Editorial: Schwikert leads crop of new U.S. gymnasts

Thursday, Aug. 16, 2001 | 9:14 a.m.

Las Vegan Tasha Schwikert, the youngest member of the 2000 Olympic women's gymnastics team, certainly had nothing to prove after her outstanding performance during the Sydney Games -- all at the age of 15. But last weekend Schwikert showed why there will be much more in store from her in the future as she won the USA Gymnastics all-around championships. Already Schwikert is being touted as the leader of a new wave of elite women gymnasts, and her victory guarantees that she will compete in the world championships in a few weeks, when she will be tested even further when she competes against the best of the best.

For now, however, it's remarkable that Schwikert has won a national championship at an age when she's barely old enough to get a driver's license. And it's not just Schwikert's athleticism that resonates with the public, it also is her infectious smile and personality. In an age when athletes too often make news by their churlish off-the-field antics, it is heartening to see Schwikert be such a positive role model.

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