July/August 1986 score of 74.720 was good for second place and she actually led Phillips going into the optional round . "I am very surprised with Pheobe to be challenging Kristie," said Karolyi. "To be actually challenging her for the title just shows how very ready we are." Another Karolyi product that was challenging for the title was Julissa 0 ' Anne Gomez. But a short dismount on bars and the resulting 8.70 score gave Robin Carter, of Go Gymnastics, the opportunity to slip into third place with a very steady all-around score of 73.200 . The fall slipped Gomez to fourth . "Our standing is very good and very promising," Karolyi said . "I know we gonna make it for sure, we have a good bunch of kids. We are real, real glad (at the standings) because we have struggled through a long season. Kristie put forth a great effort." Phillips' surge during the optional round to catch, and then pass, Mills was filled with great routines. She began with her weakest routine of the day with a 9.30 on bars but still gained ground by virtue of Mills' fall on her bars dismount (9.05). Up to the point of the fall, Mills' routine was reminiscent of the great performances by former Karolyi gymnast and Olympic gold medalist Julianne McNamara . Carter posted the highest mark of the meet on bars with her steady 9.50 routine. After a rock-steady 9.80 on beam, which includes her crowd-pleasing reverse planche to straddle reverse planche, Phillips put the competition away in the third event, floor, unveiling a bright, snappy new routine and scoring a 9.70. Her two best performances were done under the most pressure, according to Phillips . "I was really scared for floor and beam. My floor was a whole new routine." Her dismount from floor was a solid roundoff flip-flop into a double full.
Phoebe Mills unveiled a new floor exercise rou tine fo r th e Championships . For her perforll1al1ce she scored a 9.65 . Mills battled teall1 mate Kristie Phillips for the all-aroul1d title only to fil1ally be overpowered by her best fr iel1d. (USGF photo Š 1986, by Dave Black).
(Story/results continued on page 34) USA Gymnastics
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