GYMN-L Digest - 8 Jun 1996 - Special issue

There are 13 messages totalling 668 lines in this issue.

Topics in this special issue:

  1. Moceanu (don't read if you don't know results yet)
  2. NATIONALS:
  3. Questions & Comments (DON'T READ UNLESS YOU KNOW RESULTS!!!)
  4. Lucky Charms Commercial
  5. Day Three at Nationals
  6. Media coverage of gymnastics
  7. GYMN-L Digest - 5 Jun 1996 to 6 Jun 1996 - Special issue
  8. notes on round 2 women's results (sr optionals; jr rd 2 optls)
  9. Nationals
 10. Notes on nationals broadcast (2)
 11. NBC broadcast of US NATIONALS.
 12. A mix of things

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 09:27:09 -0400
From:    ***@YORKU.CA
Subject: Moceanu (don't read if you don't know results yet)

        I just have one question now about Moceanu (hehehe).  How are
John Tesh et al going to explain why the "odds on favourite" for Atlanta
is only ranked third in her own country?!  I *hope* this at least slows
down some of the hype, but I assume that John Tesh will talk his way
around this one, trying to explain away her finish.  I mean Shannon fell
and still beat Moceanu (while Phelps continues her quiet rise to the
top), and as the USAG page tells it, Moceanu's only glitch was in her UB
routine, so it's not like she had a really poor meet.  I am very curious
to see the broadcast now.
                Chris.

P.S.  Can't wait to see Miller throw a double layout on floor!  Go
Shannon! (does anyone know if she has a new bar routine yet?  I didn't
like what she threw last year).

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 10:49:05 -0400
From:    ***@UMICH.EDU
Subject: Re: NATIONALS:

Congratulations Vanessa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 10:55:36 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Questions & Comments (DON'T READ UNLESS YOU KNOW RESULTS!!!)

Hi~~~

First of all, congrats to Vanessa Atler, for winning Juniors. WAY TO GO!!!!!
 Nice to see Gail Kachura back in action. Championships was her first major
meet in a long time. Does anyone know what happened to Breanne Rutherford??

Congrats also to Miller. I am looking forward to her 2 double layouts---floor
and bars!!!! And Jayice's well deserved 2nd place!!!  Can't wait till event
finals....
Looks like Thompson's also back---2 whips to full in. WOW. Does anyone know
her other passes??

I loved the quick updating on the USAG website also-----for those of you that
haven't read the "Getting to know Vanessa Atler"  I suggest that you do. It's
great!!!!

Well, bye for now~~~

Jessica

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 11:13:28 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Lucky Charms Commercial

Dear Gymners,

Someone asked about the gymnast in the Lucky Charms commercial.  The gymnast
was Jenni Beathard, then from Brown's Gym, now at the University of Georgia.
 In the commerical, she does a 2 1/2 twist punch front.

Gymnastically yours,

DAVID

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 10:36:27 +0000
From:    ***@RMII.COM
Subject: Day Three at Nationals

    Name                   VT    UB    BB    FX     AA Weighted


  1 Shannon Miller      9.875 9.800 9.800 9.875 39.350   47.220
    Dynamo              9.900 9.850 9.300 9.900 38.950   31.160
                                                         78.380
  2 Jaycie Phelps       9.825 9.725 9.825 9.850 39.225   47.070
    Cincinnati          9.725 9.800 9.750 9.800 39.075   31.260
                                                         78.330
  3 Dominique Moceanu   9.800 9.750 9.825 9.875 39.250   47.100
    Karolyi's           9.750 9.550 9.800 9.800 38.900   31.120
                                                         78.220
  4 Amanda Borden       9.575 9.725 9.775 9.800 38.875   46.650
    Cincinnati          9.625 9.800 9.800 9.650 38.875   31.100
                                                         77.750
  5 Kerri Strug         9.875 9.625 9.475 9.750 38.725   46.470
    Karolyi's           9.825 9.725 9.075 9.850 38.475   30.780
                                                         77.250
  6 Dominique Dawes     9.700 9.300 9.275 9.800 38.075   45.690
    Hills               9.775 9.900 9.825 9.850 39.350   31.480
                                                         77.170
  7 Kristy Powell       9.575 9.575 9.525 9.700 38.375   46.050
    Colorado Aerials    9.850 9.700 9.075 9.750 38.375   30.700
                                                         76.750
  8 Jennie Thompson     9.600 8.975 9.600 9.700 37.875   45.450
    Dynamo              9.725 9.725 9.650 9.750 38.850   31.080
                                                         76.530
  9 Mary Beth Arnold    9.550 9.625 9.525 9.450 38.150   45.780
    Flips               9.675 9.800 9.000 9.525 38.000   30.400
                                                         76.180
 10 Katie Teft          9.475 9.150 9.575 9.475 37.675   45.210
    Twistars USA        9.500 9.825 9.625 9.625 38.575   30.860
                                                         76.070
 11 Theresa Kulikowski  9.500 9.700 9.350 9.675 38.225   45.870
    Colorado Aerials    9.650 9.225 9.200 9.300 37.375   29.900
                                                         75.770
 12 Mohini Bhardwaj     9.500 9.600 9.125 9.100 37.325   44.790
    Brown's             9.800 9.775 9.425 9.575 38.575   30.860
                                                         75.650
 12 Larissa Fontaine    9.500 9.600 9.175 9.450 37.725   45.270
    Hills               9.750 9.725 8.800 9.700 37.975   30.380
                                                         75.650
 14 Kristen Maloney     9.300 9.500 9.400 9.475 37.675   45.210
    Parkettes           9.650 9.600 9.075 9.675 38.000   30.400
                                                         75.610
 15 Monica Flammer      9.600 9.525 9.000 9.525 37.650   45.180
    Cypress             9.600 9.775 9.100 9.200 37.675   30.140
                                                         75.320
 16 Alecia Ingram       9.275 9.150 9.300 9.500 37.225   44.670
    Dynamo              9.600 9.575 9.025 8.775 36.975   29.580
                                                         74.250
 17 Soni Meduna         9.175 9.225 9.200 9.375 36.975   44.370
    Dynamo              9.500 9.650 8.800 9.300 37.250   29.800
                                                         74.170
 18 Raegan Tomasek      9.450 9.350 9.275 9.500 37.575   45.090
    Hills               9.600   9.4 8.775 8.550 36.325   29.060
                                                         74.150
 19 Shannon Bowles      9.575 9.275 8.825 8.825 36.500   43.800
    Atlantic Gym TC     9.400 8.550 9.375 9.000 36.325   29.060
                                                         72.860
 20 Elizabeth Reid      9.025 9.025 8.900 9.175 36.125   43.350
    Karon's             9.350 9.250 9.000 9.225 36.825   29.460
                                                         72.810
 21 Deidra Graham       9.275 9.500 8.000 8.975 35.750   42.900
    Olympus             9.375 9.125 8.300 8.375 35.175   28.140
                                                         71.040
 22 Amy Chow            9.700 9.800 9.500 9.450 38.450   46.140
    West Valley         0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000  0.000    0.000
                                                         46.140
 23 Andree Pickens      9.675 9.400 8.825 9.450 37.350   44.820
    Cypress             0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000  0.000    0.000
                                                         44.820
---------------------------------------------------


     Name                        VT     UB     BB     FX      AA


   1 Vanessa Atler            9.675  9.575  9.600  9.725  38.575
     Gliders                  9.275  9.675  9.175  9.725  37.850
                                                          76.425
   2 Alexis Brion             9.700  9.525  9.575  9.350  38.150
     Gymstrada                9.650  9.525  9.750  9.150  38.075
                                                          76.225
   3 Elise Ray                9.400  9.650  9.325  9.350  37.725
     Hill's                   9.450  9.450  9.550  9.650  38.100
                                                          75.825
   4 Lindsay Wing             9.425  9.425  9.350  9.425  37.625
     Cypress                  9.500  9.550  9.575  9.525  38.150
                                                          75.775
   5 Jeanette Antolin         9.375  9.600  9.200  9.375  37.550
     Gym Max                  9.550  9.575  9.425  9.350  37.900
                                                          75.450
   6 Kelly Parkinson          9.600  9.425  9.475  9.375  37.875
     Cypress                  9.625  9.300  9.300  9.325  37.550
                                                          75.425
   7 Jamie Dantzscher         9.675  9.625  8.425  9.225  36.950
     Gliders                  9.675  9.725  9.075  9.750  38.225
                                                          75.175
   8 Kaitie Dyson             9.450  9.400  9.500  9.000  37.350
     Cypress                  9.425  9.475  9.475  9.275  37.650
                                                          75.000
   9 Melinda Baimbridge       9.525  9.400  9.250  9.250  37.425
     Cypress                  9.400  9.650  9.250  9.175  37.475
                                                          74.900
  10 Rebecca Whitehurst       9.475  9.325  9.300  9.550  37.650
     Cypress                  9.500  8.850  9.225  9.650  37.225
                                                          74.875
  11 Kendall Beck             9.725  9.300  9.075  9.500  37.600
     Cypress                  9.750  8.750  9.250  9.450  37.200
                                                          74.800
  12 Gail Kachura             9.600  8.325  9.575  9.500  37.000
     Capital (VA)             9.575  9.500  9.450  8.575  37.100
                                                          74.100
  13 Robin Phelps             9.500  9.625  9.150  8.350  36.625
     Cincinnati Gym           9.625  9.650  9.400  8.725  37.400
                                                          74.025
  14 Kristen Stucky           9.450  8.150  9.450  9.175  36.225
     Salto's                  9.425  9.550  8.875  9.575  37.425
                                                          73.650
  15 Karissa Chock            9.650  8.850  9.275  9.450  37.225
     Rohnert Park             9.625  8.300  8.950  9.450  36.325
                                                          73.550
  16 Coreen Murphy            9.225  9.500  8.700  9.425  36.850
     Xtreme                   9.400  8.900  9.075  9.200  36.575
                                                          73.425
  17 Jennifer Carow           9.300  9.050  8.325  9.250  35.925
     Salto's                  9.350  9.525  9.275  9.300  37.450
                                                          73.375
  18 Rachel Glasmire          8.925  9.625  8.675  9.225  36.450
     Parkettes                9.350  9.050  9.150  9.250  36.800
                                                          73.250
  19 Anna Gingrich            9.350  8.750  8.475  9.400  35.975
     Capital (TX)             9.400  9.150  9.125  9.450  37.125
                                                          73.100
  20 Sarah Dipasquale         9.350  8.900  8.250  9.400  35.900
     Parkettes                9.250  9.500  9.000  9.400  37.150
                                                          73.050
  21 Katie Taylor             9.425  9.350  8.850  9.225  36.850
     Kentwood                 9.550  9.200  8.325  9.000  36.075
                                                          72.925
  22 Amy Young                9.675  8.275  8.400  8.900  35.250
     Gym Max                  9.750  9.575  9.375  8.950  37.650
                                                          72.900
  23 Morgan White             9.250  9.300  8.700  8.725  35.975
     American Twisters        9.275  9.350  8.925  9.100  36.650
                                                          72.625
  24 Jeanna Rice              9.125  9.025  8.425  9.250  35.825
     Gwinnett Gymnastics      8.900  9.275  9.150  9.425  36.750
                                                          72.575
  25 Alyssa Beckerman         9.100  9.450  8.925  8.850  36.325
     North Stars              8.875  9.300  8.600  9.025  35.800
                                                          72.125
  26 Alison Stoner            9.325  9.050  8.000  9.000  35.375
     National Gym Trng Ctr    9.325  9.550  8.850  8.975  36.700
                                                          72.075
  27 Alexa Martinez           9.275  8.250  8.675  9.150  35.350
     Capital (TX)             9.325  9.025  8.925  9.350  36.625
                                                          71.975
  28 Leoandra Willis          9.550  8.750  8.850  8.550  35.700
     Puget Sound              9.525  9.200  8.175  9.075  35.975
                                                          71.675
  29 Katie McFarland          9.300  8.375  7.850  8.000  33.525
     Gymstrada                9.675  8.500  9.200  9.000  36.375
                                                          69.900
  30 Kristen Jensen           8.825  8.750  8.700  9.100  35.375
     Parkettes                0.000  0.000  8.150  8.725  16.875
                                                          52.250

# # #

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 12:51:55 -0400
From:    ***@INETNOW.NET
Subject: Media coverage of gymnastics

Yes, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution did have 2 little articles on rhythmic
gymnastics. So, technically, they did "cover" the rhythmic national
championships last week. I, unlike Beth, on the other hand, do not consider
a brief article on Jessica Davis, and no listing of the results of the
competition, as real coverage of an event.

When the AJC "covers" baseball, they don't just say the Braves won, or the
Reds lost to the Padres. We see scores, statistics, and sometimes pictures.
The AJC can printed the results of every PGA golf tournament, minor league
baseball, some obscure tennis match overseas, bowling scores, the fishing
forecast (and people in Atlanta don't go fishing), and who won at the pogo
jumping finals. EVERYDAY. You mean to tell me that they can't post the
results of the U.S. Classic, the rhythmic national championships, and even
the national championships? A few crumby articles about Shannon Miller and
an very occasional short article about another well-known gymnast (always
around the time of a big competition) doesn't qualify as real gymnastics
coverage.

As for the article that was quoted in the last gymn digest, I am not
surprised by what was said. Personally, I don't know who the real Dominique
Moceanu is. And you will problably never learn anything much about a person
by getting your information solely from what is printed in some magazine
article. Half of that stuff is tidbits and rumors. I know from a reliable
source that a few of the facts in the People magazine article about
Dominique Moceanu, was inaccurate. I don't think People magazine meant to
print accurate information, but it happens. Who knows what Dominique is
really like. Like I said before, most of the stuff you get out of these
articles from the GGSD is almost all the same info, rehashed, and reprinted.

I know from personal experience- TAKE WHAT YOU SEE IN THE MEDIA WITH A GRAIN
OF SALT. This isn't just about gymnastics, it's about everything. There is
always more to the story, than what meets the eye.

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 13:00:22 -0400
From:    ***@VAXC.HOFSTRA.EDU
Subject: Re: GYMN-L Digest - 5 Jun 1996 to 6 Jun 1996 - Special issue

If anyone has these tapes, could you email me also?
Thanks alot
Alisa

> I was wondering if anyone has the 1991 World Championships either or the all
> around or event finals, someone taped over mine, also I was looking for the
> 1994 National Championships event finals, I don't know what happened to mine,
> it had a special segment on Kerri Strug that I liked and also if you have the
> 1992 Olympic Trials, someome taped over mine with the Evening with Pops
> Orchestra Concert, Yuck
> Please E- Mail me privately
> Thanks so much
> sara
>

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 16:00:39 -0400
From:    ***@EROLS.COM
Subject: notes on round 2 women's results (sr optionals; jr rd 2 optls)

Got the numbers from the USAG site, but thought some of you might be
interested in the breakdown, which they do not provide.  I thought the
performances of Dawes (1st Sr.), Phelps (2d Sr.), Miller (3d Sr. despite
fall); Thompson (6th Sr) Strug (10th Sr.), and Dantzscher (1st Jr.) might be
of particular interest.  Here goes:

SR Women's Optionals:  rank order:

1.  Dawes 39.350
2.  Phelps  39.075
3.  Miller  38.950
4.  Moceanu  38.900
5.  Borden  38.875
6.  Thompson  38.850
7.  Arnold  38.800
*8. Bhardwaj  38.575
*8. Teft  38.575
10. Strug  38.475
11. Powell  38.375
12. Maloney  38.00
13. Fontaine  37.975
14. Flammer  37.675
15. Kulikowski  37.375
16. Meduna  37.250
17. Ingram  36.975
18. Reid  36.825
*19 Bowles 36.325
*19 Tomasek 36.325
21. Graham 35.195

[Amy Chow and Andree Pickens scratched all optional events; Amy, who was 6th
in the compulsory round, has apparently petitioned to compete at the trials,
according to USAG; but no info is posted on Andree's plans (she was in 17th
after compulsories)]

Juniors, round 2:

(1) Dantzsher, 38.225;
(2) Wing, 38.15;
(3) Ray, 38.1;
(4) Brion, 38.075;
(5) Antolin, 37.9;
(6) Atler, 37.85;
(7) Dyson, Young (tie), 37.65;
(9) Parkinson, 37.5;
(10) Baimbridge, 37.475;
from there (list includes all gymnasts scoring over 37.000 in round 2):
Carow, Stuckey, Phelps, Whitehurst, Beck, Dipasquale, Gingrich, Kachura.

Doublechek my notes, if you like, at
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/usag/events/1996/natls/

I haven't included exactly where to find these, but poke around and you
should come across the details, and lots more interesting stuff in the
interim (this particular page currently includes men's event finals results
for all events; the one that stuck with me is that Jair Lynch won PB).

--Ann

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 19:03:00 EDT
From:    ***@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject: Nationals

Sorry for having posted so often lately, but...

Does anyone else see a problem with the US girls/women?  I just finished watch-
ing nat'ls on tv, and while I know NBC can make anything seem dramatic, but I
saw a group of burnt-out girls almost near breakdowns.  This really worries me,
especially since everything is now riding on one meet.  If the pressure was
this huge at Nationals, which don't even count towards Olympic selection, what
will trials be like?  I just have never seen Americans so, well, so stressed, I
guess.  I'm worried about what will happen to these gymnasts after the trials
if they don't make it, and even if they do, what will happen after the games?
(I'm talking about the younger gymnasts...)  They all seems very edgy, except
for maybe Phelps.  But I wasn't there--any insight from those who were?

Glad Nationals are over and afraid of what might happen at trials...
:) Joy (or maybe it should be :|

PS--Congrats to all gymnasts who made it through this meet!  Especially to
Jaycie, Shannon, Dominiques (2), Kerri, well, especially to everyone!
And to the men--just as much congrats to you, esp. Mihai and Chris.
PPS--In all my talking about stressed out gymnasts, I must say that Vanessa
Atler has always been a great gymnast to watch.  She actually does look like
she's having fun, the way Moceanu USED to look.  Vanessa, keep up the good
work but also keep up the SMILE!

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 19:13:52 -0400
From:    ***@GRFN.ORG
Subject: Notes on nationals broadcast

Just for kicks and grins, a few comments about NBC's broadcast:

Best Executive Decision: To broadcast two hours

Worst Executive Deicison: To mike the coaches (esepcially
during floor ex. Cripes, for once I would like to hear the music)

Best Personal Bit: The Jaycie Phelps profile was nice

Worst Personal Bit: Tesh talking about Kristy's braces
(though it's nice to know she got them off)

Best Floor Change: Amanda back to her old mix (I heard
the new one was terrible)

Worst Floor Change: Kristy Powell back to Aladdin (WHY WHY WHY????)

Best Vault Change: Shannon Miller's 1 1/2 twister (What a STICK!)

Worst Announcer Mistake: Since when is Jaycie a NEWCOMER????

Most Notable Chack of a performer: Jennie Thompson on floor

Worst Commerical Choice: Showing the commerical with Amy Chow
in it. Most of the viewership is probably going WHO IS SHE???
They could've at least explained her pullout.

Funniest Personal Bit: Amanda complaining about transcribing interviews.
HEHEHEHE. I know the feeling. :)

Worst Post-meet interview: Why did they have to bug DOminique M?

Best Sound-Alike: Jaycie sounded a lot like Kim Kelly.

Worst misses (for different reasons):
Miller's beam fall (it looked like she had it)
Kerri's beam fall (just missed her face on the side of the beam)

Best Perferred Post-Meet Purchase: a muzzle for Steve Nunno.
Please mom, can I, can I? :)

That's all. Hope this was mildly enjoyable.

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

Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 18:23:19 -0600
From:    ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: NBC broadcast of US NATIONALS.

1) You KNOW that this an Olympic year because something was put back into the
broadcast: The gymnasts stats. The height and weights were put in, and they
weren't there during teh American Cup or last year's Nationals.


2) I just love Elfi. Why? She doesn't play favorites. I was so glad to
hear her say that Moceanu needed more difficulty in her FX. I was wondering
where her forth pass was, too.


3) Dawes did the best bar routine I have seen from a gymnast since Lu Li
in Barcelona. Ever handstand was perfect, the height was great on the
releases, and she is just incredible. I just wish that she would
have hit it in San Juan in the finals, but NOW I know why she finished
in first in the qualifiers. She's great.

4) It was really nice to see that there was more focus on the gymnastics,
less fluff, and ALOT of gymnasts got TV coverage. I mean, except Thompson's
FX, we saw virtually every routine of the gymnasts featured.


5) Is it just me, but does Bela and Moceanu look like Bela and Kim four
years ago?

6) I really find it hard to believe that the gymnast were really so focused
that they didn't see that HUGE score board next to beam flashing the AA
scores and their positions.

7) As a personal note about something I have talked about before and I
wonder if ANYONE ELSE noticed this: NOT ONE GYMNAST WHO PERFORMED
on the UB and was shown on TV used the stoop jump to high transition.
Even tiny Moceanu can make those glide jams!!!!

8) Will the yurchenko 1 1/2 twist be the yurchenko full of Atlanta?


Jeff

Dina, Dina, Dina.


Next week: Europeans!

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Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 16:49:38 -0700
From:    ***@VCN.BC.CA
Subject: A mix of things

Hi! All,

Wow! That was a real intense National, I don't think I have seen a
competition of that intensity before.  Everyone looked very stress
except Jaycie, she look really confident and I'm worry to see a tire Dom
M, looks like the sparkle just disappear in her eyes, wish made me a
little sad.  Also I'm a little upset about some of the things people have
said on the list about her in the past, we have to be more
understanding.  She is so young and have accomplish so much, we should be
more supportive of her, because I think if we were in her shoe none of us
would last, not to mention being that young.  I think she has what it
takes to be at the top, plus she seems like a good individual, I don't
don't understand why we have to down play her like that, she just a young
lady struggling hard in a very tough sport, trying to realize her dream.

Last of all, what's up with these coaching talking through out the routine?
Is it because the net work have them on mic, that's why I can hear them?
Can the judges hear them talking? (Judges?) If so do you find that
distracting?  I personally find that kinda annoying, I know when I'm
racing my kayak last thing I want to hear is my coach telling me to
correct my technique.  Any comment on this subject?

Go! Sonics!
Thomas

PS - I give my deep respect to all participants at National, way to go
     Vanessa!

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

Date:    Sat, 8 Jun 1996 19:56:33 -0400
From:    ***@YORKU.CA
Subject: Re: Notes on nationals broadcast

        I thought I would add some comments of my own, with perhaps more
of a description on what was shown, for those subscribers not in North
America (this is an international forum believe it or not).
1.  Shannon Miller: I didn't think she needed to fall on her
layout-layout pass; it looked on.  I am so amazed at how consistent her
full-in still is.  I was worried about her possibly losing this skill
after 1994 Nationals.  I liked her new FX, although the double layout
could use some improvement.  Her Yurchenko 1 1/2 was well done, but the
biggest disappointment for her was that her UB routine was the same as
last year BORING with a capital everything!  Where is the free-hip blind
full-pirouette to straddle back?  I liked that combo.  These routines
could server her very well in Atlanta.  I was so impressed.  I think the
key to staying in top form as you get older and grow is to remain patient
and realize that you may have to relearn some skills, yet you need not
lose any of your skills.  Look at the power Shannon now has that she has
grown.  She's tumbling and vaulting better than ever.  Just change that
bar routine before Atlanta, please!

2.  Jaycie Phelps:  I think I am slowly converting to a Jaycie fan.  Very
clean and mature presentation.  Those feet on the blind-immediate full to
Tkatchev still bother me, but her toe point (and Jaeger to overshoot to
handstand) were great.  One of the best front-on BB mounts I have ever
seen, and smart thinking not going for the third layout (she would not
have had  enough room anyway!)  I thought I had read she was now doing a
front handspring flyspring into her double front on floor (just a HS
here), but it was good, as was her full-in dismount with room to spare.
I think the second pass was supposed to be a front full punch layout (a
very popular skill here; it's the easiest way to get all 0.3 special
connections from one pass D+C=0.3).  The vault that is named after her
(pronounced "Tsuk with a half" <hehehehe>) although better than Gogean
and Amanar, still twisted too late IMO and should have been devalued.
But what do I know?

3.  DOminique Moceanu: Well, I really don't like her gymnastics at all
(notice how I'm not saying I don't like her).  Her FX is better than the
last one IMO, but that tumbling (piked full-in, rudi, whip to 2 1/2
twist, front-full punch layout) is no where near what a top AA contender
will need in Atlanta.  Her vault (Yurchenko 1 1/2) was good, but she
really lacks distance from the horse IMO.  UB, which is her best event in
terms of contente if you ask me, wasn't that great this time; she did
sort of what Khorki wanted to do - went right into a back hip circle
after her Pak salto.  One of the best double layouts though; I'm sure she
could do a harder dismount if she (or should I say Bela?) wanted to.

4.  Amanda Borden:  WOw, what a comeback!  I *really* want her to make
it, and if she performs like this at trials...For her sake I wish USA"s
counted for trials.  SHe had power to spare on her front pike V (I'm sure
she could add a twist; under 7-6-5 rule, I doubt she would compete
vault).  Bars, her Tkatchev was as high as ever, really well done.  BB,
mostly stock (front-on, punch front, ffs to two-foot layout, ffs to
double tuck) but there was nary a deduction in the set.  The same FX as
1994, but I really miss her 2 1/2 PF (She had one of the nicest ones
IMO).  SHe should barani out of her arabian double (like Chow), she had
power to spare there.  I'm definitely keeping my fingers crossed for this
one.

5.  Kerri Strug:  Well, I really wanted her to win.  YOu know, her not
winning breaks the ScAm Cup USA's correlation: since 1984, the ScAm
winner has won AA at USA"s every time she has competed at USAs.  She
totally missed the beam on her front-on mount (what happened to the Milo
mount?)  Her legs were a bit messy there, but she did a great Yurchenko 1
1/2 on vault, and an *amazing* conscutive front layout-fulls on FX!
WOW!  A new giant-full immediate full-out dismount was good, just a
slight leg break on top of the bar.  Look for her to move up at trials.

6.  Dominique Dawes:  She won optionals with a set of routines that would
do very well in AA finals in Atlanta - if her compulsories get her there
(although under 7-6-5, the coaches could pre-decide who will go to AA
finals; I'd rather see 4 or 5 girls do all events and fight for it).  HEr
hindorff was as high as ever; the best routine she has ever done IMO.  BB
was good, power to spare on her full-in dismount.  Great double layout
mount on FX, but her whip to 2 1/2 PF is too powerful and she almost went
OB (as she has many times this year on that pass).  Great piked full-in
last pass.  Her Yurchenko 1 1/2 was great.  Hopefully a double at
trials?  She'll move up at trials I think.

7.  Kristy Powell:  Well, she has her work cut out for her at trials (I
think it's between her and Chow, assuming she is allowed in, for the last
spot).  Great Yurchenko 1 1/2s, but I dont' know if her UB was what she
intended to do?  After her inverts, she did a full pirouette to a
shoot-over (not to handstand), but who knows?  Great full-out dismount.
Her Rulfova was scary on BB (she was off to the side and clutched the
beam with her leg underneath to avoid touching the ground).  I don't know
why she went back to Aladin, I liked the ScAm routine better.  Double
layout mount on FX was a bit low, but hopefully she'll hit it at trials.

8.  Jennie Thompson:  I was really impressed with her BB.  Much better
choreography than in the past.  Standing full was good, as was her
full-in dimsount.  She did two back dive 1/4s to HS, but one wasn't from
a jump (I guess since technically the second wasn't for bonus - it was
compIII, 2 Ds required, she gets credit for both).  Her Yurchenko 1 1/2
was okay, but there is room for improvement.  They didn't show her other
routines.

Trials is going to be a dogfight!
                Chris.

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 8 Jun 1996 - Special issue
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