Uneven Bars

Young gymnastics fans flocked around a small table in the middle of the Towson Center after yesterday's 12th annual TSU Invitational. Resting on her knees in the middle of the group was Towson State senior Erin Shanley, signing autographs and exchanging pleasantries with her admirers.Shanley had just led the Tigers to their 12th straight TSU Invitational championship with a record-setting performance, and her signature was in demand."Look at that," said one observer, watching as Shanley disappeared among the autograph-seekers.

BIRMINGHAM, England -- The kids in leotards look up as Svetlana Boginskaya of Belarus glides across the balance beam like a ballerina on a grand stage. Boginskaya is supposed to be too old and too tall for this sort of thing, yet here she is, nearly five years past her prime, trying to write what could be the most improbable of Olympic tales.At 23, standing 5 feet 4, Boginskaya is back in gymnastics.During the European Gymnastics Championships, Boginskaya showed that she still can compete with the children by winning the silver medal in Saturday's all-around final.

And the winner . . . Roy Lassiter, who keyed what may be the U.S. soccer team's greatest comeback, was sentenced yesterday in Raleigh, N.C., to 30 days in jail for breaking into a house while a college student.Lassiter was sentenced to a 10-year suspended prison term. He must serve 30 days in jail over the next nine months and perform 200 hours of community service. He also must pay a $1,600 fine and $500 restitution."He is extremely remorseful," said attorney Spurgeon Fields. "It was just one of those things where he knew he had done wrong, but had changed his way of life and wanted to get this behind him."

NEW ORLEANS -- When she had finished her last routine in the all-around competition of the 1995 national championships Friday night at the Louisiana Superdome, Dominique Dawes could hold back no longer.It had been a long year for the gymnast from Gaithersburg, one filled with injuries and inconsistent results. So as the television camera focused on her, Dawes did something that many hadn't seen her do in a while.She cried."My beam routine made me upset," Dawes said later.Dawes had much different emotions last night -- and much different results.

Gymnastics* February was a busy month for Pasadena resident Stephanie Neutze.Neutze, who competes for Rebounders Level 9 gymnastics team, attended three competitions last month, including the Sunshine Cup, in Nassau, Bahamas. There, Neutze placed eighth on bars with a score of 8.525.Competing in the 14-15 girls division at the Level 9 sectionals, she finished tied for first on bars with a score of 8.95.Neutze finished the month by taking third on bars in the East Coast Classic, presented by Fairland Gymnastics.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Dominique Dawes won the all-around title in the gymnastics World Team Trials last night and will lead one of the United States' strongest teams to the World Team Championships next month in Germany.Dawes, 17, from Gaithersburg, won the all-around title with a score of 77.960. She led all eight rounds of the two-day meet at the Richmond Coliseum and last night had two scintillating performances in the uneven bars and vault.The top six finishers from yesterday's field of 14, plus two-time world champion Shannon Miller, who did not participate, will represent the United States.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Gymnast Kerri Strug's road to recovery could lead to the Team World Championships next month in Germany.Strug, who missed the nationals in late August because of a strained back, was second behind Dominique Dawes of Gaithersburg in the all-around standings of the World Team Trials last night after the compulsory round.Dawes had a 46.620 score and Strug was at 46.140 entering the optional round today at the Richmond Coliseum. Amanda Borden, from Cincinnati, was third with 45.780.

Indoor soccer* Under-16 girls -- The Severna Park Soccer Association Kickers improved their record to 8-0 with a 15-5 win over the St. Mary's Saints last Thursday at Myers Pavilion.Tracy Mrazeck (North County) led the way with eight goals, one assist and three saves. Teammate Chrissy Kohlhepp of Chesapeake added three goals and two assists. Jen Mook (Old Mill), Laura Basil (Chesapeake), Missy Silver (Chesapeake) and Tara Theis (Northeast) each tallied one goal and one assist. Silver also was credited with four saves.

GymnasticsPam Bradley of Columbia gave herself an early Christmas present last week, capturing first place in the all-around and all four events in the Level 8, 14-15 division of the Docksiders Gymnastics Club's Christmas in Annapolis meet.Bradley took top honors in the balance beam (9.05), floor exercise (8.9), uneven bars (8.55) and vault (8.3) for a winning all-around score of 34.80.Another Howard County native, Ellicott City's Amy Walton, won the all-around gold medal in the Level 9, 16-up division with a 34.2.

GymnasticsSeven-year-old Angela D'Apice and 10-year-old April Marinelli won the Level 5 Maryland State uneven bar title in their age groups at the Maryland State Gymnastic Championships.D'Apice and Marinelli, who compete for the Harford Gymnastics Training Center, outscored all other competitors with a 9.45 score.Harford Gymnastics, which qualified 20 gymnasts, finished sixth overall in the team competition.In the 7-8 age group, Kristen Speargas was Harford Gymnastics' leading all-around scorer with a 35.0 to take sixth place.