9 from Hawai'i qualify for nationals
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
Sierra Jacobs wasn't about to let injuries dampen her final competition at the 2003 Region II Gymnastics Championships yesterday at Blaisdell Arena.
Ina Higashi-Izumi of the Hawaiian Island Twisters Team performs on the balance beam at the Blaisdell Arena.
In a show of determination, the Maryknoll senior overcame injuries to her knee, back and hip to complete three of four events.
Jacobs was one of several top Hawai'i gymnasts battling injuries at this week's competition that featured more than 450 gymnasts from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Hawai'i. The competition, which was in Hawai'i for the first time since 1994, finishes today.
Four of the top Hawai'i gymnasts — senior Erin Geary, freshman Nicole Little, junior Natasha Fagasa and senior Elyse Wong — were forced to sit out because of injuries, officials said.
"I didn't train all my life to give up," said Jacobs, who was piggybacked by Hawaiian Island Twisters coach Joe Rapp to the bar event. "I was going to do it no matter what. I didn't want to fade away."
At this week's competition, nine Hawai'i gymnasts qualified for national meets to be held later this year. Naomi Delara, Megan Harada, Ina Higashi-Izumi and Ana Kahele qualified for the Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships on May 2-4 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Dominique Cooper, Dana Harada, Alyssa Onaga, Mawie Talion and Tracie Tamashiro qualified for the Western National Level 9 Championship on April 25-27 in Fullerton, Calif.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
"I think overall everyone was very good," said Rapp, who was one of the meet's organizers. "The injuries were obviously very disappointing, but I'm still very proud of them."
Karen Arthur of Kokokahi Gymnastics Team performs her floor exercise at the USA Junior Olympic Regional Championships.
Rapp said Geary and Jacobs have never missed qualifying for the nationals. Despite that, Rapp said he was happy that his three seniors — Geary, Higashi-Izumi and Jacobs — will be attending Stanford, Cal State Fullerton and Brigham Young University, respectively, to compete in gymnastics next year.
"I'm proud that they are going to continue their college education," Rapp said. "I'm really going to miss them."
"Everyone tried really hard and trained really hard," said Higashi-Izumi, who is recovering from an injury to her right foot. "They all did their best."
