Around The World

2003 USA World Championships Camp

Around The World Entry No. 2

July 16, 2003

The team is finally chosen! On July 13^th, 2003, after three days of hard training, the World Championships Mens Selection Committee named Paul Hamm, Jason Gatson, Blain Wilson, Brett McClure, Morgan Hamm and Raj Bhavsar to the 2003 World Championship Team. Alexander Artemev and myself, Guard Young, are the alternates in case of injury.

The three days of training consisted of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily workouts. After a quick team line-up we had the entire training time to accomplish our individual needs. The requirements were to show two complete routines on each event during the three-day period.

Some of the highlights include: Morgan Hamm sticking a kasamasu 1 twisting vault, while his brother Paul Hamm had flawless high bar routine, consisting of five different release moves, Brett McClures 9.7 parallel bar routine, and Jason Gatsons super E, azarianroll to maltese, on the rings.

All of us know that our chances for doing well are increased with the World Championships being on American soil in Anaheim, Calif. Pride and honor is just one motto for our team. It will not be easy, but we are very confident in our abilities. We know that hitting routines is the most important thing we can do. We also know that sticking not only saves tenths, but also shows a commanding presence out on the competition floor.

I believe that this is a very good team, maybe our best. There are at least three world-class routines Team USA can put up on each of the six events. Those three routines are very important, because the team finals consists of three gymnasts and the lowest score is not dropped. I know, that as a team, our main focus is team success. If the team succeeds, then there will be individual success as well.

With the team selected and the World Championships only a month away, the excitement in the gym is starting to rise. As a group we are now able to concentrate on the team and its goals. We know the hard work it is going to take; however, we have one driving factor, we want to WIN!

Thanks for stopping by and check back around World Championships (Aug. 16-24).

Guard Young

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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