Wednesday, January 5, 2000
Castle’s LaBatte has
a lot going for her
The elite gymnast has accepted
By Cindy Luis
a scholarship to attend Utah
Star-Bulletin
Where does the inspiration come from, to keep training when there is no competition other than yourself?
And that inner drive ... when you're alone are at the steering wheel ... how do you know when you're on the right road?
Some people are just born with the right sense of direction. Such is the case with 17-year-old Tacia LaBatte, who has had her toes pointed straight for greatness almost from the first time she stepped on the gymnastics mat.
Hawaii's only current elite-level gymnast begins her farewell tour this week at the Maui Invitational. The pressure should be off of LaBatte, who recently accepted a scholarship offer to compete next season for NCAA powerhouse Utah.
But the pressure is still on because the Castle High senior wants it like that. It's the only way she knows how to compete, by pushing herself when she is both the pusher and pushee."It is hard to stay motivated,'' LaBatte admitted yesterday during a break at the Hawaiian Island Twisters Gym in Kaneohe. "There's no one the judges can compare you to. You prepare each time to go out and do your best for yourself and your team.''
Her best has been more than good enough. It has earned the 4-foot-11 LaBatte a spot on the U.S. international team since 1997 as well as a place on the U.S. Junior Olympic team.
She was the regional all-around champion in 1996, a Hawaii state champion since 1991, and earned club All-American recognition every year since 1996.
"Probably the only negative thing I have to say about Tacia is that she pushes herself too hard,'' said her stepfather Joe Rapp, LaBatte's coach since she began the sport 10 years ago. "I've had three elite gymnasts: Kiralee Hayashi, Sarah Harding and Tacia. All three were very similar in talent but I think Tacia is a little more dynamic.''
Hayashi finished her career at UCLA last year as a nine-time All-American, winning the gold on the balance beam at the NCAA championships in spring. Harding, an incoming senior at Stanford, was fourth in the floor exercise at the NCAAs, and earned first-team All-American honors.
Both Hayashi and Harding attended Punahou, which competes in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. The Oahu Interscholastic Association does not sponsor gymnastics, which has disappointed LaBatte. But it also earned her a unique distinction - she apparently is the first gymnast from a Hawaii public school to be offered a full-ride gymnastics scholarship.
LaBatte is an honors student with a 3.8 cumulative GPA (4.167 this semester) at Castle, the alma mater of her mother and grandmother. She was heavily recruited, choosing Utah because she felt comfortable with the coaches and team, and was impressed with the school's dance program. (LaBatte performs with the 24/7 dance troupe as well as with Castle Performing Arts).
"At first I thought I'd go to Oregon State because all my friends were going there,'' she said. "But, gymnastics-wise, it wasn't where I wanted to be. After I made my recruiting visits, I kept comparing everywhere else to Utah.''
There is no comparison. The Utes have won 10 national team titles since 1981 and have had at least one individual NCAA champion for 18 years straight.
Utah also recently built a $5 million gymnastics training center on campus. LaBatte's new dorm this fall is part of the athletes' village for the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
"I'm really looking forward to college,'' said LaBatte. "A lot of my friends are nervous about going away but I've done a lot of traveling with gymnastics, have already lived away from home on my own.''
LaBatte will be missed, by all the little girls who idolize her at HIT and by the club's coaches. She often spends Saturdays helping with the tiny tots and beginners' classes.
"She's a bright light,'' said club coach Pat Gardner. "She's really good with the younger kids.
"And when you watch her perform, her presentation is so wonderful, it gives me goosebumps. She really is a cut above.''
The Olympics were a dream but LaBatte has chosen the collegiate route. She is expected to be an all-around performer for the Utes, not just specializing on one apparatus.
And after college?
"I can't remember when I wasn't doing gymnastics,'' said LaBatte. "I'd like to coach and work with little kids. As for a major, maybe sports psychology or broadcasting.''
She may also get her gymnastics judge's license this spring.
LaBatte has never received a score of "10'' for a routine. Those who know her feel it will happen at Utah.
Perfection is just a matter of time.
