REPORT ON THE USGF SENIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Fairfax, Virginia May 21, 22, 23, 1976 By Joe Massimo One hundred and sixty young women gymnasts from throughout the United States and Hawa ii gathered at the beautiful George Mason University in Fairfax County for this three day national competition hosted by Ruth Ann McBride and the Marvateens. The meet was extremely well run with compulsory sessions scheduled for Friday, Optionals Satu rday and individual finals on Sunday. The quality of performance keeps rising from year to year and one wonders what our youngsters will be doing in 1980! All final performers on Sunday had 18+ totals in order to make the last round. The All Around struggle was sensational and when the final results were posted the spread between 1st and 6th place was only 1 point. Emerging victorious was Pam Harrington from New York with an A.A. total of 73.10. (See list of other place winners). FLOOR EXERCISE Routines showed much more balance in t erms of tumbling-dance. They were great from the point of view of va ri ation . The music was not "worked" to real advantage by many girls. Twists were numerous. Interesting tumbling passes r.o. backhdspr., whip back, whip back, full. R.o. backhdspr. full, step out r.o. back handspr. full. BALANCE BEAM Very high difficulty but too many falls from finalists. Aerials everywhere and every direction. Some very dynamic dance and leaps. Interesting skills - side aerial , immediate front tuck off, back handspr. to scale. The winner, Ravech from Mass. was solid as a rock and her exercise included two front aerials and a held deep toe scale which the judges felt was original. UNEVEN BARS You name it and it was here. Saltos in all directions from everywhere. Winner, Harrington, did a very clean back salto catch high bar (ala Korbut) . Nice front salto on from board for mount. Many nice combinations - twists into twists with smooth entrance and exit. VAULTING This was the mind bender as it seems to be everywhere . Little to say except we better develop a better landing pad. Best vault from winner. Mabrey - Shukahara lay out!
USGF SENIOR NATIONALS RESULTS
73.1 0 72.55 72.275 72.25 72.20 72.10 72.05 72.05 71.875 71.80
Pam Harrington Denise Antolick Julie Goewey Marcie Ravech Jill Jory Margi e Foster Lisa Martin Pam Godward Suvanne Murray Donna Silber
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Vaulting: Name 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Kevn Mabrey Lisa Martin Julie Goewey Bambi Ellis Carolyn Clark Jill Jory
Comp/Opt. Aver.
Final Score
18.95 18.70 18.55 18.55 18.525 18.50
9.65 9.40 9.35 9.35 9.35 9.25
18.90 18.587 18.475 18.225 18.15 18.025
9.50 9.35 9.20 9.10 9.10 8.90
18.75 18.625 18.55 18.50 18.375 18.35
9.40 9.30 9.35 9.35 9.25 9.25
18.675 18.575 18.525 18.50 18.275 18.25
9.40 9.35 9.30 9.35 9.25 9.20
Balance Beam 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Marcie Ravech Julie Goewey Pam Godward Sandy Misenback Margie Foster Tori Haines
Uneven Bars 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Pam Harrington Debbie Reiser Jeri Camaron Judy Johnson Diana Downs Charlene Hayashida
Floor Exercise 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Pam Harrington Denise Antolik Marcie Ravech Kevn Mabrey Jeri Camaron Robin Jara
Team 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Arizona Twisters Hills Angels Gym Miami Diablo Gym Club Fawnettes Bridgettes Mar Va Teens Scats Parkettes So. Desert Gym
21
217.67 215.j 5 214.20 214.15 213.10 212.97 210.70 210.65 209.55 206.40
(Ariz.) (C_oLo~ l
(Florida) (Calif.) (N.Y.) ( N.J.) (Maryl.) (Calif.) (Maryl.) ( Ari7 I