Kristie Phillips Easily Wins Compulsories in the U.S. Gymnastics Championships

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kristie Phillips, 15, considered the United States’ best hope for an Olympic gymnastics medal, easily won the compulsory segment of the 1987 U.S. Championships Thursday night in her senior-level debut.

Phillips, of Baton Rouge, La., earned scores of 9.60, 9.65, 9.70 and 9.75 in the four compulsories for a total of 38.70 of a possible 40 points. The compulsories count 60% of the women’s finals, giving Phillips an adjusted score of 46.440 points.

First place in the men’s compulsories went to Scott Johnson, an 1984 Olympian, who is rebounding from a dismal 15th place in the 1986 nationals. Charles Lakes of Newhall, Calif., was second after the compulsories, which count 50% of the men’s final score.