Complex sentence: Solinger failed to place at the Miss USA 1998 pageant, Gambill was very close in succeeding Miss Teen USA 1989 and Miss USA 1997, Brandi Sherwood, she placed as 1st runner up.
Split into simpler sentences: Solinger failed to place at the Miss USA 1998 pageant. Copying Miss Teen USA 1989 and Miss USA 1997, Brandi Sherwood, Gambill placed 1st runner up.