Yo-yo fanatics from 14 states show their skills in City Plaza

Courtesty of the Chico Enterprise Record:
Sunday, October 6, 2002

By DANNY BERNARDINI - Staff Writer
They gathered in groups discussing the game plan, proudly displaying their team name on their jerseys.

The strategy sessions were only broken to marvel at and applaud their competitor who was wowing judges while perched on one foot. Welcome to the 2002 National Yo-Yo Contest.

Held in City Plaza, the contest hosted participants from 14 states and drew a crowd that nearly filled the downtown park. Throughout the day, yo-yo'ers could be seen meticulously critiquing themselves about the upcoming competition.

Sam Miller, 15, was the only Chico resident to make it to the 1A freestyle finals, his third appearance.

"I'm not nearly as nervous as last year," he said. "This year I'm going for fun."

He said even though he was the only member from the Bird in Hand team to make it to the finals, there was no bragging.

"I know these guys are better than me," the ninth-place finisher said. "It's not like I'm going 'ha ha.' "

While waiting to be seeded, Miller's nerves got the better of him as he worried about when he would go on. He went second.

"You don't want to go first. If you go last, you have time to think," he said. "It's a mental thing."

Joining Miller on the stage was 11-year-old Ross Yonamine, who made the trip from Oahu to compete. He finished second in his region behind a former world champion.

"I'm nervous, so I just get hyper from eating candy," Yonamine said. "I don't get too excited up there."

He said his young age and talent impress others.

"They ask me how old I am and they say 'wow,' " he said.

Mixed into the male-dominated sport was Jen Niles, who came from L.A. to simply have fun and show those who take it too seriously to just enjoy yo-yo'ing.

"I got a big, fat zero (in the qualifying round)," Niles, 30, said. "It's all about having fun. I like to go up on stage and miss my tricks and have fun."

She said another reason for competing is to show other women they can yo-yo, too.

"(Females) aren't common at all. There's a small handful," she said. "I try to encourage more women to do it."

For those who needed a break from the yo-yo'ing, a spin-top competition also was held - the first time this has happened on a large scale at a national event. Former world champion Dave Bazan was on hand to judge.

"They get big trophies this year," Bazan said. "There are more and more players picking it up."

It wasn't just locals who showed up to the event. Paul Dupraw and his wife traveled from Washington to watch the championship. He said times have changed since he won his Portland City Championship in the '50s.

"It was wooden yo-yos then. There was no such thing as ball bearings," Dupraw said. "I won by doing loop d' loops. I think I did 15."

He said the show was well worth the trip.

"I can't believe these young fellas. I came here to watch and I love it," he said. "Yo-yo is here to stay."

Those taking home top honors were 2000 world champion Jon Gates of Denver, who won the spin-top competition; Brent Dellinger from Salina, Kan. in the 1A division; and Matt Harlow from Paradise Valley, Ariz. in the 2A division.

Title
Subtitle

Info.