Young Gymnastics Stars Vault For The Top

Some of the nation's top aspiring girl gymnasts will showcase twists, vaults and tumbling routines this weekend for the Western National Gymnastic Championships at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland.

About 120 of the best gymnasts west of the Mississippi will compete in individual and team meets tomorrow, with the finals set for Monday afternoon.

The meet assembles gymnasts rated at Level 9, just two rungs below the elite, Olympic level, and is the first time Washington has hosted such a premier U.S. Gymnastics Federation competition, organizers said. The girls will compete in juniors (ages 12-14) and seniors (15 and older) divisions.

``Its going to be rather highly competitive,'' said Mike West of Sportastiks, a Bellevue team that includes three gymnasts expected to vie for titles. ``These kids are going to be the future junior Olympians and possibly the elite of the Olympic level.''

Several youngsters from the Texas gym run by Bela Karolyi, the high-profile former coach of 1984 Olympic champion Mary Lou Retton, will be on hand.

Kristin Batchelor, 16, of Steilacoom, who holds the Northwest regional senior title and is strong on the parallel bars, is among the top local competitors.

Erin Brewer, 18, a senior from Lake Washington High School, and Staci Wicklund, 18, of Auburn are parallel-bar experts coming off recent injuries who will vie for the all-around title, said Coach Matt Erickson of Washington Gymnastics Training Center in Auburn.

West said Charity Hanson, 13, of Lake Stevens, Chelan Hunt 12, of Carnation, and Jamie McBride, 12, of Edmonds should contest for the all-around juniors titles.

The junior individual meet starts tomorrow at 11:30, with the senior team meet at 5 p.m. concluding the day's four competitions. Monday's finals start at 12:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 or $15 for both days.