1975 U.S.G.F. JUNIOR OLYMPIC NATIONAL GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Southern Connecticut State College Fieldhouse New Haven, Connecticut July 11-12 The youthful talent gathered together and marching behind each regional sign was a joy to watch enter the competitive floor. That feeling of joy and hope for the future of gymnastics was maintained throughout the championship competition as a result of careful planning of the organ izing committee and the manner in which the gymnasts performed and conducted themselves. When each girl received her "good luck" flower personally from Women's Committee Chairman, Shirley Bryan, the tone for the meet was truly set . The 1975 U .S . G. F. Junior Olympic National Championships had begun! The audience sat above the floor in balcony seating, responding with enthusiasm and warmth that continued through each of the four sessions of the meet. The gymnasts created an aura of excellence in their performances that made one wonder if somehow the word "Junior" had been inserted in the meet t itle by error. The "soul" of the entire meet cou ld only be described as that of Olympic spirit and desire to excel . As the 15 and Up Division of compulsory competition unfolded, we found Peggy Jaskowski (N.J.) the winner of vaulting, Barbie Weida (0) the winner of uneven bars, and Lisa Ingebretsen (N.Y.) in first place on both balance beam and floor exercise . The all-around was at that point a tie between Barbie Weida and Lisa Ingebretsen, both with scores of 35.00. Barbie Weida continued her strong performance into the optionals, placing first on vault and beam and tying first with Bobbi Haas (Wash) on floor exercise. Sheri Smith (Cal) was the outstanding performer on optional bars. Barbie's consistency and excellence of performance earned her a score of 70.30 and the first place all-around award of her division of the championship. Congratulations to Barbie and her coach Colleen Eckel from Gymnastics of Ohio, Canton, Ohio! The 12-14 age group managed to "charm" the audience a little bit extra because of their sizes, ages and the extreme earnestness with which they performed. But the crowd learned very quickly that it wasn't merely cuteness that was getting to their hearts. These
girls meant business and their outstanding gymnastics showed that. During compulsories Lisa Cawthron (Tex) and Liz Marino (Conn) emerged as top contenders for the all-around, with Lisa winning vault, Liz winning bars, Lisa ending up in a four-way tie situation on beam (also Jill Ornstein (Cal), Jennifer Huff (Va), and Lisa Martin (Fla); and both Li sa and Liz tying with scores of 8.85 on compulsory floor . Ahead by several tenths at the end of compulsory competition was Lisa Cawthron (35.40). Overcoming a bit of difficulty from compulsories, Robin Heubner (N.D.) displayed exceptional performances during optionals, winning uneven bars, balance beam, and becoming part of a three-way tie on floor with Jennifer Hugg and Liz Marino . Vaulting was a tie between Liz Marino and Jill Ornstein. Everyone watching awaited the al I-around results breathlessly, not really knowing who would emerge with the highest combined point total. It was Lisa Cawthron from Arlington, Texas who had maintained her strength of performance to earn that top score of 70.75 and the all-around championship of this division. Lisa is coached by Bill Valentine and Cindy Jetton of Arlington Gymnastics Club. National Coach Muriel Grossfeld summed up what many observers couldn't quite put into words. She felt that, "Both divisions showed that they were well-coached and well-prepared for the meet, making the competition one of high standards and extremely enjoyable to watch." She added that, "The performance of the 12-14 age group represents incredible growth and improvement of United States gymnastics. The content and technique of their exercises and the expression of their performance is such to indicate much hope for our country's gymnastics future." As final scores were being tabulated during both sessions, Elite members of the Southern Conn. Gym Club performed an optional exhibition. The crowd and the gymnasts were overjoyed to have these additional performances representing the next level of competition that the gymnasts in this meet are striving to reach. Barbie Myslak, Kyle Gaynor,
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Denise Walker, Cole Dowaliby and both winners of last year's Junior Olympic Championships - Sharon Livieri and Jill Heggie were the performers for that exhibition. The "Olympic spirit" continued to the end, reaching an appreciative "high" as winners accepted their awards and flowers, and all participants received certificates and momentos of the com petition from Mrs. Bryan and U .S.G . F. Junior Olympic National Chairman, Mrs. Audrey Schweyer. Thi s wa s done with fitting dignity and honor - and much applause! It was difficult to believe that the two days' competition wa s actually over, for the spirit remained . One had only to look high up on the wall and read once more that large red-white- and-blue banner . The U.S.G.F. can well be proud of this program. Final All Placement:
Around
and
Event
ALL-AROUND
12-14 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
12-14 Lisa Cawthron Robin Heubner Jennifer Huff Liz Marino Jill Ornstein Lyne Torgerson
VAULT 1. Liz Marino T2. Lisa Cawthron T2. Robin Heubner T2. Jennifer Huff
Region Region Region Region Region Region VI II I IV VII
Ill IV VII VI I IV
70.75 70.55 70.35 69.80 69.70 68.25 17.95 17.75 17.75 17.75
BARS 1. Liz Marino 2. Liza Cawthron 3. Jennifer Huff
18.05 17.95 17.65
BEAM 1. Robin Heubner T2. Danna Hopper T2. Jennifer Huff 4. Jill Ornstein
17.70 17.35 17.35 17.25
FLOOR 1. Liz Marino 2. Lisa Cawthron T3. Danna Hopper T3. Robin Heubner T3. Jennifer Huff
17.95 17.85 17.60 17.60 17.60