SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/JESSICA KOURKOUNIS Gymnast Hollie Vise says her potential selection to the Olympic team rests with her abilities on the balance beam and uneven bars. "Those are the events I'm strongest on," she said.

PLANO - It was hard to miss Hollie Vise at the 2003 World Gymnastics Championships in Anaheim, Calif.

Vise, the cover girl of the meet, was featured prominently on posters and programs. She also stood out on the competition floor, earning a share of the uneven bars title and helping the United States capture the team gold medal.

Now a star on the U.S. gymnastics scene, the 16-year old Dallas resident still has to prove herself to earn a spot on the 2004 Olympic team, starting with the season-opening World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) Classic on Saturday in Allen.

Evgeny Marchenko, Vise's coach at the WOGA in Plano, said he's confident she is up to the challenge.

"That's always been a strong point of Hollie's, what she can do when it counts," he said. "Plus, to be recognized internationally like she is, it gives you an opportunity to be in the front row when it comes to selection. But there's a lot of people who will fight for that spot."

An international competitor since 1999, Vise earned two bronze medals at the 2001 Goodwill Games and has won several titles at U.S. events. She has long stood out for her flexibility and superior dance ability.

She proved her grit at the 2003 U.S. Championships in June after battling an elbow strain and sore back early in the year.

Instead of letting the injuries hamper her, Vise turned in a solid performance, tying for second in the all-around with 2000 Olympian Tasha Schwikert to earn a world team berth. She also won the balance beam and took second on the uneven bars.

"I wanted to make top three because I wanted to go to worlds, and you're not under pressure if you're locked in [to the team]," Vise said.

Vise and WOGA teammate Carly Patterson were key players at the worlds in Anaheim. Patterson finished second in the all-around, while Vise shared the bars title with U.S. teammate Chellsie Memmel.

Vise said she knows a possible Olympic team selection will depend mostly on her balance beam and uneven bars performances.

"Those are the events I'm strongest on," she said. "On floor and vault I can get a good score, but I won't make event finals. I'm a good all-arounder, but there are others on the team who are stronger."

Six gymnasts will make the Olympic team, most selected by U.S. national team coordinator Marta Karolyi and other USA Gymnastics officials. The top one or two finishers at June's Olympic Trials will make the team, which will be announced around July 21, after a training camp in Huntsville.

Marchenko said he will bring Vise along slowly this season. After worlds, he scaled back Vise and Patterson's training schedule. Vise's skills will not change much, although she now has two different balance beam routines she can perform.

"Hollie's very strong physically and prepared for what she has to do," Marchenko said. "She's always been an example for everyone here of how to do your best on a day-to-day basis."