DATE: Sunday, September 14, 1997            TAG: 9709120192

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY GABI CHAPMAN, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   70 lines

OCEAN TUMBLERS' PENDLETON TO COMPETE FOR U.S. IN SWEDEN

OCEAN TUMBLERS coach Tony Hampton may not be a psychic, but he does know a rising star when he sees one. Four years ago, Hampton predicted that of the three girls he was coaching, 11-year-old Erin Pendleton was the gymnast most likely to make it to the Elite level.

``She's always working hard,'' Hampton said. ``She's aggressive when she competes.''

Psychic or not, Hampton was right. Not only did Pendleton qualify for a Senior National Elite ranking in June, she was chosen to represent the entire nation in the Malar Cup Competition to be held in Stockholm, Sweden Oct. 18-19.

Pendleton is one of only four girls on the U.S. team.

``The competitors range from world champions to young, upcoming talent,'' Ocean Tumblers owner Diane Berry said.

While this isn't the first time one of Berry's gymnasts has participated in an international competition, Pendleton is the first athlete from the Chesapeake gym actually chosen to represent the United States.

For Pendleton, a 15-year-old sophomore at Hickory High, this is just one more step toward International Elite, the level from which Olympians are selected.

``This is just getting me prepared for international competition. I'm trying for that in January,'' she said. ``I'm very excited and very proud.''

Pendleton has been training . . . and training . . . and training since the first grade, when she started her first class at Ocean Tumblers.

Every time Pendleton advances to the next level, she is rewarded with more and more hours of training. As a National Elite, Pendleton trains year-round, 29 hours a week.

It's grueling, but Pendleton enjoys it and says she feels fortunate to have coaches - Hampton and Erin Berry King - who dedicate hours of time each day, going through numerous repetitions of every move with her.

``You have to train a lot more routines, but it's worth it. I'm excited,'' Pendleton said. ``I like the traveling and the competitions and everything.''

It's that positive attitude that has made Pendleton a winner. Last year, as a freshman at Hickory, she was the Southeastern District all-around champion and helped the team win the district tournament. Pendleton will not be competing for Hickory this year, however.

``I'm trying to focus on being an international (competitor), so I'm not going to do high school gymnastics,'' she said. ``But Hickory's still going to be a good team.''

In spite of her rigorous schedule, Pendleton has always produced a report card with straight A's. She's even squeaked in enough time for the school orchestra, softball and fishing with her dad.

``We're really proud of Erin in everything that she's doing,'' said Pam Pendleton, Erin's mom. ``I think that Erin tries the best that she can, and she'll go as far as she can. She has fun.''

For the Stockholm competition, Pendleton just wants a medal. The balance beam is the event that worries her the most.

``In practice, I've been pretty consistent at the other events, but I've been having a little bit of trouble on the beam,'' she said.

According to Berry, Pendleton can do all four of the events well.

``Her skill level is very comparable to what our Olympic athletes are doing,'' she said. ``She doesn't really have a weak event.''

In the future, Pendleton could travel several different paths. One could lead to a full college scholarship, the other to the 2000 Olympics. Given her track record, nobody at Ocean Tumblers betting against either. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON

Erin Pendleton, a 15-year-old sophomore at Hickory High, won't be

competing for the school this year. She will devote training time

toward becoming an International Elite, the level from which

Olympians are selected.

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