Gym dandy

Victoria Sun

Friday, March 3, 2000 | 10:40 a.m.

Tasha Schwikert frequently giggles, casually sprinkles the word "like" into almost every sentence that comes out of her mouth and considers shopping one of her favorite hobbies.

But that's where the similarities between her and most of teenage America end.

The 15-year-old Las Vegas resident is ranked as the No. 1 gymnast at the Senior International Elite level, the highest form of competition in the U.S., after winning the all-around title at the American Classic in Reno on Feb. 19.

Her ranking will stand until the U.S. Championships in July, when the gymnasts are re-ranked.

Success didn't come easy.

"There's a lot of kids who show potential when they're young, but when they're older they get interested in boys or other social activities and don't stay focused," said Schwikert's coach of eight years, Cassie Rice, of Gymcats Gymnastics in Henderson. "Her dedication, drive and parent support have helped her a lot.

"She knows that with gymnastics she gets to do different things so she's not worried about her social life. She's very disciplined. A lot of kids with the sniffles or who had too much homework would stay home and you can't argue against that. But Tasha shows up no matter what."

Six days a week, Schwikert works out at Gymcats from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. or noon, then returns at 4 p.m. for an additional five-hour session. She started the school year at Centennial High School but left last month when her travel schedule for gymnastics became too demanding.

During the day she is home-schooled.

"It's a lot different life, but it's totally worth it," she said. "Other kids get to hang out with other kids, but (as a high-level gymnast) you don't really get to do that, like party or whatever.

"You have to come here and train a lot. You kind of have to be more disciplined in what you eat."

Despite the sacrifice, there are perks.

"I've gotten to travel many places around the world," she said. "It's been awesome.

"I don't know how many 15-year-olds have gotten to go to all the places I have."

As a member of the Senior National Team, Schwikert was chosen to represent the team in meets in China, France and Italy.

In the America Cup finals that were held last Saturday in Orlando, Fla., Schwikert scored 9.281 on the vault, 9.275 on the bars, 9.462 on the beam and 9.575 on the floor exercises to take fourth place.

The event was televised on NBC and gave Schwikert another chance to display her blossoming talent.

"When I started competing when I was 7, I just liked it a lot," Schwikert said. "I just loved coming here and doing gymnastics.

"It was just something I stuck with and loved. I like competing in front of people, showing them what I can do.

"When I was younger, I never would have thought something like this would have happened. -- that I would get this good."

Schwikert remains humble despite the fact that her rapid improvement has made her a strong candidate for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that will compete at the Sydney Games in September.

The gymnasts with the three best combined scores from the U.S. Championships and the Olympic trials in August will make the team and five others will be picked by the Olympic Selection committee.

"The Olympics are definitely something I am working toward, and being on a world championship team," she said.

Because of her success at the first and second American Cup events, Bela Karolyi invited Schwikert to compete at his Olympic training camp that runs for a week each month in Houston, Texas.

Rice and Schwikert will leave in less than two weeks for the next camp. Once there, Schwikert will train seven hours a day under the watchful eye of national team coaches.

"You know the player in basketball that you want to have the ball in their hands with 15 seconds left and the game on the line?" Rice asked. "That's the type of athlete she is.

"And that's something you can't teach. The more she trains and works, the easier things get for her. She handles pressure extremely well."