INDIANAPOLIS – World medalists Carly Patterson and Katie Heenan, and up-and-coming stars Allyse Ishino and Alicia Sacramone will anchor the talented U.S. Women’s Team headed for the 2004 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships, April 15-17 at the University of Hawai`i Stan Sheriff Center.
They will be joined by juniors Nastia Liukin, Jana Bieger, Shayla Worley, Ashley Priess and Kassi Price. The athletes were selected based on their results from the Women’s National Team Training Camp this past week near Huntsville, Texas. Read the team’s complete athlete bios www.usa-gymnastics.org/athletes/bios/.
“The athletes selected have proven their readiness and consistency during this week’s training camp,” said Martha Karolyi, Women’s National Team Program Coordinator. “We are very excited at the level of competition for the 2004 Pacific Alliance. We feel this is a very good opportunity for these athletes as they prepare for the U.S. Championships and Olympic Trials.”
Patterson swept all four events to win the all-around at the 2004 Visa American Cup. Ishino recently finished first on bars and second on floor at the 2004 World Cup event in Rio. Heenan took fifth all-around and third on beam at the Stella Zakharaova Cup in Kiev, Ukraine last week. Sacramone also traveled to Rio, where she finished second on vault and sixth on floor.
“I’m really excited to be chosen to the Pacific Alliance Team,” Ishino said. “I’m also very excited to compete with the rest of the kids on the National Team. I agree with Martha that my confidence level may have held me back in the past, but that has improved significantly in the past few months.”
“The Pacific Alliance is another very important meet for me,” Patterson said. “All meets leading up to the U.S. Championships and U.S. Olympic Team Trials will be very important to prove I’m consistent.”
The U.S. men’s roster is headlined by reigning world all-around champion Paul Hamm, 2003 world team silver medalists Jason Gatson and Morgan Hamm, and 2000 Olympian Steve McCain. The Men’s Junior roster includes Taqiy Abdullah, Bryan DelCastillo, Kyle Bunthuwong and Derek Helsby.
The U.S. rhythmic roster features two-time reigning national champion Mary Sanders, runners-up Olga Karmansky and Lisa Wang. The rhythmic juniors are Brennan Stacker, Rachel Marmer and Tracy Agyeman, who replaces Julie Zetlin, who was forced to withdraw from the competition due to broken bone in her foot.
The international roster includes the top three men’s teams (China, USA, Japan) and three of the top four women’s teams (USA, Australia, China) from the 2003 World Gymnastics Championships.
Formed in 1981, the Pacific Alliance of National Gymnastics Federations was created to develop the sport of gymnastics among the member nations that are contiguous to the Pacific Ocean. Entries have been received from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand Philippines, Russia and the United States.
All-session tickets from $30-$75 and individual seats from $5-15 are on sale now through all University of Hawai`i ticket outlets including the Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, the Campus Center, Rainbowtique at Ward Center, and the OCET Office at Windward Community College, by phone at 944-BOWS (2697), or on-line at www.eticketHawai`i.com and local gymnastics clubs listed at www.usa-gymnastics.org.
A schedule of events follows:
2004 Pacific Alliance Gymnastics Championships Schedule
Monday, April 12 Arrival of Delegations
Tuesday, April 13 Training; Media Day – Men
Wednesday, April 14 Training; Media Day – Women, Rhythmic
Thursday, April 15 Competition – Men’s Artistic and Rhythmic
Friday, April 16 Competition – Women’s Artistic and Rhythmic
Saturday, April 17 Competition – Individual Event Finals, All Disciplines
Sunday, May 16 Broadcast, 1-3 p.m. ET, NBC Sports