They gathered around a U.S. Classic program, giggling like school girls looking at a yearbook for the first time.
Sarah DeMeo, Ivana Hong and Rachel Updike, three of the junior elite members of the Great American Gymnastic Express (GAGE) who will compete this weekend in one of the most prestigious gymnastic events of the summer, were looking for their photos, along with the photos of many of their friends and competitors.
The U.S. Classic is a qualifier for the U.S. Championships Aug. 16-19 in Minneapolis, Minn., and each member of this GAGE trio has already qualified for that meet.
"That doesn't mean we're still not going to try to win," said Hong, 13, an eighth grader at Sunnyvale Middle School in Blue Springs, "but we can try some new things and not be quite as nervous as we might have been if we hadn't already qualified for the U.S. Championships."
Joining DeMeo, Hong and Updike at the Classic are Jackie Mesh, Rebecca Clark, McKenzie Fechter and Erica Smith.
"We have a solid group at this meet," said GAGE owner and coach Al Fong, who is serving as the host for the U.S. Classic. "We're very eager to see what the girls can do.
"We have high expectations for them, and I know they have high expectations, too."
DeMeo, Hong and Updike took part in an informal news conference Friday morning and their excitement was apparent.
When asked how many fans might be in attendance just to watch them, they said the numbers could reach the 100s.
"I know I'll have at least a hundred," said Updike, 13, who trains at GAGE and lives in Overland Park, Kan. "I can't even tell you how many of my friends and neighbors and family members have asked about tickets. It's really going to be fun to have them here to watch me."
Updike, who also lives in Overland Park, added, "I think I'll have around a 100 or so, too. It's fun when you can stay home and compete in a big meet like this. My family and friends don't get the chance to see me compete that often."
Hong, who moved to Blue Springs from California, will have three special fans in attendance.
"My dad and grandparents flew in this week and this will be the first Classic my dad has seen," Hong said. "That really makes it special for me."
Each of the girls have their own specific goals for the meet.
"I want to hit four for four," said DeMeo, 14, referring to the four events in which she will compete.
"Me too," added Hong.
"I want to place in the top 12 and do well overall," Updike said. "And we all want to have some fun."
Each of the girls could be introducing new moves to their routines, as the meet provides a perfect stage for some calculated risks because they have already qualified for the U.S. Championships.
"We've worked hard this past week at the gym to make sure everything goes well this weekend," Hong said. "It's been intense, and now, we're ready to go out and perform."
And how will they reward themselves following a successful weekend?
"Krispy Kreme donuts," said Updike, with a wide-eyed grin. "They have to still be warm to be really good."
"I like to bake," added Hong, "so I will probably cook something sweet."
And DeMeo will enjoy a special dinner with her family.
"And we'll end it with desert probably ice cream," DeMeo said. "We don't eat that much ice cream so it's always a good way to celebrate."
She paused, and added, "The ice cream will be great, but what's been really great is preparing for this meet then going home and sleeping in our own beds."
The junior elite representatives from GAGE will compete at the Metropolitan Community College Business & Technology Exhibit Hall, 1775 Universal Avenue, Kansas City, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Tickets range from $10 to $20.
They will also take part in the Junior/Senior pre -elite competition in the training gym from 1 to 4 p.m.
Reach Bill Althaus at bill.althaus@examiner.net or 350-6395.
