U.S. Gymnastics Championships : Hayden Gets 10 on Parallel Bars

HOUSTON — Dan Hayden earned a perfect score of 10 on parallel bars Thursday en route to winning the compulsory segment of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. But it was the lowest scorer of the session, 1984 Olympic medalist Tim Daggett, who attracted the bulk of the applause and attention.

Just 8 1/2 months after he suffered a near-crippling leg injury in the 1987 World Championships, Daggett managed to score 8.75 or higher on five of the six required events. It was a major accomplishment for the 26-year-old, who is trying to complete his near-miraculous recovery in time to make the 1988 Olympic team.

Charles Lakes, of Newhall, Calif., runner-up to injured 1987 champion and Olympic veteran Scott Johnson last year, placed second in compulsories. Kevin Davis and Tom Schlesinger, both of Lincoln, Neb., were third and fourth in the round, which counts 50% of the men’s final score.

The women, led by defending champion Kristie Phillips of Baton Rouge, La., performed their compulsories, which count 40%, at The Summit Thursday.

The national championships are the first step in qualifying for the 1988 Olympic team. The top 18 men and top 20 women advance to the Trials in Salt Lake City, Aug. 4-7.