In End, Numbers Add Up for Kupets

Courtney Kupets apparently is as good at math as she is at tumbling and vaulting.

Second before the final rotation of the all-around finals at the U.S. gymnastics championships Saturday, she knew a solid balance beam routine would win her the title and a berth on the U.S. team at the world championships in Anaheim in August.

“I heard the announcements,” she said of her placement, “but I tried not to let it get in my head. I tried to stay calm.”

While the young girls in the crowd at U.S. Cellular Arena squealed her name, the 16-year-old Texan gave a smooth, assured performance and stuck her landing. Her 9.65 lifted her past Hollie Vise and kept her ahead of two-time defending champion Tasha Schwikert, who stepped out of bounds during her floor exercise finale.

“I’m just so excited,” said Kupets, who trains at Hill’s Gym in Gaithersburg, Md. “First place at nationals, that’s just kind of crazy.”

Not really. Kupets won the balance beam world title last year and was cool under pressure this weekend as she moved up from fourth after the preliminaries and totaled 74.950 points. Schwikert and Vise, who tied for second with 74.725 points, joined Kupets on the world championship squad. The last three spots will be determined at a selection camp next month in New Waverly, Texas.

“It definitely takes the pressure off,” Kupets said, smiling. “I don’t have to worry every day I’m there.”

Annia Hatch, the leader after the preliminaries, fell off the uneven bars and the balance beam and finished fifth with 74.025 points. Ashley Postell, second after the preliminaries, had several form breaks on the uneven bars before dropping off the top bar, and her 8.475 consigned her to fourth place overall with 74.30 points. However, U.S. national team coordinator Martha Karolyi said both remain contenders for the world team.

“I’m definitely counting on Annia Hatch, who has a very realistic chance to medal in vault, and also, the team needs a strong vaulter,” said Karolyi, who will work with about 30 gymnasts at the camp. “We also need a strong beam person and I would like to have a strong floor person.... Right now Ashley is not in super-top shape but she has time. She’s definitely on my list.”

Schwikert put herself near the top of that list. She was sixth after the preliminaries but improved her scores on vault, uneven bars and floor exercise to compile the top total Saturday. “It’s beyond relief,” said the 18-year-old Las Vegas native, who had been idled by ankle problems for nearly a year. “I don’t have to go to the selection camp praying that they pick me. It’s beyond exciting.

“Winning would have been great, but Courtney is an awesome gymnast. She totally deserves it.”

She attributed her ability to rally from Thursday’s disappointment to “being my old competitive self. I felt like myself again. I was in the zone more.”

Vise, 15, was impressive Saturday in earning a 9.7 on the balance beam and a 9.5 on the uneven bars. She said she wasn’t disappointed at losing the lead.

“My goal was to make the top three and make the world team and I did that, so I’m excited,” the Dallas resident said.

Karolyi also said she expects Carly Patterson, who won the American Cup and Pacific Challenge Cup all-around titles but missed this event because of a fractured left elbow, to compete in at least two events at the selection camp. Patterson said Saturday she hopes to resume training Tuesday if her doctor permits.

Tabitha Yim of Irvine, unable to compete here because of a broken leg, also petitioned to attend the camp. “She’s a very elegant, world-class gymnast,” Karolyi said, “but we have to make sure her recovery is good and that’s she’s able to show a consistent performance.”