USA_gymnastics_1984

U.S. POSIAUb
PAID
Indianapolis, IN
'ERMIT NO. 6466

Official Magazine of the United States Gymnastics Federation
November/December 1984 Vol. 13, No. 6

22
Lori Fung, Chinese top
lists at this International
event held in Indianapolis,
Indiana.
38
Kimball Piano Interna-
t i o n a l t o o k v i s i t i n g
Rhythmic dignitaries to visit
its factory and witness the
birth of a baby grand.
Cover photos © 1984 by
Dave Black for FUJI Film,
Inc.
DEPARTMENTS

7 USGF Editorial By Mike Jacki
8-11 National Office News

31 Safety/Education By Dr. Gerald George
'Director Defines Target Areas
37 Calendar of Events

38 Sponsor News
'Kimhull Ho.st Piano Tour
EVENTS
22-27 1984 Four Continents Championships By Mike Botkin
*L\dia Hree Clo.scs Competitive Career
39-45 1984 USGF Congress By USGF Staff
'Dick Cavctt Highlights Annual Event
FEATURES
13-19 Bart Conner/Kathy Johnson By Debbie Forsten
TSA's Top Stars Look Hack
28-29 Lori Fung By Mike Botkin
*tiold Makes Topping Oh-So Sweet

39 USGF/McDonald's Gold Medal Tour
i
United States Gym nasties Federation Board of Directors: Executive Director, Mikc'Jacki, 200 South Capitol Ave.. Suite ll). Indianapolis. Indiana: Athlete
Representatives: Nancj Marshall: lireni Simmon-,: I any Gerard; Tom Beach; Lydia Bree. Kathy Johnson; Diane lli|esse; Tim UKItur. Amateur Athle lie Union:
Jerry March. American Sokol Organization: Norma X.ahka. American Turners: Harry Wunken, Members at Large: Sue Ammcrman and Linda Chencinski.
NCAA Gymnastics Coaches-Men: Rusty Mitchell. 1'nivcrsity of New Mexico NCAA Gymnastics Coaches-Women: Judy Avcner. Penn State University.
National Association for Girls and Women in Sports: l)r lmii Murra>, Springfield ( ulli i;i National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges: Dak-
\
Brown. NCAA: Sylvia Moore, Oregon Male University; Greg Marsclen. University of I'lah; Jerry Miles. % NCAA; Wayne Young, Hrigham Young University. NAIA:
Bonnie Morrow NHSGCA: John Brinkworth. National Federation of State High School Athletic Assoc.: Sharon Wilch; Susan True National Jewish We liar e
Board: Courtney Shanken. NJCAA: Dave Rowlands. Truman College; Arlene Crossman. Linn Demon College. NGIA: Mike Milidonis. USA1GC: Ed Kneppcr. Men's
Elite Coaches Assoc.: Jim Howard. University of Nebraska USECA for Women: Roc Kreul/er; Steve W hillock Young Men's Christian Assoc.r Hud Wilkinson.
Jr. Boy's Gym. Coaches Assoc.: Ruheri Cowan
USA Gymnastics United Stales Gymnastics Federation Mem- USA Gymnastics is printed hi-momhl\y the
Publisher: Mike Jacki. Kxecutive Director bers: Amateur Athletic I'nion; American Sokol United States Gymnastics Federation. Subscrip-
USGF; Consulting Editor: Rich Kenney. USGF Organization; American Turners; Association lor tion rates per year: I'SA - Si 2; Canada- J14
Director of Market ing and Sponsorships; Manag- Intercollegiate Athletics for Women: National (l'.S. currency) and foreign - 832 (U.S. cur-
ing Editor/Advertising Director: Debbie Association for Girls and Women's Sports Na- rency, air mail included). Single copy price is
Forsten; Contributing Photographer: Dave tional Assoc. of College Gymnastics Coaches; S2.OO plus postage and handling. Copyright ©
Black; Production Director/Editor: Mike Bot- NACCiC-Women; National Assoc. of Women 198-j by the USGF. All rights reserved Printed in
kin. Gymnastics Judges; NCAA; National Federation USA. Address: 2UU South Capitol Ave., Suite 1 1(1.
Unless expressly identified to die contrary, of Slate High School Assoc.: National Gymnastic.s Indianapolis, Indiana 4h225 PLEASE NOTE AS
all articles, statements and views printed he-rein Judges Assoc.; National High School Gymnastic.s OF JANUARY 1, 1985 OUR NEW ADDRESS
are attributed solcy to the author and the United Goache.s Assoc.; National Jewish Welfare Board; WILL BE: USGF, 1099 NORTH MERIDIAN,
States Gymnastics Federation expresses no opin- National Junior College Athletic Assoc.; United SUITE 380, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA46204.
ion thereon and assume;- no responsibility States Assoc. of Independent Gymnastics Clubs:
thereof. I'niied State.-. Gymnastics Safety Assoc.; Young
Men's Christian Assoc.; Elite Coaches Assoc.

November/December 1984
Withstanding The






Test Of Time








To Be Olympic Champions







By Debbie Forsten nasties put together. I really felt
that entering the Olympic
he 1984 Olympic Games Games. So many people were
brought to the forefront trying to relax the athletes by
T athletes who had all saying it's just another meet.
made a commitment to excel- This wasn't just another meet,
lence, displaying the "Right you could feel the difference.
Stuflf," a true grit that separates All the other sports were
them, enabling them to break around you. It wasn't just the
barriers and turn success into pagentry that surrounded the
high achievement. President Olympic Games, it was the feel-
Roosevelt once said, "It is not ing. There aren't words to de-
the critic that counts ... the scribe it. As far as the competi-
credit belongs to the man who tion, it was probably the most
.
is actually in the arena . . who intense competition that I've
strives valiantly, who errs and ever been in, almost to the
often comes up short again and point that it was dream-like.
again .. who, at best, knows in D.F. As a reflection over
.
the end the triumph of high the past eight years, how do you
achievement, and who at worst, define success and failure?
if he fails, at least fails while dar- KJ. Sometimes they are
ing greatly ..." one and the same. I guess the
In gymnastics the 1984 way I've seen success and fai-
Olympic Games were the cul- lure is they're instruments that
mination of years of toil, pain, you use to go on. Ii just depends
highs and lows, ecstasies and on how you handle them. I've
agonies—hundreds of athletes had both. My success, oddly
weathering voiced trends and enough, have sometimes
making statement with each caused more problems dian the
competition. In a sport where failures did. Failures make you
perfection is strived for daily stronger. You say to yourself,
always with a critical eye, Kathy this will not happen again,
t
Johnson and Bart Conner either I didn't rain hard
epitomize the "right stuff1 in enough, I wasn't prepared, or
our sport. They have withstood mentally I wasn't tough enough.
the scrutiny of judges, coaches, There's usually a reason. You go
peers, the media and the tests of back in the gym and you roll
time to make indelible marks on your sleeves and do the work.
USA Gymnastics development. Success sometimes scares a
Individually, their careers span gymnast, this is now my stan-
a decade of e l i t e level dard. Now, I have to live up to it
competition —quite an ac- everyday. Not just at meets but
complishment in itself in diis everyday at workouts. That can
day and time. The following is be a problem. I always thought
an interview with each about you're only as good as your next
their careers and accomplish- meet and so the success is be-
ments. hind you. You live it for a mo-
ment but it's usually something
D.F. What are some of die you're looking hack at. Now
feelings you felt at the '84
Olympic Games? Bart Conner
KJ. It was what I had al-
ways dreamed it would he, like
the culmination of all the meets
and all the workouts and every-
thing you've ever done in gym-

USA Gymnastics 13

November/December 1984
the years, starting with whan I went to Tokyo, the World Cup, of people will ever have. They're not just all up's. There are up's
the other girl couldn't go so it was just me, Bart Conner, Kurt and down's and way down's and way up's. As I look back over it
Thomas, and Mike Willson. I watched the way they prepared all, I like the way I did it and I feel good about it and it's going to
and I rememhered thinking why don't girls last so long in the make it easier to go on in life to be completely satisfied with this.
sport. I watched their attitude, the way they prepared for a I remember thinking, on the awards stand when I got my indi-
meet, pushing when they were supposed to, and not when they vidual medal, how much collective blood, sweat and tears went
weren't supposed to. You last longer that way. Myself, as a com- into that medal. I'm as thankful for the support of all the
petitor, I always was in fourth gear. I mean even when I coaches, all the teammates, family and the USGF that have
shouldn't have been 1 would start in fourth gear and you wear helped along the way.
your motor down that way. It's just like a car. I learned a lot from
them. Bart Conner
D.F. How has the role or the involvement of your coach or D.F. Personally and gymnastically what are some of the
coaches changed as your knowledge and skill level has in- feelings that you had after the Olympic Games were over?
creased? B.C. It's so hard to describe what a wonderful occasion it
KJ. Bill Sands used to say a coaches role does change as the was for all of us, but for me particularly, having been a part of
gymnast progresses. In the beginning the coach is actually a gymnastics for so long and having been a member of all aspects
guide, he's in front of the gymnast leading them. As they prog- of gymnastics from the 9-11 age group program, the whole
ress, then it's more of a side by side relationship. Because the developmental program in this country up through National,
gymnast isn't completely ready to not have someone in front to World and Olympic titles. I have a very complete appreciation
lead. At the final stages of their career the coach steps back and of the sport of gymnastics in this country because I have partici-
is there when the gymnast needs it, still guiding, always there pated in all those different levels. You always say 'wouldn't it be
for support and always there to coach and teaeh. I agree with great if you were on the American team when they won the
that because as a gymnast progresses you don't want to teach
the gymnast to think that she can do it all on her own. There are
times when you need coaching and teaching, you're not always
right. The coach has to be flexible enough to meet all the gym-
nasts needs and visa versa. I think that makes the best coach.
D.F. Ted Muzyczko said in an article in Technique virtuos-
ity today is the accepted execution tomorrow. Being a per-
former of this virtuosity how do you feel about that?
KJ. I would have to agree strongly. In order to be the best
in the world we have to step out, not follow in the footsteps of
the Russians or Chinese who are probably the most virtuous of
all gymnasts. For years and years, we would just copy them or
always be just three steps behind instead of taking on a leader-
ship role. Now we're in this position to go beyond. We just
realize that virtuosity is something that must be done. The
younger gymnasts have to know it's not just good enough to do
the skills, but you have to do them well with perfect form and
higher than anybody else.
D.F. How do you become a trend leader versus a trend
follower?
KJ. It's a hard position to be in. It's a lot easier to follow.
That's why there are more followers than leaders. We are in the
position now to become one of the leaders in gymnastics in the
world and we've got to accept that responsibility. I think our
men's team is a perfect example. They can start leading not just
the rest of the world but the rest of the gymnasts in our country.
Setting a new standard, that's why the Russians are so good.
Many years ago they set this standard that they all do their
gymnastics by. Their standard is to be the best in the world. So
all the gymnasts strive for that level so when they compete
against the rest of the world they've got more than just the six
they put out on the floor at that level that's just the six that they
choose for that particular competition. We have to be able in
this country to do that. We've got to start building depth that
goes all the way down to the grass roots. A good coach should
be able to look into the future and know what it's going to take.
There's still room there and there's always more room for artis-
try in movement, just better form in general. People are so
involved with what can we do now, what's the next trick, but
you want to build the other side of the sport which is the beauty.
Make it look better.
D.F. If you had it to do again would you change anything?
K J. For so many years, something that my dad told me once
it stuck with me. My grandfather was a professional baseball
player and in an interview, they asked him when he retired, if
you had it all to do over again would you do it any differently,
and he said I'd do it better! My dad told me one time, I don't
want you to ever have to say that. Not that my grandfather
meant it in he didn't do it well, but you still want to be able to
say I want to do it better. I always thought to myself, am I going
to be able to ask myself that question and say I couldn't have
done any better? I'm glad about the way I did it. Partly because I
stayed in for so long. I've got so many more memories than a lot

Kathy JohnSOn qets a kiss from Mitsu Tsukbara after win-
ning the American Cup in 1977.


USA Gymnastics 15

Kathy Johnson
Bronze Medalist, Balance Beam
1984 Olympic Games
Los Angeles, CA. USA






















*wi ^?* J*
V*:V *









































JHBL

y JohllSOIl waves to the crowd after receiving her bronze
medal she won during the floor exercise in the 19 78 World Champion •
ships.


that I've retired it makes them all much sweeter. Now I just sit
hack and I look at all the successes and sure I know that there-
were failures along the way but hecause I ended in success; the
failures don't seem as dark and dim as they did at the time they
happened.
D.F. What were the hardest transitions you had to make
and what kept you going?
KJ. What kept me going was just as a kid I was just always
hungry for more. I was never ever completely satisfied. I would
think I can do hetter. I was also afraid I would miss something. If
I retired too soon I would miss something that might he the
greatest thing that ever happened to me. The other thing is
when I started gymnastics, my first few years were not very
different from the way most people start. My workouts were
fun. I just went in the gym. I had volunteer coaches, I was with a
hunch of girls that just loved gymnastics. They had to literally
take my body off the equipment and shoo me out the door so
they could turn the lights off and put the equipment up. When I
probably should have been building strength and good flexibil-
ity and good basics, I was building a love for gymnastics that was
so strong that it was going to carry me through all the down
times. I could always stop in my lowest low and think back and
say "I love it." I knew from the very beginning it was something
that I could he good at.
I think the hardest thing for anybody to overcome, and you
never completely overcome it, is knowing you have limitations.
I think the neatest part about my career, now, is for the last few
years I reached my limitations. I felt them there and then I
pushed them farther. I did things in the last couple of years that I
would have never dreamed possible. It was like moving through
eras in gymnastics to break that barrier. I remember thinking, I
can't do a double back. That sense of being able to not com'
pletely he stopped by limitation but to work with it and make
yourself better and put it out. It's scary. Your taking a chance of
maybe failing and not being able to overcome it.
D.F. About the accomplishments and the experience you
have gone through, how do you feel it has effected the direction
of gymnastics in the U.S. for people starting out?
KJ. Well, the people are staying in the sport longer now.
Maybe it's coincidence, but they are. Back when I first started,
my first three years, I watched people come and go on a yearly
basis. It was ama2ing to me. I think now people really develop a
sense of responsibility, not only to themselves to look back and
say I did gymnastics to my fullest, but to the sport itself. People
are taking on more of the responsibility in a way that it makes
them kind of hang tougher when the going gets rough. I've
always felt a strong responsibility to the team.
One of the things that doesn't get a lot of attention, but is very
important, is the team concept, the importance of every
member on the team. Each team member contributes to the
win, either a team win or an individual win. There is a lot of
pressure to go last, but there is a lot of pressure to go first, too.
Those in the middle are equally important to keep the scores
going up.
D.F. Who, besides the athletes that you've competed with,
have had the most profound effect on your gymnastics?
KJ. A lot of people that don't even know they have. I've
worked with many coaches, parents and people involved in the
gymns. The people in Atlanta were very special to me because
they probably witnessed my lowest of lows and they stayed
with me just the same. There were limes when I'm sure they
thought I was finished because I thought I was. I never com-
pletely stopped, I never quit. When I left to come to California,
that was probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life,
because I was comfortable in Atlanta. Too comfortable. I was
just going to slide into retirement and not even know it, or
forced to quit because I wasn't good enough or just could not
get my act together. When I made the decision to come here,
Don Peters didn't have to take me. He had second thoughts, but
instead he said, 'no, I'll give her a chance.' Bunny and Tom Cook
have been behind me 100 percent.
The men's team probably helped me the most in my training,
and they don't even know it. But watching them train through

14 USA Gymnastics

KflthyJohnson (left) realizing her dream by participa-
tion in the 1984 Olympic Games. (Right) Gazing down at her
bronze medal she won, she realized all of the time, effort and
people who made that medal possihle.





Olympics some day' and you just laugh like you're joking. It was
a dream eome true for me to he a part of the growth of American
gymnastics, and on the award stand when American gymnastics
got that ultimate symbol of accomplishment.
DJ. Having experienced both at different stages of your
own development, how do you now define success and failure?
B.C. Success and failure is within your own perception, it's
only what type of goals you have set for yourself and what
priorities you have. I firmly believe that challenging yourself is
the more important goal, whether that challenge is something
that seems significant or not. When you say I want to be an
Olympic Champion, it's the same type of goal if you say I want to
learn my back handspring in three weeks. The short range goals
are as important as the long range. I think success is being able
to learn how to achieve all those small step by step goals along
the way.
D.F. Are there such things a^ failures?
B.C. That's what 1 mean, it's the same attitude. Certainly,
there are times when things don't work out as nicely as you
would have wanted them to, but it's a real challenge for a
champion to learn how to make things work and find positive
results in everything that happens.
D.F. What were some of the hardest things to overcome or
transitions to make if you look back over a decade of interna-
tional gymnastics?
B.C. I think the tough things and I think Kathy would prob-
ably agree with me in this area are that when you are the chal-
lenger and when you're growing and working your way up, it's
pretty easy you've got nothing to lose, I think the really tough
challenge is keeping yourself motivated and continuing to im-
prove when you're already one of the top members. Then hang-
ing on is tough. It's possible to take things for granted.
DJ. What kept you going?
B.C. The one important thing that helped me the most,
something Paul Ziert helped me with a great deal, was en-
couraging me to continue to learn and try new things and strive
to reach for things that I had never tried before. That was very
important because if I maintained the same level, I would stag-
nate. But as long as I was improving and as long as I had another
goal just in front of me, it was very easy to continue. I believe
very much in the mechanics and the importance of being able to
set and achieve goals, for many of us, our lives were focused on
one good effort in LA. and it was very, very difficult to plan for
too much past that.
DJF. Has your participation in gymnastics effected the sport
on a national level and if so, how?
B.C. I think a couple of very important things were ac-
complished. First we gave gymnastics visibility and attention it
has never gotten before. The base of interest in gymnastics is
broadened and becoming significant now.
In addition, we broke down a barrier that had been there for
many years. For years you trained to be on the U.S. National
Team hut we weren't really significant contenders in interna-
tional events. We were competitive here and there as individu-
als, but as a team we couldn't put it together. We broke down
the barrier that young kids training in gymnastics in this country
can now know that, 'hey if I work hard and I believe in U.S.
Gymnastics I can knock off a Bart Conner or a Peter Vidmar or
Mitch Gaylord then chances are I can compete with the best in
the World.' I think it's very important for young kids to have that
kind of motivation because when you're in the gym working out
back at home you don't have the same kind of intensity. But
knowing in the back of your mind that if you're one of the best in
die U.S. then that means you're one of the best in the World. I
think that helps young kids keep in it perspective and try a little
harder. The third thing that was very important in helping gym-
nastics in this country was now some of the significant heroes of
< USGF photos © 1984 by Dave Black for Fuji Film, Inc.)
USA Gymnastics 17

Bart Conner (left) a hand stand on
was the first to
II pommel horse. Now it is an accepted move
take the risk and perform
widespread.
used quite
and





































(USGF photos © J984
by Dave Black for Fuji Film, Inc.)
18
USA Gymnastics

Biirt Conner (right) took the gold medal on theparallel
bars during the Olympics. His 10.00 performance in the finals
enabled him to edge Nobuyuki Kajitani of Japan.
the Olympics are Americans. After so many years it's been a
Romanian, Russian or a Japanese athlete but now some of the :
role models kids have to look up to arc Americans, and that
brings it much closer to home.
D.F. Who, besides the athletes, has had a profound effect on
your gymnastics success?
B.C. Certainly, Coach John Berkel in high school. He was
very important in helping me in the early stages to take pride in
doing the little things well, but also helped me to be willing to
reach out, to experiment, be creative and to take a risk if neces-
sary.
D.F. How has the role of outside forces (i.e. coaches)
changed as your knowledge and skill level has increased?
B.C. It has to be a give and take working relationship. Cer-
tainly 1 can contribute a lot because of my experience and my
feelings, but you must have a very, very good communication
between the coach and gymnast. 1 think Ziert also knows if he
said I was unsure about what he was telling me, I would do it
anyway because 1 trust his judgment to be more objective than
mine. After you have mastered your basics, you begin to have a
partnership relationship more. I contribute equally but in any
conflict, 1 would have to trust the coach.
D.F. Ted Muzyczko wrote an article for Technique, stat-
ing what is virtuosity today is the accepted execution tomor-
row. Your comments?
B.C. I think I agree with that. Gymnasts are getting so good
now the average level of World Class gymnasts is very high. It
would be interesting to find out what was the average level
score in the Olympics. It might have been 9.7 which is amazing.
Now there's a lot of great gymnasts that's true but the medium
level is getting very high. There has been a very high standard
set of what's expected in execution and also virtuosity. What's
happening is we are deflnately taking a more critical look at
execution. There are guys who can do double back flips on
floor, but now the judges have an opportunity to get more
critical in their evaluation. Why, it's important to keep your
knees together when you flip, and things like that.
D.F. How did you become a trend leader?
B.C. That goes along with being able to take a risk. You can
go your whole life in mediocre gymnastics if you're not ever
willing to take that important risk. By risk, I don't mean endan-
gering yourself, I mean doing something new, different, untried.
Being able to take a risk is important because you can do all the
right things and yet not really make any significant ac-
complishment. You have to be willing along the way to say 'hey,
this is kind of neat, I don't know how it's going to be perceived,
if it's going to be accepted or not, but let's do it and see what
happens.' That's where a coach comes in so handy because they
have to be the one to support you and say 'this is right' because
many times you might get the wrong feedback.
Risk taking is not easy, there is a lot more failure and a lot
more frustration. I was one of the first performers to do a hand-
stand in the middle of the pommel horse. At the time the Hunga-
rian judge said no that was not the direction or trend, but I went
ahead and took that risk. That's what you have to be willing to
do if you're going to try and set a direction. Now a lot of guys do
a handstand on a pommel horse, a lot of Hungarians.
D.F. If you had it to do over again would you change any-
tiling?
B.C. No, not a thing.
Our individual definition of winning and our perception of
the accomplishments of Bart, Kathy and other athletes hold
special lessons for all of us at every gymnastics developmental
level and age group. These athletes and their coaches have
earned inspirational respect and have opened the doors for
many to follow.
In closing, Vince Lombardi, legendary in football and proba-
bly one of the most famous motivational coaches of any sport
sums up that intrinsic will to excel. "And each day, each week,
each year, there is a new encounter, a new challenge. But all of
the cheers and all of the color and all of the display linger only in
the memory. The spirit, the will to win and the will to excel—
these are the things that endure and these are the qualities that
are so much more important than any of the events that occa-
sion them. .. .that the quality of any man's life has got to be a full
measure of that man's personal commitment to excellence, re-
gardless of what field he may be in."
USA Gymnastics 19

May/June 1984
Palassou, L.G. It seems like you and Rich Chew have a good coach-
has that had
athlete relationship, what kind of
effect
on your collegiate
gymnastics?
R.P. Rich has really helped to guide me through a lot of my
injury,
problems. Last year before my knee schedule I wasn't used to
Not Flashy semi long, verses the USGFseason, when you compete maybe
NCAA, and because the
and season are
competing
I
felt
once
a
month,
hard, and
to
I competed
burned
that
myself out emotionally and physically. That's about when 1
got hurt. I had to have knee surgery a little over a year ago,
Just Stylish and I was in a cast for about three months. Rich really helped
coaching. We
discussion
all that.
He uses
me
through
type
eye to
to have a
see
time, but
it sure helps
eye all the
don't
different point of view. He mainly helped me with a part of
oy Palassou, a native of San Jose, California, started gymnastics I wasn't accustom to which was working with a
gymnastics at age nine, working with Nils Bengston team. I've learned to train a little more dependantly, but also
from Denmark. During this time, Bengston emphasized still train for my independant goals.
R the importance of sound basics and a mastery of these L.G. I've heard you mention the Injury as a positive instead
skills before learning more difficult combination skills. Roy feels of negative, what do you mean?
that much of his present skill level is due to that early emphasis of R.P. Well, it made my competitive year this year completely
the basics. different. I had to start out slow and pace myself. I'm much
L.G. Were you ever Involved with the USGF Boys Junior more ready for this competition (USA Championships)
Program? emotionally than if I had trained like the previous year. It was
RJP. When I was about 18, I went to work and trained with hard I was ready to quit, but Rich guided me through the
Waichiro Miki for about three years. It was with Mr. Miki that rough spots. Friends like Brian Babcock, probably one of the
1 got involved with the philosophy emphasis of the Boys most positive people I know, have helped me be competitive
Program. Because my basics were so strong, it was easy to enough to get through this because I know he's been through
pick up not necessarily bigger tricks, but more competitive it before also. I don't think I could have made it through if it
tricks. They taught me how to get to the elite level. Before, I hadn't been for the positive reinforcement from my coach,
was highly dependant on my coach for all my information. family and girlfriend.
The Jr. Program taught me how to be an independent 1 XT. You received the 1984 Nlssen Award. How do you feel
thinker, how to train, discipline myself, go 100 percent if I about It?
want to get better. You have to train good form if you want to R.P. I felt very honored. For me it is the highest honor, I could
learn good form. They provided me more technical personally receive. Originally, when I started gymnastics, it
knowledge, and reinforced what I had already learned. was more or less an avenue to get an education, and the
Basically, they taught me how to learn and not have to have discipline I've learned from gymnastics carried over into
someone watch me all the time. They taught me how to be studies when I got into college. If I didn't do well in school, I
independent. wouldn't be able to do gymnastics. Especially with the injury,





















Roy Patiissou has been honored by beitif! named the l'J8-i,\isse>iAiffirdiiinner ii'hich lifted the fymnast's spirits in a cnicfa/period of his
cnmpetMiv career. (IFSGF photo « t<}84 Haiv Black).
14 USA Gymnastics

May/June 1984


Palassou has cited the support of his family and friends for helping htm
rebound from a knee injury last year. (USGF phrXo *> /«M /*"*• Black).

I've had to work extremely hard in the past months. The
Nissen Award was gratifying and very uplifting.
L.G. How about the 1984 Olympic Team? What are some of
your Immediate goals?
R.P. Making the Olympic Team is a funny thing with me. 1 haven't
based my whole career on making the Olympic Team. It
would be the culmination of time and hard work. The
Olympics would be like the icing on the cake. If it's
financially feasible, I'd like to stay in gymnastics long enough
to hopefully help the USA program grow; be able to add
encouragement to some of the younger guys who could
benefit from some of the experience that many of us have
had.
L.G. When you do decide to retire from competitive and all
Is said and done, what do you want the history books to
say about Roy Palassou?
R.P. I guess that Roy the person was a good person not only a
gymnast, and that he felt gymnastics should be clean and
executed to the ultimate, with good basics, and that he
brought a style to the sport that could be learned from and
maybe used again.
I asked Roy if there was anything else he wanted to add, and he
said "I mentioned Mils Bengston at the beginning, but 1 want to
thank him because I owe him a lot. He kept me inspired and
disciplined for nine years. When 1 was wrestling, playing baseball
and diving into other sports, he kept me going." After our
discussion, I felt inspired. He was a much more positive, but
thoughtful and mature Roy than I had met two years earlier. He may
not be a flashy gymnast, but he's got style and substance... things
that good gymnasts are made of...


Your '84 Congress Guarantee



from your Official USGF Travel Desk

Look what you receive when you call and book Toll-Free


1-800-243-3180 Jf

(In Connecticut: 203-772-0470)
• Minimum 45% off American Airlines
(must ticket by Aug. 19th)
• Or, guaranteed lowest applicable airfare on all other carriers
• A FREE GSAmateur Travel Card for you and your family to
use for additional travel discounts all year long
You will be helping your National Team receive valuable travel awards

FREE trip credits will be issued to the Men's and Women's
National Team for each trip booked on American and
Frontier Airlines. This much needed support will help
the (JSGF expand the benefits of free air travel to
more individuals on the national teams.
The USGF Travel Desk has designated American and Frontier
Airlines as the official airlines to the '84 Congress. Your Official (JSGF Travel FUGAZY
Desk is operated by
INTERNATIONAL
American
AA Airlines FRONTIER AIRLINES TRAVEL

USA Gymnastics 15

November/December 1984

An Interview With Dick Cavett

Kindling Friendships And



Exchanging War Stories







By Debbie Forsten
unday, as the 1984 Congress weekend
was drawing to a close, Dick Cavett
S mentioned forlornly to a fellow Neb-
raska Cornhusker, "you know, I feel as
though the circus is leaving town, and they
are leaving me behind." It was very sensitive
and descriptive of the weekend .. not that
.
Congress itself is like a circus; rather the
feeling—all the people getting together for a
long weekend, forming new friendships, re-
kindling of old and spending an intense three
days of "gymnasticating" (gymnastics
exchange)—left you with a kind of let down
after it was over. While our gymnastics prac-
titioners spent most of their time in informa-
tional meetings, Dick spent his time in
"Team" meetings with members of the
men's and women's Olympic Teams, kindl-
ing friendships, exchanging "war" stories
and I think card tricks.
After the Congress weekend, I had the op-
portunity to talk with Dick about gymnastics
and his visit with us.
Q. For the benefit of the people who did
not attend the USGF Congress banquet,
could you please tell us about your involve-
ment in gymnastics?
A. Well, as I recall, they were trying to
start a gymnastics team at Lincoln High
School, and they found an antiquated side
horse stored somewhere in the cellar of the
high school. It did not actually have a neck as Dick Cavett deft) spots
I have lead some to believe. Phil Sprague,
Jim Hartling during the opening of the The Floor
Congress banquet.
Beam
who is still involved in gymnastics, was our
teams with Connection
coach. We would get up at the crack of dawn
ScOtt Johnson for a little Tea-for-Two and work out in an unheated gym on the All Gymnasts Should Be
soft shoe during the talent contest. mats and side horse. As we began to get more
On The Beam!
P.O. Box 574
Hers hey. Pa. 17033
Write For FREE
Brochure
PH: (717) 533-7422
Hershey Academy of
Gymnastics
Quality Beams At Reasonable Prices
Starting at 575.00 Plus Shipping and
Handling
Available in 8', 10', 12', 14' and 16'
Training Beams

• Now give your gymnast the edge on her com-
petition with the benefit of home workouts.
• Coaches can appreciate the benefit of having a
well equipped beam area to aid in increasing
beam scores.
• Our quality beams are used in schools, private
gyms and homes throughout the United
States.

USA Gymnastics

November/December 1984

apparatus, including the flying rings and
trampoline, since we are going back that far,
everyone went to the more glamorous
pieces of apparatus. But I stayed with side
horse. Sprague said 1 was doing well on it, I
guess I had a "flair" for it. 1 won the state
meet twice. The terrible dilemma came in
my senior year where the state meet coin-
cided with the college boards; fortunately
wiser winds prevailed. Had I not taken them
I would not have gone to Yale and you would
be talking to an empty phone. When they
gave me an honorary Doctorate degree from
the University of Nebraska, I had forgotten
that I said in my speech 'there are things 1
love about coming back to Nebraska and I
realize that 1 gave up certain good things in
life by going east.' Then, 1 said, 'the thing that
really pulls at my heart strings it that had 1
stayed here, 1 might have been Jim Hartung
today.* Word got back to Hartung and that
was one of the first things he asked me about
when I finally met him.
Q. What were some of your feelings
about the weekend in Indianapolis?
A. I loved it. It revived all my memories of
that god-awful agony of the nerves—walking
out to your piece of apparatus in silence and
knowing that in the next few seconds your
entire year's work would either be down the
tubes or flying gloriously.
Q. Did any of the intrinsic lessons
learned in the cold high school gym in Lin-
coln help prepare you in some way for what
you are doing now?
A. It taught me a lesson that I think I
didn't necessarily put into practice —which
was that extremely hard work at something
does pay off. I have never worked on any-
thing so hard before or after. The so called
valuable lesson of athletics, that A) the work
is its own reward and B) the hard work is complished something. I have won other Gymnastics Team were Cornhuskers. Har-
gratifying and enhances your self image —all things in my life and I thought 'that this was tung and Johnson got a patriotic chauvinistic
those corny things—are in fact true. When easy; they should not be rewarding me.' Like ovation. I feel now as if I am an honorary
you win you feel like you have really ac-
in running, they should give the medals to team member if not their mascot.
people who run marathons in five hours and
come in last because it is much harder for Q. You indicated at the Congress ban-
them. It is easier for the winners. But things quet that you had conducted some indepen-
like Emmys and other things I have gotten dent research to see if athletes (gymnasts)
have to do with a kind of talent rather than could pick up tap dancing easier than non
dedicated hard work —not that doing televi- athletes?
sion isn't brutal, but working, working and
working on something to perfect it is hard A. That was light, but I was quite serious.
and good for your character. I know some very advanced stuff without
Q. What do you think about Nebraska knowing certain basic things. So I showed
gymnastics now? Mary Lou the basic Shim Sham and Scott a
kind of advanced Tea for Two; and that is the
only time a dancer or non-dancer has done
A. I feel very chauvinistic. After all those the step the first time seeing it. It takes a
years of not paying much attention, I saw tricky balance change. The remarkable foot
Hartung and Cahoy on a cable show from Las and hand coordination that gymnasts have,
Vegas, and was stunned by how far gymnas- amaze even dancers. The fact that Scott was
tics had come and even though I had read able to even simulate—let alone actually do
about it, 1 had not seen it. I remember think- some of the steps with one quick two minute
ing, gee, I wish I knew Jim Hartung and I lesson was just remarkable.
wonder if he knows my name; kinda like I
would meet Dr. J and Pete Maravich and they At the conclusion, Dick mentioned he had
would say 'hey Dick' and I would think how recently been on the Merv Griffin Show. I
do they know me, 1 am supposed to know managed to catch the show midway. I
them. I emceed a special for the Omaha noticed his only lapel pin as I listened to the
Symphony and near the end they talked humorous verbal exchange. I strained to see
about heroes from the Summer Olympic the pin; surely .. yes it was, his USGF gym-
.
Games, coordinated with slides and music. nastics pin! Chauvanistically, I could not
When it ended, I could not help mentioning help feeling proud and appreciative to be
that 1/3 of the men's gold medal Olympic likewise honorary or mascot member of the
Dick Cavett team.
ScOtt JohnSOn bops off with his talent
contest prize.
USA Gymnastics 45

NON PR(
RGANIZA
J.S POSTAGE
PAID
ndianapolis. IN
;RMIT NO 6466

Official Magazine of the United States Gymnastics Federation

May/June 1984 VOL. 13, NO. 3



Cover story:
The Gymnast's Journey to LA. 84 is winding down.
Inside this issue three important events are covered. All three
lead down the path to the Olympic trials where the men's,
women's and rhythmic Olympic teams will be chosen.





7 USGF Editorial By Mike Jacki
8-9 Cohorts By Stu Stuller
10-13 National Office News
14-15 Roy Palassou Interview By Lois Graves

16 Concentration By Mike Botkin
18-21 USA vs. China By Lois Graves
22-27 McDonald's Championships of the USA By Lois Graves

28-32 Vidal Sassoon Rhythmic Champs, of USA By Mike Botkin
33 Dianne Durham Interview By Lois Graves
34-36 NCAA Men
38-40 NCAA Women
42-43 New Product Preview

44-45 Expert Defines Group Routine By Dr. Annelis Hoyman
Cover photo: Mitch Gaylord ^^_ n/K^a/ca*. ^ ^\F photo © 1984 Dave Black Jl|| ^h»LasAngelBs^K(




"Official supplier of photographic and magnetic products and services to ihe
United Slates Gymnastics Federation and USA Gymnastics magazine."


I'nited States Gymnastics Federation
MFMBERS: Amateur Athletic I'nion. American Sokol Organi/ation. LSA Oymnaailcs
American Turners. Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. PuNisher' Mike Jacki. Executive Dircciiv l'S(iF. Q>n.suliing Editor: Rich
National Asxtciation fiir Girls and \Vomcns Sports, National Assitcialidn of Kennev, I'stVF Director of Communications; Markeiin>>: Managing
College Gymnastics Coaches: National Association uf Collegiate Gymnastics Editor AdVL-rtising Dirt'cmr, [X-hbie Forsten. ArtiM Photi^[raphi-r: Dave
Coaches Women: National Assiniaiion ot Internillegiale Athletics. National Hack. Production Director Editor: Mike Botkin
of Women Gymnastics Judges: National Collegiate Athletic
Associan in. ,\ati(>nal Federation c/SiatcHigh Si-hool Asvu-iations. National
[Amnasl Association. National High Sihixil (ivninasiio <^>ai'hi-s
m. hbntKUlJewUl "SVIfan- Hoard: National Junior CollegeAihleiif ISGF GYMNASTICS is primed bi-monthly bv ihe lulled MatesOimnislics
m. I'nittil Stales Axsotiation of Independent (iymna.siio <:lul», Federation Subsiripnon rates for 6 Issues are: ISA—(12; Canada—(14
t nued Stales (^Tiina.slii* Safety Avsotiation, Young ,\k-n's Christian (IS currency) and foreign —(32 (US currency, air mail) Single copy
A.ssociat ion. price i.s (2.00. Copyright s 1984 by USGF. All righl.s reM.Tved Printed in
I'.SA. Merchants Plaza. Suite 11-nE. 101 West Washington M.. Indianapolis.
I'nless expressly klentliled 10 Hit I'ontrjn. all .irin li - statt-mi-nih and Indiana H()2IH No responMhilit> is assumed for low. or damage to imsolicited
views printed herein arc atlrihulahlt- solch in the aiilhor and the I'niled mantiscripLs or artwork All editorial contributions should be accompanied
Mates (iymnaMics Ftdemlon cxpro-scs rx) npiniiin thereon and assumes nt) by self-addressed stamped envdopes.
responsihilii\.
USA Gymnastics

May/June 1984
UCLA Severs Nebraska's



Title String




Gaylord, Daggett, Caso Sweep Top 3 Spots


he 1984 Men's NCAA National Gymnastics Daggett) and hit (Mitch Gaylord), there won't be many folks
Championships brought the top 10 gymnastics who will argue the outcome. This was the situation with UCLA
teams to Pauley Pavilion, in Los Angeles, April 12-14, in the final team competition. The Bruins took the top three
T and a not so surprising landslide victory for the spots, in floor exercise—Gaylord, Daggett, M. Caso, pommel
Bruins. You could say, "the learns have changed, but the result horse—Daggeit, Gaylord, Pineda, vaulting—M. Caso, R.
was the same." UCLA came within .5, (scoring 287.3) of match- Campbell, Gaylord, the top two spots in rings—Daggett,
ing the all time high NCAA team scoring record, 287.8 set by the Gaylord and parrallel bars—Daggett, Gaylord, and the top spot
Nebraska Cornhuskers at the 1983 NCAA National Champion- in high bar—Daggett.
ships, at Penn State. Not to be mistaken the UCLA Bruins over- The battle for the 2nd and 3rd team place finish was a hard
took their challenging opponents, Penn State and Ohio State by fought duel to the end with Penn State topping Ohio State by. 15.
over six points. Terry Bartlett of Penn State was a main stay in the Nittney Lions'
TEAM COMPETITION attack; while Jay Foster, the Riskins and their Buckeye team
UCLA, led by Seniors Mitch Gaylord, Tim Daggett, and Mark couldn't put together consistent offensive to make up the .15.
Caso, performed with awesome strength. For example, on floor ALL AROUND
exercise, if your fifth man mounts with a round-off flip flop The individual all around was another clean sweep for the
double layout and hits (Tony Pinada). and your next four men Bruins Gaylord, Daggett, and Mark Caso. Chris Riegel had some
follow suit and hit (Chris Caso), hit (Mark Caso), hit (Tim trouble with rings in the compulsory round, but came back in















































Mitch Gaylord (left) mm the .VCAA all around title. The senior from UCLA
accumulated 116 95 points during the all around competition. Teammate Tim
Daggett (ahotv) folKwedGaylurd. finishing second in the alt around. He added
three individual titles to his credit (pommel, rings and parallel bars). (IISGF
photos « 1984 Datv Black).

34 USA Gymnastics

Mark Cas<>( right ) completed the tbreeplace sweep far I'CLAbyptacini'third in
the all uroitnd Resides dominating the ineUiidtuiI titles, UCLA captured the 1984
NCAA title breaking a fire-war bold Nebraska bad. (USGFphrtto® IV84 Datv
Black).
optional session to take fourth in the all around. Roy Palassou
had a strong compulsory round and conservative optional round
to take the fifth spot. Establishing a comeback from a serious
new injury, Palassou was voted the 1984 Nisscn Award winner.
Charles Lakes from the University of Illinois bettered his 1983
11th finish to take sixth place, with 112.4.
EVENT FINAL HIGHLIGHTS
Kevin Ekburg ot Northern Illinois won the floor finals with
9-85, and sparked the crowd with a routine that dismounted
with round-off whip back, full twisting whip back, flip flop, flip
flop, double full, punch front! Terry Bartlett of Penn State who
showed style and good form, had a break of the landing of his
first pass (double layout) in finals and scored a 9.0.
On pommel horse, Daggett scored a 9-9 to clinch the title. His
aggressive attack on the pommels has turned pommel horse into an
exciting and crowd pleasing event. Daggett went on to win rings
and parallel bars. In the final team competition the previous night,
he scored a 10.00 on a superbly executed P-Bar routine. Chris
Riegel won vaulting with a 10.00 Handspring front with a 1/2 in
piked position. And Charles Lakes ended an unlucky streak of finals
finishes to win the high bar event.
When An Shurlock, head gymnastics coach of the UCLA
Bruins and Division I 1984 Coach of the Year, was asked how
does it feel to be the coach of the team that broke the Nebraska
stronghold, he grinned and said "great. The guys worked awfully
hard to get there." When further asked, with the broader depth
of talent coming into the NCAA ranks, do you think there will
ever be another five year streak, he grinned again, and without
hesitation, said "I'd like to think we've just started one."
Congratulations to all UCLA Team members, coaching staff, and
all '84 NCAA National Championship Participants.
Shurlock, A Quiet Force Behind UCLA


The UCLA men's gymnastics team have very talented but are good people,
worked hard and looked forward to the work well together and help each
opportunity to take the NCAA championship other. Each athlete, even though he
out to the West Coast, and they were not dis- works well with one another, is dis-
appointed. I got a chance to talk with Coach tinctly different. Their training pro-
Shurlock at the Championships of the USA in grams are individualized to meet their
Chicago and ask a little about their program. needs and encourage their individual
L.G. As a general overview, what did you progress and success.
think about the NCAA competition L.G. In your program, do you encourage
and a lot of new faces entering the originality?
collegiate scene? A.S. When I was a competitor, originality
A.S. Naturally I'm pleased with the out- was not stressed as much as it is now,
come. We set out as our goal to beat but 1 feel that it helps make the sport
Nebraska, as defending champions more enjoyable, plus it's almost essen-
and as it turned out Penn State and tial for success on an international
Ohio State were our strongest level. We encourage new ideas and its
competition. There are a lot of new always a thrill when a new skill or idea
athletes coming into the collegiate works out. We are fortunate to have a
ranks as a direct result of the Boys Jr. facility that lends itself to learning new
Program, that are so talented when skills safely.
they get to college that it has built up L.G. How important is your assistants to
many of the men's programs and the programs success?
added to the overall depth of our A.S. My assistant coach. Makato Sakamoto
sport. The Jr. Program is very has done a tremendous }ob, he has set
important to the development and up good programs for the athletes, and
possibly the survival of men's NCAA has pretty much free hand. I've be-
programs. come a better coach since Mako came
L.G. What are some of the things that have in and I think a little of me has rubbed
made the UCLA Program successful? off on him. It's a good working rela-
.VS. 1 think one of the main things is that tionship. Chuck Gaylord comes in and Art Shurlock. 198-tNCAA Coach of the Year, is a
we have recruited a group of highly works with Mitch and spots some of quiet intense force directing the UCLA men's
motivated athletes who are not only See Shurlock, page 36 gymnastics program (VSGF phnto e /yg-1 Datv
Black).
USA Gymnastics 35

May/June 1984
Shurlock, from page 35 our other guys also;
Men's NCAA National Championships
Plus our guys help each other. Mitch, Peter, Tim, Mark, they April 12-14, 1984 Pauley Pavilion All Around Results
all help the younger guys, and one another. Its a positive
atmosphere, and I think that's a key to its success. Rank Name Total FX PH PB HB Total Tear
1 Mitch Gaylord 11695 960 9.55 9.80 9.85 9.90 9.85 58.55UCLA
L.G. One final question, does having an international program and 9.45 9.75 9.75 9.80 9 75 9.90 58.40
collegiate program in your gym, warrent special planning? 2 Tim Daggett 115.50 9.55 9.40 9.70 9.65 9.80 9.75 57.85 UCLA
9.15 9.85 9.80 9.45 9.65 9.75 57.65
Where are the priorities? 3 Mark Caso 114.05 9.65 9.25 9.65 9.70 9.40 9.50 57.15UCLA
A.S. Actually, in many ways they compliment each other. Ob- 9.50 8.90 9.70 9.70 9.50 9.60 56.90
viously, promoting and developing our UCLA collegi ate team 4 Chris Reigel 11395 9.50 9.50 8.35 9.85 965 9.50 56 35 Nebraska
9.90 9.20 945 9.80 9.60 9.65 57.60
and making it successful is a very important goal to all our 5 Roy Palassou 113.85 9.20 9.85 9.60 9.65 9.35 9.80 57.45 San Jose Slate
athletes; hut beyond that we (coaching staff) all feel strongly 9.10 9.70 9.50 9.35 9.05 9.70 56.40
6 Charles Lakes 112.40 9.35 9.35 9.00 9.75 8.45 9.85 5575lllmois
that in addition to the team goal, we want to actively pursue a 9.60 9.50 9.20 9.60 8.85 9.90 56.65
much bigger goal of making USA gymnastics one of the 7 Joe Hay 111.75 9.10 9.50 8.75 9.65 9.20 9.60 55.80MmnesOla
9.45 9.35
9.40
strongest powers in the world. That's a unique thing how our 8 Tony Pineda 111.60 9.00 9.75 8.75 9.10 9.15 9.50 55.95
55.85UCLA
9.75
9.40 9.20
athletes also feel as strongly as we do about promoting 9.10 965 9.35 9.30 9.60 8.75 55.75
gymnastics and developing our national strength. 9 Matt Arnot 111.00 9.30 945 9.45 9.55 9.20 9.30 56.25New Mexico
9.65 8.75 8.70 8.70 945 9.50 54.75
9 Mark Bowers 111.00 9.10 9.55 8.60 9.45 9.20 9.50 55.40 Iowa State
9.20 9.45 9.25 9.15 9.30 9.25 55.60
11 Mike Sims 110.65 9.00 9.65 835 9.60 9.05 9.60 55.25 Oklahoma
8.85 9.50 9.20.9.509.50 8.85 55.40
12 Terry Bartlett 110.50 9.45 7.25 9.00 9.70 9.50 9.55 54.45 Penn State
9.70 8.40 940 9.60 9.45 9.50 56.05
12 Jay Foster 110.50 9.05 3.70 9.40 9.30 9.05 9.25 54.75 Ohio State
9.65 9.10 9.50 9.05 9.50 8.95 55.75
14 Rob Mahurin 110.40 9.15 9.10 8.40 965 8.50 9.35 54.15 Oklahoma
9.30 9.20 9.25 9.50 9.60 940 56.25
15 John Levy 110.35 9.30 9.20 9.30 955 9.35 9.00 55.70Stanford
8.30 9.20 9.65 9.10 9.00 9.40 54.65
16 Wes Suter 110.30 930 8.40 8.45 9.60 8.95 9.55 54.25 NeorasKa
9.65 8.65 9.35 9.55 9.30 9.55 56.05
17 Dan Bachman 110.00 9.30 8.70 8.65 9.45 9.15 8.80 54.05 Iowa
9.55 9.25 9.00 9.25 9.50 9.40 55.95
1B Collin Godkin 109.95 9.05 9.10 8.80 9.50 9.30 9.20 54 95 Minnesota
9.10 9.30 8.95 9.20 9.30 9.15 55.00
19 Dave Menke 109.25 9.05 905 9.05 9.40 8.20 9.50 54 25 Minnesota
9.10 9.00 9.15 9.20 9.10 945 55.00
20 John Levy 9.15 7.40 9.10 9.45 8.85 9.3053.25 Southern Illinois
9.50 8.60 9.25 9.35 9.30 9.60 55.60
Final Team Competition Standing*
Rank Team Total TX PH R V PB MB
1 UCLA 287.30 48.20 47.55 4740 4810 48.10 47.95
2 Penn State 28125 4620 46.85 47.40 4675 46.50 47.55
Vett year Nebraska uim't tiiiiv this mmpettHim silting tlmrn 3 Oh 10 State 281 10 47.10 46.65 4685 4655 46.55 47.40
Team Competition
Rank Team Total FX PH PB HB
For Floor-Ex Music UCLA 28505 46.40 47.50 4805 47.80 47.80 47.50
279.90 47.05 45.85
Penn State
46.85
46.75
46.90
4650
46.50
£79.80 47.10
Ohio State
4600
Iowa State 278.85 47.15 46.65 46.00 46.75 46.80
46.75 46.60 46.00
46.35
That Is Nebraska 277.65 .47.55 44 10 45.30 47.15 46.75 46.80
27730 47.55 44.95
Oklahoma
45.95 47.85
46.60
44.40
Southern III 276.40 46.95 45.15 45.35 47.35 45.35 46.25
Iowa 275.95 46.55 45.55 46.50 46.80 45.00 45.55
Illinois 275.50 46.40 45.00 47.05 47.10 44.00 45 95
* Unique Minnesota Individual Event 45.40 46.15 46.15 45.20 46.25
274.85 45.70
Finals
Floor Exercise Vault
* Creative Rank Name Score Team Rank Name Score Team
985 Northern Illinois
Kevin Ekburg
1
10.00 Nebraska
1
Christ Reigel
2 Dave Branch 965 Arizona State 2 H. Wickstrom 9.80 California
3 Chris Reigel 9.60 Nebraska 2 Mark Caso 9.80 UCLA
4 Mark Dates 9.20 Oklahoma 4 John Swenney 8.75 Houston Baptist
* Superb 4 6 Brett Finch 920 Iowa State 5 Mitch Gaylord 9.70 UCLA
Bobby
Fleming 970 Temple
9
10 Nebraska
Jim
Mikus
7 John Sweeney 900 Houston Baptist Scott WilDanks 9.70 Oklahoma
7 Terry Bartlett 900 Penn State Mark Gates 9.60 Oklahoma
9 R. Wickstrom 855 California Devot Garret! 960 E. Stroudsfturg
Pommel Horse Brendan Price 9.60 Southern Illinois
Call or write today. Rank Name Score Team G. Sanches 9.55 Illinois
Paul Webster
950 Arizona State
1 Tim Daggett 9.90 UCLA Parallel Bars
2 Doug Kieso 9.80 Northern Illinois
3 Herb Voss 9.75 Southern Illinois Rank Name Score Team
1984 Demonstration Tapes 4 Tony Pineda 9.70 UCLA 1 Tim Daggett 9.70 UCLA
5 Joe Ledvora 9.60 Illinois 2 John Sweeney 9.45 Houston Baptist
$4.00 6 Roy Palassou 945 San Jose State 3 Christ Reigel 9.40 Nebraska
7 Frank Hibbitts 9.35 Nebraska 4 Seth Rishin 9.35 Ohio State
8 Joe Leo 9.20 Iowa 5 Jim Mikus 9.25 Nebraska
9 Mitch Gaylord 8.90 UCLA 925 UCLA
10 Bill Stanley 8.85 Penn State 7 Rob Mahurin 850 Oklahoma
Elite Rank Name Rings Rank Name High Bar
Score Team
Score Team
Expressions 1 2 2 Mitch Gaylord 9.80 UCLA 1 2 3 Tim Daggett 9.95 Ohio State
Lakes
Illinois
Tim
Daggett
Charles
990
UCLA
UCLA
9.70
Jeff
Coelho
9.80
Springfield Col.
RobPlayter
9.70
"Orchestrated Competitive Music 4 Mark Caso 9.60 UCLA 4 Roy Palassou 9.70 San Jose State
5 Kenn Viscardi 950 Penn State 5 Chris Riegel 9.60 Nebraska
6 Jon Levy 9.45 Stanford 6 Jim Mikus 9.50 Nebraska
2201 SHAD CT. NAPLES. FL 33962 (813) 775-2921 7 Paul Fishbein 9.40 Illinois-Chicago 7 John Levy 9.10 Souttwn Illinois
7 Mark Diab 9 40 Iowa State 8 Mark Caso 8.85 UCLA
9 Dave Luyando 9.30 Illinois
36 USA Gymnastics

May/June 1984
UCLA Severs Nebraska's



Title String




Gaylord, Daggett, Caso Sweep Top 3 Spots


he 1984 Men's NCAA National Gymnastics Daggett) and hit (Mitch Gaylord), there won't be many folks
Championships brought the top 10 gymnastics who will argue the outcome. This was the situation with UCLA
teams to Pauley Pavilion, in Los Angeles, April 12-14, in the final team competition. The Bruins took the top three
T and a not so surprising landslide victory for the spots, in floor exercise—Gaylord, Daggett, M. Caso, pommel
Bruins. You could say, "the teams have changed, but the result horse—Daggett, Gaylord, Pineda, vaulting—M. Caso, R.
was the same." UCLA came within. 5, (scoring 287.3) of match- Campbell, Gaylord, the top two spots in rings—Daggett.
ing the all time high NCAA team scoring record, 287.8 set by the Gaylord and parrallel bars—Daggett, Gaylord, and the top spot
Nebraska Cornhuskers at the 1983 NCAA National Champion- in high bar—Daggett.
ships, at Penn State. Not to be mistaken the UCLA Bruins over- The battle for the 2nd and 3rd team place finish was a hard
took their challenging opponents, Penn State and Ohio State by fought duel to the end with Penn State topping Ohio Slate by. 15.
over six points. Terry Bartlett of Penn State was a main stay in the Nittney Lions'
TEAM COMPETITION attack; while Jay Foster, the Riskins and their Buckeye team
UCLA, led by Seniors Mitch Gaylord, Tim Daggett, and Mark couldn't put together consistent offensive to make up the .15.
Caso, performed with awesome strength. For example, on floor ALL AROUND
exercise, if your fifth man mounts with a round-off flip flop The individual all around was another clean sweep for the
double layout and hits (Tony Pinada), and your next four men Bruins Gaylord, Daggett, and Mark Caso. Chris Riegel had some
follow suit and hit (Chris Caso), hit (Mark Caso). hit (Tim trouble with rings in the compulsory round, but came back in















































Milch Gaylord (left) u-on the NCAA all around title. The senior from UCLA
accumulated 116. <J5 points during the all around competition. Teammate Tim
Daggett ( abotie)f<iltini'ed(iaylord, finishing secrmd in the all around. He added
three individual titles to his credit (pommel, rings and parallel bars). (IftGF
photos « I'J84 Datv Black).

34 USA Gymnastics

May/June 1984
Durham


A Team Plauer All The




By Lois Graves
USA Gymnastics Staff Writer LG An obvious goal for you in the near future is
the 1984 Olympic Team. How do you feel about
our chances?
DD I think it will depend on who hits and who misses.
Editor's Note: Since this interview, Dianne has returned to We can take the Russians. Romanians. East Germans
Houston to once again train at Karolyi's Gymnastics Center. and the Chinese on if we set it up with strong
compulsory sets and hit our optionals. We will have
the strongest team we have ever had and in this age
of gymnastics with the difficulty of the world. can
level so high, we
D years from the giddy-giggley 1982 Junior LG When all history books, what do you want
rest
be
right
up there with the
ianne Durham is a tremendously motivated
Durham
done
Is said and
and
Dianne
athlete. She has progressed light
and
self directed
is in the
"low"
National
of
gymnastics?
experience have added Champion. The "highs" and performance. people to remember most about your
a new
dimension
of her
In Honolulu during the 1984 McDonald's International DD Probably that I have a great time doing gymnastics
Classic, a team competition between China and the U.S., I and that I am a team player. No matter how good or
had the opportunity to discuss some of the changes and her bad I do, I want to keep supporting our team.
feelings about them. The twinkle in her eyes and giggle in And support the team she did as she led them to a victor)'
her voice was back and the enthusiasm was contagious. over a strong Chinese Women's Team, not to mention
Dianne started her gymnastics in Merrillville. Indiana with adding another All-Around title to her laurels.
Wanda Mahoy. She spent much of this time (seeming like an
eternity for a young athlete with the Olympic Circles in her
eyes) as a Class HI in the USGF Age Group Program working
on basics. From there she worked with Bill Sands for a year
and a half, Tony Ladner for a year and a half before moving
to Houston. Texas to train with Bela Karolyi for two years.
Earlier this year she moved to Fort Worth, Texas to work
under the guidance of Scott Grouse.
LG You've had an opportunity to work with a lot of
talented people. Sometimes making so many
changes is viewed as somehwat controversial.
How do you feel about the strengths you have
drawn from these people and so many moves?
DD I have learned a lot from every coach I have been
with. Each coach was different and helped
strengthen different parts of my gymnastics
personality. They have all contributed to my success
in gymnastics. I think the changes were part of
maturity. The last change from Houston to Fort
Worth was nothing personal with the coaches or the
g>Tnnasts; it was just time for me to move on. I
wasn't enjoying the sport anymore. 1 knew if I was
going to make it. I had to enjoy it. That is the way I
have felt from the beginning. You have to enjoy it if
you want to keep improving.
LG Is there a lot of pressure?
DD Sometimes when I don't do as well as other people
think I should, it worries me that they are thinking
she is losing ground. When I know I am not doing
well, that is enough pressure on me. That is what
happened at the American Cup. I think the
experience was good for me, I went home and told
Scott that I never wanted to have that happen again
(not making finals). and we went to work. This meet
went much better.
LG Is there any extra pressure on you because you
are the first black Women's National Champion?
DD i don't think so. I try not to put any extra pressure
on myself. I just try to take it in stride. Everyone here
treats me the same as anyone else. I think if they
\f Twn all is saidtniffefriw-ithtiiitDiiiittieDHrfaim.
she iiwnls tohi'
didn't I would probably think about it. but they tisu ti-ttni plimr til! thi- utiy. (I'SGFphoto ® 198-i Dare Black )•
don't, so I don't even think about it.
USA Gymnastics 33

GYMNASTS JOURNEY TO IA '84






1984 Champion of the USA
Mary Lou Retton










































vs. USA

1984




OK THE LISA.


1984 VIDAL SASSOON

RHYTHMIC OYMNASTICS
CHAMPIONSHIPS OF
THE USA


(USGF photo f 19«4 Dmc Black)

May/June 1984
USA-China Erupt Over


Diamond Head



Durham Paces Women To Victory


By Lois Graves Men's Team Competition
USA Gymnastics Staff Writer The L'.S. Men's team had their work cut out for them against
the defending World Champions, and the)' met the challenge
he 1984 McDonald's International Classic was held at superbly. The Chinese won the team meet, 295.75 to 294.60,
the Neil Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii April 3-5. but not without the U.S. team close behind on every event.
The gymnastics competition featured a dual meet There were six perfect scores of 10.0 given during this round
T competition between the Peoples Republic of China which conceivably could have been 12.0's, but the scoring
and the United States. This was the last team dual competition system doesn't allow for it, if the scores start out on the high side
for the U.S. before the Olympic Games this summer and was a of the scale.
good indication of our team strength going into the final The Chinese have always been noted for their style and grace
countdown for the games. Both teams brought seasoned world of movement and their superbly performed technical
championship competitors as team representatives. The execution. This competition was no exception. The crowd,
competitors included: though smaller than hoped for this session, responded
Men's Team Women's Team enthusiastically to the awesome display of competition by both
CHN Tong Fei Ma Yanhong teams, uniquely different—the U.S. being the aggressive
Li Xiaoping Chen Yongyan challenger, and the Chinese being the smooth, cool and
Xu Zhiqiang Ming Guixiu collected World Champions, both being equally as exciting.
Zhou Limin Wang Xiaoyan Floor Exercise—Highlighting the floor exercise was Tong
Xia Weidong Wu Jiani Fei's 10.0 floor set. Nursing a back muscle strain, his warm-up
Lou Yun Zhou Ping was short, but his performance was not. His performance was so
effortless that it makes one wonder if the Chinese are bound to
USA Mitch Gaylord Diane Durham the same gravitational laws as we are. He mounts with a side
Peter Vidmar Julianne McNamara double, kicking out to the landing—and dismounts with an
Jim Hartung Kathy Johnson airing tuck double-baclt
Tim Daggett Pam Bileck After the second pass, he adds afull-twisting butterfly to some
Brian Babcock Michelle Dusserre transitional work to add style and ingenuity. There was a 4-way
Scott Johnson Lucy Wener tie for second place with Xu Zhigiang, Mitch Gaylord, Li
Xiaoping, and Peter Vidmar, all turning in strong performances.
Pommel Horse—Form and execution were keynotes in this
event, the U.S. not being able to quite match by. 1 the extension
of the Chinese. Highlighting this event were the unbelievable
performances of Li Xiaoping and Tim Daggett, both scoring
10.0. Li Xiaoping, silver medalist in the recent World Champion-
ships in Budapest, moved fluidly across and around the horse in
a traditional style.
Daggett, on the other hand, adds an aggressive spark to this
event that electrifies the observers. He, too, moves fluidly across
and around the horse with difficult combinations of scissors,
circles and flairs, but his aggressive attack almost bouncing from
pommels to the horse and back, adds the Daggett flair to this
work, and a style of his own.
Rings—It was another close event for both teams, the
Chinese team topping the U.S. by .05. There was a three-way tie
for 1st place from Xu Zhiqiang, Mitch Gaylord and Peter Vidmar
with a 9.9- The 4th place with a 9.8 was shared with Tong Fei, Li
Xiaoping, and Jim Hartung.
Vault—Vaulting was another close event score-wise with the
Chinese team topping the U.S. team by . 15. A general observa-
tion is that the .15 was in height, distance and landing. Xu
Zhiqiang won this event with an outstanding handspring pike
front with Vz twist, 9-95. Second place was a three-way tie at 9.85
with Tong Fei—Tsukahara full, great distance, top on landing,
Lou Yan, handspring pike front with Vz turn, incredible heighth,
good distance, but landed short, small step forward, and Mitch
Gaylord—Tsukahara full in layout position, good form but hop
on landing.
Parallel Bars—This event was also close. The Chinese team
had some trouble, but just enough to allow the U.S. team, turn-
ing out strong sets, to overtake them. The Chinese team swing
almost effortlessly between the bars as well as around them.

Tim Daggett (left) held an excellent meet in the China is. USA competition.
Daggett received a perfect M.fXffar bis pommel horse routine. {11SGF photo e
1984 Rich Kenney),

18 USA Gymnastics

Zhou Limin won the event with a conservative but beautifully
swung routine with a 10.0. Mitch Gaylord met that challenge
with a great set, but scoring .05 short of a tie to take second with
a 9.95. In a seven-way tie for third with 9.85 was Tong Fei, Xu
Zhiqiang, Li Xioaping, Peter Vidmar, James Hartung, Tim
Daggett, Xia Weidong.
The Chinese showed why they are
worthy World Champions in this event
(high bar). Their ease of swing and terrific
amplitude and execution were awesome.
Winning this event were Gaylord and Xu
Zhiqiang, both with 10.00.

High Bar—The Chinese showed why they are worthy World
Champions in this event. Their ease of swing and terrific ampli-
tude and execution were awesome. Winning this event were
Gaylord hitting the "Gaylord 2" and piked '/: in Vz out dismount,
and Xu Zhiqiang hitting cold, a double-twisting, double-back
(finishing the twists about the heighth of the high bar!); both
with a 10.0. Taking third place was Tong Fei and Tim Daggett
with a 9.97 with outstanding performances.
There were performance highs and lows on both sides, but
the Chinese team was more polished, but in no way out-classed
the U.S. team.
All-Around—The all-around title was shared by World
Champions Tong Fei, and Xu Zhiqiang with a 59.45, followed by
Gaylord with a 59.35.
Event Finals—The event finals were highlighted by Tim
Daggett and Xu Zhiqiang again on pommel horse, winning with
a 10.0. Lou Yun, who took 4th place in this event at the '83
World Championships, hit two outstanding vaults, with scores
averaging 9.95. Lun Yun hit on parallel bars with 9-95, similar to
his tie (with Dimtri Belozerchev) for a gold medal again at the
'83 World Championships. This time his tie was with the U.S.'s
Daggett.

WOMEN'S TEAM COMPETITION

oth teams were strong with a lot of combined
experience on both sides. The U.S. Women's Team
was aggressively looking forward to this meeting to
B help pave the way for their challenge at the summer
Olympics, after a disappointing seventh place finish at the '83
World Championships in Budapest.
The Chinese women, who came in fifth place at the '83 World
Championships, also were looking for a victory. The Chinese
team, lead by veterans Ma Yanhong and Chen Yongyan, were
most noted for the elegance, flexibility and virtuous execution
on bars. The U.S., led by veterans Kathy Johnson, and Julianne
McNamara, and sparked by Dianne Durham, were noted for
their depth of talent and diversity of strength. No 10.0's were
recorded in the women's team competition.
Vault—Vaulting had highs and lows for both teams. As a
general observation, the landings were not as solid as they could
have been. Almost all vaults of those that were completed had
hops or steps on landing. Wang Xiaoyan with a Tsukahara full, in
ruck position, and Dianne Durham with a Tsukahara full, in lay-
out position, tied for first with a 9.85. Kathy Johnson's Tsukahara
in layout position took third with a 9.8.
Uneven Bars—This event was close and strong for both
teams. The virtuous swing and handstand position of the
Chinese is a thrill to observe, however, not to discount the
dynamics and power of the U.S. team. Ma Yanhong and Julianne
McNamara took first in unevens with a 9.95; McNamara with an
aggressive, deliberate swinging routine, and Ma with
spectacular form and her hecht-back wiiharull, in tuck position
dismount. Zhou Ping incorporates a dynamic combination after
her mount sequence: beat low bar, straddle over high bar catch

China's Ma Yanhong returned In her World Championships form, dazzling the
Hawaiian crouvt uilh perfection on the uneven parallel bars. (USGFpbntn c
1984 Rich Kenney).

USA Gymnastics 19

May/June 1984

China's utirld champion Tung f-'i'i tieil Xu Zfoiqiang fur the all around in
tbel984McDanoId'5lntemationalClassic






































in eagle grip, straddle hack over low bar. Dianne Durham hit a
strong bar set and took third with a 9.875 (one of several rou-
tines to be base scored).
Balance Beam—This event spelled disaster for the Chinese.
Out of six routines there were five falls verses the U.S. team's one
fall. Though their routines were conservative in performance, it
paid off for the U.S. and added to the team lead. Zhou Ping with a
superb set showing great flexibility and elegance took first with
a 9.9. and in second was Ma Yanhong, 9.85 and McNamara third
with a 9.8.
Floor Exercise—A close event for both teams, the L'S
showed strong tumbling and depth, where as the Chinese team
utilized their strength and mastery of dance and performance to
keep the event close. Their music selections varied from classi-
cal to the marching bands and popular jazz. Though their
tumbling was weak, their dramatic dance and musical interpre-
tation kept the crowd cheering. The US women gave the crowd
more to cheer about from the break dancing step*, of Michelle
Dusserre to the lively classical portrayal by Johnson, and
precision of McNamara, and then to the explosion of Durham,
who won the floor exercise with a 9.85. Michelle Dusserre and
McNamara tied for second with a 9-8.
Ail-Around—The all-around competition was close, hut
Durham with 39.325 burst forward to be a dominating force,
not scoring below a 9.75. McNamara and Ma Yanhong were
close behind at 39-25 and 39-2 respectively.
Event Finals—Highlighting event finals were Ma Yanhong in
true World Champion form, with a 10.0 on unevens and a 9.95
on balance beam. Durham took the floor exercise honors with a
10.0.
The USA women's team showed a tremendous team spirit
throughout the entire event, with the lesser experienced of the
team drawing strength from their veteran counterparts and the
veterans drawing strength from the depth of the team. If this
team is an indication of what the team might be like this
summer, it could be a shining two weeks in Southern California.


ThngFef'sincmSblebetgbtbon tUsitiultimpnssetitlKcrou'dattbeCbfnais.
\4 dual niivl in Htiifiiii (fSdF phtitu © I'JHJ Rich Kennrr.

20 USA Gymnastics