Team USA women shine at gymnastics meet

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Lisa Wang of the United States performs her clubs routine during the rhythmic gymnastics competition. Photos by Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Brenann Stacker performs her clubs routine during the second day of the rhythmic gymnastics competition of the Pacific Alliance Championships at the Stan Sheriff Center.

An estimated crowd of nearly 4,000 at the Stan Sheriff Center watched the defending world champion USA women finish the nine-team competition with 112.580 points followed by Australia (109.530) and China (108.763).

"I think overall we did a really good job," said Team USA's Carly Patterson. "We came here and did what we needed to do. We were really prepared. I think we all did the best we could."

The championships is considered by organizers as the most prestigious gymnastics event held in Honolulu, and viewed as a preview of August's Olympic Games in Athens. The competition ends today.

Ishino scored 37.782 to win her first international all-around gold. Patterson won the silver with a 37.716, followed by Australia's Allana Slater with 37.532.

"I think I did pretty well today," Ishino said. "I was really happy with my beam routine. I usually have a little trouble with that. But that (9.616 score) built my confidence. It helped in the long run. I'm really happy."

The women's team was represented by Ishino, Patterson, Alicia Sacramone and Katie Heenan.

USA's Mary Sanders won her second consecutive Pacific Alliance title in the senior rhythmic all-around, and helped Team USA to the team silver. Sanders earned a final mark of 95.450 for the all-around gold. Russia won the team title with a score of 261.825 followed by the United States at 258.825.

Competing for the U.S. senior rhythmic team were Sanders, Lisa Wang, Olga Karmansky and Brenann Stacker.

The United States also swept the top four all-around slots and the junior women's team title.

Nastia Liukin won the all-around gold as the United States scored a 112.495 to beat China by 5.315 points. Americans Jana Bieger and Ashley Priess took silver and bronze, respectively, followed by Shayla Worley. Liukin finished with an all-around mark of 37.382, qualifying for three event finals.

Rachel Marmer finished a close second in the ribbon and clubs events yesterday to win the junior rhythmic all-around title with a 78.500.

Russia won the team competition with a 209.775. Marmer, Rebecca Wallenstein, Kristian Brooks and Tracy Agyeman of the United States finished second with a 209.775.

On Thursday, American Paul Hamm won the senior men's all-around title, and the U.S. men won the senior team competition.

Today's final day includes the junior men's and women's event finals at 1 p.m., junior and senior rhythmic event finals at 3 p.m., and senior men's and women's event finals at 7 p.m. Rhythmic events are at Klum Gym, with artistic competition in the Stan Sheriff Center.

The championships will be broadcast by NBC on May 16.

Information from Advertiser staff writer Brandon Masuoka and USA Gymnastics was used in this report.