Copyright 1999 Plain Dealer Publishing Co. The Plain Dealer View Related Topics November 10, 1999 Wednesday, FINAL / ALL SECTION: SPORTS; Pg. 8D LENGTH: 239 words HEADLINE: HEALTH TROUBLES AGAIN PLAGUING NICOLE BOBEK BYLINE: By AMY ROSEWATER; PLAIN DEALER REPORTER BODY: Former national figure skating champion Nicole Bobek has withdrawn from both of her international competitions after collapsing last weekend following an exhibition performance in New Jersey. To skate in the upcoming U.S. Championships in Gund Arena in February, Bobek probably will need to apply for a medical bye and U.S. Figure Skating officials weren't certain if Bobek could compete in Cleveland. Bobek apparently has a high white-blood-cell count and is awaiting lab results, her spokeswoman said. Doctors advised her not to travel outside the United States, forcing her to withdraw from competitions in Germany this week and France next weekend. Typically, skaters must qualify for nationals by competing in regional and sectional events and Bobek did not skate in regionals. Bobek, who trains in Bradenton, Fla., with Kerry Leitch, last skated in an international competition in 1998 in France. Bobek won the national title and world bronze medal in 1995 but withdrew from the 1996 U.S. Championships with an ankle injury. She was third in 1997 and 1998 and was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in Nagano, Japan, where she placed 17th. She missed the 1999 nationals to treat an ovarian cyst. INVITE LIST - Lakewood's Timothy Goebel is among the eligible skaters invited to skate in a pro-am Dec. 18 in Kennewick, Wash. Among others invited are Elvis Stojko, Michael Weiss, Michelle Kwan, Bobek and Nancy Kerrigan.