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UfAH路 OKIAHOMA
PROVO USGF JUNIOR OIXMPIC NATIONAlS Record number of boys qualify for the Junior National Championships.
lbe beautiful backdrop of the Wasatch mountain range at Brigham Young University provided the setting for one of the finest Junior Boys Gymnastics Events in the history of the program. Due to an NCAA ruling, BYU Head Coach, Wayne Young was not allowed to be Meet Director delegating this position to Raleigh Wilson, State Men's Director from \Xlyoming who did an excellent job. It was obvious from the outset that \'V'ayne had done his homework as a meet host and the meet was well organized and run with every possible courtesy extended to coaches and judges.
horizontal positions in bails with double backs and multiple twists and backs the predominant dismount. Vault seems to be moving back to the Tsukallara as the favorite choice of the Juniors. However, it does not seem to be scoring as well as last year even with some e.'l:cellent improvement in execution. 'nle finest vault of the meet in Class II competition in my opinion came from Matt Stelling of Colorado 'coached by Bill Foster who performed a Front handspring front and sUlck for a 9.55 (Beautiful).
Chris Caso
Competition began on Thursday, June 25 with two compulsory rounds for Class II boys and two compulsory rounds for Class I with the newly added Junior Elite level added to one session. ll1ere were 117 Class II boys, 77 Class I boys and 10.Junior Elites. First round leaders for the most part continued into the finals as the All-Around Champions with the most notable exception being Russell Lacy, who after finishing sixth (6th) in the Compulsorys came back to win the Optional round and finish 2nd over-all behind English transplant Teny B,mlett by only 0.8 of a point. The tradition in the BOys Junior program has been for the difficulty and the execution to improve each year and 1981 was no exception. 17 Class II boys mounted floor with Double back and at least 65 executed double full on floor. Some of the finest pommel horse work seen anywhere is being shown in the Junior progranl with scores of 8.5 to 9.3 consistent (even at Class II level). Rings showed great inlprovement in swing with many lock arm giants and USGF GYMNASTICS
Class lJunior, Charles L1kes from California gaining experience at.1unior Nationals.
'nle Class I gymnasts were as impressive as ever with superior difficulty abounding and impeccable execution and technique. Terry Bartlett who has moved here from England and is training with Larry Moyer was flawless in the compulsory rounds and did outstanding optionals racking up 54.5 in Optionals. Terry shows excellent swing and showmanship but could not best Russell Lacy
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