Antolin headed for Australia for gymnastics event

Marina High senior Jeanette Antolin, strongly contending for a spot

on the U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team, will get a taste of what the

2000 Summer Olympic Games will be like when she represents the U.S. at

the upcoming International Gymnastics Challenge.

Antolin will leave Feb. 19 for a 10-day trip to Sydney, Australia, site

of both the gymnastics challenge and the Summer games.

The 18-year-old, ranked fifth nationally, was one of two young women

selected by U.S. National Team Coach, Bela Karoli, to make the trip. The

other is 17-year-old Robin Phelps, who trains at Hills Gymnastics in

Maryland.

The 12 competing countries will each feature just two gymnasts at the

challenge, which is a mock run through of the upcoming 2000 Games.

The competition, which will be scored as any other competition, will be

held at the same venues that will be used for the Olympics.

“I’m excited to be making this trip, to be competing in the same venues

that will used at the Olympics,” said Antolin, adding, “It’s one more

chance for me to showcase what I can do. I hope to get in some

sightseeing, too.”

The top eight ranked gymnasts will be selected for the 2000 U.S. Olympic

Team, but just six will compete at Sydney. The U.S. Olympic Trials will

be held in Boston next August.