Johnson takes all-around title at Tyson American Cup

	Shawn Johnson wowed the crowd and never looked back at the Tyson American Cup last Saturday. Courtesy of Jason Harris

Each week SI.com will select the athlete who displays excellence on and off the field as the Primetime Performer.

Shawn Johnson, 4-foot-8, Fr., Valley Southwoods, West Des Moines, Iowa

Having defeated a number of the world's leading senior gymnasts last Saturday to win the all-around championship at the prestigious Tyson American Cup in Jacksonville, Fla., 15-year-old Shawn Johnson proved that her status as a phenom is continuing to grow as she does.

Despite making what coach Liang Qiao termed "two big mistakes," the brilliant freshman from Valley Southwoods (West Des Moines, Iowa) scored 62.050 points to edge another talented youngster Natasha Kelley of Katy, Texas, who had 61.450. They were followed by competitors from Mexico, Canada, China, Australia, Russia and Ukraine.

"I landed short on the vault," Johnson says about her first fall on Friday during vault qualifications. "My knees kind of buckled and touched the floor."

Johnson bounced back on Saturday to record the top score of 15.325. She also fell once during her balance beam routine -- her strongest event -- in the finals. She finished with a score of 15.450 on a routine that had a difficulty of 6.800. She was first in floor exercise with 15.525 and uneven bars with 15.750.

The 89-pound mighty mite's floor exercise routine included a double twisting double back as her first pass. Qiao says, "We put some new skills in, including a full double twisting double layout on bars, and she used it successfully. She prepared well and performed well. Some gymnasts make mistakes and give up, but she kept fighting her way up. I'm very confident she can perform even better."

Just six months earlier -- at age 14 -- Johnson was crowned Junior National Champion. Now two inches taller and four pounds heavier, she says, "I didn't have any expectations in placement. I just wanted to go out and perform to the best of my ability. I never imagined winning my first senior meet. It topped everything I've ever done. It boosted my confidence even more knowing I can make a few mistakes and overcome them."

Johnson had not competed in a meet since winning all-around and helping the USA win the Junior Pan American Championships in late August. She did attend a few camps and did a lot of "hard training. The week before we were in Houston doing two-a-day workouts. It just helps you get ready."

More training and trying competitions are in store for Johnson as she moves forward in her quest to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. From March 12-20 she will be competing in London and Northern Ireland. "The last day they are taking us to Paris for fun," she says. "I'm really excited. That's one of my dream places to go."