In Winchester, everyone's cheering for gymnast

Alicia Sacramone of Winchester competed Sunday during a women's gymnastics qualification event in Beijing. (Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images)

WINCHESTER - A white banner hovering over the main thoroughfare expresses this town's hopes for a high-flying native: It wishes good luck to gymnast Alicia Sacramone, who is striving for gold at the Beijing Olympics.

The mention of her name causes a buzz among proud residents who are eagerly tuning in to see how she fares in the international spotlight.

"Sacramone," said 13-year-old Peter Wheatley, whose friends and family have been anticipating her performance. "We're rooting for her."

"Without knowing her personally, we feel a connection with her," said his mother, Lynda, as the two walked through a cluster of shops in the center of the town of 22,000 north of Boston.

Sacramone will compete in the vault and team competition scheduled to air tonight. She was disqualified from the individual floor finals Aug. 17 when she stepped out of bounds during her routine Sunday.

"They're all excited - the neighbors and the friends," said Sacramone's grandmother Dolores Goodwin, who is staying at the family's Winchester home while the rest of the family is in Beijing.

"That'll be the best opportunity available to her now," said Goodwin about the vault competition. "We're very proud of her. . . . We just want her to be healthy and happy because so many of the girls get hurt."

Last fall, the Winchester Board of Selectmen recognized Sacramone and wished her well in the Olympic Games. Her journey to Beijing has been followed by the local papers.

"Although Winchester gets quiet in the summer, there is a buzz of excitement at Town Hall and around the community about Alicia as she competes in the Olympics," said Town Manager Melvin Kleckner.

In Burlington, employees of the Brestyan's American Gymnastics Club, where Sacramone trains, said they will also be glued to the screen.

"We've trained with her, we've watched her day in and day out," said Eva Minichiello, one of the coaches at the gym. "It's really indescribable really how excited everybody is."

Jonnelle Marte can be reached at jmarte@globe.com.