Ivana Hong and Sarah DeMeo recently returned from two international gymnastic meets with a suitcase full of medals and the pride of helping the United States team claim enough gold to fill Fort Knox.
"They were just outstanding," said Great American Gymnastic Express owner Al Fong, who coaches each girl. "We wanted them to each gain some international experience and they did that, and more."
Hong, who attends Sunny Vale Middle School in Blue Springs, was a member of the winning United States team in the United States vs. Great Britain meet in Ireland and also took third on the beam.
DeMeo, a freshman at Blue Valley (Kan.) High School, was a part of the winning United States team and claimed a first (floor), second (beam) and third (vault) place medal in the Gymnix International in Montreal.
"It was a mixed meet with junior and senior national team members and we competed as one USA team," DeMeo said. "It was a lot of fun. I went there to clean up all my routines and I was really surprised at how much I improved.
"When I watched the tapes (of my performances), I really liked what I saw."
So did Fong.
"Sarah was just outstanding," he said. "And the same was true of Ivana. They both learned how to represent their countries, deal with international rules and judges and they competed against some of the best athletes in the world.
"And they found out what it is like, what type of pride it invokes, to wear a uniform with USA on the front."
While DeMeo said she didn't have any time for sightseeing, she did enjoy the team hotel.
"It was a castle," she said, her eyes wide with excitement. "It was called the St. Martin, and it was just incredible."
Hong, who flew to London, then on to Ireland to compete against a team of elite British gymnasts, said it was an honor to be a part of the US team.
"The whole meet was great," Hong said. "Marta (Karolyi, Team USA coordinator and legendary coach) was there, and you want to do well at all meets but you really want to do well when she's there.".
Reach Bill Althaus at bill.althaus@examiner.net or 350-6395.
