Linda Metheny instructs balance beam during Oregon clinic.
Gymnastic Clinic Reports TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTIC CLINIC, Dec 27-30, Austin, Texas by Brian Schenk, Austin, Texas
Above: lohn Tobler and Bob Sargent assist in vaulting at the Texas clinic. Below: Roland Rangel and Robert Cowan spot during a tumbling session at the same clinic.
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The Fifth Annual Texas High School Gymnastic Clinic was conducted at John H. Reagan High School in Austin , Texas, Dec. 2730, and sponsored by the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association . Two hundred and thirty high school students were registered. The staff numbered 26, and included W.A. Crenshaw, Joe Giallombardo, Avis Tieber, Emil Milan, Gary Heartsfield, and Robert Atchison , to name just a few. Beverly Averyt, too! Five class hours were offered daily, along with free time. Included in the evening program was a special Tumbling development night, a staff show (that really was great!) and the Texas High School Gymkana on the final evening. At the Gymkana, the thirty best gymnasts at the clinic were selected from high school ranks for a public demonstration , capped by a special show by former Texas high school great, Bobby Sargent, and his good friend John Tobler, former Olympic diving champion . Instruction included compulsories and optionals for high school competition in 1973, with the season to begin Feb. 1, 1973. Men 's floor and women's bars really sparkled, and all events including tumbling and trampoline were well demonstrated by the high school athletes. The Texas Teachers Institute, and the Gymnastic Teachers Laboratory were conducted during the clinic. Eighteen teachers participated in the two day institute on coaching conducted by Joanne Pasquale of Fullerton, California. The Lab put these 18 teachers at the side of clinic staff during the last three days of the clinic to learn to teach and spot. Fourteen men and women participated in a National Women 's Judging course and certification during the last two days of the clinic, conducted by Joanne Pasquale. Thirty high school and junior high school coaches attended the semi-annual meeting of the Texas High School Gymnastic Coaches Association, with President Emil Milan, Hurst Bell High School, Hurst, Texas, presiding. Amendments to the Manual of Rules of High School Competition (forTexas) were made for the 1973 season, and Reagan High School , Austin, was
selected as the site tor the Texas High School Championships for two years. The 1973 meet will be April 27-28, after five Regional Qualifying meets are held two weeks earlier. OREGON CHRISTMAS GYMNASTICS CLINIC By Marilyn L. Fitch Co-Director, Women's Clinic University of Oregon Women's Gymnastics Coach The Third Annual Christmas Gymnastics Clinic was held at the University of Oregon 's Gerlinger Gymnasium complex on December 27, 28 and 29. Due to overflow participation last year, this years clinic was limited to 500 gymnasts. Sponsored by Oregon Gymnastics Association, it also held a men 's clinic at nearby South Eugene High School during the same time period . Enthusiastic gymnasts and a quality teaching staff of 85 from across the United StateS" and Canada filled the seven gymnasiums from 8 :30 a.m . until5:00 p.m . each day . The clinic was geared to participation , with instructional sessions on seven levels, beginning through advanced, being run simultaneously. Two lecture-demonstrations were presented each day following lunch. One session was designed for coaches and the other was for the gymnasts. Instruction was provided in ballet, tumbling, floor exercise composition, balance beam , vaulting, mat drill, and uneven parallel bars. Eight to 14 sets of apparatus were available in the workout areas (as may be seen in the beam photo of Linda Metheny) . The master staff was the best we have ever had , an outstanding collection of top coaches and Olympians. The master staff consisted of Vannie Edwards, Southeastern Louisiana College, Olympic coach; Dale Flansaas, former Olympian, Olympic coach, 1972 Olympic team manager; Mike Flansaas, former Olympic performer, Reno School of Gymnastics; John Herb, former Hungarian Olympic coach presently at University of Victoria (Brit ish Columbia) ; Marta Klinovsky , former member of national Czechoslovakian team , presently coaching in Canada ; Joyce Tanac, former Olympian ; Barbara Jo Fleming, Fresno Gym Club, National level competitor; Gretchen Clark, ballet master instructor and performer, Dance Gallery Studio; Sue Gries, Univers ity of Oregon dance instructor; Dick Mulvihill, McKinley " Y" , Urbana, Illinois, coach of two 1972 Olympians; Linda Metheny, Olympian.