GYMN-L Digest - 8 May 1995 to 9 May 1995

There are 25 messages totalling 717 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. Petition for Pitt
  2. lookalikes (2)
  3. Nationals (2)
  4. Cottbus Grand Prix (Day Two) (2)
  5. NCAA men's coverage (fwd)
  6. worldwide dream team (3)
  7. SLO HB/TV Alert (was Re: NCAA ...)
  8. kim Z
  9. Podkopayeva not at VISA & CDN nationals (3)
 10. trampoline
 11. New guy
 12. Famous Gymnasts (2)
 13. National High School championships May 26-27
 14. Tickets to the U.S. Nationals
 15. I am not stupid :)
 16. When the chalk clears (95 Worlds AA).
 17. Address correction

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Date:    Mon, 8 May 1995 21:12:50 -0600
From:    ***@RMII.COM
Subject: Petition for Pitt

Following is the petition that will be sent to Pitt in response to the
announcement regarding the termination of men's gymnastics and tennis
teams. Please take a moment to read it and if you support it, follow
the simple directions for signing it.  Thanks! -- Rachele

----------------------------------------------------------------------

PETITION:

To Chancellor J. Dennis O'Connor, Chairman Gene Barone, and L. Oval
Jaynes:

We, the undersigned, are amazed to hear of the University of
Pittsburgh's sudden decision to terminate the men's gymnastics and
men's tennis programs. These teams have provided many student-athletes
with the opportunity for collegiate competition in their chosen sport;
they are outstanding representatives of your institution. We support
the retention of these exemplary teams that have brought
accomplishment and positive image to the University of Pittsburgh.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

TO SIGN THIS ELECTRONIC PETITION:

Send an email to me (rachele@rmii.com) with the following information:

1. Name

2. Connection to gymnastics/tennis  [optional]
        eg, "Tennis fan" or "Head Coach, XYZ Gymnastics"

3. Contact info (email or snail-mail address, or both if that makes
        you happy)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

This petition will be distributed to Gymn, USA Gymnastics Online!,
rec.sport.misc and rec.sport.olympics, rec.sport.tennis, and AOL
forums for tennis and gymnastics.

You are strongly encouraged to obtain signatures from teammates and
friends interested in adding their name to this petition!  Feel free,
of course, to send all the names in one email message.

------------------------------

Date:    Mon, 8 May 1995 23:36:35 -0400
From:    ***@MAGNUS.ACS.OHIO-STATE.EDU
Subject: lookalikes

     Brett's message about lookalikes made me think of something. Is it just
me, or did Tonya Harding look eerily like Kathy Johnson on that "Where Are They
Now?" show last week?

Beth

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 00:57:41 -0400
From:    ***@POSTOFFICE4.MAIL.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: Nationals

In message Mon, 8 May 1995 19:01:45 -0500,
  Jennifer Eisenbart <EISENJ06@VAXA.CIS.UWOSH.EDU>  writes:

>
> The way I see it, there are at least 12 girls capable of contending
> for the seven spots to the World Championships in Sabae. I'll
> count when I'm done, so don't quote me on that number 'till I'm
> finished:
>
> Seniors
> =======
> Shannon Miller
> Dominique Dawes
> Amanda Borden
> Kerri Strug
> Larissa Fontaine
> Amy Chow
> Jaycie Phelps
> Kellee Davis
>
> Juniors (or former juniors)
> ===========================
> Dominique Moceanu
> Jennie Thompson
> Doni Thompson
> Kristy Powell
> Mary Beth Arnold
> Mina Kim
> Katie Teft


Hmm. . .I wonder how Kim Zmeskal is doing.  Would she have to make some kind
of mark before the Olympic Trials to even be considered, or could she just
"show up" early next year?  In '92, wasn't placement in Nationals a
requirement for making the team?

Tangentally related topic:  I've heard little about Zmeskal's choice of
college/university, or anything else on that topic at all.  What's she
doing in that regard?
--
------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 12:42:00 BST
From:    ***@IC.AC.UK
Subject: Re: Cottbus Grand Prix (Day Two)

> What's the "head-to-head" mean?  Something more than finals?
>
> Sherwin wrote:
> Head-to-Head
> ------------
>
>  1. Svetlana Khorkina           (RUS)   9.637
>  2. Dina Kochetkova             (RUS)   9.350

Yes that's about right. The final eight qualifiers on each piece
will do the "normal" apparatus finals, then at the end of that
the top two scores on each piece will perform their routine again
as a "Me versus You" format to decide who wins that piece of
apparatus. It's like a play-off. The German organisers are
particularly fond of this format since they say it adds to the
excitement, the best two competing against each other in a
head-to-head final.

Sherwin

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 12:47:46 BST
From:    ***@IC.AC.UK
Subject: Re: NCAA men's coverage (fwd)

> Doesn't Pegan do a full-twisting something?  I think it's a Kovacs,
> but I'm not sure.

Aljaz Pegan does a full-twisting Gaylord... and caught it both times
too in Cottbus (apparatus finals and apparatus finals' final) :-)

Sherwin

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 13:04:21 BST
From:    ***@IC.AC.UK
Subject: Re: worldwide dream team

Judging from recent results, these are my pick:

Lavinia Milosovici  (tops in ROM)
Gina Gogean         (tops in Europe)
Dominique Dawes     (tops in America)
Svetlana Khorkina   (tops in RUS... not officially but
                     its quite obvious she's the best RUS around)
Liliya Podkopayeva  (tops in UKR)
Yelena Piskoun      (tops in BLR)
Mo Huilan           (tops in Asia)

Reserves:
Shannon Miller      (tops in Worlds)
Dina Kochetkova     (tops in Goodwill)

although the last two haven't been making much ripples
in international comps recently.

Sherwin
 

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 11:23:20 -0400
From:    ***@PRISM.GATECH.EDU
Subject: Re: worldwide dream team

>
> Judging from recent results, these are my pick:
>
> Lavinia Milosovici  (tops in ROM)

I find it hard for Milosovici to be tops in ROM. I think that she
is being "helped" by someone who is keeping Gogean ahead of her in the
line-ups. I think it is only a matter of time before she loses the
Best Romanian Gymnast Status to Gogean, who I think is superior except on
Bars.


> Gina Gogean         (tops in Europe)
> Dominique Dawes     (tops in America)
> Svetlana Khorkina   (tops in RUS... not officially but
>                      its quite obvious she's the best RUS around)

Don't count out Elena Groshova. She's young, got all the skills to win,
and tough. She might give Svetlana a run for this Best RUS title. I agree
that Dina is out of the running, currently


> liliya Podkopayeva  (tops in UKR)

I really wonder why she wasn't at VISA?

> MO Huilan           (tops in Asia)

She's too good to be at VISA.

>
> Reserves:
> Shannon Miller      (tops in Worlds)
> Dina Kochetkova     (tops in Goodwill)

I find it hard to have these gymnasts pushing mats for Piskoun and Podkopayeva
on bars and beam, however.


What is really weird about this list is that like everyone else's list,
the names are all established gymnasts. True Soviet "killer teams" always
had 2 new people, 2 that have been "around", and two rock solid veterans.
And they won alot of championships with this technique of building teams.


Jeff Ruell


> Although the last two haven't been making much ripples
> in international comps recently.
>
> Sherwin
 

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 10:45:30 CDT
From:    ***@ADMIN.STEDWARDS.EDU
Subject: Re: worldwide dream team

>
> > Reserves:
> > Shannon Miller      (tops in Worlds)
> > Dina Kochetkova     (tops in Goodwill)
>
> I find it hard to have these gymnasts pushing mats for Piskoun and Podkopayeva
> on bars and beam, however.
>
I agree! Shannon Miller has a much better track record and a much better history
of consistency than Piskoun and Podkopayeva put together!!



>
> What is really weird about this list is that like everyone else's list,
> the names are all established gymnasts. True Soviet "killer teams" always
> had 2 new people, 2 that have been "around", and two rock solid veterans.
> And they won alot of championships with this technique of building teams.
>
True.  The Romanians seem to use a similar process.  Take the Barcelona team,
for example :

Veterans - Bontas, Pasca
Semi-veteran - Necultia
New kids - Milo, Hadarean



Cole

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 11:55:57 EDT
From:    ***@BBN.COM
Subject: Re: lookalikes

Beth writes:
>     Brett's message about lookalikes made me think of something. Is it just
>me, or did Tonya Harding look eerily like Kathy Johnson on that "Where Are They
>Now?" show last week?

My roommate has been saying this for months.  He also has been
watching the "Anna Lee" British mystery series on A&E, and says
that Imogen Stubbs, the actress who plays the title character,
looks so much like both TH and KJ that he finds it distracting at times.
(This is when we're not making silly jokes that if we got married,
I'd be KJ [his last name is Johnson].)

>>Kathy

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 13:17:01 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: SLO HB/TV Alert (was Re: NCAA ...)

Alejaz Pegan does *neither* the Kovacs or Gaylord full. He does do a Gaylord
Barani (half) out and has been since '93 (I saw it first at Worlds). It's not
only a great trick but Pegan does it with form and amplitude. His consistancy
is also improving with every meet.

His teammate Alojz Kolman (SLO) did the Kovacs full twist at the '92 Worlds
(made it in prelims fell in semi's) but I haven't seen him around lately.
From what I understand it was someone from New Mexico, I *think* of Slovenian
extract, that first developed the Kovacs full.

Must be something in the water there that makes these guys insane.

-Susan

***TV ALERT*** ...... ABC's Wide World of Sports this Saturday (5/13/95) will
feature the *men's* competition from the USA/CHN/BLR Visa Challenge held a
few weeks ago in Fairfax, VA.

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 15:31:43 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Nationals

<<I wonder how Kim Zmeskal is doing...In '92, wasn't placement in Nationals a
requirement for making the team>>

Shannon Miller competed compulsories only at Nationals and was petitioned
into Trials, and Betty Okino missed Nationals and Olympic Trials but was
petitioned into that "training camp/second Trials" and both made the team.  I
don't know what the official rules are, but I guess if you've proven yourself
in the past, exceptions are made.  I don't know if GYMN was around then, but
there was a lot of discussion in the press about the selection process.  I
know the long process was hard on the girls, but I agreed that Shannon and
Betty belonged on the team.  However, I don't know how the '96 Trials will
run.
As for Kim Zmeskal, the last I heard, she was planning on competing at the
U.S. Classic in July.

<<I've heard little about Zmeskal's choice of college/university...what's she
doing in that regard>>

Before she announced her comeback, she was looking into Oklahoma University
in Norman, Okla.  Betty Okino goes there now, and they were planning on going
to college together, so maybe she'll go there too after '96.  Neither can
compete in college gymnastics because they accepted prize money, and I think
they are both interested in broadcasting.

Ann Marie

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 16:59:18 -0400
From:    ***@PRISM.GATECH.EDU
Subject: kim Z

kim Z is taking time off from college-or putting it on hold-solely to
train for more gymnastics competition. I don' tknow if she ever attended
colleg ein the first place, but now she is putting it on hold.
adrienne

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 14:38:08 UTC-0700
From:    ***@CS.UBC.CA
Subject: Podkopayeva not at VISA & CDN nationals

    In a reply to the worldwide dream team thread, Jeff Ruell asked why
Podkopayeva wasn't at the recent VISA challenge competition.  It may have
been because she was at the Gymnix International competition (held March 31-
April 2 in Montreal) and the two competitions were too close together.  As
Dory posted recently, Podkopayeva was having a lot of problems with her back
at the Gymnix competition as well, so that might have been a factor too.
    I'll be going to the Canadian nationals May 23-27th (they're being held
at UBC this year).  If anyone else on the list is going, please let me know
so that we can try to arrange to meet.

Karen

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 17:28:49 EST
From:    ***@CCMAIL.NHQ.SONY.COM
Subject: trampoline

     Anyone interested in getting rid of a trampoline?

     I'm starting a trampoline program at a gymnastics school in northern
     NJ and am looking for a 7 x 14 trampoline frame.

     Please e-mail me back:  sarafias@ccmail.nhq.sony.com

     Thanks,

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 19:09:25 -0400
From:    ***@AMANDA.DORSAI.ORG
Subject: Re: Cottbus Grand Prix (Day Two)

>> What's the "head-to-head" mean?  Something more than finals?
>>
>> Sherwin wrote:
>> Head-to-Head
>> ------------
>>
>>  1. Svetlana Khorkina           (RUS)   9.637
>>  2. Dina Kochetkova             (RUS)   9.350
>
>Yes that's about right. The final eight qualifiers on each piece
>will do the "normal" apparatus finals, then at the end of that
>the top two scores on each piece will perform their routine again
>as a "Me versus You" format to decide who wins that piece of
>apparatus. It's like a play-off. The German organisers are
>particularly fond of this format since they say it adds to the
>excitement, the best two competing against each other in a
>head-to-head final.
>
>Sherwin
>
------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 16:15:41 -0700
From:    ***@NETCOM.COM
Subject: Re: New guy

>
> Hey all! Thanks for having me on your list.
>
> Anyway, I am a student at Southeast Missouri State University. I am
> also the sports editor and sports photographer for the student paper.
> My favorite sport to watch, by far, is women's gymnastics. If any of
> ever saw any issues of my paper, the would be very apparent. Anyway,
> I thought I'd say hi to everyone and I'll give the list a look as to
> see what the current messages are before I plunge in.
>
> Again, thanks!
>
>
> LQ

Lance !
***@leland.stanford.edu is your counterpart on the west coast.
Youll find another kindred spirit in Ronald down in FL.
(ronald something @AOL.COM)  He a girls gymn fanatic/writer too.

So...ummmm...... when you gonna give guys gymn a chance ? Hmmmm?
Everybody is into girls gymn.  Nobody takes guys gymn seriously.
We cant do too well till some of you sportzwriters give us a little
attention.  So like how bout it ?  (Cue: wistful gargoyle impression )

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 19:38:55 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Podkopayeva not at VISA & CDN nationals

Podkopayeva wouldn't have been at the Visa Challenge anyway since it was only
USA BLR China and Lilia is from Ukraine
Emily

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 19:42:57 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Famous Gymnasts

Are there any semi-famous or gymnasts that competed on college teams on GYMN?
Pretty stupid question.
Emily

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 16:52:23 -0700
From:    ***@NETCOM.COM
Subject: Re: National High School championships May 26-27

>
> The item below was a PR piece, so I doubt copyright infringement is a problem
> ;-)
>
> Mara
> ************
> GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Many of the nation's finest senior girls and boys
> gymnasts will compete in the National High School championships May 26-27 at
> the California Sports Center (old Blackford campus) in San Jose.
> Preliminaries are May 26, the finals May 27, though starting times have not
> been announced. Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for students. Children under 12
> are free.
>
> For more information, call the California Sports Center at (408) 246-7795.

Thats MY gymn !
At the moment Im not working out there much...
Ill be accross town working a Sci Fi Con that weekend so I guess Ill miss it.
Bummer tho...

-texx

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 20:03:02 -0400
From:    ***@FURMAN.EDU
Subject: Tickets to the U.S. Nationals

Item Subject: Message text
I am very interested in attending the U.S. Nationals in August that are
going to be held in New Orleans.  I know it's a little early, but the
summer IS fast approaching! :) Does anyone know exactly where they are
going to held in New Orleans and/or when the tickets will go on sale?

Thanks for any info!

Amy

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 17:21:16 -0700
From:    ***@NETCOM.COM
Subject: Re: I am not stupid :)

Texx faceteously points out (exposing his predjudice)

You cant be a dummy, you dont post from AOL !

If you must flame, keep the traffic off the list.

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 21:37:39 -0400
From:    ***@PRISM.GATECH.EDU
Subject: Re: Podkopayeva not at VISA & CDN nationals

>
> Podkopayeva wouldn't have been at the Visa Challenge anyway since it was only
> USA BLR China and Lilia is from Ukraine
> Emily
>
Opps. I forgot. When ever I see gymnast from the former soviet union I think
that they are all from the same country, still.

BTW: Dowes anyone know why the VISA Challenge is was only for those gymnasts?
Did they invite other countries and they declined?

Jeff

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 22:07:53 -0400
From:    ***@PRISM.GATECH.EDU
Subject: When the chalk clears (95 Worlds AA).

Since we are all (somewhat) talking about a Dream Team, who do
people think will win the upcoming Worlds AA? (Is there one this
year, I've lost track of how things are being doen now with the
change of years and the like- reminds me of the late 70's!)


I don't think that Shannon will be able to defend her title again.
I don't think it will be Milosovic. I still think she is being
helped by being given the last position on each event.


My favorites to be on the podium whenthe chalk clears:


First/Second:


Gogean. I REALLY like her and I think she should have been the 1993 champ.
Current European champ, I think (?) and I believe her to
be the best in the world. She SHOULD win, IMHO.

Khorkina. SHe might do it. She has the Boginskya quality in her
aristry, orginality, and the added plus of solid, difficult bars.



The fight for the bronze:


Kotechkova: May be if others don't hit, but I don't think she be in the
best form and she has others on her team to worry about beating her
to the AA finals.

Dawes: If she can pull off her routines like she did at Dortmund, she
be on the podium, but I don't think she'll shine gold.

Groshova: Alot of difficulty and surprised people by coming third at
Goodwill. But her performance at Dormund leaves her behind Khorkina,
without a doubt. I think, however, that she'll peak in 1996.

(Mighty) Mo Hulan. It would be rather pleasant to see a chinese gymnast
on the stand for a change. She'll have to pull out everything to beat
Khorkina and Gogean. Didn't her optional floor beat Khorkina's in
Dortmund. Great Bars and Beam, not certain if Vault will do her
in as it has traditionally done in the Chinese.

Long shot ( and I mean LONG -IMHO) is Podkopedva (Ukr). She's doing
great with difficulty and has arguably the best form of any of the
contenders. But small mistakes like in Dortmund (bars) and Goodwill
(vault) could leave her medal-less again.

Second Long shot would have to be Oksana Fabrishnova. I really like this
gymnast and I think she has had her share of misfortunes. I wish that
she could pull everything together and get her fair reward, a medal.
But even if she hits everything, I doubt it will be enough in the
eyes of the judges to give her the gold over the likes of Gogean or
Khorkina, if they should hit everything, too.


So, I think:

Gold and Silver to Gogean and Khorkina (either order) and the bronze will
be a BIG fight.

Jeff

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 20:49:29 -0600
From:    ***@RMII.COM
Subject: Re: Famous Gymnasts

|
| Are there any semi-famous or gymnasts that competed on college teams on GYMN?

Yes.

Rachele

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 9 May 1995 20:53:04 -0600
From:    ***@RMII.COM
Subject: Address correction

In the special video discount posted to Gymn, the USA Gymnastics
Internet address was listed as "USAG@Delphi.com".  It should have been
"usgf@delphi.com".

Thanks,
Rachele

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 8 May 1995 to 9 May 1995
***********************************************