The Saline Reporter
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Gymnastics head coach dismissed
Van Slambrouck let go after 'culmination' of factors, White says
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
The Saline gymnastics team's season took a sudden turn last week when head coach Paul Van Slambrouck was dismissed with a month remaining in his third season at the helm of the Hornets.
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The decision to remove Van Slambrouck from the gymnastics head coaching position was made by Saline Athletic Director Rob White Jan. 30, with Van Slambrouck and the Hornets informed that afternoon before Saline's dual meet against Parma Western that night.
Saline lost to the Panthers by a final score of 125-122.95 with assistant coach Julie Warmbrodt in charge. Warmbrodt has agreed to coach the Hornets for the remainder of the 2008 season.
Speaking early this week, White emphasized that the decision was based on "nothing scandalous" or any single particular incident, but on "a number of different things."
"There wasn't just one factor. This decision was a result of the culmination of many things," he said. "It's a decision based on what we feel is best for the young women on the team and for the program as a whole."
The in-season timing of the move, White admitted, was "not what we would choose" in most situations. But he asserted that with a capable replacement available in Warmbrodt, in this case he firmly believed that making the change now was the right move.
"My charge is to offer the young women in this program the most positive experience we can," White said. "We have to do what's best for the program. We felt that it was time to move in a different direction."
Reached by phone this week, Van Slambrouck said he was disappointed in the decision and that Warmbrodt was a "phenomenal" coach, but otherwise declined comment on the situation "in the best interest of the girls and the program."
White acknowledged the disruption created by Van Slambrouck's dismissal, but said he also believed the Hornets could still enjoy a successful close to their season.
"The young ladies on that team are very resilient and I'm proud of how they've handled it," he said. "We also have a very capable coach in Julie. We're very confident in her abilities."
At Parma, Paige Cederna's score of 33.10 and Kristy Richart's of 32.40 would place them second and third, respectively, in the meet all-around standings, but it wasn't enough to get Saline the win.
Rachel Cole continued to shine in the vault with a meet-best 8.45. Also scoring for Saline were Cederna with a third-place 8.2, Richart with an 8.05 and Jessie Rogers with a 7.75.
Richart posted Saline's highest score on the bars, taking second at the meet with an 8.50. Cederna took third spot with an 8.1, while Cole recorded a 6.8 and Rogers a 4.05.
Cederna was the only Hornet to score above an 8.0 on the beam, taking second with an 8.4. She was followed by Rogers with a 7.5, Richart with a 7.4 and Cole with a 6.9.
Cole's 8.6 led the Hornets to a 1-2-3 sweep of the floor exercise. Richart recorded an 8.45 and Cederna an 8.4.
The Hornets competed without senior Kara Williams.
Saline will host Plymouth 6 p.m. Tuesday in the team's next dual meet.
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