by Jake Maddox
Dana’s temper rose. “When did you?” she asked.
Something twinkled behind Shelly’s eyes. Dana wondered if Shelly was surprised that Dana was standing up for her team. I know I’m surprised, Dana thought.
“Look,” began Tori, stepping in front of the other girls.
Dana felt a tug on her arm, and Mallory stepped in.
“No. You look,” Mallory said. “If you win, it will only be because you’re not letting the rest of us practice. That doesn’t show you’re better.”
Dana saw tears in Mallory’s eyes and hoped the Superiors would leave before they noticed.
Tori opened her mouth to yell, but Shelly cut her off. “Forget it,” said Shelly. “They are not worth our time.”
With that, the Sumner group moved on to the trampoline. Dana was still fuming and tried to calm herself. Focus. They don’t matter.
Dana saw Mallory’s eyes clear up. She put her hand on her shoulder. “You okay?” she asked her friend. “Thanks for jumping in like that.”
Mallory nodded. “I saw you were trying to play by the rules, and thought you could use some help,” she said.
Dana headed over to the mat. This time it took a few minutes for the music to draw her in. Once it did, it was just her and the floor. She saw her routine in her mind and followed it. The splits, forward rolls, and flips soon became easy.
“Nice work,” said Paula when Dana paused to catch her breath. Dana jumped. She didn’t know anyone was watching.
“Thanks,” said Dana.
“I’m not just talking about the floor,” said Paula. “You were great with the Superiors, too. I don’t think I would have said anything.”
Dana shrugged and said, “I thought about what Coach Jasmine said. I just wanted to practice and win the right way.”
Paula patted her on the back. “Whatever you’re doing, keep it up,” she said.
Dana blushed. “Thanks,” she said. Then she noticed the quiet of the gym. She looked around. All the teams were practicing together and sharing all the equipment. Even the Superiors.
Chapter Eight
A BAD PRACTICE
The next day, Dana walked into the gym and breathed in deeply. It was one week before the championships, but the Halsey Gymnasium was empty. She liked practicing with her team, but there was something special having the entire space all to herself.
She stretched and then plugged in the CD player by the wall. She put in her floor routine CD and started moving.
First the hip shake, then the toe point. Then Dana geared up for her front handsprings. She ran and did three in a row, her legs reaching high into the air. The next part was her favorite. She planted the soles of her feet on the mat and did two flips — one forward, the other backward.
Dana landed perfectly, but her heel fell outside the boundary line of the mat. This rarely happened to her anymore, and it made her nervous. It was so easy to lose the championship from that kind of deduction.
She started her routine again and focused on the flips. Again, her heel went out of bounds. Sweat formed on her upper lip. This can’t be happening, she thought.
She tried again. This time she started the flips well in front of the boundaries. It didn’t help.
Dana panicked. It wasn’t fun being in the gym anymore. Shaking, she packed up her things.
On her way out, she spotted Mallory. The last thing Dana wanted to do was stay in the gym, but she knew Mallory liked the support.
“You okay?” Mallory asked Dana. “You look freaked.”
Dana’s voice shook. She said, “I’m having some trouble with my routine.”
“It happens,” Mallory said. “You’ll get it. Isn’t that what you always tell me?”
Dana smiled. She hoped watching Mallory would calm her down like it usually did.
Mallory dipped her hands into the chalk bucket beside the uneven bars.
“The chalk feels different,” she said to Dana. “Huh. Weird.”
Dana watched Mallory shake her head, something she did when she was trying to focus. Then she grabbed the lower bar.
Mallory’s fingers slipped and Dana panicked. She saw Mallory’s fingers tighten on the bar. She lifted herself up with her forearms. She stuck her toes out in front of her and held the pose for a second. Then she jumped to the higher bar. She swung around and around, but something wasn’t right.
Was it Dana’s imagination, or was the bar higher than usual? Mallory lowered herself and almost fell. Dana gasped. She had never seen Mallory struggle with that move before.
Dana watched Mallory restart her routine. Dana held her breath as Mallory worked through her routine. Her body whipped through the air easily. Then came the dismount.
Instead of two flips, Mallory only had enough height to do one rotation. She fell over as soon as she landed on the mat. Dana stared at her friend, stunned. The last time Mallory had fallen over on a dismount was years ago.
“Mallory!” yelled Paula and Connie, bursting through the gym. “What just happened?”
“I—I don’t know,” Mallory stammered.
“I’ve been having problems too,” said Dana quietly.
“Probably nerves,” said Paula.
“Probably,” said Dana. She hoped that was all it was.
She and Mallory stayed to watch Connie and Paula. Hopefully their practices would go better.
Dana watched Connie hop onto the beam. She pointed her toes as she walked. She did a small jump. No wobbles. Flip time. Dana breathed a sigh of relief as Connie somersaulted and stuck the landing on the beam. It was time for the dismount. Dana covered her eyes and peeked through the slits between her fingers. Connie cartwheeled off the beam and cheered when she landed flawlessly on the mat.
“Awesome!” yelled Dana.
Paula clapped behind her. “Nice work!” she shouted.
Now it was Paula’s turn. Dana, Connie, and Mallory turned to watch. Paula always made the vault look easy. She ran and jumped on the springboard before launching herself over the vault.
In all the time the Raiders had known Paula, she had never once flubbed this move. Not even at practice!
Paula ran and pushed off the vault, but she couldn’t stick the landing. Dana could tell Paula was embarrassed.
Dana tried to hide her worry. “Shake it off. It happens,” she said, echoing Mallory’s earlier words.
Paula slid down to the floor and sat down. “Not to me,” she said.
And then everyone started to talk at once. The panic was out of control.
“Girls!” Coach Jasmine yelled, trying to be heard over the Raiders’ panicked voices. “Please tell me what the problem is.”
Dana swallowed. She willed herself not to cry. “We’re off our game,” she said. “We can’t hit our jumps or landings. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
“I’m sure it’s just pre-competition jitters. Happens to everyone,” Coach replied.
“But not to us,” said Mallory. “We’ve been in competitions before and never stumbled like this.”
“It’s the Superiors!” said Paula. “They must have put a curse on the gym or something.”
Coach laughed. “That’s just silly,” she said. “Forget about the Superiors. Do your best, and you can’t go wrong.”
Paula jumped up. “You weren’t there!” she insisted. “Mallory said the chalk felt funny. Dana kept going out of bounds on her floor routine. I fell on the vault!”
Dana saw something change in Coach Jasmine’s eyes while Paula talked. “Take the day off today,” Coach said.
“But —!” Mallory said.
“There’s no time!” Connie said.
“We have to focus!” Paula added.
“Enough,” said Coach. Her voice was quiet but stern. “Veg in front of the television, go to the mall, do some homework. I don’t want you in the Halsey Gym today. Understood?”
The girls pouted but nodded.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Coach.
* * *
The next day, the Halsey Gymnasium was extra busy. There was just one more day until the championship. After a day off, Coach Jasmine had allowed the Raiders to practice again. Dana was glad. She wanted to practice.
Dana did back handsprings on the mat for her floor routine. This time she landed within bounds. Paula cleared the vault and landed with her feet centimeters apart. She didn’t even hop on the landing.
The chalk felt right on Mallory’s hands. She cleared the lower bar as she did three rotations on the higher bar. She released her grip and glided through the air. She stuck her landing, too. Connie walked the beam with poise, her arms spread out.
“Bravo, ladies, bravo,” said Coach Jasmine, clapping. “I think that is the best practice I’ve seen yet.”
“And the Superiors have been absent all day. Coincidence? I think not,” said Paula, smiling.
“I know it sounds weird,” said Connie, “but I think she’s right.”
Coach Jasmine’s voice was stern. “No more talk like that,” she said. “It just fills your head with worry. Only think about yourselves. You will succeed.”
Chapter Nine
THE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Raiders filled their thoughts with success. Dana hoped Coach Jasmine was right.
The day of the championship, Dana was extra nervous. She hopped from foot to foot, full of energy. When she couldn’t stand waiting, she did handsprings and cartwheels to release her restlessness. She grinned when her heels landed within bounds every time.
There were two minutes to go before the meet started, and Dana didn’t see the Superiors anywhere.
It bugged Dana that the Superiors thought they didn’t need the extra gym time. Just think about yourself, she reminded herself. You can’t control anyone else.
Dana glanced at the lineup. Paula was first. She caught Paula’s eye and gave her a thumbs-up. She was glad Paula was first. Paula liked going first, because then she didn’t have to worry the rest of the competition.
Dana saw the judges stand. The room grew silent as the national anthem played. Then the starting bell rang. The head judge nodded at Paula, and she ran down the runway.
Paula jumped on the springboard and placed her palms on the vaulting table to help propel her through the air.
Before Dana could exhale, Paula’s feet were planted firmly on the mat. She raised her arms high in the air for the finish. Dana cheered.
Shortly after Paula was done, Dana performed her floor routine. She didn’t step out of bounds or have any problems. After her routine, Dana ran to get a drink. She wasn’t paying much attention and bumped into someone.
“I’m sorry,” Dana said. Then she looked up. Her jaw dropped when she saw a tearful Shelly.
“Are you all right?” asked Dana. “Why aren’t you in the gym?”
“We can’t compete today,” said Shelly.
“Why?” Dana asked, confused.
Shelly sighed. “We were disqualified,” she said.
Dana’s eyes grew wide. She asked, “Why?”
Shelly sniffled. “Tori and another girl messed with all the equipment,” she said. “I had no idea! It was so stupid. If I knew, I would have stopped them. Who wants to win that way?”
Dana nodded. She remembered Coach Jasmine’s very similar words. “Have you been here the whole time?” Dana asked.
“Yes,” Shelly said. Just watching you guys. You guys are doing great. I so wanted to compete today. It’s not fair.” Tears ran down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry,” Dana said. “I really am.”
“Me too,” said Shelly. “You were really good on the floor. I bet you guys win.”
“Thanks,” said Dana.
Shelly shrugged. “Just telling it like it is,” she said. “Don’t think we’re friends or anything now. I plan on beating you fair and square next year.” She winked.
Dana smiled. She knew she could handle the competition. “I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
She sprinted back into the gym as the judges called first place for the team awards.
The Raiders squealed and ran to stand at the top of the three-stepped platform. They were beyond excited!
Coach Jasmine gave them a thumbs-up. Dana realized that her coach must have sensed something was wrong the day she didn’t want them in the gym.
Mallory poked Dana in the side. She pointed to the gym’s entrance where Shelly stood.
“Why didn’t Shelly and the Superiors compete today?” Mallory whispered.
“It’s a long story,” said Dana. “But let’s just say playing fair and working hard is the way to go.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” said Mallory. She smiled and held the first place medal around her neck tightly. Dana did the same.
About the Author
Margaret Gurevich has wanted to be a writer since second grade. She has written for many magazines and currently writes young adult and middle grade books. She lives with her husband, son, and two furry kitties.
About the Illustrator
Katie Wood fell in love with drawing when she was very small. Since graduating from Loughborough University School of Art and Design in 2004, she has been living her dream working as a freelance illustrator. From her studio in Leicester, England, she creates bright and lively illustrations for books and magazines all over the world.
GLOSSARY
CARTWHEEL (KART-weel) — a sideways handspring with arms and legs straight out
DEDUCTION (di-DUHK-shuhn) — an amount that is taken away from the score
DISMOUNT (DISS-mount) — a move used to get off a piece of gymnastics equipment
DISQUALIFIED (diss-KWOL-uh-fyed) — prevented from taking part in the action
HANDSPRING (HAND-spring) — a flip forward or backward where the feet go over the head and then land back on the ground
REPUTATION (rep-yuh-TAY-shuhn) — your worth or character judged by other people
ROUTINE (roo-TEEN) — a set of moves a gymnast performs
SPRINGBOARD (SPRING-bord) — a flexible board that helps a gymnast jump high into the air
SURPASSED (sur-PASST) — to be better than another thing
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
If you had to pick one gymnastics event to perform, what would it be and why?
Dana is the captain of the gymnastics team. What kind of qualities does a captain need to have? Does Dana have those qualities?
Do you think it was a good idea for Coach Jasmine to give the girls a day off before the big meet? Why or why not? Why did Coach Jasmine do that?
WRITING PROMPTS
With Dana’s guidance, the Raiders find an interesting way to get revenge and intimidate the Superiors. Write a paragraph describing what you would have done if you were the Raiders.
The Superiors and the Raiders are rivals. Is it good to have a rival? Write a list of reasons to defend your answer.
In the end, the Superiors were disqualified. Write a new ending to the story, but this time, they didn’t get disqualified. In your rewrite, be sure to include who wins.
More About Gymnastics
The word “gymnastics” comes from a Greek word meaning “to exercise.”
Gymnastics was one of the nine sports included in the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896.
Men’s gymnastics was first entered into the Olympic games in 1896. Women first competed in Olympic gymnastics competitions in the 1920s.
The most decorated gymnast is Russian Larissa Latynina. She has 18 Olympic medals!
Most gymnasts retire in their late teens or early 20s. This may seem young, but most major gymnasts begin their careers at the age of 2 or 3.
In 2006, the scoring system for gymnastics was completely changed. In the new system, there are two separate scores: one for difficulty and one for execution.
In the early 1800s, vaulting horses looked like real horses. They even had heads and tails! In 2001, the vaulting horse was replaced with the vaulting table.
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Jake Maddox books are published by Stone Arch Books
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Copyright © 2012 by Stone Arch Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Maddox, Jake.
Gymnastics jitters / by Jake Maddox ; text by Margaret Gurevich;
illustrated by Katie Wood.
p. cm. -- (Jake Maddox sports story)
Summary: Dana and the rest of the Raiders gymnastics team believe that hard work and practice are the way to win--so how will they fare against the Superiors, a team with a reputation for dirty play and cheating?
ISBN 978-1-4342-3293-9 (library binding)
ISBN 978-1-4342-3908-2 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-4342-8919-3 (ebook)
1. Gymnasts--Juvenile fiction. 2. Gymnastics--Juvenile fiction. 3. Competition (Psychology)--Juvenile fiction. 4. Sportsmanship--Juvenile fiction. [1. Gymnastics--Fiction. 2. Competition (Psychology)--Fiction. 3. Sportsmanship--Fiction.] I. Gurevich, Margaret. II. Wood, Katie, 1981- ill. III. Title. IV. Series.
PZ7.M25643Gy 2012
[Fic]--dc23
2011032224
Designer: Heather Kindseth
Production Specialist: Michelle Biedscheid
