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Jump-rope team heads to nationals PHOENIX -- Seven pairs of talented feet are headed to Orlando, Fla., this week for a national jump-rope competition. It's the fourth year that members of Talented Feet, a team of 20 girls and one boy in the Phoenix-Talent school district, qualified for the competition. But head coach Ann Thompson-Hague says it's just as exciting as the first year. "We've done well -- made the Top 10 in several events," she said. "The more we're there, the more experience we get." Competition is tough at nationals, she said. Last year there were 608 competitors. Two other Oregon teams -- from Albany and Dallas -- are also going. The team leaves Wednesday for a three-day competition beginning Friday. Team members making the trip include: Samantha Hollander, Kelly Goodkin, Paola Mobley, Cameo Longiotti, Jennifer Knight, Rebecca Garcia and Tamara Richey. The girls, from 9 to 17, will compete in individual and team events. In double dutch, two ropes are turned by team members at each end, while others do their skipping in the middle. Some events are speed-oriented, others judge how well a routine is synchronized. "You're getting a lot more gymnastics moves," said team mother Linda Goodkin. "It's getting more and more difficult." Goodkin says the team has a good chance for a medal in their speed relay, pairs freestyle and possibly double-dutch single speed. ESPN will broadcast the final competitions after they take place. For those who'd like to see them in action before the competition, the team has scheduled two performances today . The first begins at 9:45 a.m. at the Ashland Christian Fellowship, 50 E. Hersey St., and one follows at 11 a.m. at the Mountain View Retirement Residence at Maple and North Main in Ashland. The team has been raising funds for the trip, but still could use some help covering the $1,000 cost per team member, says Thompson-Hague. Tax-deductible contributions can be made out to Phoenix-Talent Education Foundation in care of Linda Goodkin, treasurer, 1315 Talent Ave., Talent OR 97540. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA