2000 U.S. Women’ Olympic Team Named
Boston – Elise Ray, 18, (Columbia, Md.) the 2000 U.S. National Champion continued her reign by taking the all-around title at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, scoring 76.839.
Named to the 2000 Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team are: 1996 Olympian Amy Chow (San Jose, Calif.), 1992 and 1996 Olympian Dominique Dawes (Silver Spring, Md.), 1998 and 1999 U.S. National Champion Kristen Maloney (Pen Argyl, Pa.) and 1999 World Championships Team Members Jamie Dantzscher (Palmdale, Calif.), Morgan White (Fairfield, Ohio) and Ray. Alyssa Beckerman (Wyoming, Ohio) is the team alternate.
Shannon Miller withdrew from the competition after the first rotation.
Results
- Elise Ray (Columbia, Md.) 76.839
- Amy Chow (San Jose, Calif.) 76.205
- Kristen Maloney (Pen Argyl, Pa.) 75.673
- Morgan White (Fairfield, Ohio) 75.374
- Jamie Dantzscher (Palmdale, Calif.) 75.035
- Vanessa Atler (Canyon Country, Calif) 74.316
- Dominique Dawes (Silver Spring, Md.) 74.086
- Alyssa Beckerman (Wyoming, Ohio) 73.916
- Tasha Schwikert (Las Vegas, Nev.) 73.583
- Rachel Tidd (San Marcos, Calif.) 73.407
- Jeanette Antolin (Paradise, Calif.) 71.473
- Amanda Stroud (Blue Springs, Mo.) 71.153
- Shannon Miller (Edmond, Okla.) 45.704
Kelli Hill of Hill’s Gymnastics is named head Olympic Coach while Mary Lee Tracy of Cincinnati Gymnastics will be the assistant coach. Hill coaches Ray and Dawes. Tracy coaches White and Beckerman.
Forty percent of the score from last month’s John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships combined with sixty percent of the score at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials was used to determine a final ranking.
For complete results, please check www.usa-gymnastics.org.
QUOTES
Bela Karolyi, Women’s National Team Coordinator:
“This is the most colorful, most dramatic but at the same the most beautiful Olympic trials we ever had. I felt after seeing the girls I did not know the drama that was going to happen. Now that I know the team, I can now say yes, we are medal contenders.”
Bob Colarossi, USA Gymnastics President:
“It was a great competition and I really think we are where we wanted to be heading into Sydney. It’s been a long, hard year since Bela came back to lead us on to victory at the Olympics…I think we have a strong team.”
On selecting the coaches for the 2000 Olympic Team…
“From a USA Gymnastics perspective, I can tell you that we are very pleased to have this quality of coaches in our country. When we look at the experience that these two individuals have internationally, and remember the athletes that they have produced at the highest level, we know that they will do the best job.”
Elise Ray:
“I’m not afraid of taking the leadership role…I’m really excited that Bela believed in me that much. I think the team will join together to be really strong. I feel a little overwhelmed with different emotions, but I’m excited for Sydney.”
Kristen Maloney:
“I think this team is going to be awesome. I think we are going to do really well….I tried not to put too much pressure on myself tonight….It’s been a tough year for everyone but there is no uneasiness and we’re all really great friends.”
Dominique Dawes:
“I was really proud of my performance today…my initial goal going into the competition was to hit all eight events and I did just that. I gave it my all…I wasn’t nervous because I knew I gave it my best shot and it would have been a great way to end my career. I don’t think I deserved to be on the team until I earned it. Being on the ’92 and ’96 Olympic team does not give me the right to hop on the 2000 Olympic team.”
Morgan White:
“I did above and beyond what I thought I was going to do. Today everything was just clicking, everything felt so good for me…it was fun and it is a great feeling. There are so many great athletes out there and I’m not the top gymnast in the U.S…I’m still peaking.”
Jamie Dantzscher:
“It’s the best feeling in the world. I can’t even explain it. I’m just so happy I did it. It’s been a long and hard road and I’m here. I really believe I did my job on the three events they need me on. I’m so happy for myself and for everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Amy Chow:
“I’m really excited to be on the team again. Dominique and I just said congratulations to each other and we’re happy to be together again.”
Alyssa Beckerman
“At this point I’m thankful for what I’ve got. I’ve been working my butt off for so long now. I’ve been to every training camp working hard. I’m honored Bela really believes in me.”
Vanessa Atler:
“I knew deep down in my heart that I wasn’t prepared. When they announced the team I had a sense of relief…I think I knew deep down that I shouldn’t be going because I’m not ready. It wasn’t my day. It’s not my time. I’ll be back though.”
Shannon Miller:
“This was a hard decision. Obviously I want to compete. I understand what he (Steve) is feeling. He doesn’t want me to go out there and risk any further injury or not looking my best.”