Great American Gymnastic Express (GAGE) coach Al Fong was back at work Tuesday, following a mixed bag of emotions at the Visa U.S. Championships in Dallas this past weekend.
GAGE’s Katelyn “Chachi” Ohashi, a seventh grader at Sunnyvale Middle School in Blue Springs, was named to the U.S. Junior National squad after taking 10th place with an all-around total of 109.350.
The 12-year-old standout who lives in Independence took second in the floor exercise.
Her GAGE teammates didn’t fare as well, as Claire Boyce of Lee’s Summit finished 17th and Brenna Dowell of Odessa took 19th.
In competition for the U.S. Senior National squad, GAGE’s Rebecca Clark of Blue Springs finished 11th in the all-around with a 109.250 total. Her best finish was sixth in the balance beam (28.500).
“I am happy with the way the girls performed and thrilled that Chachi became a member of the U.S. Junior National team,” Fong said. “She’s just 12 and was competing against girls who were up to 14 years of age, which is quite an accomplishment.
“Claire and Brenna found out what a national championship is all about and facing that type of competition will make them aware of what they need to work on.”
Clark, who was competing for the first time in the senior division, came up just short in her quest to make that elite team.
“Becca was back at the gym yesterday, working hard and ready to go,” Fong said. “She just missed out by such a close margin but that disappointment will make her stronger in the future.
“Now, when she accomplishes something special, it will mean that much more to her. She has so much talent, and she will have other opportunities.”
Ohashi is a part of a 10-member U.S. Junior National team that could add more gymnasts in the future.
“That’s so impressive that she made it, because as of right now, there are just 10 members – and they can add up to four more girls,” Fong explained. “Perhaps a girl was injured or couldn’t compete at this meet and she might have the opportunity to be added to the team sometime down the road.
“Chachi went into the championships with a lot of confidence, and it showed.”
Bridget Sloan edged former Blue Springs resident and GAGE gymnast Ivana Hong and Rebecca Bross with seven straight solid routines to claim the overall championship.
Sloan finished with 117.55 points to beat Hong by 0.3 and Bross by 0.95. Hong, who was alternate on the 2008 Olympic team as she battled through an ankle injury, was named to the 2009 U.S. Women’s National Team following the event. Hong finished first in the vault with a 29.950 and took the top score on the balance beam at 30.350.
“All during the championships people kept coming up to me and my wife (Armine) offering their condolences that Ivana no longer trains with us,” Fong said. “We ended our relationship with Ivana in a rocky fashion. It’s time to move on. The way it ended created turmoil in our gym and havoc on our team.
“But that is all behind us. She finished second in the nation, and that is a great feat. We all wish her the best of luck.”
Blue Springs, MO —
