THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 20, 1995 TAG: 9512200544
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Nobody has to tell Melissa Suter that the secret to being a good gymnast is practice, practice, practice.
Sprinkle in dedication, sacrifice and hard work and you have a chance at being really good, says Suter, a freshman at Deep Creek.
Although she's just 14, Suter already has aspirations of winning a college scholarship. She even has a college picked out: William and Mary.
Suter isn't worried about qualifying in the classroom for the academically excellent Williamsburg college. She is a straight-A student.
``There are not many days when I'm not practicing,'' said Suter, who was chosen as The Virginian-Pilot's female athlete of the week for her performances in a dual meet against Churchland and in an invitational meet in Newport News.
In the Southeastern District meet she was overall champion, finishing second on beam and winning all other categories. At the invitational she was first on floor and second overall, runner-up in all other events.
``Melissa has the potential to win a gymnastics scholarship,'' said Deep Creek coach Gina Dukes. ``She is very talented and works hard.''
``We have practice just about every evening at Deep Creek,'' Suter said. ``Other times, I practice with the Ocean Tumblers. That's about four hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 4 1/2 hours on Saturdays.''
Suter says the many practice hours required her to give up a position as a school cheerleader. She also elected to play softball in a recreational league (where she is a standout shortstop) because it demanded less time than the school team. However, she is still considering being a candidate for the Deep Creek varsity.
``I've been into gymnastics since I was 6 or 7 years old,'' Suter said. ``Sometimes you get a little tired, but it's really enjoyable and I hope it can help me go to college.''
She feels she is best on bars. ``Beam is the toughest,'' she said with a laugh. ``It seems like I always want to fall.''
The Suter name isn't a new one to Deep Creek athletics. Melissa's dad, Dennis, was a football player for the Hornets.
Maybe younger brother, D.J., 9, will continue the football tradition in the family.
But at the present, Mom and Dad are avid rooters at the Deep Creek gymnastics meets. by CNB