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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2010/0...c1599343507.txt

Platinum trio are national champions

(From left) Stephanie Starks, 15, Brittany Rueb, 10, and Jhaylee Busby, 14, show off their medals after winning the Level 7 Women’s Group 15-16 national championship on Monday at the Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships in Kissimmee, Florida. Photo provided.
Gymnastics
By Drew White
Staff Writer
Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 4:13 AM CDT
KISSIMMEE, Florida — The Platinum Gymnastics Acrobatic Gymnastics Team won the Level 7 Women’s Group 15-16 age group at the Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships Monday at Silver Spurs Arena.

The trio of Brittany Rueb, Jhaylee Busby, and Stephanie Starks put together a score of 24.250. They finished comfortably ahead of the second place team from All Star Gymnastics and Cheer from Diamond Springs, California.

“The girls are very, very excited,” coach Robin Rueb said. “There are very, very good gymnasts that we competed against.”

Because Starks was the oldest of the group at 15 years old, the three were placed in the 15-16 group. Busby is 14 and Brittany Rueb is only 10 years old.

Robin Rueb said the team was excited enough when they were assured of a top three finish, but to capture the title was beyond their highest expectations.

“The next to last score went up and we were still in first and it was nervewracking and we couldn’t breathe,” she said. “All of a sudden we saw the score and there we were in first place.

“It’s all still sinking in. None of us can believe it.”

Busby will be entering her freshman year at St. Joseph High School this fall and Starks will be a freshman at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville.

Brittany Rueb and Starks still have work to do. The two will participate in a pairs competition on Wednesday.

Until then, the girls and their parents will celebrate the victory.

“They all did an amazing job,” Robin Rueb said. “They had the entire package and us as parents are so proud of them.”

Contact sports writer Drew White at dwhite@thenewsdispatch.com or 874-7211, Ext. 447.