SEATTLE -- One by one, current and former stars of U.S. gymnastics are coming to Seattle to promote the Pacific Rim Championships, being held in nearby Everett March 16-18.
Being in the presence of gymnastics greats is something new for the Pacific Northwest. The last big elite meet held here was the American Cup -- in 1995. There are two fairly strong NCAA teams that recruit locally in the University of Washington and division II Seattle Pacific University, and local clubs produced former NCAA stars Tasha Smith (Oregon State) and Kristina Baskett (Utah). 1992 Olympic uneven bars champion Lu Li coaches in the vicinity as well.
(Fun fact: U.S. Junior champion Katelyn Ohashi was born in Seattle and began gymnastics here, though she decamped for Missouri and GAGE when she was about eight. GAGE Al Fong, who is also originially from Seattle, made a special trip out here to watch her practice and compete.)
Still, I've never felt that this corner of the nation has been recognized for gymnastics. Washington state is not Texas. So it's been a treat to read about the likes of Jonathan Horton and most recently, a pregnant Kerri Strug, who came to town to promote gymnastics, visit clubs and do the radio talk show/morning TV circuit. Strug, who lives in Washington D.C. and works for the Justice Department, is expecting her first child in early March.
Maybe Strug's little one will compete in a championship here when it comes of age. Hopefully a something big will be held in Seattle again before that. In the meantime, Pacific Rims are going to be good -- Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman are all expected to compete, and Australia recently announced that it would be sending a top team featuring Lauren Mitchell, Emily Little and Georgia Simpson as well.
Tickets! Tickets for Pac Rims can be had here.
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