
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990                   TAG: 9004250225
SECTION: AMERICAN WOMEN'S SHOW                    PAGE: AW6   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MISS VIRGINIA BATTLED ADVERSITY

For Tami Renee Elliott, climbing the ladder of success to the Miss Virginia 1989 title has been as hard as learning to walk. Elliott, who was a rising Olympic gymnast according to business manager Margaret Baker, broke her neck in 1987 during a gymnastic routine.

It was her last year at California State University in Fullerton, where she was a gymnastics and physical education major on a full, five-year scholarship. She had been named Best Athlete coming out of high school and was the No. 1 recruited gymnast in the nation. With honors such as the 10th All-America Award (NCAA Record, 1986) and 1st place in the vault, balance beam and floor exercise during the 1983 Pan American Game Trials, she was riding high.

"At first, she didn't know if she would even walk again," said Baker. "The doctor told her she would never do gymnastics again." Her goal of being an Olympic star was replaced by life in a body cast. "At first she was devastated, but then she realized her life was ahead of her and she had to push forward and do something."

By May 1988, Elliott had graduated from Fullerton with a bachelor of science degree. She had also learned a few of life's lessons. "Having gone through this has given her so much compassion for other people," said Baker. "She relates to them because she thinks back to how it was for her."

After 18 years of gymnastic training, plus jazz and tap dance, ballet, theater-body movement for actors and beginning karate lessons, Elliott has had to regroup and reassign her aspirations. But the target remains gymnastics, more specifically to own and manage a gymnastics facility. Now, said Baker, Elliott wants to help other people achieve their gymnastics goals.

Miss Virginia, who has been a member of the USA National Gymnastics Team and has taken part in competitions such as the 1983 National Sports Festival, the Grand Prix du Bordeaux in 1984, and the 1985 World University Games in Kobe, Japan, will be cutting a swath through the American Women's Show on Friday, March 16, from noon to 6 p.m., where she will begin ceremonies by cutting the ribbon and be available to sign autographs.

by CNB