Sunday, January 16, 2000
Local gymnast advances to American Cup
LAS VEGAS — After a mistake on the vault, Morgan White, 16, of the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in Fairfield thought the rest of the night wouldn't go too well. She ended up being the highest-scoring American in the RCA Gymnastics Challenge, securing a place in the prestigious American Cup next month in Orlando, Fla.
“I'm thrilled that I made it,” White she said after finishing the almost four-hour meet. “I never thought I would make it this way. I didn't have a good meet. It's a learning experience.”
Jay Thornton, 25, was the men's winner for the Americans with a 54.849.
The top three international finishers for men and women also advanced to the American Cup. The competition was part of the Visa American Cup Series, a three-event, grand prix to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the American Cup. Eight more finalists will advance from the Aussie Hair Care Invitational Jan. 29 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
White began the night in 7th place out of eight competitors. She performed a low-scoring vault, then broke form and only scored a 8.612.
She redeemed herself with a 9.5 on the uneven bars and a 9.4 on the balance beam. She slipped on her second tumbling pass in her floor routine, but because Amy Chow fell off the beam and on her floor routine, White was the winner. “I was so bummed. I had to get it back together,” White said.
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