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CAMPS COME TO CLOSE


The final, official "Bela Karolyi Boot Camp," as the U.S. women's Olympic preparation camps have been dubbed, wrapped up early this week in Houston, Texas.
A host of "A" list campers were out of action, missing this last camp before Olympic selection begins: Shannon Miller (competing in Canada's Gymnastics Challenge), Jaycie Phelps (no specific reason given for her absence, but a problem with her calf muscle was cited by many), Elise Ray (knee surgery) and Jamie Dantzscher (unspecified injury).
It now seems doubtful that Dantzscher and Phelps will be factors in the Olympic race, though both still plan to compete at next month's U.S. Championships, hoping for trials berths. Dantzscher, dealing with minor injuries and major club conflicts (she's left, then returned, to Charter Oak three times in a year), has attended only one camp (May) since original cuts were made in January. Phelps, held back by her slowly healing knee, has yet to demonstrate full difficulty on four events. (Her latest injury will obviously only exacerbate the problem.)
Miller, who seriously struggled in her first international meet since her comeback began, is hardly giving up hope, despite sore wrists and shoulder problems. (Supporters note she won team and beam gold on the same sore wrists in '96.) "There were actually a lot of positives that came out of it," Miller's coach Steve Nunno told a local reporter from. "It was a wake up call for us ... She won't let it happen again." Nunno says that, based on Miller's poor performance in Canada, she has solidified plans to compete at the upcoming U.S. Classic, to be held in Tulsa, Okla, Miller's home state.
On hand but hurting in Houston was the highly-hyped Tasha Schwikert, who attended wearing a "boot" (walking cast), to help a stress fracture in her foot heal. World team member Jeanette Antolin had her own problems, coming to camp without coach Don Peters.
In happier Houston news, two-time national champ Kristen Maloney is more than ready to defend her title next month. Out of action since her world performance last October, Maloney is finally 100% and ready for competition. At camp Maloney looked "simply awesome," according to observers, debuting a new floor routine that features even more intricate tumbling than her old set, along with "improved dance." Also on the mend is Vanessa Atler, who is finally easing back into competitive condition after almost a year of injuries and a much publicized club change. Atler apparently looks far stronger than during her April Pacific Alliance appearance
Dominique Dawes, who made a surprise appearance at this, her first camp, impressed onlookers with her physical fitness. Also continuing to turn in strong camp performances were Amy Chow, who seems a Sydney shoo-in at this point, and Morgan White, who has upgraded several of her sets (new bars routine; added a fourth floor pass, double pike).
Campers gave an unofficial "most improved" award to Dominique Moceanu who finally received compliments from Karolyi on her physical condition (he had earlier told the media Moceanu wasn't working hard enough).
Lastly, also on the injury list is volunteer camp coach Kim Zmeskal, who gave up her own Olympic quest early this year. Zmeskal, who is recovering from major shoulder surgery, attended the camp in a scary-looking sling.
Though an intrasquad meet was held Monday no official athlete rankings have been released.