THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 11, 1996 TAG: 9602100112
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
The Southeastern District gymnastics tournament proved that good things come in small packages.
Melissa Suter, a 4-foot-11, 104-pound Deep Creek freshman, and Ashley Eickhof, a 4-9, 80-pound Churchland freshman, took first and second places respectively in the all-around competition, while league giant Great Bridge won its 11th straight title.
Suter stunned the spectators with three new tricks that the Southeastern District hasn't seen in quite some time.
On her first vault, all eyes were glued to Suter. Nervously, she awaited the judges' signal. Then like a speeding bullet, she took off and nailed a Tucked Tsukahara, which has a 9.6 difficulty rating. The perfect landing drew cheers from all who watched and a sigh of relief from Suter.
``I haven't see anyone in our district do that in a long time,'' Deep Creek coach Gina Dukes said.
Added Suter: ``I was just hoping that I pulled around and landed on my feet. I've never done that in school competition before. I was really pumped. My stomach dropped. I was so happy I made it.''
Suter nailed two more tricks that she hadn't shown in the regular season. She pulled off a round off, full-twist on her beam dismount and landed a double back dismount on the bars.
``This was probably her best meet,'' Dukes said. ``She told me today that she was nervous. But this is the start of the competition season for her. It's the beginning of the end.''
Suter will lead a contingent of district gymnasts that includes the top four all-arounds and top eight individuals in each event to the Eastern Region meet, Feb. 17 at Warwick.
While Suter is just getting warmed up, her toughest competitor, Eickhof, and the Truckers may be cooling down.
This could be the last season Churchland fields a gymnastics team. The Truckers will move to the Eastern District next year and the Norfolk schools' varsity sports lineup doesn't include gymnastics.
``They haven't given me the word yet,'' Churchland coach Joe Bystrom said. ``It's unlikely that they'll continue with it, though. I want to applaud the Churchland administration for keeping it and supporting us.
``The only thing we can hope for now is to get a waiver from the Virginia High School League to compete in this league.''
That option is welcome by the other district coaches. With Churchland's exit, coaches are hoping for a team at Hickory High School. However, should Hickory fail to field a team, only three teams would remain, leaving the sport's varsity status in question. Half of the league's schools must participate in order to retain its VHSL endorsement.
``I would be happy to have them,'' Dukes said of Churchland. ``We really want the program to grow. For that to happen, we need to get more teams.''
Said Eickhof: ``We have a lot of beginners on our team. I would hate for this to be their last year. Hopefully, they'll make an exception and see that we have a team that will progress. Plus, I want another year.''
Another year to challenge Suter for the all-around title. And another year to compete at the region and possibly state level.
``I've competed at Gymstrada and went to nationals at level 9,'' she said. ``I wanted to do high school gymnastics. My mom told me that I'd be Churchland's best chance at the state.''
As for the upcoming region competition, Eickhof is planning to put in some extra time at Gymstrada to get ready. Already, her hands are calloused and her ankle twisted as a result of her district preparation.
``I'll probably try to improve on what I've got,'' she said. ``I really, really, really, really want to make it to state.''
And you can bet there's little Suter and Eickhof won't do to get there. ILLUSTRATION: GYMNASTICS
Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Melissa Suter on the beam at the district meet.
by CNB