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Locals back on national stage
By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Two New Port Richey teenagers took a step toward their Olympic dreams by qualifying for the United States of America Gymnastics Nationals. Level 10 gymnasts Jamie Burnette and Heather Zolton will compete May 2-4 in Colorado Springs. The top four in eight age groups (63 competitors in each) make the U.S. national team. The Suncoast Gymnastics teammates have competed at this level before. Burnette, 17, is making her fifth national appearance, and Zolton, 16, is making her second. "I think it's absolutely amazing, because of all the gyms we compete against and clubs that have been doing it a lot longer than us," said Arnold Gwinn, the Suncoast Gymnastics co-owner and head coach for all of its 18 years. "For me to send two gymnasts, it's just fantastic because I know what they get out of it." Burnette and Zolton advanced to nationals after top-10 finishes in the Level 9-10 Regional Championships earlier this month in Birmingham, Ala. Burnette, a Ridgewood senior, placed fourth all-around with a 36.45. She added a fourth on the balance beam and a fifth on the uneven bars. Zolton, a River Ridge junior, finished sixth all-around at 37.02. She also was third on uneven bars and fourth in the floor exercise. "I'm not really having any pressure this year," said Burnette, who did not qualify last season. "Coming back from (foot) injuries, I did not expect to make it to nationals. I just want to enjoy it because this is my last club meet." Burnette, who is being recruited by Arkansas, Kentucky and Louisiana State, is Pasco County's lone gold medalist at the USAG Nationals. She took first in floor exercise with a 9.55 at the 2000 nationals at Lansing, Mich. Burnette also had her best all-around national score in that meet with a 37.425 to finish seventh. That topped 50th, 32nd and 36th all-around finishes in previous national meets. Zolton placed 30th all-around at nationals last year and hopes for a top-15 finish this time. "That's pretty hard," Zolton said of her goal. "But I'm not as nervous this time." Gwinn expects numerous college coaches and scouts to be at the national meet. "This is the meet they go to," he said. "This is the best meet in the country at Level 10. It betters (gymnasts') chances at a scholarship." Should Burnette sign a scholarship like she expects to, she would be the fifth from Suncoast Gymnastics to compete in college. That group includes Angie Stritt (Towson State, Md.), Jessica Bagwell (Southeast Missouri), Michelle Moore (Pittsburgh) and Heather Griffin (Ithica State, N.Y.). Others from Suncoast Gymnastics competing in the Level 9-10 regional were Level 9s Amanda Shea, Lauren Leblanc and Alicia Archibald; and Level 10 Samantha Slusak. Another Suncoast Gymnastics competitor fared well at a recent regional meet. On Sunday, Mary Coursen placed sixth all-around (37.00) in the Level 8 Regional Championships at Baton Rouge, La. Coursen's teammates, Brittany Richie, Kali Dunning and Jennifer Hadfield also competed in the meet.
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