Monday, 7/7/97 Mink to compete against world’s best Maccabiah
Games give sophomore a shot to garner awards
By Lisa Quon Daily Bruin Contributor An UCLA athlete’s season is
never over. Not only are there regular seasonal matches, but there
is intensive training year-round and often individual competitions
in which athletes have the honor of representing their school and
country. For sophomore Deborah Mink, a member of UCLA’s 1997 NCAA
Gymnastics Championship team, this life is a reality. Mink will be
one of four athletes to represent UCLA this July 5-25 at the 15th
World Maccabiah Games held in Israel. The gymnastics portion of the
competition runs from July 14-16. "I’m really excited to represent
my country," Mink said. "It’s a great way to see the world while
doing what I love." Mink was selected to the team when she placed
second at the Maccabiah-USA Gymnastics Trials held on April 27.
"This will definitely be one of the highlights of my summer," Mink
said, "maybe even of my career." The Maccabiah Games, held every
four years, are officially recognized by the International Olympic
Committee. Ranked among the top five international events, it is
the central sporting event of the World Jewry. More than 5,600
participants representing more than 50 nations in 30 sports will
compete. The U.S. delegation is the third-largest sent to the
Maccabiah Games this year. Revered American athletes such as
gymnast Mitch Gaylord, basketball stars Ernie Grunfeld, Dolph
Schayes and Danny Schayes, tennis stars Brad Gilbert and Dick
Savitt, and swimming legend Mark Spitz have all participated in
previous games. Mink may be inspired and ecstatic about her chance
to participate in the games, but she will remain focused. After
all, Mink is no stranger to the spotlight. She has performed in
many events: Competing in the national championships while training
at the renowned SCATS gym in 1993 and representing the U.S. at
Amistad ’95. Mink also participated in three U.S. Classics and two
American Classics competitions between 1993 and 1995. During that
time, she earned the title Gymnast of the Year twice at the SCATS
gym. Last year as a freshman, Mink was an integral part of the
gymnastics team’s success throughout the season. She was a regular
competitor for the team and often competed as an all-arounder for
the Bruins. At the Pac-10s last spring, she scored a personal
all-around high of 39.25. She also scored career highs on the vault
(9.9) and beam (9.85). On what she considers her best event, the
vault, Mink had five top-five finishes throughout the season. Mink
was also no slouch on bars, finishing in the top-five several times
during the season. Her lead-off score in the bars of 9.825 set the
tone for UCLA at the NCAA Nationals, as the team went on to set a
school record of 49.525, which clinched the championship for the
Bruins. By vaulting the Bruins to a national championship, Mink
proved herself an integral and valuable asset to the women’s
gymnastics team. For Mink, winning the title is the current
highlight of her career, along with representing the U.S. in
Guatemala. Mink’s accomplishments are backgrounded by support from
her friends and family. Mink has admired her teammates’ focus and
poise. One of the gymnasts who Mink strives to emulate is senior
Stella Umeh. Mink said she admires Umeh "for her poise both in and
out of the gymnastics arena." Among others who have had the
greatest impact on her life are her coaches. Before becoming a
Bruin, Mink competed under coach Don Peters for three years at
SCATS Gym. She completed her pre-gymnastics training at Gym-Max
under coaches Wen Jia and Howie Liang. Although she only formally
became a Bruin last year, her family has a long association with
UCLA. Her brother Sheldon is a senior here and her father Lyle is
the president of the Bruin Gymsters, the UCLA Gymnastics booster
club. "My first year at UCLA was amazing," Mink said. "The
(gymnastics) team is great and the school itself is a great place
to be." Hopefully, at the Maccabiah Games, Deborah Mink can prove
that she should be taken seriously, and even hint that she belongs
to the newest generation of famous Bruin gymnasts. Also
representing UCLA at the Games is sophomore golfer Jill Axelrod,
men’s volleyball incoming freshman Mark Williams, and women’s
volleyball assistant coach Burt Fuller. JUSTIN WARREN/Daily Bruin
Deborah Mink concentrates on the bars at Pauley Pavillion in
January. Previous Daily Bruin Story Kondos brings fresh talent to
w. gymnastics, August 11, 1996 Related Link Maccabiah Games,
official site