Deegan Flying High With Canada World
Gymnastics Team
You would think that a sixteen year old
who has recently secured a position on the National Team for the World Gymnastics might be
a little nervous about competing on the world stage. Such is not the case with Oshawa's
Sarah Deegan. The grade 11 student from Eastdale has remarkable poise and composure
considering everything that has happened to her this year. A national championship, a trip
to Romania and France in April to compete with some of the best young gymnasts from seven
countries.
Sarah has been involved in gymnastics for
ten years and the sacrifices have paid off for her in 1997.
Next week, Sarah will move to Toronto
and become an integral part of a new team. While her thoughts will no doubt race back to
her teammates at Gemini Gymnastics Club from time to time, Sarah's new team is Canada.
Over a ten day period, Sarah and six other girls will practice and get to know each other
before embarking on a trip to Lausanne, Switzerland to compete at the worlds. The first
stage of the trip will take the Canadian team to France where they will continue to
prepare for the competetion which starts the first week of September.
In the future, Sarah hopes that gymnastics can help her secure
a scholarship to a major U.S. University but for now she is just happy and excited about
what has happened to her.
Sarah's coach at Gemini is July
Gershcovich and he is extremely proud of what Sarah has Accomplished. "She came along
way on the gymnastics scene this year." notes Gershcovich. "Last year Sarah had
quite a few injuries and never really got that much attention. This year she has really
burst onto the scene."
Along with success however, sometimes
comes a downside that coaches must be aware of. Sarah is no different than any other
athlete in that respect. The constant pressure of training and competition had pretty much
taken its toll on Sarah after the nationals and Gerschcovich wanted her to take some time
off. Sarah however doesnt like to take time off, and a compromise was reached where she
would work on her skills without striving for perfection. "It has to be fun."
said Gerschcovich. "Once it stops being fun, you really have to look at what is best
for the athlete. You have to realise that a dangerous situation might be present." In
Sarah's case, the less formal training sessions have given her a desire to press on.
Gerschcovich reflected on Sarah's future in Gymnastics. "She is solid in all four
routines, and her skill level is very good. Sharah has to make the decisions about her
future in gymnastics. She will have to answer questions concerning the pressures of
Competition, the environment and how she handles crowds. If she enjoy's it, then we might
be hearing more about Sarah over the next couple of years heading up to the Olympics. She
has time to take it one competition at a time."
Right now it is Gershcovich's opinion
that Sarah ranks in the top four of all events in Canada and she must now develop a
reputation in the international arena.
As for Sarah, she feels that her trip to
Europe in the Spring and the level of competition will be a definate plus/ The burnout
that she felt after nationals has been corrected and her friends are all happy and excited
for her.
You have to believe that special things
are going to happen for Sarah. Good Luck!