RE:Kerri and Unnecessary Injury

[Aimee R Adamo <102027.310@CompuServe.COM>]

But Kerri is 19.  What no one is mentioning is that she went to FOUR
other coaches/gyms before returning to Houston.  My guess is that she
understood what she was leaving, what she subsequently was missing, and
what she needed to reach her goal.  Like Mike argues, it is not like she
is playing little league.  Her family spent no doubt thousands of
dollars for Kerri to excel.  Couple that with time away from family,
balancing school and gymnastics, etc. and one sees how this is more than
just a game or pasttime.  My guess is that, if asked, every one of the
seven women who made us proud last evening would tell you that they
ENJOY what they are doing, but also consider it a "job" of sorts.

With regards to the team not needing her vault--according to the news
this morning, that is true.  According to situation at the time Kerri
made the decision--it was uncertain.  If my team ends up not needing a
disad or counterplan response in rebuttals in order to win a round
commensurate with the gold medal in the olympics, I hope their chain of
thought is not "oh well--we probably can get by without it."

The final thing that no one is mentioning is the teamwork and
interdependence that is demonstrated by Kerri and her vault.  True--it
put her in the all-around.  But her immediate goal, as she herself says,
was the gold.  It is truly rare and inspirational that a person will put
her/himself on the line for their team/friends/etc.  There was so much
that was special about last evening.  Our activity, and each of us in it
can learn a great deal from what seven teenagers and caring coaches
displayed in Atlanta!

Scott Jensen

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