After a poor start, American women gymnasts...

After a poor start, American women gymnasts rallied and moved into sixth place in the compulsory events of the World Gymnastics Championships at Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Although they trail the Soviet Union and Romania by a considerable margin, they still are within striking distance of a bronze medal, despite a poor performance by two-time national champion Kristie Phillips, who had mishaps in three of the four events and was 86th after the compulsory competition.

Melissa Marlowe, 17, of Salt Lake City had the best day of the Americans, finishing 20th with 38.65 points.