National hopefuls stick to tough routine

By NANCY MORGAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 22, 2001

During preparation for regional gymnastics competitions, workouts had become more intense, coaches' eyes were more keen and athletes put in extra time. Hoping all the hard work pays off, Level 9 and 10 gymnasts are in Athens, Ga., this weekend in pursuit of national championship berths. Next weekend, Level 8 athletes conclude their season at the regional meet in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"We're all excited," said Mary Linnemeyer, coach of the Tampa Bay Turners in St. Petersburg. "The Level 9 and 10s know that if they hit their routines, they'll qualify for nationals. It's the last meet of the year for Level 8, who are in their first year, and they're not sure what to expect but are very excited."

The St. Petersburg club has a strong contingent of individuals. Seven in Level 9 and 10 in Level 10 are competing this weekend, and nine Level 8 gymnasts are ready for their next competition.

Among the Level 10 competitors are high school seniors Margaret Dann and Lauren Companioni, who have accepted college scholarships. Dann will attend the University of Illinois and join Gina Weichmann, Jana Gallagher and Marci Sommerville. Companioni will be at Lousiana State University with Lindsey Beddow.

"Our program will never be the same without them; they've been such a strong influence," said Linnemeyer of the seniors. "They are both the epitome of dedication and desire, have great leadership and will bring the full package to their college experience."

Joining Dann and Companioni in the regional are Danielle Holtz, Emily Earle, Terin Martinjak, Cameron Logan, Brett Taylor, Lauren Bernloehr, Jessica Beckman and Summer Hubbard in Level 10 and BriAnne McKeon, Whitney Kahlert, Kaylene Sattanno, Natalie Husseung, Lauren McTaggart, Chelsea Lau and Christine Girard in Level 9.

"What really struck me was when I went to the state meet and realized that it was my last one," said Dann, 18. "I was in shock that time really had gone by so fast."

This is Dann's eighth regional trip and her seventh in Level 10. She has made five appearances in the national championships.

"This is my 15th year in gymnastics since I started when I was 3 years old," Dann said. "There have been distractions, but I have kept going because I love the sport. There's never been a day I was unhappy in gymnastics. Even if I came to the gym in a bad mood, I would have a good day in the gym."

Among the nine Level 8 Tampa Bay Turners gymnasts awaiting their regional is Sarah Brownlee, who won the all-around state championships competition.

"I got off to a rocky start this season in Level 8, but every meet I got better," said Brownlee, 12. "I'm really excited to go to regionals and hope to do well, especially on my favorite event -- the vault."

Jenny Citrin, Casey Dellinger, Lauren Jones, Alyssa Harmon, Ali Walker, Natalie Mera, Brittany Hunt and Jennifer Sutherland round out the Level 8 squad. Brownlee and Harmon, because of their high all-around scores, are among six members of the Florida team in the regional. Others competing in Level 8 are Catherine Kelley, from the Apollo School of Gymnastics, and Jenifer Voynovich and Lauren Beard, LaFleur's Gymnastics of Largo. Whitney Eberhardt, Elizabeth Herrmann and Erin Godin are representing LaFleur's in Level 9, and Jodie Henicka and Lesley Valenty are in Level 10. SOCCER: Local Region C champions advanced to the Chevy President's Cup earlier this month.

The St. Pete Raiders' under-12 and under-13 girls team finished second, as did Countryside Lightning's under-11 boys. The Largo Wolves were third.

At the end of the month are the early rounds of the Florida Soccer Association State Cup. Competing in the first rounds among the girls are Countryside under-13, -14, -15, -17 and -18 teams; the Clearwater Chargers' under-13, -14, -16 and -17 squads; the Raiders under-14 and -17 groups and the Wolves' under-16 team. In all, 107 clubs are challenging for the state's final four positions. Among the 181 boys teams are Countryside under-14, -17, -18; Chargers under-13, -14, -15, -16, -17, -18 and -19; Palm Harbor Nighthawks under-13, 15 and -17; Strictly Soccer under-13 and -18; Dunedin under-14 and -17; St. Pete Surf under-15 and Largo under-16.

The finals are scheduled for June 1-3 in Weston.

The Countryside Lightning Easter International Tournament resulted in four local teams winning titles. Countryside captured the under-11 and under-16 girls divisions and was a runner-up in the girls under-13 and under-14. Strictly Soccer finished first in the boys under-11 and under-13 classes. DIVING: Local individuals scheduled to compete in the East Junior Olympic Nationals at the University of Indiana next weekend include Kaila Johnston, Cody Dodds, Alex Tillbrook, Ryan Troup and Austin Hampton.

BATON: In last month's Drum Majorettes of America Regional Meet, Florida Twirling Institute students earned 16 individual first-place awards and 18 group honors. Among the solo winners were Allyson Decresie, Erin Figley, Angie Geiger, Nikki Gibson, Dana Hollis, Victoria McFadden, Amanda Tikkanen and Chelsea Weinman.

Southern States Princess awards were won by Figley and McFadden. Sweetheart honors went to Kristin Russell, Tikkanen and Weinman.

POWER KIDS: Emily Silvis and Kelly Cannon placed first in double-mini trampoline and tumbling in the AAU Stars of Tomorrow Competition last month in Miami. Cannon also was first in trampoline; Cannon second.

FOOTBALL: Pinellas Youth Football Conference registration dates are scheduled this month for the Greenwood Panthers, Silver Raiders, Largo for Youth, Lakewood Jr. Spartans and Gibbs Jr. Gladiators.

Contact Marcella Payne (322-8375) for this weekend's Greenwood sign-up at Phillips Jones Field; Mionei Hunter (864-0753), the Raiders, at Frank Pierce Community Center; Zonald Waters (585-7555), Largo, at Ridgecrest Community Center; Kimberly Brown (866-6664), Lakewood, at 31st St. Sports Complex; and Mary Jones (321-9402), Gibbs, at 31st Street South.

TRIATHLON: Swimmers, runners and bikers 7-14 are encouraged to register for the Meek and Mighty, April 28 in St. Petersburg.

For information, call 825-1271.

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