha ppened," said UCLA head coach and National Coach of the Year Valorie Kondos.

Said Geargia coach Suzanne Yoculan , "We have never been so happy to be third . We dug aurselves such a deep hole. I can't say enough good things about this team, they never gave up or quit. That was Georgia pride right there . It's worth a champianship to me the way they came through and fought. It's too bad that if you come in ranked No. 1 and don't finish that way it's considered a failure . This team is anything but that."

Georgia proved its season was definitely not a failure with individual victories by Kim Arnold (all-around, 39.55), Jenni Beathard (bars, 9.95) and Leah Brown (floor, 9 .95) .

Susan Hines gave Florida fans something to cheer for by winning the vault with an average af 9.8875, "To do this at home is such a thrill , to be here in . "".',_", front of my teammates and the fans ," she said . "I could hear all the support behind me. It's just a total thrill ClOd a great way toJ inish_the yea[.~" ___ _

Utah's Summer Reid and Arizona State's Elizabeth Reid tied for first on the bal­ance becm with identical scores of 9.9. Summer Reid became the only gymnast to successfully defend her 1996 title. R' ht EI' b h R 'd Ig : lIa et el

Below right: Summer Reid

TEAM PRELIMS.-SESSION I 12. Heather Brink, Nebroska 39.225 I. Georgio 197.075 11 Trod Sommer, Ulah 39.200 2. UClA 196.425 13. Belh Amelkovich, Michigan 39.200 1 Nebroska 196.025' 11 Carie Courlney, Arizona Siale 39.200 1 Uloh 196.025 16. Jaime Groziano, Florido 39.175 5. Penn Siale 194.300 VAULT 6. lSU 191B25 I. Suson Hines, Florida 9.BB75 "Nebraska advanced fa the Super Six with a tiebreaker score of 2. leoh Brown, Georgia 9.B625 234.125 to Utah 's 234.35.

1 Kim Arnold, Georgia 9.B500 TEAM PRELIMS.-SESSION " 4. Angie leonard, Utah 9.B2S0 I. Arizono Siale 196.275 5. lena Deglevo, UClA 9.B125 2. Michigan 196.200 6. nffony Simpson, Wash. 9.BOOO 1 Florido 196.075

BARS 4. Washinglon 195.975 I. Jenni Bealhard, Georgia 9.950 5. Alobamo 195.600 2. Elizobelh Reid, Ariz. Siale 9.900 6. Minnesola 194.775 2. Slephanie Woods, Alabama 9.900 TEAM FINALS 2. Saroh Cain, Michigan 9.900 I. UClA 197.150 5. leah Brown, Georgia 9.B50 2. Arizona 51. 196.B50 6. Angie leonard, Ulah 9.B25 1 Geargia 196.600 6. Nikki Pelers, Michigan 9.B25 4. Michigan 196.500

BEAM 5. Flarida 196.425 1. Elizob.lh Reid, Arizono Sial. 9.900 6. Nebroska 195.250 I. Summer Reid, Ulah 9.900 ALL.AROUND 1 Meredilh Willard, Alabama 9.B50 'Top eight are First·Team AI/·Americans 1 Trod Sommer, Ulah 9.B50 I. Kim Arnold, Georgia 39.550 5. leah Homma, UClA 9.B25 2. Meredilh Willard, Alabama 39.500 6. Belh Amelkovich, Michigan 9.BOO 1 leah Brown, Georgia 39.475

FLOOR 4. leah Hommo, UClA 39.425 I. leoh Brown, Georgia 9.950 4. ChrillY Van Fleel, Florida 39.425 6. Mea1an Wrighl, Arizona Siale 39.400 2. Kim Arnold, Georgia 9.900 7. Sara Cain, Michigon 39.350 2. Elizobelh Reid, Arizona Siole 9.900 7. Tiffany Simpson, Washinglon 39.350 4. Meredilh Willord, Alobama 9.B50 9. Shelly BartleH, Nebrasko 39.300 4. Healher Kabnick, Michigan 9.B50 9. Jamie 5lauffer, Washinglon 39.300 6. Kloro Kudilkovo, Woshinglon 9.B25 11. lena Degleva, UClA 39.250 6. leslie Angeles, Georgia 9.B25

JUL Y/ AUGUST 1 997

Above: Michigan State Lelt: Johnna Evans

USA GYMNASTICS WOMEN'S COLLEGIATE NATIONAL IlMTATIONAL TOURNAMENT By Kathy Feldmann

The sixth annual USA Gymnastics Wamen's Collegiate Natianal Invitatianal Taurnament taak place April 12, 1997, at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena

at the University of Iowa . TEAM

Michigan State captured the I. Michigan Siole 194.375 NIT crown with a scare of 2. Soulheast Millouri 191425 194.375 . Boise State's 1 Boise Siale 191250 Jahnna Evans took first all - 4. To",on Siale 192.625 around with a 38.975. Erin 5. Iowa 192.600

- ',h"nl,,,, from Towson placed 6. San Jose Slal.- - ]B9.B501-----------I all-araund with a 7. RUlgers lBB.575

38.825 and was named the B. Ilorihern Illinois lB5.275 1997 Most Outstanding ALL.AROUND Senior Gymnast. I. Johnna Evons Boise Siale

Above: Jenni Beothord

The seventh annual 2. Erin Shanley To",on USA Gymnastics 1 Briony lecky Michigan Siale

Women's 3. Erin Mullen Michigon Siole 5. Toro law Son Jose

Collegiate 6. Kalherine Creswell To",on National

Invitational VAULT Tournament is 1. Erin Shanley scheduled for 2. Kal. Forringlon

1 Erin Chenier April 10-11 , 1 Rachoel Ciarlanle

1998 and bids 5. Healher Hanson for sites are 5. Jamie Elwell

being solicited. 5. Johnna Evons

BARS I. Briony lecky 2. Molio Roberts 2. Erin Shanley 2. Jolene Dohl 5. Robyn Gamble 5. Polly Kiker 5. lisa Hallmork

BEAM I. Kristin Peugeol I. Becky Robinson 3. Slephanie Wessely 1 Erika Harrison 3. lauro Clark 1 Kelly Marlin

FLOOR I. Polly Kiker 1. Erin Mullen 1 Courlney Burke lloriWhilwer 1 Kristin Peogeol 6. Malia Roberts

USA G

To",on SEMO SEMO Rulgers To",on Michigan Siale Boise Siale

Michigon Siole SEMO To",on Boise Iowa Michigan Siale San Jose

Michigan Siale Michigan Siale Iowa SEMO Norlhern Illinois Boise

Michigon Siale Michigan Siale lowo Iowa Michigan Siale SEMO

YM NA

3B.975 3B.B25 3B.750 3B.750 3B.600 3B.575

9.975 9.900 9.B75 9.B75 9.B50 9.B50 9.B50

9.925 9.B75 9.B75 9.B75 9.B25 9.B25 9.B25

9.B50 9.B50 9.B25 9.B25 9.B25 9.B25

9.900 9.900 9.B25 9.B25 9.B25 9.BOO

S r , .. J

Dear CHALK TALK I'm a Level 8 gymn'ast at x­

V MiM cel Gymnastics and I'm 10 years old. My coaches are Mike, Kara, Frank and Colleen. My dream is to be in the Olympics. I heard they're chang­ing the age to 16, why IS that so'? I have another question, what IS the highest age you can compete in the Olympics'?

Erika Pfennigwerth Pittsburgh, Penneylvania

Dear SHANNON MILLER, r~[ill~illf~~I[-I'm NataSha Rothwell. I'm 12 years oltl anti a Dear Natasha. Level 7. I watchetl you Thanlcs lor y:ur nice tluring the OlympicS comments and lor anti you tlitl wontler- watching durin, the ful. What is your 01· favorite event? ymp" Games! My

Natasha lavorite events Rothwell are bars and

beam.

What I Learned from GymMlstics 6y Eleworth Lindley All AmeriGan Gymn8et iGe

Dear JENNIE You are THOMPSON

one of ' nasts, but I h my favorite gy com aven't m-

pete lately A Seen you competing? Ar~ re you still to stay in You going the 2000 gymnastics f, Iy hope Olympics? I or Dear Andrea, think y/ou do because7al- Yes, I'm still competing. I'm train-

, nast. G:o:~e a great gym- ing at Cincinnati Gymnastics future. I hop uck In the Academy in Ohio. I'm planning to the 2000 O/~ to .see You in compete in the u.s. Classic and,

~ndrea was~fs~s. hopefully, the John Hancock u.s. ort Reading, Ne": J Gymnastics Championships. Things

ersey are going great in the gym. I just ~~~~~~ got a new floor routine. I'm very

excited to start competing this season. I plan to stay in the sport for the 2000 Olympic Games.

Dear Gloria, . Clute, Tmcae

'To open my senses: sight, sound, thought. ro have awareness.

oro concentrate on the moment, watch my step, focus. We get, on average, 25 letters per week, but it really

. depends on the day. When ~e're ready to put together an ,ssue 01 USA Gymnastics maga­zine, we randomly gather a lew questions, call the athletes, and get a response to the question. Yes, all the gymnasts do answer the questions themselves.

oro move with time and change. Changing for the better in time.

oro test my limits, know them. Accept what I cannot change.

Make the best of a situation. 'r 0 exert my efforts efficiently to my need.

'r 0 not see obstacles, but opportunities. oro understand that little things make up for big things. Big accomplishments come through many little oneS. ro appreciate

each one (1+1+1+1+1=5) "-0 be content in my being. For my state is always changing.

Gym. Results continued from page 33

1997 JUNIOR OLYMPIC 13. Kacey Low Ore. Gym. Acad. 21.05

RHYTHMIC 14. Nikki Keslerson Gym Conneclion 21.00 15. Alexondro Dioz RhYlhmflex 20.95

NATIONAL 15. Amanda Blakeman Gym Connerlion 20.95 17. Anna·lisa DaVllon Colo. 5chool 01 R5G 20.BO

CHAMPIONSHIPS 17. Krislen Gerwig RSG Gym. 01 Howoii 20.BO 19. Dorina Pilipovsky Sporlocus 20.50

MORAGA, CALIFORNIA 20. Rhiannon Goubalz Gym Conneclion 20.25

MAY 10-11, 1997 · Nilzon Wagner RhYlhmllex 20.25

TEAM RESULTS HOOP

1. Region 1 196.25 1. Anno Kole Nolesnik Allonlo Inl'l. 6.20 2. Regian 6 189.50 2. Nalalie Woy Allonla Inl'l. 5.95 3. Region 3 lB3.30 3. Rulh Choi Colil. Academy 5.BO 4. Regian 4 1 BO.OO 4. Courtney Sears Allanla Inl'l. 5.70 5. Region 2 179.55 5. Krislen Fronkiewicz Brown's Rhylhmic 5.50 6. Region 5 170.00 7. Suzanne Mena Rhythmic Gems 6.30 6. Vikloria Pelrovsky Calil. Academy 5.45

LEVEL 8 ALL.AROUND B. Alexondrio Upshur U /ling's 6.20 6. Krislen Gerwig RSG Gym. 01 Hawaii 5.45

'. Koleryna Ivanova LA lighls 26.25 9. Michelle Fuller Gym Conneelian 6.10 B. Amanda Blakeman Gym Cannection 5.35

1. Krislin Cheng Ore. Gym. Acad. 26.10 10. Eleanor Low Ailonlo Inl'l. 6.05 9. Jenniler Sihn Calil. Academy 5.30

2. Michelle Fuller Gym Connection 26.05 10. Breonno Goubolz Gym Conneclion 5.25 FLOOR

3. Cryslal Dilworlh Encare Rhythmics 25.65 1. KOlhy Chin Top Flighl 7.00 RIBBON 3. Omkora Kennedy Gymmorin Pacilic 25.65 2. Cryslal Dilworlh Encore Rhythmics 6.75 1. Rulh Chai Calil. Academy 5.75 5. Denise Boker III. Rhythmics 25.30 3. Kristin Cheng Ore. Gym. Acad. 6.60 2. NOlolie Woy Ailonla Inl'l. 5.65 6. Kimmi Nguyen Encore Rhylhmics 25.15 4. Alexondrio Upshur li Nin~'s 6.55 3. Courlney Seors Allonlo Inl'l. 5.60 7. Yana 510lyorov Scherba's RSG 24.90 • Kaleryna Ivanova LA lig Is 6.50 4. Vikloria Pelrovsky Calil. Academy 5.55 8. Alexondrio Upshur li Ning's 24.B5 5. Jessica Chou Ore. Gym. Acod. 6.35 5. Jenniler 5ihn Calil. Academy 5.50 9. ChrislenWeimer Allonlo Inl'l. 24.70 5. Juslin Miller Cincinnoli RSG 6.35 6. Anna Kale Nalesnik Allanla Inl' l. 5.40 10. 5uzonne Mena Rhylhmic Gems 24.60 7. Megan McMenomin Elile Rhylhmics 6.30 7. Brenann Siocker III. Rhythmics 5.35 11. KOlhy Chin Top Flighl 24.55 8. Denise Boker III. Rhylhmics 6.25 8. Nikki Keslerson Gym Connectian 5.25 12. MorislO Pierce III. Rhylhmics 24.45 8. Yana Siolyorov Scherba's RSG 6.25 9. Amonda Blakeman Gym Conneclion 5.15 13. Jessica Chou Ore. Gym. Acad. 24.35 B. Nicole Zapoli Houslan Illusions 6.25 • OklOna Magomedova 5partacus 5.10 14. Louro Neuckronz Rhylhmic Gems 23.95 10. Kalhryn Della Rocco Radiance RSG 5.00 15. Johonno Horlon Allanla Inl'l. 23.70 HOOP

16. Megan McMenamin Elile Rhythmics 23.45 1. Michelle Fuller Gym Canneelion 7.15 ROPE

17. Sora Sieffier Houslon Illusions 23.40 2. Omkora Kennedy Gymmorin Pocilic 6.65 1. Nalalie Way Ailanla Inl'l. 6.75 18. Undsey Colberl Rhylhmic Gold 23.35 • Kaleryno Ivonova LA Ughls 6.55 2. Anna Kale Nalesnik Allanla Inl'l. 6.70 lB. Alexis Irion Anelia's RSG 23.35 3. Morisso Pierce II I. Rhythmics 6.45 3. Bronann Slacker III. Rhythmics 6.60 20. /licole Zapoli Houslon Illusions 23.30 4. Cryslal Dilworlh Encore Rhythmics 6.35 4. Rulh Choi Colil. Academy 6.40

5. Denise Boker III. Rhythmics 6.30 5. Jessica Kunen Gymmorin Pacilic 6.35 ROPE 6. Yana Siolyorov Scherbo's RSG 6.25 6. Breanna Goubalz Gym Connection 6.10 1. Krislin Cheng Ore. Gym. Acad. 7.00 7. Alexandria Upshur U lling's 6.15 7. Jenniler Sihn Calil.Academy 6.05 2. Michelle Fuller Gym Connedion 6.B5 B. Suzanne Mena Rhylhmic Gems 6.05 • Oksono Mogomedovo Sportacus 5.95 3. Kimmi Nguyen Encore Rhythmics 6.BO 9. Kristin Cheng Ore. Gym. Acod. 6.00 8. Sero Keleiian Rhylhmic Revolulion 5.90 4. MorislO Pierce III. Rhylhmics 6.65 9. Johonno Horlon Allanlo Inl'l. 6.00 8. Angelina Zu((orini Elile Rhylhmics 5.90

6.60 • Kaleryna Ivanova LA lighls B. Kacey Low Ore. Gym. Acad. 5.90 5. Omkora Kennedy G~mmorin Pacilic 6.55 LEVEL 7 ALL· AROUND

B. Jessica Bullock Uniled Gym. 5.90 6. Suzonne Meno R ylhmic Gems 6.50 1. Anno Kale Nolesnik Allonlo Inl'l. 24 .35 7. Johanna Horlon Allonlo Inl'l. 6.45 2. Nalalie Way Allanla Inl'l. 24.25 FLOOR B. Yana Siolyorov Scherba's RSG 6.40 3. Rulh Choi Calil. Academy 24.00 I. Anna Kale lIalesnik Allanla Inl'l. 6.05 9. Denise Boker III. Rhylhmics 6.35 4. Jenniler Sihn Calil. Academy 22.70 1. Rulh Choi Colil.Academy 6.05 10. Chrislen Weimer Allonlo Inl'l. 6.25 5. Brenonn Siocker III. Rhythmics 22.65 3. Nalalie Woy Ailonlo Inl'l. 5.90

6. Courlney Sears Allanla Inl'l. 22.50 4. Jenniler Sihn Calil.Academy 5.85 RIBBON 6. Vikloria Pelrovsky Calil. Acodemy 22.50 5. Courlney Seors Allanla Inl'l. 5.BO . Kaleryna Ivanova LA lighls 6.60 B. Jessica Kunen Gymmorin Pocilic 22.20 6. Vikloria Pelrovsky Calil.Academy 5.75 I. Krislin Cheng Ore. Gym. Acad. 6.50 • OklOna Magomedova Sporlocus 21.70 7. Jessica Kunen Gymmorin Pocilic 5.70 2. Omkoro Kennedy Gymmorin.Pacilic_ 6.45 9. Sero Keleiian Rhythmic Revolulion 21.50 8. Krislen Fronkiewicz Brown's Rhylhmi-c ~5.55 3. Denise Boker III. RhYlhmics 6.40 10. Krislen Fronkiewicz Brown's RSG 21.45 B. Sera Keleiian Rhylhmic Revolulion 5.55 4. Cryslal Dilworlh Encore Rhythmics 6.35 11. Angelino Zuccarini Elile Rhylhmics 21.35 B. Anna·lilO DaVllon Colo. School 01 RSG 5.55 4. Kimmi Nguyen Encore Rhylhmics 6.35 12. Breanna Gaubalz Gym Conneelion 21.30 8. Brenonn Siocker III. Rhythmics 5.55 4. Chrislen Weimer Allanla Inl'l. 6.35 · Julio IIkina li lIing's 21.20 "Non a'izen

~IIIIIII'I~I PROCEDURES

1997 RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS SELECTION PROCEDURES I. The Four Continents Team (Juniors and Seniors) wi ll be select­

ed by rank order from the 1997 National Championships. The Four Continents will be held in Sidney, Australia June 3·6, 1997

2. The team fo r the PAGU Senior Championships will be selected by the Rhythmic Program Committee based upon results from the National Championships and the Four Continents Championships. The PAGU Senior Championships will be held July 2-6 in Medellin,Colombia.

3. The senior athletes, and their coaches, who represented the US at the Four Continents and PAGU Senior Chompionships will be invit­ed to a three day World Championship selection camp which will be held September 12-13 or 19-21 in Downers Grove, IL

4. The first day of the camp will be closed training for athletes only. During the next two days the athletes will participate in a morning training session and a controlled afternoon routine evaluation. The othletes will perform each routine two times. Each routine will be evaluated by the six evaluators according to the technical value, artistic va lue, and execution as defined by the cu rrent FIG Code of Points.

JU L Y / AUGUST 199 7

The evaluators will be: USA FIG Technical Committee Member USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Vice President Brevet II Judge TBD Brevet II Judge TBD Brevet II Judge TBD Athlete Representative TBD

5. All of the evaluators will have a long history of international rhythmiC gymnastics experience and will have been selected becouse they ore 1110st cognizant of what is required for inter­national success. None of the evaluotors will have a vested interest in any of the athletes.

6. At the conclusion of the two day selection camp, the 1997 World Championship teom (three or four athletes) will be announced based upon the combined evaluation of the six person evaluation team and the results from the Four Continents and PAGU Championships.

Approved by USA Gymnastics Executive [ommillee, Apri/16, 1997

--- - -~

SELECTION PROCEDURES

WOMEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES SELECTION PROCEDURES I. World University Gomes Teom will be determined at two sepa­

rate events. II. Qualificotion to the World University Gomes Team:

a. The two highest ranking all-around gymnasts-through number five-from the 1997 NCAA Chompionships All-Around competition, who occept the invitation, will be ploced on the WUG Team. b. The three remaining slots will be filled in rank order from the World University Gomes Triols, which will be held June 27·29 in Cincinnati, Ohio. c. TIes in the All-Around for plocement onto the teom will be bro­ken by the highest individual event score. d. All athletes competing for 0 position on the World University Games Team must either be currently enrolled in a university or college or be a senior in high school and have been occepted and enrolled in on institution of higher leorning in the foil of 1997 and meet the minimum oge requirement of 17 years of age on Januory 1, 1997. e. No member of the World University Games Teom may com­pete in the 1997 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships.

III. Entry into the World University Games Triols will be by petition only. Petitions for the World University Games Triols will be con­sidered by the Selection Committee for: o. A collegiate gymnost whose teom competed at the 1997 NCAA Regionols and Nationals, the 1997 USAG Collegiate Notionols, or the 1997 USAG Nationollnvitotionol Tournament and who did not compete in the All-Around. b. Any USAG elite athlete or 1997 Levell 0 regional or above qualifier. c. World University Gomes Trials wi ll use 1997 FIG Code of Points, Competition I Rules.

Note: All petitions should include two all -around optionolscores from current seosons, or documentation of the athlete's competitive experi­ence, and must be received in the USAG Notionol Office no later than June 15, 1997. IV. World University Gomes Teom:

a. All quolified othletes must sign and agree to the Athletes Code of Conduct and return with their entry/ occeptonce form in order to complete their entry requirements. b. A team member may be reploced in the cose of violations of the Athletes Code of Conduct with the approval of the USAG Ethics Committee or, if time constraint is on issue, with the opprovol of the President of USA Gymnostics. c. Replocements to the team, due to conduct violotions or injury of one of the teom members, will be mode in All-Around ronk order from World University Gomes Triols. Injury replacements must be documented by a doctor opproved by the United Stotes Olympic Committee or USA Gymnastics. d. No injury petition onto the team will be accepted. e. The members of the team moy be required to ottend 0 troin­ing comp one week to ten days prior to processing by the Olympic Committee. f. The lineup for each event will be by vote of the head cooch, assistant coach, and team leoder. In odd it ion, the two (21 judges and the othlete representative will receive a vote if they were in ottendance ot the Trials ond Training Camp, if one is held.

V. Cooch Selection The Heod Cooch and the Assistant Coach will be determined by the Selection Committee and the President of USA Gymnastics oher the team has been determined based upon the following criterio:

(1) proven team leodership ability (21 international experience (31 rank order of the athletes

The World University Gomes Team ond Cooches are bound by the guide­lines outlined in the Nationol Team Coaches Responsibilities Manual. I mUSA GYMNASTICS

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

PosmON AVAIlABLE Full/Port time positions, the Academy of Olympic Gymnastics, Mission Viejo, California, located minutes from beautiful Southland beaches and surrounding luxury communities is seek­ing a Boys Program Director. This individual needs the knowl­edge and pride to build a successful Team Program from our enthusiastic Level 7 competitors and closs students. Duties include dedicated closs curriculum development and teaching. Salary and hours are negotiable. Also seeking energetic motivated coaches for large program for girls (714)768-5950.

GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY. Energetic, organized and positive teachers needed to teach preschool through Elite. Full and port-time positions available at all three locations in northern Virginia. Several positions available. Special need for mole coach. Please send resume to: Milan Stanovich, 5581 Guinea Rood, Fairfax, VA 22032. Call for more information: (703) 323-0088.

Position availoble for a motivated, energetic, positive girls compet­itive team coach (levels 5-9). Some dance and choreographer experience preferred. Salary based on experience and qualifica­tions. Send resume to 5945 B. Orr Rd., Charlotte, NC 28213.

ATLANTA IS THE PLACE TO BE IN 1996-97! We are looking for qualified coaches to help oversee our expanding programs. We have a comprehensive gymnastics program which needs on enthusiastic coach who can work well with boys, girls, cheerleading, tumbling, and preschool classes. Salary is nego­tiable based on experience. Please send your resume to: Gym South Gymnastics, 119 N. 85 Pkwy., Fayetteville, GA 30214. (770)461-5528 or fox at (770)461-5528.

ASSISTANT BOYS COACH-Southern NH gymnast ics school is looking for a qualified person to assist with 0 rapidly growing competitive boys program. Full time position with benefits for the individual who enjoys working with a profeSSional, cohe­sive stoff in on enjoyable atmosphere. The position will include working with closs and competitive boys. Send resume to Gymnostics Village, 13 Coldwell Drive, Amherst, NH 03031 or call Judy Shenk at 603-889-8092.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM DIRECTOR - Full time position available in a beautiful, well established facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. Design and develop gymnastics program for over 600 preschool aged chil­dren. Must have knowledge in early childhood development and good organizational skills. KAT certification a plus. Salary com­mensurate with qualifications. Benefits include medical and den­tal, paid vacation and sick days, paid holidays, and retirement plan. Send resume to: HYDE PARK GYMNASTICS, P.O. BOX 9434, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45209.

COACHES/ INSTRUCTORS: Sunrise Gymnastics Academy is looking for enthusiostic, motivated instructors who love children. We need positive instructors to work with instructional classes ond compet­itive teams. Sunrise has on established program with over 1,400 students in a 29,400 sq. ft. state of the art facility. Sunrise has on excellent boys and girls competitive program with over 100 com­petitors at girls levels 5-10 and boys Closs 6-1 . Salory and bene­fits commensurate with experience. Send resume, references, and picture to: Sunrise Gymnastics Acodemy, P.O. Box 69, Sylvania, Ohio 43560 or call Yusaku or Sherry at (419)841 -8694.

GIRLS AND BOYS COACHES lOOKING FOR A GREAT PLACE TO WORK WITH GREAT PEOPLE, KEEP READING! Enjoy the benefits of Atlanta without the constant traffic hassle! The Cartersville Twisters need qualified and experienced coaches and instructors. Our pro­gram includes developmental and competitive gymnastics and PreSchool. Girls teams are currently competing levels 2-9. Boys teams are currently competing Closs 7-5. In order to grow we need help. Please send resume to Cartersville Gymnastics, P.O. Box 1390, Cartersville, GA 30120, Attn. Wynne Hernandez or FAX to 770-3B7 -7415. Phone no. 770-387-5629.

BROWN'S GYMNASTICS seeking full-time and port-time expe­rienced coaches for our recreational and team programs at Brown's Gymnastics of Houston and Brown's Gymnastics of

Altamonte Springs. Brown's Gymnastics offers the largest and best equipped facilities in the USA. Administrative positions also available. Send resume to: Brown's Gymnastics, 740 Orange Avenue, Altamonte Springs, Fl32714.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ COACH - Seeking enthusiastic individual interested in management position, assisting with team pro­gram levels 4-10, and help established educational program to continue to grow. Monagement and organization experience is a plus for this position. leading competitive team in Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. located in the heart of the metroplex with easy access to recreational activities and sporting events. Two loca­tions, 900+ students. Salary commensurote with experience. Send Resume to: Spirols Gymnastics, 765 109th St., Arlington, TX 76011 , attn. Jima Watson.

Dynamic, fast-grOWing Gymnastic Center seeking port-time and full -time instructors for boys and girls recreation classes. Pay is commensurate with experience. located 15 minutes north of Boston. Please send resume to: Gymnastics & More, 8 Micro Dr., Woburn, MA 01801 .

LEXINGTON GYMNASTICS CENTER is seeking professional, moti­vated, enthusiastic and dedicated individuals for various coach­ing positions in our growing business. Join us in our multiple state of the ort facilities (total of 26,000 sq. ft.). Positions for recreational through Girls teams (levels 2-8 present time). Salary with benefits based on experience and qualifications. Please send resume to: lexington Gymnastics Center, 2610 Palumbo Dr., Suite B, Lexington, Kentucky 40509, or call (606)266-5914, fox (606)268-2144.

Compulsory Coach Needed. 2 Years Coaching Experience ReqUired. Motivated individual who works well with co-workers and is SUPER with kids is desired to work in 15,000 square foot facility with State-Of-The-Art Equipment. 100 member team with more on the way!! Call and/ or send resume to: The Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta, c/ o Kelly Sherman, 2217 N. Cobb Parkwoy, Kennesaw, GA 30144. (770)590-8162.

Wont to live in sunny Florida? FUNTASTICS has on opening for a girls team caach for Levels 2-7. Must have strong spotting skills on bars and floor. A dance background is very helpful. If you have the ability to prOVide a fun, positive, learning envi­ronment, we wont you! The position is currently 15-20 hours per week, but could possibly be full -time if you are wi lling to work weekend activities at the gym. We offer a fun work envi­ronment, competitive salary, beautiful beaches, and great weather year round. Please moil or fox your resume to FUN­TASTICS Gymnastics & Cheerleading, 4434 Bee Ridge Rood, Sarasota, FL 34233. FAX 941 -378-0902.

Pre-School Director Needed. Established gymnastics school is looking for energetic go-getter to redesign, implement and direct pre-school program. Over 200 pre-schoolers already enrolled in the program. Excellent opportunity available immediately; salary commensurate to education and experi­ence. You can e-mail or call number below, please ask or Jose. e-mail: jvelez@en.com or phone 216-595-1859.

Seeking experienced cheerleading coach. Strong spotter a must. Excellent salary. Brown's Gymnastics Metro, Orlando, Florida. (407)246-1200. Contact: Jeff Wood/ Joan Von Fleet.

PRESCHOOL DlRECTOR/TEAM COACHES. Eastern Notional Academy is expanding into another facility and needs coaches. We are look­ing for directors for Preschool and General progrom, Team coach­es qualified in choreography and dance at a high level and knowl­edgeable in the compulsory division. ENA is in a perfect location for any lifestyle, we are located centrally between the Metropolitan New York area and the Pennsylvania Pocono Mountains. First Aid/ Safety certification a plus. Salary commensurate upon qualifi­cations and experience. Contact Rich at (201) 835-1665 or fox resume to (201) 835-6225 or e-mail usotena@eno.com

STAFF COACH: Unique full-time opportunity to coach and man­age a small, growing gym with tremendous potential. Seeking

JULY/AUG U S T 1 997

•

•

•

•

•

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

on enthusiastic professional to benefit from future growth. Coaching responsibilities will include Kindergym, and recre­ational classes. Located in very desirable area 50 miles north of Santo Barbara, California. Please contact Michael Von Dyck at (B05)6BB-4027.

GIRLS TEAM COACHING POSITION in sunny So. California. Beginning team development through all optional levels. Knowledge of new compulsory routines ond strong spotting skills on all events are required. Must be a team player with good orga­nizational and communication skills. Must be available in September of '97. Send resume and call M. Cotes. Broadway Gymnastic School, 1657 12th Street, Santo Monico, CA 90404. (310)450-0012 Phone. (310)450-6412 Fox. COACHING POSITIONS AVAILABLE. We are the Sterling Academy of Gymnastics located in the rolling hills of central Mo. Our pro· gram is 5 years old and is expanding rapidly. We are currently looking for coaches in both our girls (level 5-10) and our boys (level 6-1) programs. If you have the ability to teach and coach all levels, and are motivated to work in on energetic high quali­ty program send us a resume at; S.A.G., 15 Industrial Dr., Sterling, Mo. 01564, or call us (50B)422-7655. LEVEL 5 HEAD COACH/ INSTRUQOR: Immediate opening for Level 5 head coach with preschool/progressive program experi­ence. Gym in its 25th year near the beaches in mid-Atlantic region. Job available as port or full time employment. Local uni­versity for continuing education. Full time benefits include health plan and six weeks vocation. Salary commensurate with your credentials and your value to our program! Send resume: Delmarva Gymnastic Academy, 200 Bateman St., Salisbury, MD 21804; FAX 410-749-5071; or call C.F. Hastings 410-742-2053. Tim Daggett Gold Medal Gymnastics seeking qualified profes­sional people who are personable, motivated and enthusiastic to work in a creative, stimulating and fun atmosphere. Call now ot (413)786-4686 ask for Joe or Tim. (Levels 1-10). New Building (16,000 sq. h.J. Live in the beautiful Napa Volley: Experienced Boys' coach able and willing to work with girls as well wonted. Full or port time. Must be positive and motivated. Salary and benefits to rig~t person. Send resume: Paul La Grua, 2750 Jefferson St., Napa, CA 94558. (707)224-5140. GIRLS GYMNASTICS COACH . We don't moss produce gymnasts, we nurture them! Our gymnasts are special! If you have expe­rience in coaching and spotting competitive gymnasts at least through Level 8, and you also have choreography skills, we have a position for you. Global Gymnastics is located in scenic southeastern Ohio. If education is in your plans, Ohio University is just five minutes from the gym! Salary commen­surate with experience. Contact Roger Watson, owner, at (614)592-5267, or send resume and references to 7406 Radford Rood, Athens, Ohio 45701.

Business Financing. Gymnastics business and equipment loons. Anywhere in U.S.A. Address your inquiry to AIRGC, INC.-F. Davidovich, P.O. Box 28935, Atlanta, GA 30358. E-mail: femada@aol.com

FIR SALE Scorer's Table is a Windows based parent friendly program designed to Simplify preparation and scoring of USA Gymnastic meets. A simple click of the mouse assigns com­petitor sessions and numbers. Event placement, AA, Team and super team are just a mouse click away. The Scorer's table pro­gram has been used successfully at several large invitational and state meets. Use this program and you will reduce your meet preparation time by at least 50%. For more information contact, MEJE Corp., 113 McHenry Rd., Suite 165, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, (847)913-0765.

JU L Y / A U GUS T 1 997

SOFTWARE FOR DUMMIES! SCORE MASTER, the most Widely used system in the U.S., scores the largest meet in the U.S., The Gasporillo, with over 2500 competitors. This score keeping system is very easy to use and has on on-line tutorial. Supports: men's/ women's, individual/team, artistic/ rhythmic, comp/ optional competitions. It can graph scores over on entire season. Comes with a step-by-step user gUide and a 90 day unconditional money-bock guarantee. For more info contact: Mark Mahoney, P.O. Box 31421 , Charlotte, NC 28231 -1421 , (704) 333-7005, or web site: www.score-master.com (sohware demo, info gUide and user listing on web site). TEXAS GYMNASTICS SCHOOL FOR SALE: 8000 sq. h. facility in expanding area. Highway frontage. Great reputation. Great competitive and developmental programs. Separate pre-school and gymnastics rooms, office and super viewing areas. Tons of equipment. Plenty of land for future expansion. Stoff in place. Also, available on lot next door 4800 sq. h. cheerleading, tum­bling and dance gym. 1450 sq. h. spacious contemporary resi­dential apartment upstairs including two bedrooms, two baths, living, dining and kitchen. Will sell separate facilities or togeth­er. Owners going into evangelical ministry. Owner financing available. Call Marlon (409)898-1496. CLASS CONTROL. Closs Management and A/ R sohware. Pocked with features and very easy to use. Includes closs rosters, automated tuition calculation based on assignments and family discounts, retail charges, invoices, payment due reports, collec­tion summaries, instructor schedules, on-line help, and much more. Supports tax on retail items and tuition, alternative pay­ment methods like direct debit and credit cards, and USPS Address Standardization. The price includes free training and unlimited personal, understandable, technical support at no charge. Call Vaughn Sohware Services at 800-821-8516, PO Box 1086, Apex, NC 27502. MC/VISA. CAMP AERIALS-It's not on a mop, but it's where you wont to be! Whether you're off to camp or just kicking back for the summer ... CAMP AERIALS has the gear you've been looking for! Call or write today for a FREE COLOR BROCHURE featuring leotards, t­shirts, shorts, biketards, jewelry, keychains and much more for the gymnast and dancer! Write to: BODY WEARHOUSE, 218 West Main Street, Cory, IL 60013-or call TOLL FREE 1-888-644-0513. You won't find any campfires, but it sure is hot!!! ARTLine's CLIP ART for GYMNASTICS on COMPUTER DISKS. Save on advertising costs. Over fifty different draWings creat­ed by professional illustrators in a wide range of styles. Affordable way to odd visual impact to advertisements, posters, t-shirts, fliers, etc. Versatile, ARTLine for Gymnastics can be easily used in nearly every computer program. Available for MAC and Pc. Satisfaction guaranteed! Now Only $59.00 plus $3.00 shipping. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Am. Ex 1-800-879-6030 or Check or Money Order to ArtLine, P.O. Box 5797, Sparks, NV 89432.

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To place a classified ad: $75 every 90 words. Deadline: September/October-July 16; November /December­September 16. Send ad with payment to: USA Gymnastics, Classified Ads, Pan American Plaza, Suite 300, 201 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46225.

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Jay Thornton continued from page 27

USA Gymnastics: How did you get involved in gymnastics? Thornton: I started gymnastics when I was 8 in North Corolina with a basic tumbling class. Tim Erwin from Texas was my first real gym­nastics coach. As a kid, I played soccer too, but Tim talked me into staying into gymnastics! USA Gymnastics: Tell us about your past coaches and clubs in gymnastics. Thornton: I attended San Antonio Gymnastics School, Pritchett's Gymnastics, Augusta Gymnastics, University of Iowa and now U.S. Olympic Training Center. Some of my past coaches ore: Tim Erwin, Mark Williams, Jerry lee, Ken Vescordi, Garret Brancheau, Nick Brancheau, Kurt Golder, Liang Qiao, Tom Dunn, Alex Kolyvanov, Vitaly Marinitch, and Ron Brant. I think it's good having lots of coaches. They all had their own styles­American, Chinese, Russia, Ukraine---oll of them have helped me in their own way. USA Gymnastics: How often do you train and what's a normal practice like? Thornton: We train six days a week Monday through Saturday. Thursday is a light day with only one practice which lasts about 90 min­utes. Monday, Wednesday and Friday we lift in the morning for about 45 minutes. Then we train from 10:00-1 :00 and from 4:00-6:30. Saturday we train from 11 :00-2:00. If we're doing routines we do all six events in the morning and in the afternoon we'll do new skills and stuff we need extra work on. If we're not doing routines, we do three events in the morning and three events in the after­noon. We do a strength workout after our second practice which includes rope climb, handstand pushups, leg strengthening pro­gram, and a lot of ring strength exercises. Our hord strength is circuits on Wednesday and Saturday. Circuits is stations of strength exer­cises and you move from one station to the next with no rest in between, it's hard. I guess you could say a typical day is wake up, eat, workout, eat, sleep, workout, eat and sleep. USA Gymnastics: How do you stay motivated? Thornton: By focusing on my goals, both short and long term. If I get down and burned out I think back to what I want to achieve and it keeps me going. USA Gymnastics: What's the easiest and most difficult thing about training? Thornton: Physically the circuits is the hard­est part of training. The easiest or most fun is to learn new skills. USA Gymnastics: You had surgery on your knee in March 1887. how's the knee doing? How's training going? Thornton: It's doing great. No problems at all. I did pull my hamstring and it's bugging me a little. But, as far as my knee is con­cerned, I'm back to normal tumbling, vaulting and everything. USA Gymnastics: What has been your best moment in the sport?

Il!JUSA GYMNASrlCS

Thornton: In 1991, I competed in the McDonald's International Mixed Pairs and there was a huge crowd in the arena. All the top gymnasts were there like lance Ringnald, Trent Dimas, and Patrick Kirksey. I was a junior com­peting with all the top seniors and it was a great moment for me. I also hit my floor routine. I was super excited about it. USA Gymnastics: What has been your toughest moment in the sport? Thornton: Olympic Trials. It was something I'd worked hard for. Atlanta was the perfect place for me since I had grown up there. I was hop­ing to compete in Atlanta at the Olympic Games and being so close was the toughest. But, being so close also kept me going. I had planned to retire after the Games, but Olympic Trials kept me interested in the sport. I still don't think that I have peaked yet. The night of Olympic Trials I decided I wasn't done with the sport yet. I took two weeks off and went back home to Augusta. I went back in the gym and started learning new skills and it got fun again. It was a thrill learning new skills. USA Gymnastics: Jay. you missed making the 1885-86 USA National Team by .002 of a point. You missed making the Olympic Team by 1.1 points. Can you talk about near misses and have you learned anything from your !>Xperiences? Thornton: I've done that a lot, just missing things. As a junior I competed for national test­ing and missed the team two years in a row by one spot. I feel like I've been on the bubble many times in my coreer.1 feel like I've finally broken the bubble at Winter Cup this year. Also by placing 14th at Nationals and making Olympic Trials I feel like I broke the bubble. I've learned a lot from the close misses and they've helped to motivate me. By just missing so many things, I know I'm close and that I con be right there. Every time I've missed some­thing, I've always had a fault or something I could have improved upon. USA Gymnastics: Is there a gym­nast you admire or look up to? Thornton: Someone told me that I reminded him of Bilozerchev so I've always watched Bilozercheva lot and admired him. He's a bigger gymnast and he's a two-time World Champion. USA Gymnastics: How tall are you and does being bigger have any advantages? Thornton: I'm 5'9" and weigh 170 pounds. I guess the biggest advantage is like on floor, since I'm taller, I con tumble higher and it looks more impressive. A lot of people tell me that I'm too big to be a gymnast, but there's no height limitation in the sport. You just have to utilize what you have.

USA Gymnastics: What are your future goals? Thornton: My long-term goal is to make the 2000 Team. Hopefully, I will stay at the USOTC as long as things are still going well. My short-term goal is to make the World Championships Team. I think the U.S. should do pretty well. The U.S. is starting to upgrade their difficulty and use new com­binations. It will be a matter of hitting rou­tines. The International Team Champion­ships meet against China, Romania and USA (USA Senior Men won the title) was a good step in the right direction. My future coreer goals are to start medical school and become a doctor.

Coach Ron Brant said "Th t~ing that allows Jay t~ con~ tmue to succeed is that he's v~ry determined, He has his slg~ts set on accomplishing

partIcular goals and he's not one to give up easily. He

knows you can't waste f f

Ime. very turn he takes

means something to him on the apparatus. He's

very intense in the gym."

J UL Y / A U G U S T 1 997

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Kristen Maloney continued from page 28

Team. She led her team to the silver medal win at the International Team Champion­ships, a triangular meet between the U.S. , China and Romania . In this competition she also scored the second highest all -around of the competition and was the top U.S. finisher.

Regarding Kristen's accomplish­ments this year, Strauss said, "We' re real proud of her. We can see her confidence level going up with every event. She went four-for-four routines at the International Team Champion­ships and, since that time, train­ing has been pretty intense. We definitely want her on the World Championships Team and lead­ing the pack, not just barely making the team. She's getting stronger and her presentation and performance level is getting more mature and polished."

I have my driver's permit. As soon as r m ready,

I can take the test to get my license. I hope ~o hav~ my license by the time thiS

magazine is out. "I'm really excited about doing well now," said Kristen . " It gives me confidence to keep going. I've been in many meets lately and it gives me experience with the new rules. "

gymnastics is getting lots of recogn ition lately because of the Olympic Games. More peo­ple are real izing that gymnas-

Kristen'hs mom, Lhi~da , hsaid'h "I tics is a very difficult sport. " think t e one t Ing t at as . .. . . helped Kristen in her gymnastics Very difficult Indeed. Knsten IS career is that she goes to public one of only a handful of gym-school , has lots~of~school-~Aasts in the U:S-;-to- compete a friends, and has other interests Yurchenko double twist on besides gymnastics. She has an vault." I competed the Yurchenko outlet to the sport. If things one-and-a-half twist for a while. aren't going well in the gym, Then, Mr. Strauss had me do she has other things to think Yurchenko double twists in the about. She focuses on gymnas- pit during the summer after tics when she's in the gym, but Olympic Trials . It took me a cou-when she's out of the gym, she pie of months to learn it. I did a talks on the phone, talks about lot of progressions like round off her school work, and does other back handsprings on high mats. things besides gymnastics."

Kristen started gymnastics at age 5. Her older brother, Shawn, and her older sister, Carrie, were in school and Kristen was bored, so her mom enrolled her in a tum­bling/ dance class. Kristen moved to Parkettes when she was 8.

"I was one of those kids that loved the gym and wanted to go all the time," said Kristen . "I remember one time we had a blizzard and my mom wouldn't drive me to the gym. I cried because I couldn't go to practice."

The one thing Kristen likes about gymnastics is having four events. "You have to be able to dance plus be powerful. Also,

JUL Y/A U G U S T 1997

Believe it or not, Kristen trains six hours a day, six days a week, attends high school, and man­ages to fit in a social life around her gymnastics schedule. She keeps everything in perspective. " Friends from school come watch me do gymnastics . They' re very supportive."

When asked if she receives recognition at school, Kristen said,

"Sometimes during morning announcements they congratu­late me about an accomplish­ment. My principal always asks me, my sister, or my mom about what's happening."

In fact, the principal is so sup­portive that he tutored Kristen in algebra one summer so she could have a lighter school year.

Strauss said, "Kristen's the com­munity hero in her hometown of Pen Argyl, which is a small community of about 10,000. The community and school have been very supportive."

One of Kristen's future goals is to place in the top three or four at

the John Hancock U.S. National Championships and make the World Championships Team. As for the 2000 Olympic Games, Kristen is taking it one step at a time. " I do plan to go to college and hopefully get a scholarship to college," she added.

USA Gymnastics asked Kristen to give some advice to young gymnasts wanting to do well in the sport and she had this to say, "If you really love the sport, stick with it and most of all, have fun . If you want to do well you have to set goals and be dedicated. Go after it with the best of your ability. You have to want it in your heart."

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