GYMN-L Digest - 10 Apr 1995 to 11 Apr 1995

There are 23 messages totalling 755 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. BIG 10 CHAMPS.
  2. Superstars video
  3. QLD Elite meet
  4. Andrei Kratsov & Pavel Mamine
  5. FLOOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:
  6. Scoring & Viewer
  7. Western Regionals (Men) (3)
  8. SE Regional Champs scores (repost)
  9. Coaching Help
 10. Gold Gymnastics Tour
 11. Impressions of Superstars
 12. (COPY)      USA Gymnastics Mall Tour
 13. Code Ideas / Dobre's famous pose
 14. tatiana groshkova
 15. Poetry - Ode to Stobi
 16. SW Regionals?
 17. Opinion poll
 18. Wondering
 19. Romania vs. GB/Cacovean
 20. Favorite Men's Routines?
 21. intro and favorite floor routines

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Date:    Mon, 10 Apr 1995 22:45:50 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: BIG 10 CHAMPS.

Was just flipping channels when I stumbled across the Big 10 Women's
Gymnastics Championships on Sports Channel Chicago, which we get here in
Iowa.  If you get this channel, this competition will re-air tomarrow,
Tuesday, April 11 at 11 pm Central, and then again on Friday, April 14 at 11
pm Central.  If you get any of the Sports Channels (they have different ones
in a lot of cities), check your local listings and maybe they'll have it,
too.

Ann Marie

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

Date:    Mon, 10 Apr 1995 23:59:44 -0400
From:    ***@EMERALD.TUFTS.EDU
Subject: Re: Superstars video

I know how you feel! I've been tricked before into buying the tapes that
I think are going to be a compilation of various gymnasts when in fact,
they are only a tape of the Nationals. This is precisely why I didn't but
the new "Superstars" tape. I agree that the company should be more
truthful about what exactly is on the tape! Sorry you are disappointed!
Melissa

> Hi everyone,
>
> Well, I just got done watching the new NBC video, Superstars of Gymnastics
> and am a little disappointed.  Has anyone else seen it?  It was advertised as
> a video about America's best gymnasts, so I was expecting to see profiles of
> Kim, Shannon, Dominique and others, but it turns out it is really the 1995
> American Cup.  It shows the Shannon profile that was on T.V. (about how
> "hard" the past year has been for her) and has a short profile on Dom.  It
> also shows their floor routines from 1994 Nationals, but, like in the
> America's Best videos, with dubbed music.  There's a little tribute to Scott
> Keswick, along with highlights from his performance at Nationals.
> The video does, however, show 5 women's vault (which weren't on T.V.), as
> well as the awards ceremony.  Only 4 men's events are on it (with a couple
> performances each) and the women's floor music is dubbed.
> I'm not upset about buying it, as I collect them all, but I wish they'd been
> a little more truthful in the advertising--even the box it comes in doesn't
> say it's the American Cup!  Of course, the America's Best videos never said
> they were about Nationals, so I should have known better!
>
> Ann Marie
>

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 14:40:47 +1000
From:    ***@STUDENT.GU.EDU.AU
Subject: QLD Elite meet

Hi Everyone,

I spent the weekend in Brisbane at a National elite meet, and since the
standard was pretty high, I thought I'd fill you in........

Unfortunately injuries plauged the meet, Stoyal and Wills couldn't
compete because of injury and Jo Hughes was 'unavailable' according to
the local press.  Thankfully Ju Ping turned up with her AIS sqad (two of
whom only did warmups because of injuries - Davidson & Preston), which
left only Ruth Moniz, Nicole Kantek, Kirsty-Lee Brown and Rebecca Wilson
to fight out the senior title...........

Moniz did well, to lead after compulseries.  She had a large step on
Vault, and a fall from beam I think (her compulsery BB is still gorgeos -
the toe point and extention!)

From memory, Brown was consistent on all events.....she's the 'typical'
Aussie, good form, extension and long lines.

Kantek, competing in her first year as a senior, had a rough compulsery
day, falling off Beam and staggering backwards 7 steps on her UB dismount
only to fall anyway.  Her compulery FX was great though!

In optionals Moniz did two full twisting yurchenkos on
Vault, both landed a little low, then repeated her commonwealth Games
mistake on UB, missing her Jager combo (only caught it once in Warmups out
of about 6 tries).  Her BB set was great!  Layout on,
flick-layout-layout, flick-layout-flick, Rulfolfa and Double pike
dismount.  Heck it even made Ju Ping smile!  Her FX has come a long way
in the past few months, something you can only put down to Nelic
Tishabievs move from the WAIS in Perth to the AIS in Canberra (for those
of you trying to work out who he is, he was the CIS floor coach in
Barcelona, and can be seen with Gutsu etc during team warmups).   Anyway,
Ruth nailed a piked full-in, double layout/pike and two whips to double
twist.  Coreography was same as commonwealths.

Kirsty-Lee Brown has come a long way in a year.  Her vault was a little
weak, only handspring tucked (she won vault thanks to a stuck
compulsery), but her UB was innovative, despite a sloppy delchev.
Larissa Fontaine is no longer the only gymanst in the world doing a
double front arabian off UB - Brown showed it here, with perfect form
pointed toes and a stuck landing.  IMO it's better than
Fontaines........On BB she did front somi on (but doesn't everyone!),
flick-layout, punch front and only a back layout off.  But since
everything was stuck and she managed to stay on BB both days she won that
event.  On FX she mounted with 2&1/2 twist, and then just did front
tumbling.  I barely remember the coreography so it obviously wasn't
anything special.

NIcole Kantek has long been touted as Australias Atlanta hopeful (I first
have a TV piece done on her in 1990 at 9!)  Her skill level is the
highest of any Australian, and she has a different body type to most -
short and powerful.  On Vault she did a Hristkieva (both with small
steps), and on UB used alot of variety in swing, a tckhatev and full-in
dismount.  She did a layout onto beam, flick-layout-layout (fall),
flick - flick to two feet - layout to two feet, some great leaps where
both feet come up to touch the back of the head (are these Yang Bo's?  a
few Aussie juniors are training them), and dismounted with flick - flick
to two - double tuck.  FX is her favourite event and it's not hard to see
why (she won it at China Cup last year and was 2nd to Hatagan at
International Juniors in 93).  She mounts with piked full-in, and then
does another 3 or 4 front and twisting passes.  The coreography is fast
and modern and she did three shushunova's, one conected to a front full.

Anyway, scores for Senior AA were

1.      Moniz           72.461
2.      Brown           72.424
3.      Kantek          71.386

Brown won Vault and Beam, Kantek UB and Moniz FX.

The states sub-junior elites were also in action, competiting for places
to Nationals next month in Perth.  These kids are coached by Russian
Vladimir Zakharov, and he's doing a terrific job!  All 10 kids have
better full turns on BB than Milosovici, and most reach 180 degree split
on the arabesque.  Australian gymnasts are expected to medal in Sydney
2000, and if they don't, government funding will probably be cut
drastically.  But these kids are certainly on track for our best result
ever and who knows - maybe top 4 in the team comp will be a possibility.
The names to look out for?  IMO Kristy Dobbie, Kristy Browse and Jessica
Auld - though don't take my word for it, since as a talent scout I'm
pathetic! (I saw Lussac & Milosovici compete in the very same gym four
years ago and thought little - instead I predicted a great future for
Soviet junior Irina Golub, who turned out to be a 'one meet wonder'!)

On an amusing note, if you walked into this meet knowing nothing about
Australian gymnastics, you could be forgiven for thinking you were in
China or Russia!  I managed to count 2 Australian coaches!  There were 5
Russian coaches, 1 Russian judge (Olga Turcheva - anyone heard of her -
was she an old gymnast - she had grey hair), and about 4 Chinese
coaches.  Add to that two Russian male gymnasts competing,  who now call
Australia home (see next post).  One thing is certain, although no one
can guarantee these kids an Olympic medal, Australian gymnastics can
guarentee they'll finish their career fluent in a foreign language!!!!!!

Michelle ;-)

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 15:14:00 +1000
From:    ***@STUDENT.GU.EDU.AU
Subject: Andrei Kratsov & Pavel Mamine

Hi Folks,

Two guys from Russia, are now in Australia training at the AIS in
Canberra and hoping to represent our country in Atlanta (if they're
naturalisation papers are through in time).  Not knowing much about men's
gymnastics I really don't know if anyone's interested in this..........

To cut a long story short, Andrei Kratsov (23) was Russian national
junior champion, and was selected to represent the USSR in two
international tournaments, and was on the national team from 1984 to
1991.  Then when he looked to have a place at Krugloye his coach had a
'personal dispute with the acadamy'.  He was then offered a position with
the Royal London Circus, and decided to take it.  He said it was a heart
wrenching decision, which haunted him while watching the Olympic telecast
while stuck in a hotel room in Malasia.

This is what he told the local newspaper about it:

"When I was watching the Olympic games in Malasia all my friends were in
the team and I knew I had a 90% chance to have been part of the team.  In
1991 I had hoped to get into the Russian training centre.  But when
everything came together, I felt I had nothing.  I decided to work in the
circus.  It was a hard decision because I knew I couldn't go back to
gymnastics and the Olympics."

He then met an Australian dancer, and fell in love.  She lived in QLD,
and he fell in love with the place on a visit.  (they've since split up)  He
rang to ask about a
coaching position, and the AIS immeadiatlly snapped him up, and he's now
been training there since November 1993.  He's ranked No 2 in Australia
behind Dowrick.  Here's what he sais about his new home " Australia is a
good country, the people are friendly, and there is nice weather."

The other gymnast is Moscuvite Pavel Mamine, who 'enjoyed national junior
success'.  He too fell in love with an
Australian woman overseas, and when he came to Australia rang Kratsov.
He was then invited to train at the AIS in Canberra, away from his
girlfriend who still lives in Brisbane.

OK that's about all I know, but Andrei did say something interesting
about the circus situation.....

"There's quite a lot of Russian gymnasts who defect to the circus.  It
was easy for us.  The government used to sponser all kind of sports, but
then everything changed and there was no money and no privilage."

I know Tatiana Groshkova joined the Moscow Circus for a while.  How many
others are there?

Finally just to amuse you, the article (don't worry I've only coppied a
few quotes out of a two page article), said that 'many of Russia's elite
gymnasts have turned to circuses world wide, including former world
champion Svetlana Bogunskaya'.  Seemed inacurate until I thought about
those pro meets - which IMO are as funny and (ir)relevant to gymnatics as a
circus!!!!!!

Michelle

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 16:58:09 +1000
From:    ***@STUDENT.GU.EDU.AU
Subject: Re: FLOOR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS:

I came accross this gem, while reading through my mail and simply had to
comment.

> Opponents of this plan feel
> that the American public has become very comfortable with the idea that
> 10's are the mark of perfection, and they like to root for their
> favorites to score a 10.0.  Can you imagine the average, once every four
> years, gymnastics watching American rooting for their fav to score a
> "perfect" 36.4?

Gymnastics doesn't belong to America!!!!  Therefore what the American
public thinks (or doesn't think) should in no way influence how this
sport is scored!  This almost reads like the IG article which said
'Compulseries are Unamerican' and using that as the premise went about
giving reasons why they should be abolished!!!!

For crying out loud, this sport isn't the posession of American TV,
indeed if it is owned by anyone, it's  the Soviets and Romanians, as
they created it to be what it is today!  To my mind the only
influence America has had on Womens gymanstics is 'the Miller thing' on
BB - and I personally am sick to death of that!!!

Don't get me wrong here folks, I'm not USA bashing - just pointing out
that this is a truly international sport, and it shouldn't become what
Americans want it to be, simply for TV ratings!

Michelle

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 00:58:23 -0700
From:    ***@NSN.SCS.UNR.EDU
Subject: Scoring & Viewer

Maybe the time is coming that gymnastics scoring needs to be divided up
into two classifications.  One set of scores for technical execution and
another for Artisic expression.  Perhaps 5 points possible for each added
together for the possible 10.00. (Just to keep the 10 idea). The scores
would be flashed individually as in other sports that use two sets. This
would make the scoring more competitive and possibly more
understandable to the viewers.

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 05:57:24 -0600
From:    ***@RMII.COM
Subject: Re: Western Regionals (Men)

| 4. California
| 5. New Mexico

Hmmm -- I would guess that Josh is right on this one, with Cal being
4th.  He has too many details for my second hand info to dispute.  ;)

Trivia: Barry Weiner, Cal coach, and Fred Turoff, Temple coach, both
coaches of the 4th place teams at their respective regionals, were
former teammates at Temple.

The Eastern Regional saw some questionable scoring also.  Everybody
was surprised that Penn State won -- including Penn State. Dave
Riordan, PSU, said in the press conference that they didn't even know
for sure that they'd qualified.  When 4th place was announced (and
they weren't in it), they felt "relief".  He said that when 2nd place
was announced, it was "amazing" because they just had no idea that
they won.  The Penn State guys were lucky to win, and they knew it.

The gymnastics at the Eastern Regional was incredible.  Iowa, in their
sleek black uniforms (that don't photograph very well), was just
outstanding.  Every time you looked at them, they were hitting, with
good form and execution.  Ohio State looked great when I was watching
them, too, but they must have faltered at some events to fall to 3rd.
They have two very heavy hitters in Blaine Wilson and Drew Durbin (his
first competition back this year) -- Blaine was first in the AA, btw.

Temple and Minnesota were both teams that "could have".  Both looked
strong however and if the regionals had been held on their home court,
would have qualified in.  Some felt that Temple deserved to be in the
top three (although you're not supposed to compare scores between
meets, it's noteworthy that Temple's score was the fifth best in the
nation, but they are not one of the six teams that makes it to
Nationals because they are 4th in their region).  The top five East
teams were very closely matched and many felt that this was a great
meet. Illinois - Chicago, in 6th, was never a contender, but
nevertheless displayed good gymnastics also, particularly when I was
watching them on floor.

Josh, do you know who the Cal gymnast was who qualified to NCAAs?

I'm really looking forward to Nationals... they should be outstanding.
I was really impressed by the "hit percentage" at East Regionals, and
I've heard that people at West regionals expect Stanford to take it.
Ohio State will have the home advantage, however.

If you want to go to this meet, the number to order tickets is
1-800-GO-BUCKS.  The competition begins at 7pm each night: Thursday
April 20 (team prelims and AA), Friday April 21 (team championship),
and Saturday April 22 (event finals).  It will be at St. John's Arena.

Rachele

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 08:05:06 -0400
From:    ***@SIDWELL.EDU
Subject: SE Regional Champs scores (repost)

I posted this yesterday but I haven't seen it yet on the list.  Sorry if
you've seen this before.

Lisa

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 10 Apr 1995 15:18:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: ***@sidwell.edu
Subject: Women's Southeast Regional Championship

I went to the NCAA women's southeast regional championship, which was
held at Towson State University in Towson, Md. on Saturday (4/8) night.
I took notes on the meet and I'm working on a post with my impressions,
but it's kinda long, so I thought I'd just post the results and send the
impressions off later.  I'm too lazy to look up some of the first
names that I don't know and the last names that I think I spelled
wrong, so you'll just have to deal with it :).  Haven't seen any posts on
Gymn yet, but our Internet connection has been down since Sat. afternoon
and mail is just now getting through, so sorry if anyone has posted this
and it's just been queued.

Team:
1. University of Georgia   197.575 (meet record, *8th* straight time UGA
has won this meet)
2. University of Florida  195.7
3. West Virginia University  193.325
4. University of Kentucky  192.000
5. North Carolina State University  191.600
6. Towson State University  190.125
7. George Washington University  188.025

Vault:
1. Jenny Hansen (Kentucky) 10.00
2. Chrissy Vogel (Florida) 9.975
3. Ballard, Kim Arnold (both Georgia) 9.95
5. Leah Brown, Agina Simpkins, Lori Strong (all Georgia), Karlen (sp.) (WVU)
9.925

Bars
1. Lori Strong (Georgia) 10.00
2. Agina Simpkins (Georgia) 9.975
3. Jenny Hansen (Kentucky), Dewey (Georgia) 9.95
5. Erin Shandley (Towson), Kristen Guise (Florida) 9.925

Beam
1. Kim Arnold (Georgia) 9.90
2. Jenny Hansen (Kentucky), Agina Simpkins (Georgia) 9.875
4. Newton (NC State), Ballard (Georgia) 9.85
6. Dameron (sp.) (William and Mary) 9.80

Floor
1. Lori Strong (Georgia) 9.95
2. Angelos (Georgia) 9.925
3. Kim Arnold (Georgia) 9.90
4. Newton (NC State) 9.85
5. Martha Grubbs (Florida), Ballard (Georgia), Quackenbush (WVU) 9.825

All Around
1. Kim Arnold (Georgia) 39.6
2. Jenny Hansen (Kentucky) 39.525
3. Newton (NC State) 39.3
4. Kristen Guise (Florida), Lori Strong (Georgia) 39.2
6. Johnson (Florida) 39.175

I didn't get these scores from an official scoresheet or anything, just
from what they said on the loudspeaker, so don't sue me if they're wrong
:).

I can post exactly what this means in terms of nationals, etc. if anyone
wants.

Impressions coming soon, hopefully by the weekend.
Lisa

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 11:39:01 -0400
From:    ***@A1.CSOC.UMC.DUPONT.COM
Subject: Coaching Help

Does anyone out there have experience working with handicapped
gymnasts?  I have a new student in the gym who has no legs.
After the first class, I realized that almost every skill would
need to be modified for him.  None of the standard progressions
are going to work for him.  I was wondering if anyone has
developed progressions for some basic and/or intermediate skills
that they would be willing to share.

Some initial hurdles are:

        1. Backward roll.  He does fine on the incline, but
           without the weight of legs to pull himself over he
           gets stuck on a flat surface.

        2. Tap swing.  I'm really stuck on this.  Any of you
           biomechanics folks out there know if this is possible?

        3. I'm looking for a way for him to get to support on the
           Pbars by himself.  Remember, we're talking about a six
           year old beginner here.

I would appreciate any and all help on this topic.  I think it
would be best to take this discussion to email, unless you think
it would benefit the whole list.  TIA.

-Jim

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 08:38:33 PDT
From:    ***@MCM.COM
Subject: Re: Western Regionals (Men)

From the San Jose Mercury news:  Cal fourth, New Mexico fifth.
Josh Berkelbaw was the third all around qualifier.  He apparently
had a great meet.  David Kruse won high bar and floor and
maybe vault (?).

--- Begin Included Message ---
The three teams to qualify were:

1. Stanford, 228.750
2. Oklahoma, 227.850
3. Nebraska, 227.450

New Mexico was 4th, and Cal Berkeley was 5th.

Two of the three all-around qualifiers were Darren Elg and Blaz
Puljic.  The third was a Cal gymnast, but I don't know who (Trent
Wells?).

I don't have any event qualifiers.

If anyone has more accurate information, please post!

Rachele
--- End Included Message ---

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 13:38:40 -0400
From:    ***@ZEUS.TOWSON.EDU
Subject: Gold Gymnastics Tour

        I am interested in attending one of the exhibitions.  From what I have
read in the mail, this is different from the Superstars Of Gymnastics
that I went to in Philadelphia.  If anyone knows the tour dates, please
post it.



THE MIKESTER BEE

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 13:54:06 -0400
From:    ***@ZEUS.TOWSON.EDU
Subject: Impressions of Superstars

        I had the fortunate oppertunity to attend the Superstars in Phily
last week.  From it I had some stark impressions.
        First, I enjoyed the use of floor seats.  It cost a little more, but
it is well worth it.  With the floor seats it is actually possible to see
the gymnasts perform without straining.  It is like the feeling of a
local meet.
        Second, it is my opinion that this format has a real chance.  What
is needed is the right promotion.  Also, some fine tuning needs to be done.
        Third, I personally am tired of Paul Hunt's routines.  It is the
same basic thing he's been doing for a while.  Plus, I know some will
think I am goining too far, but I still see the thing as very sexist.
        Finally, I was very impressed with some of the athletes.  Kim Zmeskal
wow the crowd when she did her FX routine.  Dominique Moceanu is a great
athlete and is a good hope for the future of U.S. gymnastics.  The Romanians
girls did good routines, but made some mistakes.

        "Have Fun"


THE MIKESTER BEE

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 10:33:21 -0700
From:    ***@NETCOM.COM
Subject: Re: Western Regionals (Men)

Rachele asked about the Cal gymnast who qualifird despite his team eating it
in the competition.

Josh Birckelbaw (I KNOW I mangles the spelling), as I recall.

-texx

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 11:55:00 PDT
From:    ***@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU
Subject: (COPY)      USA Gymnastics Mall Tour

USA Gymnastics is debuting "Club Gymnastics," a national mall tour in
Indianapolis, Ind., at the Greenwood Park Mall, Saturday, April 22
from 10:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Sunday, April 23 from 12:00 p.m.-5:00
p.m., Club Gymnastics is sponsored by John Hancock, L'eggs and Reebok.

Most of the malls where the gymnasts will perform are managed by Simon
Property Group, one of the nation's leading developers and managers of
shopping centers.

 # # #

 - not even the Mogilny could have constructed something so
outrageously funny....

-Brett

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 15:39:07 -0400
From:    ***@FREENET.CARLETON.CA
Subject: Re: Code Ideas / Dobre's famous pose

    > bars.  Also, the gymnasts should all have to do Dobre's famous pose (which
    > he saw from my poster) on beam or else they are disqualified

What was Dobre's famous pose?  I was a Dobre fan and didn't know she had
one.

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 15:07:01 -0400
From:    ***@PRISM.GATECH.EDU
Subject: tatiana groshkova

did tatiana groshkova reall yjoin the circus-does anyone has anymore
details? i did notice that she just sort of disappeared-adrienne

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 14:59:00 PDT
From:    ***@MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Poetry - Ode to Stobi

I call this one Stovbt

I've fallen again
and I just can't get up
this time.
Not even for my republic
I'm very patriotic as you know
Tanya and I carry the flag
My blinding leotards
keep your mind off my
scary Tkatchevs.
A photographer's dream
Beautiful in the air.
Hello? Mission Control?
Coming in for a crash landing.

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 16:37:14 -0700
From:    ***@NSN.SCS.UNR.EDU
Subject: SW Regionals?

Does anyone know the outcome of the SW Regionals? I believe that ASU is
in that region.  I've seen results for W, SE, & E. I haven't seen ASU
mentioned in any of the results and since they came in 2nd at the UCLA
Inv. and came in 2nd at Pac-10s, I can't believe that they wouldn't place
somewhere in a regional.

Greg

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

Date:    Wed, 12 Apr 1995 10:01:48 +1000
From:    ***@STUDENT.GU.EDU.AU
Subject: Re: Opinion poll

I gave alot of thought to who was the best ever on the 'other' events,
and here's what I came up with:

Vault - 1. Laschenova - full twisting Yurchenko (89 Worlds)
        2. Shugayeva  - Double yurchenko (91 Jnr Europeans - she
completed the two twists so early I had to watch it three times to be
sure it was a double - and she stuck it with good form!)
        3. Chusovitina - piked bariani (2nd vault - 1990 Goodwill team comp)

Bars -  1. Gurova (87 Moscow News or 87 Worlds)
        2. Gutsu (92 Moscow News - her Olympic routine, but with a full
twisting double layout dismount - stuck for a 10!)
        3. Lu Li (92 Olympics)

Beam -  1. Groshkova (90 USA v USSR)
        2. Dudnik (89 Europeans)
        3. Lisenko (92 Olympic Final or 92 Worlds prelims)

Michelle

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 20:32:05 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Wondering

Who will be in Atlanta?  Has this ever been done before on GYMN as a poll?
 My picks for the 7 (?) U.S. women would be:

Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes and Kerri Strug for sure (unless they are
seriously injured).  If they can keep up with the skills, there's no way
anyone could deny them.  But, then again, remember Hilary Grivich?

I have a feeling Dominique Moceanu and Jennie Thompson will be there--they
seem to be the most consistant young ones.

I'm hoping the most for Kim Zmeskal.  If what I'm hearing is true, it sounds
like she has a good chance.  I loved a recent statement in IG: "An Olympics
without Bela Karolyi is like cake without icing.  Dry."

Amanda Borden has a good shot, too, if she can keep her focus.

Well, those would be my picks, and I stress, MY PICKS!!!  I know others will
disagree, but this post isn't meant to start a verbal war!  I would, however,
love to hear who others like.

Later,
Ann Marie

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 21:12:27 -0400
From:    ***@CAPACCESS.ORG
Subject: Re: Romania vs. GB/Cacovean

I have an article from TIME (july 27, 1992) taht I used for
a report a few years ago in which "BEloa Karolyi admits to faking bi
birth date in his native Romania to allow underage
gymnasts to perform"
Megan

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

Date:    Mon, 10 Apr 1995 17:21:23 -0700
From:    ***@MHS.MENDOCINO.K12.CA.US
Subject: Favorite Men's Routines?

        With all this talk of favorite women's routines and specialists,
I've begun to wonder who people's favorite men's performers are on various
apparatus. I'd also be interested in hearing opinions about the most
difficult combinations or routines that have been performed, whether
successfully or not. The main reason I hope to start a dialogue on this
topic is so I can learn more about the history of men's gymnastics and what
skills have been performed before.
        My favorite men's tumbling pass would have to be Iannis
Melissanidis's whip to immediate double layout punch front at the 94 worlds.
I also loved Scherbo's 93 worlds routine in the finals, which opened with a
double twisting double layout and closed with a layed-out full out, and also
included a layed-out front double twist.

Orion Burdick
orion@mhs.mendocino.k12.ca.us

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

Date:    Tue, 11 Apr 1995 16:53:00 EST
From:    ***@MCIMAIL.COM
Subject: intro and favorite floor routines

As I've been catching up on my digests, I've found that the
recent thread of favorite floor (and bars and beam) routines has
really been a fun trip down memory lane, so much fun, in fact,
that it's brought me out from lurking.  So, seeing as though I've
never introduced myself (even though I've been lurking for a
while now)...  As a kid, I first got hooked on gymnastics during
the '76 Olympics.  Over the years I've enjoyed the sport mostly as
a spectator, and now I take an adult gymnastics class (anyone
else out there who's doing adult gymnastics, I'd love to hear
from you!).

Here are some more picks for favorite floor routines
(in no particular order, some have already been mentioned):

Ungureanu '76 Olympics
Szabo     '83 Worlds
Agache    '83 Worlds
Silivas    '89 Europeans
Silivas    '87 Worlds
Silivas    '87 DTB cup
Frolova   '86 (?) USA v USSR
Omelianchik '85 and '87 Worlds
Dudnik    '89 Worlds
Strazheva '86 Goodwill Games
Boginskaya '89 Europeans
Johnson    '90 (?) World Cup
Miller     '93 Worlds
Milosovici  '91 Worlds
Shushunova '88 Olympics

There are some oldies but goodies in that list.

OK, now back to lurker mode, more or less.

Melissa

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 10 Apr 1995 to 11 Apr 1995
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