THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 10, 1996 TAG: 9603080273
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 28 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
IF SHE HAS GAINED nothing else from gymnastics, Corey Fritzinger has conquered the art of determination.
The hours of tedious repetition, striving for perfection while trying to nail down new tricks have been the foundation. Desire to be one of the best has provided the motivation.
Fritzinger has finally reaped the reward for her perseverance and qualified for the junior international elite team after six tries.
That makes Fritzinger one of the top 34 15-under gymnasts in the country. She joins Gymstrada Gymnastics School teammates Alexis Brion and Katie McFarland on the junior team.
To qualify, the 13-year-old had to score 36 or more total points under Competition 3 rules in gymnastics' four events - uneven bars, vaulting, balance beam and floor. Competition 3 rules are the hardest in the sport - the same ones used in the Olympics.
Last year, in four different zone meets where she could have qualified, Fritzinger missed each time by a few hundredths of a point.
``She was an alternate one year and that amounted to something like sitting on the bench,'' coach Dena Baker said. ``Her problem has been that she has great invitational meets and then struggles in the ones where it's only her and the judges. It's difficult to get past that, but she finally has and you'll see great things from her from here on out.
``We're all so proud of her. It's special because she's kept trying so hard and never gave up.
``She belonged at this level and we knew it.''
Fritzinger, an eighth-grader at Salem Middle School, is now eligible to compete in international-level events.
``I'm ready for some international assignments,'' she said. ``I'm ready to travel and see places and compete against the best gymnasts.''
Fritzinger said she had a feeling she was going to hit 36 or better after her third event at the American Classics last month in Tulsa, Okla., a hand spring front pike vault that netted her a 9.6.
``I started thinking I was doing pretty good then,'' she said.
She finished the day with a 9.275 on bars. She placed seventh in vaulting and was 23rd all-around.
``I never knew how much I needed,'' she said. ``I just concentrated on doing good because I knew I was close.''
After the near misses last year, Fritzinger added considerable difficulty to her routines and it paid off.
``She could have settled for just doing national again, but she wanted international,'' Baker said. ``You have to respect her for that. She worked hard on the new tricks.''
Brion and McFarland have provided inspiration and motivation for Fritzinger. In the American Classics, McFarland finished 14th all-around and qualified for the USA championships in June. Brion finished third and filled the last position on a three-girl team that will go to the City of Popes meet in France March 20-25.
``Alexis and Katie have helped me a lot,'' said Fritzinger, who had missed several days in the gym because of strep throat. ``They helped motivate me to keep going. They've been asking me when I'm coming back, because I'm sick. They help everybody keep going and when you see all the places they get to go, it makes you want to work harder to catch up to them.''
Now that she's there, Fritzinger can help Brion and McFarland motivate Gymstrada's next hopeful - Kristin Uransky, who is currently a national elite.
``She's next,'' Baker said. ``It won't be long.''
With three junior international elite gymnasts, Gymstrada ranks third in the country for schools with gymnasts at that level. Cypress in Texas currently has five, while the Parkettes in Pennsylvania have four. No other other schools have three.
Gymstrada is currently ranked as the No. 12 gymnastics school in the country and will host a meet in September against a team from Argentina.
``And what's so special about having all these girls is that they all did their first forward roll here,'' Baker said. ``Most of the time, gymnasts get to this level and they travel to a better gym. These girls are making this place one of those gyms.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
Corey Fritzinger, 13, earned her spot by scoring 36 or more points
under tough Competition 3 rules, the same rules used in the
Olympics.
by CNB