THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 26, 1997 TAG: 9701240203
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 90 lines
THE HIGH SCHOOL gymnastics career of Tami Harris will likely conclude as one of the shortest in Beach District history.
The competition won't mind a bit.
When her career ends Feb. 3 - just nine meets after it began - that competition will breathe a collective sigh of relief. The length of her stay won't be all she'll be remembered for.
In such a short time, the Ocean Lakes freshman instantly earned a reputation as one of the best to ever leap and tumble through Beach District competition.
Heading into Tuesday's meet against First Colonial and Green Run, Harris has lost on only one event all season and is unbeaten in six all-around competitions. She also has the area's season-best scores in all-around, and on the floor and uneven bars events.
Her all-around score of 38.125 is just .085 shy of the Beach District record of 38.2 - a mark set by Kellam's Brooke Sawyer in last year's Eastern Region meet. Sawyer's high equaled the state record set in the 1994 state meet by Menchville's Katherine Creswell.
But while Harris has taken the district by storm, she won't be representing her school in the Beach District meet on Feb. 8, nor will she represent the district in either the region or state meets.
As a 14-year-old student at Ocean Tumblers Gymnastics School, Harris is one of about four dozen gymnasts nationally who have earned the status of junior international elite - just a notch below senior international, the level that supplies the U.S. Olympic team.
She is the only gymnast in the area to compete in high school gymnastics as an elite and is believed to be the only gymnast in the state to do so.
Most private club coaches simply won't allow their top-level gymnasts to compete at the high school level, for the competition is somewhat watered down from what they are accustomed.
But Tony Hampton of Ocean Tumblers didn't see it that way.
``We had talked about it earlier and most who do this usually wait until their senior year when it's their last chance,'' Hampton said. ``But we're hoping she will make it to senior international elite and by then it will be too difficult to try to do both.
``And we didn't want her to miss the experience.''
What an experience it's been.
For starters, at her level on the private club scene, gymnasts rarely compete in front of more than a few parents and judges. In high school meets, there can be 100 or more fans in the stands.
``This has been real fun,'' Harris said. ``It's much more of a team thing and I like that. And it's a lot less pressure here. I've had to water down my routines some, but that hasn't been difficult.''
Ocean Lakes teammates have benefited just as much - if not more - than Harris.
Having such a quality performer helping around the gym is an advantage not afforded everyone.
``I'm just in awe of her abilities and talents,'' said Audra Little, a sophomore who takes club lessons, but doesn't compete privately. ``She's definitely helped me and I think she has everybody. She gives us pointers here and there and just watching her perform is a help.''
That role is another bonus for Harris, who admits to having a coaching mentality.
``They ask me to show them things, a skill or move, and I like helping them,'' Harris said. ``If I see something, I'll offer some advice. That's part of the team thing and it's one of the things I like most (about high school gymnastics).''
Coach Joanna Felts has enjoyed the help as well.
``She's very encouraging of everybody; and coming from someone at her level, they appreciate it,'' Felts said. ``She's only a freshman, but she's a good role model.''
Felts and her team would love to have Harris with them for three more years, but the squad understands she aspires to greater things.
``It's disappointing that she won't be with us for the tournaments, but we knew this from the very beginning,'' Felts said. ``But it's what's best for Tami and we're all behind her.
``We've all just loved working with her.''
They almost didn't get the chance, as Harris was originally supposed to attending Kellam.
But Ocean Lakes has block scheduling - an advantage for Harris and her time-consuming training.
``It affords me more time to study and finding any time is sometimes hard,'' Harris said. ``And I can get out of school earlier if I need to.''
Like she did Thursday to travel to Richmond to perform a floor routine during an exhibition meet featuring members of the gold medal-winning U.S. Olympic team.
``That's a real honor,'' Harris said. ``This has been a great year and I've enjoyed it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Ocean Lakes' Tami Harris has lost only one event all season and is
unbeaten in six all-around competitions.