POMMEL HORSE - On the event requmng the most attention in practice, the junior boys are showing tremendous improvement in their double leg circles. With their improved circular swing, the harder tricks and combinations are becoming easier to perform. Flairs were popular and frequently used. This current crop of boys has really benefited from the new training equipment presently in use (mushrooms, bucks and floor pommels) designed to strengthen pommel horse swing in its early developmental stages. Consistency proved to be the name of the game on this event where very few competitors successfully completed all their routines. Winners: Hayden Qunior Elite); Ron Nasti, York High School (Class I); and Tigram Mkchyan, Glendale YMCA (Class II). STILL RINGS - Most boys are still behind in their strength development. Handstands and L's are weak. Overall body control is improving though with fewer mistakes as a result. The all-around winners came out on top again. Hayden averaged better than 9.45 on three routines. Averaging 9.5 , Levy's solid swing was unbeatable leading the competition by over six-tenths. Ginsberg maintained his preliminary lead with a routine that uses a straddle planche, straight body press to handstand. This is a skill he carries over to three other events including parallels where he presses out on one bar. VAULTING- Vaulting was a high scoring event with many boys receiving scores in the nines. Many used advanced vaults and scored well. Robby Brown of American Academy hit a high and technically well-defined Cuervo winning the Junior Elite division with a 9.8 in finals. In the Class I, Rick Draghi from Long Beach performed a
powerful full twisting Tsukahara scoring a 9.6. Mitch Murata of Spartan Gymnastics won Class II vault with a layout Tsukahara. His compulsory was the only 9.9 awarded in the entire meet. PARALLEL BARS - Parallel bars was a tough event for all finalists except Hayden whose 9.6 routine was the only one to break 9.2. His set included two giant swings and a tuck double back dismount. Winners: Hayden Ounior Elite), Levy (Class I), and Kevin Davis from Atlanta (Class II). HORIZONTAL BAR- Many boys received high scores and performed original moves : Hayden and Wes Suter (9 .8); Rodriguez, Mkchyan, Ginsberg and Morie! (9.75 compulsories); Charlie Lakes (Higgins roll to one arm half Ono); Suter (one arm Gienger); Jon Omori (Ginger, Jaeger , layout double back dismount); Mike Miller (stoop into German); and Levy (back staider full pirouette). Gymnasticenter's Hayden and Omori tied for Junior Elite honors. Both Rick Draghi (Class I) and Tigram Mkchyan (Class II) picked up their second individual event golds on horizontal bar. TEAM COMPETITION - For the first time, a regional team championship was incorporated into the running of the competition. Each of the nine regions competed its top six gymnasts, based on regional qualifications, from both Class I and II. Region 7, representing NY, PA, VA, NJ and MD, took the Class I title. In an unexpected upset, Region I, representing CA, AZ, and NV, defeated Region 7 in the Class II division. On parallel bars (below) is Class II junior Olympic All Around Champion Brian Ginsberg.