Schwikert set to put ankle to test

Friday, June 13, 2003 | 9:13 a.m.

After taking the gymnastics world by storm three years ago to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, Las Vegas' Tasha Schwikert will simply be trying to ride one out as she bids for her third consecutive all-around title at next weekend's U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Milwaukee.

Although a third national championship would put her in exclusive company -- Kim Zmeskal is the only three-time U.S. titlist -- Schwikert is more concerned with seeing how an ankle injury that required arthroscopic surgery in December will hold up under the duress of competition.

With August's World Championships at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and next year's Summer Games in Athens just around the corner, her health becomes that much more important.

Schwikert said the ankle, which she tweaked on the balance beam about five weeks ago, is about 95 percent healed.

"My training is going really well although I'm not doing all of my difficulty (routines) because of my previous ankle injuries," she said during a Thursday teleconference promoting next week's U.S. Championships. "I'm still getting over that so I just want to do the best I can with what I'm competing. My main goal is the Worlds this year."

Schwikert, 18, who will graduate from Centennial High School once she completes an Internet home study course, missed last year's World Championships because of the bum ankle. The top three in Milwaukee receive bids to World Championship training camp, which opens July 4 in Houston.

Her status as leader of the U.S. team all but guarantees Schwikert a trip to Texas, regardless of what happens next week. Still, she wants to leave nothing to chance.

"My standards are the same, no matter what," Schwikert said. "Even if I'm locked into the top 3, I'm going to be nervous going to camp, knowing that if they really wanted to they could pull you."

Schwikert isn't the only U.S. gym star trying to ward off injuries, as several other headliners are expected to miss the Milwaukee meet altogether.

Jamie Dantzscher, the NCAA all-around champion from UCLA, is also recovering from an ankle injury; Tabitha Yim, who finished runner-up to Schwikert in each of the past two national championship meets, has a broken leg; and Liz Tricase, fifth at last year's nationals, is coming off a torn ACL.

Still, Schwikert said the U.S. Championships will go a long way toward establishing a pecking order for the World Championships and next year's Olympics.

"The top 3 are pretty much locked in for the World team, so if you don't get to the top 3, selection camp is definitely going to be very important."

In three years, Schwikert has gone from shy upstart to polished leader of the U.S. squad, a role with which she seems comfortable.

"Three years ago, I was totally the underdog, and nobody was really expecting me to do anything," said Schwikert, who trains under coach Cassie Rice at Las Vegas Gymcats. "So when I did, it was great. Now, winning two years in a row and being the only returning Olympian, I know I have to be a leader and carry the team.

"As far as the pressure goes, it's easier being the underdog than being on top and (being responsible) for the team. But if you do great, it's even more fun because of all the exposure you get from that."