THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702090175
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 49 lines
It was a record day for the Salem gymnastics team.
The Sun Devils had the most successful day in Beach District history Saturday at their meet at Cox - taking the top individual and team honors.
Kit Johnson broke an individual all-around total record with her four-event score of 38.33. The old mark was 38.2. Johnson - a junior competing in only her first year of high school gymnastics - also won individual titles on balance beam with a 9.7, uneven bars with a 9.66 and in vaulting with a 9.7. She was fifth on floor with a 9.26.
Teammate Divinia Roberts tied for first on floor with Kellam's Michelle Alexander.
Johnson's effort led the way for Salem's convincing team finish, taking first place with a combined score of 148.65 - a Beach District and Eastern Region record, and possibly a Group AAA record. The previous state high of 147.6 was set by Lake Braddock in last year's state meet. While Lake Braddock is said to be having another great season so far, they haven't scored a higher mark in the regular season. And results of the Bruins' district meet were unavailable at press time.
But the score did top the 146.7 scored by Cox in last year's state meet - the Beach and Eastern record.
``(Salem) was unbeatable today,'' said Falcons coach Melody Hartranft, whose team advances with Salem to Saturday's Eastern meet at Warwick High by virtue of winning the Beach regular season.
Sun Devils coach Wendy Wolf said her team was well-aware they had to beat Kellam to advance to regionals.
``We were motivated,'' she said. ``We were lucky enough to hit at the right time.''
Cox finished second with a 144.6. Kellam had 143.1.
Johnson's senior teammate, DaRoberts, was second in the all-around competition, followed by Alexander and defending Group AAA all-around champ Brooke Sawyer of Kellam. The top four individual all-arounds advance to the region meet, as do any gymnast totaling 35 or more points - 11 met or bettered that score. As well, the top eight finishers in each individual event and any others scoring a 9 or better advance. Only eight move on in vaulting and uneven bars, while seven in addition to the top eight advance on floor and eight others on balance beam. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Salem's Kit Johnson broke an individual all-around record with her
4-event score of 38.33.