THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995 TAG: 9502080644
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
Competing with pain comes with the territory in gymnastics. Pulls, strains, bruises and abrasions are simply a way of life in this sport.
So when Kristen Grabb was called upon to compete on uneven bars for the first time this season, there was little question that she would.
A Kempsville teammate hadbeen injured and couldn't compete, and the Chiefs needed a solid score in the final meet of the season.
They got more than they had bargained for.
Grabb had not competed on bars because of a painful wrist caused by an enlarged ulna bone in her right forearm. Because of the nature of the vault, balance beam and floor routines, the pain wasn't as severe in those events. But the way the wrist must bend while performing on the bars made the pain too much.
So Grabb put the hurt aside against Tallwood and responded by capturing the all-around title to lead the Chiefs to victory.
``I just dosed up on Advil and tried my best,'' the junior said. ``I had to basically do a watered down routine without giant (swings) and stuff like that, so I didn't think I'd do very well.
``I was shocked when I won all-around. I didn't think there was any way I could even place.''
Grabb finished her bars routine with an 8.8 - good enough for third in that event - and took all-around honors with a 36.5. She was first on floor with a 9.5, first on balance beam with a 9.3, and third in vault with an 8.9.
``My vault isn't worth a lot,'' she smiled.
But her gutsy performance that evening for the sake of her team was good enough to earn her Girls Athlete of the Week honors from The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star.
After Catherine Nicholas dislocated her elbow Monday in a fall off bars at practice, Grabb knows she will again have to perform her routine at Saturday's Beach District meet at Cox.
``My wrist hurt a lot afterwards,'' Grabb said. ``But it was worth it, though, for the team. I didn't expect to do as well as I did that night, but (winning) maybe made it hurt a little less.
``Nothing's really going to make the pain go away. The doctor said nothing will help. I guess I'm just going to have to get used to the pain for a few more weeks. I want to go to state as an all-around and the team needs me.'' by CNB