THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512060157
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 31 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 98 lines
Could this be the year that someone breaks Great Bridge's lock on the Southeastern District gymnastics title?
The Wildcats claimed their 10th straight district team championship last season and also had the top gymnast in the area in district all-around winner Nadia Amen.
Amen and beam specialist Suzanne Humphrey have graduated, and although Great Bridge returns six solid competitors, there is a team trying to get its foot in the door and take the Wildcats' place as the pride of the district.
Deep Creek.
With the top returning gymnast in the district, sophomore Laura Bryan, a trio of experienced competitors, and another freshman phenom ready to burst on the scene, the Hornets could provide Great Bridge's biggest challenge in recent memory.
The following is a brief look at each team, in order of last year's district finish.
GREAT BRIDGE
The Wildcats have history on their side and one of the deepest teams in the district. At Great Bridge, the gymnasts don't specialize - every girl competing for coach Sharon Ivey is proficient in every event.
Leading the way is junior Kelly Turner, who qualified for the Eastern Region tournament in all four events last season and is strongest on beam. Turner is joined by seniors Michelle Herzing and Nancy LeMaster, who placed second and third in the district, respectively, on the uneven bars.
Juniors Allyson Holliday and Suzanne Lingo, who placed third in the floor exercise at districts, are solid, as is senior Amy Murphy, who qualified for last year's region tournament in floor exercise.
The Wildcats will temper all that experience with five talented newcomers - sophomore Adrienne Barlow and freshmen Jennifer Newnom, Racheal Hill, Ginny Petree and Ginny Floyd. All will compete as all-around gymnasts.
DEEP CREEK
Bryan enters the season as the top returning gymnast in the district after finishing second last year in the all-around competition as a freshman. A tenacious competitor, Bryan also is the defending district champion on floor and beam.
The Hornets have a veteran group backing up Bryan. Junior Mariel Brown finished fourth in the district all-around competition and qualified for the region meet on bars, beam and floor. Junior Rian Cuthriell and sophomore April Magill both qualified for regions on the beam.
Just as Bryan was the newcomer that got everyone's attention last year, freshman Melissa Sutor, an all-around competitor, is poised to open a few eyes when the season opens and could be ``a title contender on the district, region, and state levels,'' according to coach Gina Dukes.
Freshman Karlee Butler (bars, vault, floor) and sophomore Sherri Burkhead (beam, floor) also will contribute.
WESTERN BRANCH
Although they won't be able to challenge Great Bridge or Deep Creek for the top positions in the district, the Bruins return two gymnasts who qualified for region competition - senior Kim Sykes (floor) and junior JoBeth Willey (vault). Both will compete for Western Branch as all-around candidates.
Erica Chinn, another all-around competitor, also returns to the team after a solid freshman season.
According to coach Caren League, the Bruins look ``very promising this year. We have some very strong new girls on the team.'' League singled out sophomore Katie Smith as a newcomer who will contribute.
CHURCHLAND
Never let it be said that coach Joe Bystrom doesn't focus on the positive side of things.
Despite losing six seniors, including two regional qualifiers, and having 10 underclassmen on the roster, Bystrom expects the Truckers to be more competitive this year.
``Great Bridge should again be the team to beat. . . . We don't have the depth of experience they do, but we should show improvement over last season,'' Bystrom said.
All the buzz at Churchland is for freshman Ashley Eickhoff, a 5-foot, 75-pound dynamo who Bystrom said could be in contention as a district title hopeful, if not more.
``Ashley has a good chance of becoming the first Churchland gymnast to go to the state,'' Bystrom said.
Among the other new faces for the Truckers this year is senior Lucie Arabascova, an exchange student who is strong on bars. Sophomores Crystal Hales (bars, vault) and Melissa Benitez (bars) and freshman Shelley Martin (bars, vault, beam) all have potential but lack experience.
A trio of juniors - Jackie Bales (all-around), Suzy Tarkenton (floor, vault, beam) and Kristal Talton (floor, beam) - will provide leadership. ILLUSTRATION: HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASTICS
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Great Bridge's Allyson Holliday placed third in floor exercise at
districts last season.
Staff photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON
Sophomore Laura Bryan of Deep Creek is the top returning gymnast in
the district.
by CNB