Kristie Phillips Easily Wins Compulsories in the U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Kristie Phillips, 15, considered the United States’ best hope for an Olympic gymnastics medal, easily won the compulsory segment of the 1987 U.S. Championships Thursday night in her senior-level debut.

Phillips, of Baton Rouge, La., earned scores of 9.60, 9.65, 9.70 and 9.75 in the four compulsories for a total of 38.70 of a possible 40 points. The compulsories count 60% of the women’s finals, giving Phillips an adjusted score of 46.440 points.

First place in the men’s compulsories went to Scott Johnson, an 1984 Olympian, who is rebounding from a dismal 15th place in the 1986 nationals. Charles Lakes of Newhall, Calif., was second after the compulsories, which count 50% of the men’s final score.