the bronze medal. Figured to be down and out after a first round 8.70 hoop routine, Lister fought her way back with a steady performance in clubs (9.50), and culminated her efforts with an imaginative ribbon routine (9.35). The Los Angeles Lights continued to dominate the top 10, as they have done for the past decade. They placed five in the fourth through ninth places led by Alexandra Feldman (fourth), Irina Rubenshtein (fifth) and Eugenia Yuan (sixth).
For Yuan, this was her second RSG Championship, which is not surprising considering her talent. What's shocking is she has been in the sport less than three years. "September will mark my third year," said Yuan. ''1 was really hoping to make the national team. Last year I fmished 11th. I pushed myself this year and I'm really happy with all of my routines . I really wanted to compete internationally," said this high school junior. Her best performance came in her second event, hoop. "I feel comfortable with the hoop. I really love that routine," she said . "If there was one area I would improve on, it would be in my confidence. Marina (Kunyavsky) is so experienced. She is so sure of herself. She knows exactly where the apparatus is, and is used to catching all the time. That's what I need to work on." Making a comeback, and doing a pretty good job of it, is 1984
Olympian Michelle Berube. From 1985 through 1987, Berube dropped out of competition to coach and concentrate on academics that suffered due to her training for the 1984 Olympics. During that time, she coached Jennifer Knust to a spot on the 1986 Junior National Team. Her decision to return looks to be justified as this member of the Oakland Rhythmic Images finished in seventh place. It was the same striking Berube, the one that placed second to Valerie Zimring in the 1984 Nationals, that was on the competition floor. Admittedly, she was doing the same routines from her last competitive year, many with the same results. She faltered on her first event, . rope (8.80), which was
Diane Simpson had an errant club knock her from contention for her first national title. Although her performance was steady, Simpson managed her second consecutive silver medal. (USGF photos Š 1987, by Bret Priebe)
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Dacon Lister is a rhythmic gymnast coming into her own as her consistency propelled her to a third place showing. new to her, but regained the competitive composure that comes with experience, to finish the rest of her routines above 9.00. Her best performance came in her strongest event, ribbon, as she tossed and leapt her way to a 9.35. Illinois Rhythmics' Kelly Tanko (eighth) and Janet Bunnag (ninth) put in strong performances to give that club four on the national team. Tanko's rope routine was among the best of the day, as she scored a 9.30. Bunnag's best routine was with her clubs, as she scored a 9.25.