RHYTHMIC
UPDATE RHYTHMIC RE-RANKING COMPETITION 1990
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By Patti Auer
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f the 1990 international sea- success of the competition, it has son goes as well as the Rhyth- now been identified as an annual mic Re-Ranking com petition rhythmic event. Beginning in for Diane Simpson, the North- 1990 the event will be renamed western University student the Rhythmic Challenge. Nora Hitzel, should set the rhythmic proworld on fire. gram adminisSimpson, a trator,said, "The 1988 Olympian purpose of the and past national competition is to champion, dominated the identify those athletes who are re-ranking meet, in the best comheld February 34 at the U.s . petitive shape for the spring inOlympic Trainternational ing Center in rhythmic comColorado peti ti ve season." Springs, Colo. Simpson and Debuting new Lovell, due to routines, she their first and outscored her second place finclosest competiish at the Rhythtor, Jenifer Lov- Naomi Hewitt-Couturier mic Re-Ranking ell of Miami finished first in the Competition, Twisters: 74.15 to junior division. will represent 71.00 pomts. 'Tm really pleased I won. I the u.s. in the World Cup qualiwas unsure about my new rou- fication meet in Moscow, USSR, tines, but I'm glad there were no Corbeil, France and the Brother major disasters. I know I will be Cup in Tokyo, Japan. The U.s. is ready for international competi- entitled to enter two gymnasts in tion," Diane explained. the World Cup qualifying events This was the first year the 1990 by virtue of their placement at Rhythmic Re-Ranking competi- the 1989 World Championships. Tracey Lepore, who trains tion was held. Because of the
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• Jenifer Lovell balances her way to a silver medal. with Simpson at Illinois Rhythmics under Irina Vdovets, placed third in the all-around. "It was the first time for all four new routines, and she did a great job," Coach Vdovets said of Diane. "Tracey also did dynamite. I believe they will really
like her style internationally." Naomi Hewitt-Couturier of New York City, N.Y., who is coached by Wendy Hilliard, finished first in the· junior division. Behind her was Franca Abbatiello of San Pedro, Calif.
1990 GOODWIll GAMES SElECTS RHYlHMIC COMMENTATOR
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he 1990 Goodwill Games will unite 2,500 of the world' s best athletes from more than 50 countries for 17 days of spectacular competition in 21 sports. The men's gymnastics events will be held in Tacoma, Wa. on July 20-22. Women's gymnastics will also be held in Tacoma on July 27- 29. Rhythmic gymnastics will be held in Spokane, Wa. on July 27-28. Wend y Hilliard and Susan Hutchison, ·a television news anchorwoman in Seattle, will be commentators for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. ' s coverage of rhythmic gymnas-
tics at the 1990 Goodwill Games. Hilliard worked for ESPN as an analyst for rhythmic gymnastics last summer during its coverage of the 1989 Olympic Sports Festival in Oklahoma City. From 1978-88, she was a member of the u.s. national team, representing the U.S. in three World Championships (group competition), and currently, sits on the executive committee of the USGF Board of Directors as an athlete representative. Hilliard was a researcher for the 1984 and 1988 OlympicS working for both ABC Sports and NBC Sports, respectively.
Tracey Lepore earned the bronze medal in the all-around.
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USA GYMNASTICS May/June 1990
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