temperamental tasha - part 1

yes, i realize this preamble is longer than the story thus far below... 

inspired by this past weekend's olympic trials for women's gymnastics--
a typical nbc fluff piece was focused on the "love/hate relationship" between Tasha Schwikert and her coach Cassie Rice.

there was one part where Cassie was talking about how frustrating Tasha could be at times--sometimes she could be the greatest kid in the world and others "you just want to..."

*she pauses and I'M going: 'o.m.g. you just wanna spank her?? come on, say it!"*

...punch her," she continues laughing.

damn it! lol.

also interesting, if you happen to have access to the ny times archives is an article from june 3. if not, just a few quotes of interest:

~...Joy Schwikert said at one of Tasha's workouts last week, there just to reassure the coach that her daughter wouldn't behave badly.

~More than once since the 2000 Olympics, Schwikert has been kicked out of the gym -- one time nearly permanently because her brattiness rose to spectacularly irritating levels.

~"Oh please, God, at least for one day, why, oh, why, can't you give me one of those robotic, respectful, listening girls?" Rice said last week, again exasperated. "The problem is, whatever makes her great also makes her cocky and egotistical. She can be the best kid in the world, but sometimes you'd be appalled."

~on any given day, there are arguments and shouting matches between Tasha and her coach. Sometimes Schwikert dillydallies during her workout by chatting with other gymnasts. Sometimes she shows up late, fails to complete her assignments or decides to amend Rice's workouts without asking.

~Early last year, for example, an on-edge Rice could not just brush off Schwikert's poor attitude and laziness, as she usually did. Instead, she kicked her out of the gym for good. Schwikert stayed away for two weeks before begging Rice's forgiveness.

~I said, 'You can work out here only if you prove you can be a perfect, disciplined
athlete,' and she said she would do it," Rice said. "I knew she had it in her. At times,
she can play the role and be so respectful and sweet."

~~~~~
Tasha sauntered in the door about a quarter after 9.
It was a sunny Saturday morning in Las Vegas, where her teammates were 45 minutes into their morning workout.

The Olympian and 2-time national champ casually shrugged off the little shorts and tank top she wore over the blindingly bright green leo and sat on a mat to begin stretching.

On the other side of gym, coach Cassie didn't turn around or otherwise respond when a few of the girls told her Tasha had arrived.

Not in any rush, Tasha eventually headed over to the beams and began warming up her routine, while chatting with a teammate.

Cassie's first words to Tasha came an hour or so later, as she watched her prized brat goofing off as the team went through the fast-paced tumbling drills.

"GET OUT!" she barked.

The perfect picture of wide-eyed innocence, "What did *I* do?" Tasha cried.

**God help me, if she stamps her foot, I cannot be held responsible for my actions**

Eyes flashing, Cassie repeated, "OUT."

With a dramatic role of her eyes, a pouty "Fine," and a not-so-under-her-breath, "screw you," she stomped to the locker room.

The assistant coach had to physically hold Cassie back when Tasha slammed the door closed behind her.

She came back out 20 minutes later, dressed and w/ full make-up, as practice was winding down.

Pretending just-fine-and-dandy, she was caught completely off-guard when a steely eyed Cassie came to be blocking her path to the front door, w/ a fierce grip on her arm.

At a loss for words for a rare moment, Tasha found herself dragged to the office and left locked in before she even whined a single word.

All too soon, practice over, and she was re-joined by a rather peeved looking Cassie...



- posted by unquiet @ 11:07 AM