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March 21, 2006
2 Hoosier gymnasts excel at Montreal meet
Two Hoosier gymnasts hope the road to China leads through Samantha Peszek, 14, McCordsville, won the all-around and three other medals last weekend in the International Gymnix, a junior women's meet at Montreal. Bridget Sloan, 13, Pittsboro, finished second in the all-around. In 2002, Carly Patterson won the all-around at Montreal and the Olympic gold medal at Athens two years later. Tasha Schwikert, a member of the 2003 world championship team, and Dominique Dawes, of the 1996 Olympic champions, are also former Gymnix winners. To compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, gymnasts must turn 16 during the calendar year. Both Hoosiers would meet that age requirement. Under new international scoring rules, Peszek won the all-around with 58.80 points. Sloan's score was 58.20. Shawn Johnson, Des Moines, Iowa, was third with 57.95. Peszek won gold medals on vault (15.15) and balance beam (15.70) and a bronze on uneven bars. Sloan won a silver on beam and a bronze on vault. Peszek and Sloan will leave early next month for a national training camp near New Waverly, Texas. Athletes from there will be selected for the Pacific Alliance Championships, set for April 13-15 at Honolulu. |