By Andy Johnston
Staff Writer
Article dated May 31, 1992

Andy Thornton knows his chances are slim.

Nothing would be better than to post better scores than big brother Jay Thornton at the Coca-Cola National Gymnastics Championships, but he is realistic. After all, Jay is a NCAA champion, and Andy is only 16 years old.

``Jay would have to make some major mistakes for that to happen,'' Andy said. ``My goal is to concentrate on my competition. I just want to do well against the guys in my age group.''

Jay and Andy Thornton will compete at the championships June 5-8 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn. Jay is shooting for a shot at the U.S. Olympic team. Andy, on the other hand, wants to claim a spot on the Junior National team.

As far as the Thorntons can remember, it is the first time they have participated in the same competition. An age difference of five years has always separated them in their sport.

``It's amazing that we're going to be at the same competition,'' said Jay, a Westside product and a senior at the University of Iowa. ``This should be a lot of fun. I know we've never competed together in anything as prestigious as the U.S. Championships.''

Actually, Jay and Andy will not be competing against each other.

Jay, 21, recently won the NCAA vault title and was named All-American on floor exercise and parallel bars to cap a season where he overcame a separated right shoulder and sprained lower back.

He will need to finish among the top 14 senior gymnasts to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials June 27-30 in Boston. The final seven-member Olympic team will be selected there.

``Jay came back big from all those injuries this year, but it sure doesn't get any easier for him,'' Iowa coach Tom Dunn said. ``He'll have to do real well to make the Olympics. He has a shot for sure, but it'll be tough. Real tough.''

Andy, who is wrapping up his sophomore year at Westside, advanced to the championships by finishing among the top 12 at the Junior Nationals in Tulsa, Okla., on May 8-12. If he finishes among the top seven juniors at the championships, Andy will become a part of the U.S. Junior National team.

``This is a great opportunity for Andy,'' his coach, Day Hayden, said. ``This is the first time the junior nationals have been invited to compete with the seniors, so it'll be a great atmosphere. Just to be on the same floor with some of the older guys will be a big thrill to the younger guys.''

For Jay, school is out for the summer. He has remained in Iowa City, Iowa, to train for his chance at representing the U.S. in Atlanta this summer.

If he doesn't make it, Jay has a backup plan. He is majoring in economics and pre-medicine. Even though Jay has finished his athletic eligibility, he will continue classes at Iowa next year to complete his pre-med courses.

At the championships and trials, senior gymnasts will be scored on 12 routines - six compulsory and six optionals. Compulsories are not a part of collegiate competition, so Jay has to work on those during practice, in addition to his optional routines in the vault, floor, parallel bars, pommel horse, still rings and horizontal bar.

``I don't care about winning a single event as long as I do well in all six,'' Jay said. ``I want to pick up points by hitting all of my routines. I'm just concentrating on consistency. You can't miss a couple and expect to make the team. You have to have a great meet.''