McNamara said of her year, 'Tm really happy. This was a really good year for me, especially World Championships. That was my first World Championships where I had competed with so many different countries. It was just a neat experience. I was really happy I did so well." The 1980 Olympian feels she accomplished the goals she had set for last year; which were to make the USA World Championships Team, better herself internationally and compete more internationally. What's Julianne planning for this season? "I want to try and do really well at World Cup and then I'm looking forward to the '83 World Championships and in trying to make the USA Pan American Games Team," McNamara says. "And then of course '84." Gymnast of the Year, Peter Vidmar had a phenomenal year. The 21-year old UCLA senior captured the coveted NCAA AllAround title, wrestling it from the grasp of Nebraska powerhouse, Jim Hartung. Vidmar topped his NCAA Championship by winning the gold medal in the all-around at the McDonald's Championships of the USA in Syracuse, New York The number one USA ranked gymnast also fared well against the world. In the "USA versus the World" series, Vidmar placed second, fourth and eighth respectively against world powers the Peoples Republic of China, Soviet Union and Japan. To start the season, Vidmar place 13th AA in the World Championships. "I was really happy with the accomplishments (of this year). I think that this year, in terms of competitions, was really the best year for me - being well-prepared for competitions and getting in condition," said the Los Angeles native. "I think there were certain tricks I would like to have done. I'd like to be stronger ... but I certainly can't complain." "My main priorities now are the 1983 NCAA Championships - this being my last collegiate year - the '83 World Championships and the 1984 Olympic Games." After four consecutive years as the runner-up at the USGF Rhythmic National Championships, 1982 Gymnast of the Year, Lydia Bree Crabtree finally captured the gold medal by beating out Valerie Zimring and seven year USA National Team Member, Sue Soffe. This culminated her triumphant 1982 season which also included ¡such noteworthy accomplishments as placing fifth all-around in the Austrian Invitational and becoming the Champion at the Rhythmic International Invitational in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Crabtree's 1982 season also included a hard-fought and close contest at the USOC's National Sports Festival where she placed second in the all-around competition. "I think this year was really great. I'm so pleased about everything. It's like a dream come true," says Crabtree. "Last year too I felt great because I was so consistent in every meet. I don't think there was one meet that I totally bombed. " For the coming competitive season, Crabtree is concentrating on the Four Continents Championships. "My main goal now is for the New Zealand trip. After that I'd like to do more exhibitions, more things to promote the sport around the country. " Following the presentation of the Gymnasts of the Year, the Coaches of the Year were announced. Don Peters of SCATS, Alla Svirsky of the LA Lights and Makoto Sakamoto of UCLA were tapped for the honor. Peters has been the USA National Team Coach for two years taking teams to Australia, West Germany, Peoples Republic of China, Soviet Union, Hungary and Japan. Alla Svirsky has also been designated as l he 1984 Olympic Coach. She is currently part of the USA Coaching Staff for 1982, and has coached many Rhythmic Gymnastics champions, among them is Lydia Crabtree. Makoto Sakamoto is the assistant coach for the men's USA National Team and has been helping to coach the outstanding UCLA team for five years. Sakamoto has coached the USA Team through many competitions and cites Vidmar as one of his proteges.
Masters of Sport- George Nissen and Glenn Sundby
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Kathleen M Delano USGF GYMNASTICS NOV./DEC. '82
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