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Published on 05/18/1998 All articles from this issue

CCS gymnastics final tainted by controversy

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By Pete Borello / Town Crier Staff Writer

For the sixth consecutive year, the St. Francis High gymnastics team will have to settle for the role of runner-up in the Central Coast Section.

Finishing second this time around, however, may be harder to accept than in year's past. The latest loss was the closest - and most controversial - yet.

St. Francis lost by less than a point and a half to Leland at the CCS Championships, held May 19 at San Jose State. Leland scored 176.55 points, while St. Francis tallied 175.075. Gunn, the five-time defending champion, took third with 174.475.

"I probably hold the record for second-place finishes," said St. Francis coach Lynn Horiye. "I think we've been second eight times in my 12 years here."

Of all the years St. Francis has ended up No. 2, Horiye said this one is the most frustrating. And his disappointment comes from what happened at the CCS office, not on the mat.

Commissioner Nancy Lazenby-Blaser allowed Leland's Lindsey Dong to compete even though she was on a club team at the start of the league season, a violation of section rules.

Chargers athletic director Barbara Beard claimed she didn't know about the rule and convinced Lazenby-Blaser to waive it in this case.

The commissioner did not return phone calls from the Town Crier before press time.

Dong's presence at CCS proved to be the difference for Leland, as the senior captured the all-around title with a 36.975.

Without her, the Chargers would have finished third behind St. Francis and Gunn.

Don't think the other coaches didn't notice.

"I feel bad for (St. Francis). It's a shame to see them lose like this," said Gunn coach Diane Carson-Gibbs. "Leland blatantly broke the rules and everyone at the meet felt they cheated - everyone but the Leland people."

Horiye doesn't like the way the matter was handled, either, and said he will challenge the commissioner's decision.

"We're upset," Horiye said. "Why have rules if you don't have to follow them?"

Regardless of what happens, Horiye said he's proud of the way his girls performed at CCS.

"They did very well," the coach said. "It was a real team effort and that's the best thing about it."

St. Francis' top finisher was Athena Eng, who earned fourth all-around with a 36.325. Eng won the beam (9.425) and was fourth in both the vault (8.975) and floor (9.425).

The Lancers also got key points from Chuck Tidwell in the vault (third with a 9.0), Noreen Juliano in the bars (sixth with a 9.2) and Nikki Vesanovic in the floor (sixth with a 9.3).

St. Francis needed all these points to stay in front of Gunn.

With top gymnast Lindsay Baker sidelined due to a foot injury, Carson-Gibbs said she was pleasantly surprised by the Titan's strong showing.

"I thought we'd do well, but not get this close," said the ninth-year coach. "What helped was that every kid stuck the beam, which is phenomenal."

Gunn had three competitors finish among the top six all-around.

Alana Lee placed second (36.800), Los Altos Hill resident She-Rene Chen took fourth (36.625) and Vanessa Mayle was sixth (35.775).

Chen - younger sister of last year's CCS all-around champ, She-Rae - had her best performance in the beam. The junior scored a 9.4, finishing a close second to teammate Eng (9.425).

Los Altos High also competed in the CCS finals, placing fifth with 153.275 points.

The Eagles were led by Loren Parodi, who took seventh all-around with a 35.625. The junior was third in the floor (9.45) and fifth in the vault (8.825).