THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 13, 1995 TAG: 9509120096
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DWIGHT FOXX, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
THERE WAS A surprise visitor at Rocki and Larry Illy's house last week.
The unexpected guest and familiar face was their daughter, Lauri.
Lauri, considered one of the nation's best rhythmic gymnasts, was in town performing exhibitions as part of USA Gymnastics' USA Tour at Lynnhaven Mall on Saturday and Sunday.
The 14-year-old usually doesn't tour with the group. But since it was making a trip to her hometown, Lauri had an opportunity to show 150-200 spectators what she has learned in her craft in her first appearance on Saturday morning.
``It was fun,'' said the youngster of being home and performing.
She felt like she could have given an even better performance if the stage and ceiling had been larger. She demonstrated athleticism, precision and composure in her ribbon band, rope, hoop and ball routine exhibitions.
And she was witty. While attempting a new rope routine - she had only been practicing three days - she told the audience, ``If I drop it, don't laugh. Pretend like it was supposed to be there.'' The crowd roared with laughter.
Rocki Illy had a smile that could have extended to Suffolk. Usually, she only gets to see her daughter, her youngest of eight kids, on holidays and when she competes within the United States.
``It was an unexpected trip,'' Rocki Illy said. ``Because the tour was coming here, we were able to have her here for five days.''
Lauri, who finished third among juniors in the Olympic Festival in July, will compete in her first rhythmic gymnastics' senior event in 1996.
Both mother and daughter will have an interest in the World Championships in Vienna, Austria, later this month. If the top two U.S. seniors - Jessica Davis and Tina Tharp - in rhythmic gymnastics finish in the top 35, the United States will send three representatives to the Olympics in the summer of 1996.
The United States automatically receives one spot for being the host country. Lauri, who turned 14 on Aug. 20, must finish in the top eight at the National Championships in May 1996 and the top three at the Olympic Trials in June to qualify for the summer games.
``It would be cool,'' Lauri Illy said. ``Really nice.''
Her mother says her daughter is being modest.
``If everything goes as planned, Jessica, Lauri and Natalie Lacuesta will get those three Olympic spots,'' Rocki said. ``Lauri and Natalie (13 years old) will be the youngest members on the senior team.''
Ken Brown, Lauri's fifth grade teacher at Salem Elementary, stopped by to wish her well.
``She was always very focused,'' said Brown, who now teaches at Landstown Elementary. ``She knew what she wanted to do.''
While most kids went to bed with a doll when they were a child, Lauri slept with a hoop or a ball.
It was a dramatic change, emotionally and financially, for the Illy family when she moved three years ago to Evanston, Ill., to train with her coach, Lana Lashoff.
The entire family contributes to her success. The Illy family is still responsible for taking care of Lauri's entry fees, travel, hotels, meals, costumes, music and equipment. A weekend rhythmic gymnastics trip can cost the family as much as $3,200. They also must contribute their share for the coach and trainer to travel with the team.
With Jacob, a freshman at Ocean Lakes, competing in Tae Kwon Do, the expense chart is running high at the Illy household.
Sponsorship to help with Lauri's expenses is needed. Family members and friends have come up with some creative ideas like Cart-wheel-athons, car washes and Bike-a-thons in support of Lauri's efforts in her sport.
``It would be even harder if she couldn't do it,'' Rocki says. ``Everyone really chips in and have been really creative. We don't want money to stop her from doing what she really wants to do.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Lauri Illy, the No. 2-ranked rhythmic gymnast in the country, made a
rare exhibition appearance back home at Lynnhaven Mall last
weekend.
by CNB