Saturday, February 26, 2000
American Cup first big test for White
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Morgan White has never faced more pressure in her 16-year-old life than she will today. But to reach her ultimate gymnastics goal — the Olympics — she will need to get used to it.
White, one of five Olympic hopefuls training at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, competes in her first major international competition — the prestigious American Cup — today in Orlando, Fla. The meet will be televised live on NBC at 4 p.m.
White, who lives in Fairfield, is one of eight competitors, including one other American, Tasha Schwikert of Las Vegas. The American Cup is the only international competition held in the United States and is considered one of the sport's most important meets.
“Morgan should do well. She's well-trained for this competition and she's confident,” said her coach, Mary Lee Tracy. “She made the adjustments to the equipment and environment (in Orlando) quickly. I'm hopeful.”
The Cup isn't an Olympic qualifier, but a good showing before the international judges and a national television audience would vault White near the top of the list of American Olympic hopefuls.
“A lot of it comes down to how you handle the pressure,” Tracy said. “It's another good competitive experience with a lot of exposure, so it can do nothing but help her.”
White may have to perform in pain; she has a heel problem that feels like a stress fracture but is not a break. Tracy said the heel felt fine in a practice session Friday.
White qualified for the Cup by placing fourth overall — and first among Americans — at the RCA Gymnastics Challenge in Las Vegas last month. She entered the final day in seventh place, but fought back to qualify.
Tracy also trained last year's champion, Jennie Thompson, another Olympic hopeful who is not competing this year.
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