Tracy Calore (USA)

Results courtesy of the Calore family

Photo used with the expressed permission of Sato Takeo of the OEFC Gymnastics Gallery

Tracy Calore was untouchable as a junior gymnast. Although age ineligible, she was capable of throwing of skills arguably as well as the best seniors in the World. For example, at the 1983 USAIGC meet Tracy threw a layout tsuk-full, one of the hardest vaults at the time. That same year she won the Junior-Junior division (yes, junior-junior...kind of like a children's division) at US Nationals. A very young Tracy found herself representing the USA at the 1983 Riga and Moscow News Invitationals, competing against such stars as Soviets Natalia Yurchenko and Olga Mostepanova. That same year she was featured in the "Faces in the Crowd" section of Sports Illustrated and on Kids World, a National TV show.

In 1984 Tracy advanced to the junior elite level. In a class by herself, she won the Junior US National title and medalled on three out of four apparatus finals. Tracy would go on to represent the USA in meets around the globe: Japan, Canada, Italy, etc. She also appeared in the USGF's Tour of America's Greatest Gymnastic Champions.

Several more appearances would follow in 1985. Among the more interesting ones was her appearance with the Pointer Sisters in the Night of 100 Stars, a big show at Radio City Music Hall. The Pointer Sisters performed their song "Jump" there and several gymnasts from the Parkettes provided gymnastics in the background to go along with this.

Age eligible in 1985, Tracy made her first World Championships team. Her 9.775 on her optional vault would prove to be the USA's highest score of the meet (tied with Garrison's 9.775 compulsory beam routine). Unfortunately, just as she became age eligible for senior competition, serious injuries began to plague her. While practicing for the 1986 USA vs USSR dual meet Tracy dislocated her pointer finger at the knuckle. Surgery was required. Several weeks later, and nowhere up to strength, Tracy competed at the 1986 US Nationals. She finished a disappointing 16th AA, but rebounded to win silver on vault and floor.

In 1988 Tracy was selected to represent the USA at the prestigious World Sports Fair in Japan. The competition did not go well for Tracy. Although her ankle was fractured prior to the meet, it was decided that she would compete regardless. Unfortunately though, while favoring the one ankle during her floor exercise, she injured the other ankle. The Japanese physicians believed the ankle to be broken, so she returned home in a temporary cast. Luckily, the ankle turned out only to be sprained.

With only two months recovery time for her serious ankle injuries, Tracy's disappointing finish at the 1988 US Nationals (24th AA) is hardly surprisingly. Unfortunately, this finish kept her from qualifying to the 1988 US Olympic Trials. In many ways, Tracy fell victim to timing: She has Olympic talent, but was too young to compete at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and past her peak for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

That same year, Tracy graduated from High School and left the Parkettes. She went on to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill on a full gymnastics scholarship. She competed for UNC for her first three years, but was constantly hampered by ankle injuries. These ankle problems, which had actually started while she was competing at the Parkettes, eventually got so bad that she could not compete NCAA in her final years. Still wanting to be a part of the team, Tracy helped with the coaching side of things. This enabled her to keep her gymnastics scholarship.

Bob and Tracy (September 1999) and Tracy and Benjamin  (December 1999).
Photos used with the expressed permission of Tracy Savino

Thinking she might be interested in Sports Psychology, Tracy decided to major in Psychology at UNC. Her studies actually led her to a new interest, public relations. Following her undergraduate degree, Tracy enrolled in graduate school at the University of Maryland. In 1994 she received her Masters Degree in Mass Communications. Tracy has been working for Friends & Company, a temporary staffing service, for the past 6 years. She is the regional manager for the company's Virginia locations.

In November 1995 Tracy married Bob Savino. On December 12, 1998, the two welcomed their first child into the world, a son they named Benjamin. According to Tracy, Benjamin is the "joy of our lives.

Parkette Reunion (August 1998)
Back: Cindy Rosenberry and Tracy Calore-Savino, Middle: Nicole Kushner, Bottom: Jessica Armstrong and Robin Netwall. Photo used with the expressed permission of Tracy Savino

Although she is kept very busy with work and family, Tracy has managed to stay connected with the world of gymnastics. She is currently taking part in the USA Gymnastics National team mentoring program, her "mentee" is Carri Nagle. Tracy also enjoys staying in contact with former coaches Bill and Donna Strauss, and many of her former training partners. In fact, she attends many of the Parkettes reunions.

Tracy has also mentioned that she may get back into coaching one day. During college she coached a bit during the summer, both in North Carolina and at the Parkettes camps. She particularly liked coaching the three- to five-year-olds.

Tracy Calore was born on February 22, 1970

Thanks to Chris Scott and Mark Welch, and especially Dolores Calore and Tracy Savino, for their help with this tribute.

. This page was created on March 22, 2000.