Posted on: Friday, June 4, 2004
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ATHLETES
Six Hawai'i athletes prove to be golden
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Advertiser Staff
Nani Vercruyssen was one of six Hawai'i gymnasts who medaled at the USA Gymnastics Trampoline-Tumbling Region 1 & 2 Championships in Portland, Ore., last month.
Each of the athletes from the Hawai'i Academy won at least one gold medal in the meet that featured more than 400 competitors from 15 western states on May 21-22.
Competing in the elite category, Vercruyssen, a sixth-grader at Hokulani Elementary School, placed first in the trampoline and tumbling events and second on the double mini-tramp. Gymnasts in the elite category compete against other junior national and international gymnasts in competitions.
Vercruyssen has a chance to make the U.S. Junior National team if she finishes in the top six at the U.S. Elite National Championships in Nashville, Tenn., that started today and ends tomorrow.
The other five Hawai'i medalists at last month's regional meet competed in their respective age group and skill levels.
The winners were:
• Drew McPhillips, a 13-year-old seventh grader at Moanalua Middle School who won the gold in the level 10 double mini-tramp, third in the level 10 trampoline and fifth in the level 9 tumbling events.
• Spencer Madanay, a 10-year-old fourth grader at Punahou who took first in the level 10 double mini-tramp, third in the level 10 trampoline and fourth in the level 8 tumbling events.
• Keisha Padello, a 10-year-old fifth grader at Manana Elementary School who won a pair of golds in the level 10 double mini-tramp and level 8 tumbling events. Padello also won a silver in the level 10 trampoline.
• Kelson Onigama, a 9-year-old third grader at Our Redeemer Lutheran School who won gold in the level 8 tumbling and two silvers on the level 10 trampoline and double mini-tramp.
She added that the adrenaline rush from the competition added to their performances where they "did much better than in practice."
Madanay, McPhillips, Moniz, Onigama and Padello along with 10 athletes from Hawai'i will compete in the USAG Trampoline-Tumbling Junior Olympics National Championships in Tampa, Fla., from July 13-18.
Achievements by athletes in Hawai'i I send photos/stories to totalrec@honoluluadvertiser.com
• Matt Moniz, a 16-year-old sophomore at 'Aiea High School who won three golds in the level 10 trampoline, double mini-tramp and tumbling events.
"All the kids pulled off routines that were quite shocking. They came in and had higher bounces and better forms," said coach Elizabeth Barrett.
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Calling all achievers
The Honolulu Advertiser is accepting submissions and pictures of achievements of Hawai'i's everyday athletes.
If you know of such athletes or teams, drop us an e-mail at totalrec@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax to (808) 525-5491.
Please also give a contact telephone number where you can be reached.
