Titan Gymnast Elliott Hurt in Fall : Neck Injury During Vault May End All-American’s Career

Tami Elliott, the Cal State Fullerton gymnast who is a four-time member of the U.S. national team and who was the highest American finisher in the 1985 World University Games, sustained a potentially career-ending neck injury in a fall Wednesday during practice.

Elliott, 21, landed on her head after her hand slipped on the horse as she attempted a vault. She sustained a compression fracture of the sixth cervical vertebra, according to team physician Philip McFarland.

Elliott said Thursday that she was able to walk to receive medical attention, and that doctors had told her that she barely averted a far more serious injury.

“The doctor said, ‘Do you want to know the good news or the bad?’ ” Elliott said. “He said, ‘The good news is you’re still walking and you’re still alive. The bad news is that you’re done for the season.’ ”

Elliott, who is from Newport News, Va., will wear a neck brace for three to four months. Doctors told her their preliminary diagnosis is that she will not need surgery, Elliott said.

The fall occurred as Elliott attempted a vault that involves a somersault in addition to the basic 360-degree vault. Although the vault has a difficulty rating of 10.0--the highest possible--it is one that Elliott has performed often.

A coach who was spotting her attempted to catch her but failed.

“When her hand missed, he guessed left and she went right,” said Lynn Rogers, Cal State Fullerton coach. “You have to make a guess and give it your best shot.

“When she first landed, she was frightened because she felt numbness in her left side and tingling like pins and needles--indicators of damage,” Rogers said. “It became obvious there was a serious problem.”

Elliott, a 10-time collegiate All-American, shares the NCAA record for most All-American awards. She had hoped to make the record hers alone this spring, and Rogers said she almost certainly would have.

“It was just a matter of being there on the right day,” Rogers said. “She was looking better than ever this year. She was healthy. She was on a roll. She came out this year to do just what I was talking about.”

Elliott said: “That was one of my goals. I wanted to hold the record. . . . But I’m really thankful. I’m not walking around feeling sorry for myself because of gymnastics.”

Elliott said she does not know if she will be able to compete again. She said she had wanted to compete in the World University Games this summer and had considered training for the 1988 Olympics but had not thought much about her plans since her fall.