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Jones looking for third trip to championship By Greg Stiles Meghan Jones aims for her third trip to the national gymnastics championships, while three teammates seek their first national exposure at the Region II Levels 8-10 meet this weekend. Jones, Heidi Guches, Christy Bradshaw and Wendy Love will represent Rogue Valley School of Gymnastics at Kirkland, Wash., with aspirations of earning a spot in the May 11-13 nationals at Eugene. Jones, a North Medford senior, earned her first trip to nationals in Seattle as a freshman, missed much of the next season with a broken ankle, then returned to nationals in East Lansing, Mich., last year. Jones hopes this weekend�s performance will give her a boost going into nationals. "I�ve never really hit everything at nationals, and one of my goals is to go four-for-four (balance beam, vault, uneven parallel bars and floor exercise)," Jones says. "My competition is mostly going to come from Washington girls." Jones had the same coach � Chris Blache � from her formative years until she reached Level 10. Then Allen Cult followed for two seasons. Four months ago, Jeff Amundson became her mentor. "He changed my bar routine, so it was all new, and he�s cleaning stuff in how I�m hitting," Jones says. "I�m doing a lot better, and I�m happier with the way I�m performing than in the past." Jones and Guches � a Level 9 performer � finished second in the all-around competition at the state meet earlier this month in Roseburg. Heather Justice of Portland, who will likely be Jones� teammate at Oregon State University next winter, was the individual Level 10 all-around champion. Jones hopes her performance in days ahead will lead to financial aid from the Beavers. Jones recorded a 36.925 all-around score at state, taking second in the parallel bars (9.450). Guches was first in the bars (9.025) and second in the vault (8.875) and balance beam (8.875). Bradshaw, of Medford, and Love, of Grants Pass, will compete at Level 8. Lindsay Warren, of Ashland, qualified for the regional Level 9 competition but won�t be able to perform because of serious knee injury. Level 9 competition is scheduled for Friday, Level 10 on Saturday and Level 8 on Sunday. The regional is hosted by Northwest Aerials. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4483, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.