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CONTENTS Publisher Steve Penny Editor Luan Peszek Graphic Designer Jeannie Shaw
MAY • JUNE 2012
FEATURES 10 Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships The Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships were held in Everett, Wash., March 16-18, and included men’s, women’s, rhythmic and trampoline competition. The USA brought home 63 medals in all of the disciplines combined.
18 Medal Bound in Italy USA GYMNASTICS BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair: Peter Vidmar
The U.S. Team won the junior and senior team titles at the City of Jesolo Trophy competition in Italy. Kyla Ross won the senior all-around title and Lexie Priessman was the junior champion.
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ALY
20 Men’s NCAA
Secretary: Gary Anderson Treasurer: Jim Morris National Membership – Women: Tom Koll National Membership – Women: Steve Rybacki National Membership – Men: Yoichi Tomita National Membership – Men: Russ Fystrom National Membership – Rhythmic: Brooke Bushnell-Toohey National Membership – Trampoline & Tumbling: George Drew National Membership – Acrobatic Gymnastics: Dr. Jay Binder Advisory Council: Mike Burns Advisory Council: Ron Ferris Advisory Council: Carole Ide Athlete Director – Women: Terin Humphrey Athlete Director – Men: John Roethlisberger Athlete Director – Rhythmic: Jessica Howard Athlete Director – Trampoline & Tumbling: Karl Heger Athlete Director – Acrobatic Gymanstics: Michael Rodrigues Public Sector: Bitsy Kelley Public Sector: Frank Marshall Public Sector: Jim Morris
The University of Illinois won the NCAA Men’s Championships team title and Jake Dalton was crowned all-around champion. Six gymnasts won the six individual event titles.
22 Women’s NCAA In a close battle for first, the University of Alabama won its second consecutive NCAA Women’s Championships title, while the University of Florida and UCLA were one-tenth or less short of the victory. Florida’s Kytra Hunter won the allaround title.
24 World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships The U.S. hosted its first World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships and World Age Group Competition at the HP Field House, located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
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Unless expressly identified to the contrary, all articles, statements and views printed herein are attributed solely to the author and USA Gymnastics expresses no opinion and assumes no responsibility thereof.
Artisitic team Men’s and Women’s photos by John Cheng. Rhythmic team photo by Diane Bidermann.
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28 T&T Elite Challenge Steven Gluckstein and Savannah Vinsant won the senior trampoline titles at the 2012 U.S. Elite Challenge, the first of three selection events for the 2012 Olympic Games where one man and one woman will represent the USA in trampoline.
Public Sector: Mary Lou Retton
CHANGE OF ADDRESS AND SUBSCRIPTION INQUIRIES: In order
20-23
DEPARTMENTS 6 30 30 36 48 50
EDITORIAL EVENT SCHEDULE EVENT RESULTS GYM UPDATE FACES IN THE GYM CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
BELGIUM MIXED PAIR
Vice-Chair: Paul Parilla
On the cover:
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USA GYMNASTICS is published bimonthly for $19.95 per year in the U.S., $32 per year in Canada or Mexico, and $45 per year in all other countries. USA GYMNASTICS is published by USA Gymnastics, 132 E. Washington St., Suite 700 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 237–5050, www.usagym.org. USA Gymnastics is the sole national governing body for the sport of gymnastics. A not-for-profit organization, USA Gymnastics selects, trains and administers the U.S. Gymnastics Team, including the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team. Contributions and support are always welcome and are tax-deductible. ©2012 USA Gymnastics. All rights reserved. Printed by Sport Graphics, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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2012 is going to be a busy summer of gymnastics! The elite season for men and women kicks off in May with the men’s qualifier in Colorado Springs and the Secret U.S. Classic in Chicago for the women. Both events qualify athletes to the Visa Championships, which are set for St. Louis, Mo., June 7-10, and will be the first step on the road to making the Olympic Team. The USA Gymnastics Rhythmic and Trampoline Championships will take place June 26-28 in San Jose, Calif. This meet will be the third and final event in the selection process for Trampoline and determines the athletes who will make the Olympic Team. The Rhythmic Championships will showcase Julie Zetlin as she prepares to compete in the Olympic Games. The U.S. Olympic Trials in San Jose will be the event of the quadrennium, June 28-July1, with all of our best athletes trying to earn just one of the five spots on the Olympic Team. And then of course the Olympic Games in London take place July 27-August 12. After the Olympic Games fans across the country will have a chance to see their favorite gymnasts up-close-and-personal at the 2012 Kellogg’s® Tour of Gymnastics Champions. 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin will lead an impressive cast that includes members of the men’s and women’s 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympic teams, in men’s, women’s, rhythmic, acrobatic gymnastics and trampoline and tumbling. The Kellogg’s Tour will visit 40 cities between September and November, and tickets are on sale now through participating gymnastics clubs until the official public on-sale date later this summer. Log on to www.kelloggstour.com to find the city closest to you and check back often for updates and new information. A Gym Club Ticket Sales Program has been created to make sure that our most loyal fans get the first opportunity to secure seats to this event. Joining this program is easy, so log on to www.KelloggsTour.com today and register your club for this special ticket sales program. Participating clubs will get discounts on tickets when purchasing as a group and qualify for great incentives, including a chance to have your gymnasts participate in their local show. There is an early bird ticket deadline of May 31 in most markets, so be sure and buy your tickets soon to get the best prices and seat locations. And, as part of the ticket sales incentive program, local gymnasts of all ages and skill level will have the unique opportunity to participate in their Kellogg’s Tour stop alongside the elite cast of gymnastics superstars. Participating as part of the official Opening and Closing Ceremonies, local gymnasts will play an important role in helping to celebrate the Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions and the true spirit of our sport. Partnerships with Kellogg’s, P&G, and Hilton, as well as AEG Facilities, have made the Kellogg’s Tour possible. This is one event you will not want to miss. See you in the gym, Steve Penny
President and CEO USA Gymnastics
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THE MAGAZINE’S MISSION STATEMENT
USA Gymnastics Gymnastics, a bimonthly magazine, is a benefit of membership from USA Gymnastics. The mission of USA Gymnastics magazine is to communicate with gymnasts, parents, coaches, judges, volunteers, clubs and fans of the sport in order to promote the programs, people, events and services of USA Gymnastics.
VISION To inspire and enable our members to achieve excellence in the sport of gymnastics and in life. THE ORGANIZATION’S MISSION The mission of USA Gymnastics is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of gymnastics.
CORE OBJECTIVES n Build the base n Promote the sport n Achieve competitive success
USA GYMNASTICS SPONSORS AND SUPPLIERS
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The 2012 Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships was held March 16-18 in Everett, Wash. Team USA brought home an impressive 63 medals in all of the disciplines: men’s and women’s gymnastics, men’s and women’s trampoline and rhythmic gymnastics.
Women
Original photos by John Cheng
Team USA, led by all-around winner Jordyn Wieber of Gedderts’ Twistars USA, dominated the competition. The team, which included three juniors and three seniors, stormed to the lead after posting a 60.700 on vault and never looked back, topping the final standings, 239.700 to China’s 220.650. Canada picked up the bronze medal with a 219.000 total. Wieber posted the night’s highest all-around total, a 61.050, followed by Kyla Ross of Gym-Max, (59.200), and Christine Lee of Canada, who posted a 57.800. In the junior competition, Katelyn Ohashi of WOGA won the all-around title with a 60.000 total score. Lexie Priessman and Amelia Hundley, both of Cincinnati Gymnastics, completed the USA’s 1-2-3 finish in the junior all-around standings scoring a 57.800 and 57.600, Jordyn respectively. Hundley was not WIEBER eligible for awards due to the two per country rule.
WOMEN’S TEAM # 1 2 3
COUNTRY/NAME United States China Canada
Team USA began competition on the vault with Ohashi in the leadoff position, posting a 14.850 for a double twisting Yurchenko. Priessman, Ross and Wieber all performed two-and-a-half twisting Yurchenkos, earning 15.300, 14.850 and 15.700, respectively. The Americans moved to bars, where they earned a 60.400 total. Gabby Douglas of Chow’s Gymnastics, posted the highest score on the event for day one, a 15.500, delighting the crowd as she flew high above the bar on her piked and straddled Tkatchevs. Ross, debuting a toe-on Shaposhnikovahalf, added 15.250, and Wieber stuck her double layout dismount for a 15.000.
Results VT 60.700 53.150 55.150
UB 60.400 54.650 55.350
BB 60.750 58.100 53.300
FX AA 57.850 239.700 54.750 220.650 55.200 219.000
WOMEN’S SENIOR ALL-AROUND
1 Jordyn Wieber 2 Kyla Ross 3 Christine Lee
USA USA CAN
61.050 59.200 57.800
WOMEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AROUND
1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Lexie Priessman Amelia Hundley 3 Sakura Yumoto
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USA USA USA JPN
60.000 57.800 57.600 53.600
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Gabby DOUGLAS
Amelia HUNDLEY
Katelyn OHASHI
Results
SENIOR WOMEN’S EVENT FINALS
On beam, five of the six U.S. competitors performed back flips with full twists and totaled 60.750. Hundley lead the team off, scoring 14.200. Ross earned 15.000, performing a switch ring leap and double tuck dismount. Ohashi had the highest score of the night on any event, posting a 15.850, with her incredible difficulty, which included a flawless back handspring, back handspring, layout full twist. Wieber followed with a 15.700, after nailing a front handspring to back full to back handspring combination. The U.S. team took to the floor in the final rotation knowing they could not be caught. Ohashi started the Americans off with a 14.650. Priessman followed with a score of 14.000. Ross, performing to music from “Phantom of the Opera,” captivated the crowd and added a 14.100. Wieber, drawing huge cheers for her stuck double double mount, earned a 14.650. Hundley closed out Team USA’s efforts with a 14.450, cementing the American’s more than 19-point win over second-place China. During the senior event finals, the USA women spread around the gold medals. Douglas grabbed the gold on bars, Ross earned gold on beam and Wieber took gold on floor. Japan’s Wakiko Ryu won the gold medal on vault. Ross also won the silver on bars and the bronze on floor. Kyla ROSS
For the juniors, Priessman won the gold on vault and Ohashi cleaned up the remaining three events, winning gold on bars, beam and floor. Hundley earned the silver medals on vault and floor. Lexie PRIESSMAN
VAULT 1 Wakiko Ryu 2 Hiu Ying Angel Wong 3 Risa Konishi
JPN HKG JPN
14.062 13.875 13.587
BARS 1 Gabrielle Douglas 2 Kyla Ross 3 Peiru Luo
USA USA CHN
15.150 15.050 14.700
BEAM 1 Kyla Ross 2 Christine Lee 3 Sixin Tan
USA CAN CHN
15.375 15.300 15.050
FLOOR 1 Jordyn Wieber 2 Christine Lee 3 Kyla Ross
USA CAN USA
15.125 14.575 14.375
Results
JUNIOR WOMEN’S EVENT FINALS VAULT 1 Lexie Priessman 2 Amelia Hundley 3 Maegan Chant
USA USA CAN
15.325 14.825 13.925
BARS 1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Victoria Kayen Woo 3 Sakura Yumoto
USA CAN JPN
14.625 13.100 12.875
BEAM 1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Nina Lou 3 Maria Kharenkova
USA CHN RUS
15.275 14.700 14.025
FLOOR 1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Amelia Hundley 3 Maria Kharenkova
USA USA RUS
14.950 14.300 13.950
PAC RIM CONTINUED... USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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The U.S. moved to the still rings where Jake Dalton, University of Oklahoma, posted the team’s highest score, a 15.150, dismounting with a tucked, double twisting double back. Brooks added a 14.650, performing an Azarian to cross and back uprise to Maltese, while Mikulak posted a 14.250.
Men
Original photos by John Cheng.
The U.S. men’s gymnastics team won Champion the team gold medal at the Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships after posting a 352.050 total score to Japan’s 344.700 total. China finished in third, winning the bronze medal with a 343.250. Chris Brooks of Team Hilton HHonors (Cypress Gymnastics) and Sam Mikulak of the University of Michigan claimed the gold and silver medals in the all-around, posting 88.700 and 88.650, respectively. Koji Uematsu of Japan took home the all-around bronze medal with a score of 87.200. Team USA started on the pommel horse, posting a 53.950 total. Sean Melton of the USOTC led the Americans off with a 12.900. Brooks had the team’s highest score with a 13.850, followed closely by Mikulak with a 13.700.
# COUNTRY/NAME
FX
PH
SR
VT
On the parallel bars in rotation four, Melton started the team off strong, scoring 14.350 for a routine that included a peach half to peach. Second up, Akash Modi of Monmouth Gymnastic Academy, performed a rare and difficult full twisting double back dismount to score 14.050. Mikulak and Brooks, who nearly stuck his double front dismount, added a pair of 14.850 scores, while Dalton posted a 14.650. On high bar in rotation five, Mikulak, soaring through the air on his Kolman release move and sticking his double twisting double layout dismount, posted a 15.250. Brooks followed with a half Takamoto to layout Tkatchev and a layout Tkatchev with a half turn for a 15.650. The American team needed to average better than 12.9375 on the last event, floor, to pass the Japanese. Modi, who won the junior all-
Results
MEN’S TEAM
The Americans exploded in the third rotation on the vault, posting a 64.150 team total on the event to take control of the competition. Dalton performed a Kasamatsu double twist for a 16.100. Mikulak’s Kasamatsu oneand-a-half earned a 16.050, complementing Melton’s nearly stuck, handspring double front leadoff effort (16.200).
Chris BROOKS PB
HB
AA
1 United States 59.100 53.950 58.100 64.150 58.700 58.050 352.050 58.000 50.400 57.850 62.700 57.300 58.450 344.700 2 Japan 56.400 53.700 57.700 63.300 57.600 54.550 343.250 3 China MEN’S SENIOR ALL-AROUND 1 Chris Brooks USA 88.700 2 Sam Mikulak USA 88.650 3 Koji Uematsu JPN 87.200 MEN’S JUNIOR ALL-AROUND 1 Kaito Imabayashi JPN 84.900 2 Koji Nonomura JPN 84.400 3 Akash Modi USA 84.150
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USA GYMNASTICS GYMNASTICS MAY MAY••JUNE JUNE2012 2012
Jake DALTON
Results
MEN’S SENIOR EVENT FINALS
around bronze medal with a 84.150, behind Japan’s Kaito Imabayashi (84.900) and Koji Nonomura (84.400), started Team USA off with a 14.000. Melton scored 14.100, then, Mikulak and Brooks posted scores of 14.550 and 14.850, respectively, to ensure the team gold medal and the top two places in the senior all-around. Dalton anchored the U.S. squad, sticking an Arabian double layout mount for a 15.600 to further distance the USA from Japan.
Sam Mikulak
During senior event finals, Dalton won the floor exercise, and Brooks took gold in the still rings and high bar events. Brooks was also second on pommel horse. Mikulak took second on vault and high bar and third on pommel horse and parallel bars. Melton won two gold medals on vault and parallel bars during junior men event finals, as well as a bronze medal on floor. Kimble took second on floor and vault and third on still rings. Modi took third on pommel horse and parallel bars.
Marvin KIMBLE
Sean MELTON Akash MODI
FLOOR USA 1 Jake Dalton 2 Tatsuki Nakashima JPN CHN 3 Ran Cheng
15.375 15.075 14.575
POMMEL HORSE 1 Rongbing Liu 2 Chris Brooks 3 Sam Mikulak
CHN USA USA
14.825 14.700 14.375
STILL RINGS 1 Chris Brooks 2 Takuya Nakase 3 Joshua Jefferis
USA JPN AUS
15.075 14.950 14.825
VAULT 1 Wai Hung Shek 2 Sam Mikulak 3 Scott Morgan
HKG USA CAN
15.687 15.562 15.512
PARALLEL BARS 1 Jorge Giraldo 2 Ran Cheng 3 Sam Mikulak
COL CHN USA
15.150 14.850 14.625
HORIZONTAL BAR 1 Chris Brooks 2 Sam Mikulak 3 Rongbing Liu
USA USA CHN
15.450 15.175 14.850
Results
MEN’S JUNIOR EVENT FINALS FLOOR 1 Koji Nonomura 2 Marvin Kimble 3 Sean Melton
JPN USA USA
14.575 14.150 14.100
POMMEL HORSE 1 Kaito Imabayashi 2 Grygorii Zyrianov 3 Akash Modi
JPN RUS USA
14.850 14.000 13.950
STILL RINGS 1 Guanhua Wu 2 Sergey Stepanov 3 Marvin Kimble
CHN RUS USA
14.450 14.150 14.000
VAULT 1 Sean Melton 2 Marvin Kimble 3 Brody-Jai Hennessy
USA USA AUS
15.875 15.850 15.550
PARALLEL BARS 1 Sean Melton 2 Kangye Xu 3T Kaito Imabayashi 3T Akash Modi
USA CHN JPN USA
14.400 14.225 14.125 14.125
HORIZONTAL BAR 1 Kaito Imabayashi JPN 14.125 2 Koji Nonomura JPN 13.975 USA GYMNASTICS • JUNE 2012 13.650 13 3 Grygorii Zyrianov MAY RUS
Steven GLUCKSTEIN
Savannah VINSANT
Original TT photos by Diane Bidermann
Trampoline
TRAMPOLINE SOARS TO MEDALS AT KELLOGG’S PACIFIC RIM CHAMPIONSHIPS Senior trampolinist Steven Gluckstein of ETA landed in second place with a total score of 58.325 at the Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships. Jason Burnett of Canada claimed first with a 59.215. Russia’s Aleksey Ilichev placed third with a score of 57.825. For synchronized trampoline, both the men’s and women’s U.S. pairs medaled in the senior competition. Savannah Vinsant of Trampoline and Tumbling Express and Alaina Williams of Acrospirits, won silver for the women with a 43.60. The women’s pairs from Canada and Russia placed first and third, respectively with scores of 48.30 and 45.60. Gluckstein and Neil Gulati of World Elite won bronze (10.20), behind Australia and Russia, 45.30 and 15.60, respectively.
Colin DUDA
Alaina WILLIAMS
Neil GULATI
For the junior women’s division, Shaylee Dunavin of All American Gymnastics, who has medaled in every international competition in which she has competed, finished second with a total score of 51.680, behind Russia’s Yana Pavlova with a 53.440 and Karine Dufour of Canada in third.
Maggie GALLAGHER
Junior Cody Gesuelli of ETA, earned the bronze medal with a 51.385, behind New Zealand’s Dylan Schmidt and Mexico’s Cesar Prieto, who earned the gold and silver with a 55.910 and 53.315, respectively. In junior synchronized trampoline, Dunavin claimed another silver medal along with her partner Maggie Gallagher of World Elite, with a 42.70, behind Russia’s score of 44.90. Australia placed third with a 37.40. For the men, Gesuelli and Duda captured the gold with a total score of 45.30, with Russia and Australia earning the silver and bronze, respectively, with a 42.50 and 40.80. For the team competition, both the U.S. men’s and women’s teams claimed the bronze medals. The men had a total score of 297.290, as Australia placed first (299.43) and Russia finished second (299.20). The women had a team total of 283.93, with Canada and Russia taking the gold and silver with a 296.51 and 288.82, respectively. The U.S. men’s trampoline team total included scores from Gluckstein, Gulati, and Gesuelli, and Vinsant, Williams, and Dunavin made up the final team score for women’s trampoline.
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Cody GESUELLI
Shaylee DUNAVIN
Pac Rim continued...
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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Polina KOZITSKIY Julie ZETLIN Original photos by Diane Bidermann.
Rhythmic
USA RHYTHMIC SUCCESS – 18 MEDALS The U.S. rhythmic team took home the gold medal with a total of 385.200, over Canada and China who placed second and third, respectively, with scores of 371.550 and 366.825. Senior rhythmic gymnasts Julie Zetlin of Capital Rhythmics, and Polina Kozitskiy of Philadelphia Rhythmic, claimed the gold and silver in the all-around with scores of 97.400 and 96.450, respectively. Juniors Laura Zeng of North Shore Rhythmic and Julia Garbuz of NorthWest Rhythmic LLC, placed second and third, respecrespec tively, with scores of 94.175 and 92.650. Canada’s Patricia Bezzoubenko finished first with a score of 94.325. During event finals, Team USA captured six out of the eight available gold medals at the junior and senior rhythmic event finals. In the first half of competition, Zetlin had a first-place finish in ball, scoring a 25.300. Kozitskiy also claimed a gold in hoop with a 24.775. Garbuz won the gold medal in both hoop and ball, scoring an impresimpres sive 24.325 and 24.350, respectively. Zeng finished second in ball with a 24.200, and third in hoop, 23.775. The competition continued with more success for Team USA as Zetlin and Zeng earned the senior and junior ribbon title, respectively, with scores of 25.250 and 24.300. Alexis Page of Aviator Sports and Recreation, earned the silver medal in senior ribbon with a score of 24.300, as Garbuz gained the junior ribbon bronze medal with a 23.375. In the senior clubs, Kozitskiy placed second with a score of 24.000, behind China’s Linyi Peng, with a 24.175. Juniors Zeng and Jennifer Rokhman of North Shore Rhythmic, placed second and third with scores of 23.500 and 22.950, respectively. Bezzoubenko was first with a score of 23.825.
Alexis PAGE Julia GARBUZ
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Laura ZENG
Jennifer ROKHMAN
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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medal boun Lexie PRIESSMAN
The U.S. Team easily won the senior team title, scoring a total of 236.950, at the 2012 City of Jesolo (Italy) Trophy on March 31. Italy was second with a score of 224.250 and Russia finished third with 217.800. The nine members of the senior U.S. delegation were: Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas, WOGA; Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics; Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., GAGE; Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., GAGE; McKayla Maroney, Long Beach, Calif., All Olympia; Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., Parkettes; Alexandra Raisman, Needham, Mass., Brestyan’s American Gymnastics; Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Gym-Max Gymnastics; and Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., Desert Lights Gymnastics.
Kyla ROSS
Ross won the senior all-around crown with a score of 59.850. Completing the all-around sweep, Raisman finished second with a 59.050, Finnegan was third with 58.650 and Maroney was fourth with a 57.950. 2011 World Championships vault gold medalist Maroney had the top score for the vault with a 16.000, the highest score of the meet. Price was second on vault with a 15.700 and Ross was third with 15.550. All three gymnasts competed Amanars (Yurchenko 2.5). Ross won the uneven bars title with a score of 15.050, followed by Dowell in second with a 14.600 and Raisman in third with a 14.450. Dowell is from the U.S. but was competing in a mixed group. Ross also won beam with a score of 15.500, followed by Italy’s Carlotta Ferlito in second Sarah FINNEGAN
U.S.A. – ns. o r Champi io en S
L to R: Amelia Hundley, McKayla Skinner, McKayla Maroney, Madison Desch, Brenna Dowell, Sarah Finnegan, Brianna Brown, Lexie Priessman, Rebecca Bross, Katelyn Ohashi, Aly Raisman, Bailie Key, Kyla Ross and Elizabeth Price. – U.S.A. ions. Champ r io n u J
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Alexandra RAISMAN
nd in Original action photos by John Cheng.
I ALY RESULTS
with a 15.200 and Russia’s Anastasia Grishina with a 15.050. Grishina won the floor exercise title with a score of 14.800, with Raisman finishing second with a 14.650 and Finnegan a close third with a score of 14.600.
SENIOR
In the junior division, the U.S. Team posted a 226.850 to Italy’s 217.200 and Russia’s 215.800. The five members of the junior squad were: Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., GAGE; Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics; Amelia Hundley, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics; Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, WOGA; and Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics.
ALL-AROUND 1 Kyla Ross 2 Alexandra Raisman 3 Sarah Finnegan
USA USA USA
59.850 59.050 58.650
VAULT 1 McKayla Maroney 2 Elizabeth Price 3 Kyla Ross
USA USA USA
16.000 15.700 15.550
UNEVEN BARS 1 Kyla Ross 2 Brenna Dowell 3 Alexandra Raisman
USA USA (mixed group) USA
15.050 14.600 14.450
BALANCE BEAM 1 Kyla Ross 2 Carlotta Ferlito 3 Anastasia Grishina
USA ITA RUS
15.500 15.200 15.050
FLOOR EXERCISE 1 Anastasia Grishina 2 Alexandra Raisman 3 Sarah Finnegan
RUS USA USA
14.800 14.650 14.600
Priessman won the all-around title with her score of 56.950, followed by Italy’s Enus Mariani with a 56.000 and Key with a 55.650. The U.S. women earned three of the four event titles. Priessman won vault with her Amanar that scored a 15.850 and was also second on bars (14.700) and third on floor (14.200). Ohashi won both of the events she competed – bars (15.150) and beam (15.100). Russia’s Anastasia Grishina won the floor title with a score of 14.300. Other U.S. medals earned include Key’s second on vault (14.900) and second on floor (14.250). Hundley took third place on vault with a score of 14.650.
TEAM 1 USA, 236.950 2 Italy, 224.250 3 Russia, 217.800
JUNIOR TEAM 1 USA 2 Italy 3 Russia
McKayla MARONEY
Bailie KEY
Katelyn OHASHI
226.850 217.200 215.800
ALL-AROUND 1 Lexie Priessman 2 Enus Mariani 3 Bailie Key
USA ITA USA
56.950 56.000 55.650
VAULT 1 Lexie Priessman 2 Bailie Key 3 Amelia Hundley
USA USA USA
15.850 14.900 14.650
UNEVEN BARS 1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Lexie Priessman 3 Enus Mariani
USA USA ITA
15.150 14.700 14.650
BALANCE BEAM 1 Katelyn Ohashi 2 Enus Mariani 3 Bianca Ciobanu
USA ITA ROM
15.100 14.400 14.350
FLOOR EXERCISE 1 Maria Kharenkova 2 Bailie Key 3 Lexie Priessman
RUS USA USA
14.300 14.250 14.200
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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MEN’S
CHAMPI O he University of Illinois won the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships team title with a score of 358.850 at the Lloyd Noble Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The win marked the Illini’s first title since 1989. The host Oklahoma Sooners posted 357.450 for second, followed by Penn State with 354.800.
T
JAKE DALTON
In the final rotation, Oklahoma and Illinois battled it out on the high bar and still rings, respectively. C.J. Maestas of the UniversiUniversi ty of Illinois, anchored–nearly sticking a double-twisting, double back dismount for a 15.600. Maestas’ routine capped their 59.450 total, giving the Illini their first title in more than two decades. The competition also crowned the all-around champion, where Jake Dalton of the University of Oklahoma, grabbed the title with a 91.000 total. Defending champion Sam Mikulak of
C.J. MAESTAS
SAM MILULAK
EDDIE PENEV GLEN ISHINO
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
the University of Michigan, and Maestas posted matching 89.700 totals to tie for second place. All three are members of the U.S. Senior National Team. During event finals, Stanford’s Eddie Penev performed an original Arabian double layout half on floor for a 16.100 and the event title. Dalton took second (15.950), while Michigan’s Stacey Ervin posted a 15.450 to finish third. Glen Ishino took the top spot on pommel horse, displaying incredible one-pommel Russians and spindles before swinging smoothly into his handstand dismount. He scored 15.600, followed by Craig Hernandez of Penn State, with 15.350, and Ohio State’s Michael Newberger (15.100).
S NCAA
RESULTS TEAM FINALS
I ONSHIPS Original photos by Jessi Dalton.
Maestas won the still rings title, performing an Azarian to Maltese to bounce cross and dismounted with a tucked, double double for 15.300. Scott Rosenthal of Penn State was close behind in second with 15.250, and Dalton finished third with a 15.100. Paul Ruggeri of Illinois, and Penev both performed Yurchenko half-on to front double full vaults and received matching scores of 15.500 to tie for the event title. Preston Ellsworth of Oklahoma stuck a big handspring double front to take third with a 15.200.
a giant Suarez and front uprise Suarez. Ruggeri finished second with a 15.000, followed by Danny Beradini of Oklahoma, in third (14.950). On horizontal bar, Mikulak posted a 15.450 after performing a half Takamoto to Tkatchevhalf and a Kolman release move. Ishino, who performed last up, stuck his double-twisting, double layout for a 15.050 and second place, while Dalton finished third, scoring 14.900. NCAA Championships continued...
On the parallel bars, Dalton claimed his second title, posting a 15.200. Dalton executed
1 2 3 4 5 6
Univ. Of Illinois Univ. Of Oklahoma Penn State Univ. U.C. Berkeley Stanford Univ. Univ. Of Michigan
ALL-AROUND 1 2 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Jake Dalton Sam Mikulak C.J. Maestas Glen Ishino Dennis Mannhart Yoshi Mori Felix Aronovich Eddie Penev Paul Ruggeri Donothan Bailey
358.850 357.450 354.800 353.000 352.650 351.050
Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Michigan Univ. Of Illinois U.C. Berkeley U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Illinois Penn State Univ. Stanford Univ. Univ. Of Illinois U.C. Berkeley
EVENT FINALS FLOOR 1 2 3 4 5 6 6 8 9 10
Eddie Penev Jake Dalton Stacey Ervin Grant Perdue Sean Senters Paul Hichwa Danny Steiner Parker Raque Dylan Akers Craig Hernandez
POMMEL HORSE
Photo by Illinois Sports Information.
ILLINOIS TEAM CHAMPS
Paul Ruggeri of the University of Illinois won the 2012 Nissen-Emery Award.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Glen Ishino Craig Hernandez Michael Newburger Adrian Evans Yoshi Mori C.J. Maestas Ty Echard Chad Mason Cole Smith John Martin
RINGS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
C.J. Maestas Scott Rosenthal Jake Dalton Steven Lacombe Chris Stehl Troy Nitzky Nihir Kothari Anthony Sacramento Mike Behles James Fosco
VAULT
PAUL RUGGERI
91.000 89.700 89.700 88.400 87.550 87.100 86.750 86.450 86.400 86.350
1 1 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10
Paul Ruggeri Eddie Penev Presten Ellsworth Stacey Ervin Steven Lacombe Jake Dalton Patrick Piscitelli Michael Heredia Larry Mayer Sean Senters
PARALELL BARS 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 8 9 10
Jake Dalton Paul Ruggeri Danny Berardini Misha Koudinov Felix Aronovich Cameron Foreman Dennis Mannhart Sam Mikulak C.J. Maestas Jonathan Liu
HORIZONTAL BAR 1 2 3 4 5 5 7 8 9 10
Sam Mikulak Glen Ishino Jake Dalton Dennis Mannhart Jordan Valdez Kris Done Austin Phillips Nestor Rodriguez Cameron Foreman C.J. Padera
Stanford Univ. Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Michigan Univ. Of Nebraska Stanford Univ. Stanford Univ. Ohio State Univ. Penn State Univ. Univ. Of Oklahoma Penn State Univ.
16.100 15.950 15.450 15.400 15.150 15.050 15.050 14.950 14.900 14.500
U.C. Berkeley Penn State Univ. Ohio State Univ. Penn State Univ. Univ. Of Illinois Univ. Of Illinois Ohio State Univ. Univ. Of Illinois Univ. Of Illinois Stanford Univ.
15.600 15.350 15.100 14.800 14.600 14.550 14.450 14.350 14.300 13.500
Univ. Of Illinois Penn State Univ. Univ. Of Oklahoma U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Oklahoma Penn State Univ. Univ. Of Illinois Ohio State Univ. Stanford Univ.
15.300 15.250 15.100 14.950 14.900 14.750 14.550 14.500 13.900 13.800
Univ. Of Illinois Stanford Univ. Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Michigan U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Oklahoma Ohio State Univ. Stanford Univ.
15.500 15.500 15.200 15.150 15.100 15.100 15.050 15.000 14.250 14.050
Univ. Of Oklahoma Univ. Of Illinois Univ. Of Oklahoma Ohio State Univ. Penn State Univ. Stanford Univ. U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Michigan Univ. Of Illinois U.C. Berkeley
15.250 15.000 14.950 14.950 14.800 14.550 14.500 14.400 14.200 13.800
Univ. Of Michigan U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Oklahoma U.C. Berkeley Univ. Of Illinois Ohio State Univ. Univ. Of Illinois Penn State Univ. Stanford Univ. Univ. Of Illinois
15.450 15.050 14.900 14.850 14.700 14.700 14.350 14.300 13.900 13.850
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
21
WOMEN CHAMPIO
Alabama Wins 6th NC A he University of Alabama won its second consecutive and sixth overall team title at the 2012 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships at the Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga., April 20-22. The University of Florida was second and University of California-Los Angeles was third.
T
In a close battle for first, Alabama won the team crown with a 197.850 total. Florida and UCLA were close on the Crimson Tide’s heels with 197.775 and 197.750, respec respectively. The top three teams were separated by a tenth! The title was determined with the last rotation; UCLA was on a bye with a final score of 197.750, while Florida was on floor and Alabama on beam. Kytra Hunter of Florida was the last gymnast on floor for the Gators doing a double layout and sticking all of her landings to score a 9.925. While on beam, Priess was the last competitor for Alabama hitting a solid beam routine and scoring a 9.95 to clinch the title. Rounding out the six teams were Stanford (197.500), Utah (197.375) and Arkansas (196.300). Alabama posted the top team marks for vault (49.625), beam (49.500) and floor (49.500). UCLA had the high score on bars (49.475). KYTRA HUNTER
In the all-around competition, which was held during the preliminary day of competition, Hunter turned in an all-around score of 39.725 complete with a 9.975 on vault, a 9.900 on bars and beam and a 9.950 on floor. Georgia’s Kat Ding scored a 39.650 and Arkansas’ Jaime Pisani scored 39.625. During event finals, Hunter won the vault title with her Yurchenko 1.5 and Yurchenko full for a combined
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
N’S NCAA IONSHIPS
C AA Championships Title Original action photos by Jeff Sipsey.
average of 9.8750. Alabama’s Diandra Milliner took second with an average of 9.8250. Ding was third with 9.8125. KAT DING
Ding also won her second consecutive uneven bars title, complete with her stuck double layout dismount, for a score of 9.9875. Sami Shapiro of Stanford University was second with a 9.900 and Olivia Courtney of UCLA was third with a 9.8875. On beam, Geralen Stack Eaton of Alabama won the title with her routine that included an Onodi with a score of 9.9375. Megan Ferguson of the University of Oklahoma was second with a score of 9.9250 and Katie Matusik of the University of Arizona was third with a score of 9.8875.
Ding picked up her second first place award of the comcom petition, winning the floor exercise title with a score of 9.9500. There was a tie for second between StackElyse Hopfner Hibbs Eaton and scoring 9.9375. of UCLA, both The University of includes: Kaitlin DeMeo, Marissa Jacob, Diandra Milliner, Geralen Stack-Eaton and
RESULTS TEAM FINALS 1
University of Alabama
197.850
2
University of Florida
197.775
3 Univ. of California, Los Angeles
197.750
4 Stanford University
197.500
5 University of Utah
197.375
6 University of Arkansas
196.300
ALL-AROUND 1 Kytra Hunter
University of Florida
39.725
2 Kat Ding
University of Georgia
39.650
3 Jaime Pisani
University of Arkansas
39.625
EVENT FINALS VAULT 1 Kytra Hunter
University of Florida
9.8750
2 Diandra Milliner
University of Alabama
9.8250
3 Kat Ding
University of Georgia
9.8125
4
University of Alabama
9.8063
5 Marissa King
University of Florida
9.7875
6 Janelle Giblin
University of Nebraska
9.7625
7 Lindsey Cheek
University of Georgia
9.7313
7 Rheagan Courville
Louisiana State University
9.7313
1 Kat Ding
University of Georgia
9.9875
2 Sami Shapiro
Stanford University
9.9000
3 Olivia Courtney
Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.8875
4 Brie Olson
University of Oklahoma
Marissa Gutierrez
UNEVEN BARS
GERALEN STACKEATON
6 Aisha Gerber
Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.8250
6 Mackenzie Caquatto
University of Florida
9.8250
8 Alaina Johnson
University of Florida
9.4875
1 Geralen Stack-Eaton
University of Alabama
9.9375
2 Megan Ferguson
University of Oklahoma
9.9250
3 Katie Matusik
University of Arizona
9.8875
4 Ivana Hong
Stanford University
9.8750
4 Amanda Spinner
Stanford University
9.8750
6 Katherine Grable
University of Arkansas
9.8625
7 Samantha Peszek
Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.8500
BALANCE BEAM
Alabama team Clark, Sarah Gutierrez, Kim Ashley Priess, Ashley Sledge, Kayla Williams.
University of Florida team includes all-around champion Kytra Hunter, Mackenzie Caquatto, Ashanee Dickerson, Nicole Ellis, Amy Ferguson, Alaina Johnson, Marissa King, Rachel Spicer, Randy Stageberg and Kiersten Wang. Competing for UCLA were: Kaelie Baer, Olivia Courtney, Monique De La Torre, Tauny Frattone, Aisha Gerber, Elise Hopfner-Hibbs, Mattie Larson, Samantha Peszek, Alyssa Pritchett, and Vanessa Zamarripa.
9.8750
5 Vanessa Zamarripa Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.8500
7 Ashley Priess
University of Alabama
9.8500
7 Sara Stone
University of Oklahoma
9.8500
FLOOR EXERCISE
JAIME PISANI
1 Kat Ding
University of Georgia
9.9500
2 Geralen Stack-Eaton
University of Alabama
9.9375
2 Elyse Hopfner Hibbs
Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.9375
4 Kytra Hunter
University of Florida
9.9250
4 Melanie Jones
Oregon State University
9.9250
6 Vanessa Zamarripa
Univ. of California, Los Angeles 9.9000
6 Ashanee Dickerson
University of Florida
6 Jessie DiZiel
University of Nebraska USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
9.9000 9.9000
23
USA HOSTS 2012
WORLD ACROBATIC
GYMNASTICS CHAMPIONSHIPS
In the finals, the women’s group of Beth Landeche and Nicole Barrilleaux, who train at Crescent City Gymnastics, performed a toe-pitch double pike and earned 26.956 points for fifth place.
PAIR
T
he U.S. played host to the World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships April 16-18, marking the North American debut of the event, at the HP Field House at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Team USA was well represented, with every team member advancing to the final round.
RUSSIA
UKRAINE PAIR
By Scott Bregman, Original photos by John Cheng.
Ukraine captured the women’s group gold, scoring 28.259. Belarus (27.853) and Great Britain (27.800) won the silver and bronze medals, respectively.
RUSSIA GROUP
In the men’s pair competition, it was Russia, 28.653, Great Britain, 28.552,
U.S.A.
PAIR
Beth Landeche and Nicole Barrilleaux
24
U.S. ACRO TEAM
Acro Worlds continued...
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Here is the USA delegation in the World Age Group Competition, which also took place in Florida.
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
25
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
...CONTINUED
Belarus, 27.903, who claimed the gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively. Team USA’s women’s trio from Empire Gymnastics of Sienna Colbert, Holli Morris, and Crystal Johnston opened with toe-pitch double layout, later performing a toe-pitch double front. After their routine, the trio embraced on the podium, waving to the supportive hometown crowd. Colbert, Morris and Johnston scored 26.890 to finish in seventh place, as Russia, Belgium and Belarus scored 28.653, 28.054 and 27.601 to claim the women’s group medals.
U.S.A. GROUP
In mixed pairs, the United States’ Kelianne Stankus and Dylan Maurer, both of Empire Gymnastics, were dynamic and entertaining with handstand balances, first with both arms and then one, scoring 25.990 for eighth place.
CHINA GROUP
Belgium topped standings at 28.520, followed by Russia (28.453) and Ukraine (28.308).
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
U.S.A. MIXED PAIR
GREAT BRITAIN GROUP
The last final of competition was in men’s group, where Great Britain and China tied for the gold medal, scoring identical 28.050 totals. Russia (27.704) took the bronze.
Sienna Colbert, Holli Morris, and Crystal Johnston
Kelianne Stankus and Dylan Mauer
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
27
FIRST OF 3 SELECTION EVENTS COMPLETE FOR
TRAMPOLINE
Steven GLUCKSTEIN
Savannah VINSANT
teven Gluckstein of ETA and Savannah Vinsant of T&T Express won the senior trampoline competitions at the 2012 T&T Elite Challenge in Tulsa, Okla. The event served as the first of three qualifying events for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, where one man and one woman will represent Team USA. Gluckstein, who qualified to finals in fourth place, began his routine with a front triple pike half twist, but it was his final element, a Miller or triple twisting double layout, that left him with an ear-to-ear grin and fist pump. The New Jersey-native earned 56.255 points and 23 Olympic selection points. Gluckstein’s younger brother, Jeffrey, also of ETA, finished second, scoring 55.650, followed by Logan Dooley of World Elite Gymnastics, who finished third with 55.255. In the senior women’s final, Vinsant, who earned Team USA’s spot for the 2012 Olympic Games in London with her performance at last year’s World Championships, performed last. She posted the highest score with a 52.710, beginning her routine in impressive fashion with a tucked, triple front flip with a half twist to half-in, Rudi out to full Rudi opening sequence. With her first place finish, Vinsant earned 23 Olympic selection points.
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Original action photos by Diane Bidermann.
Dakota Earnest of Acrospirits, scored 51.440 for second, while Alaina Williams, also of Acrospirits, posted a 50.845 to finish third. The other two Olympic qualifying events are the Stars and Stripes Cup, May 11-13, in Cleveland, Ohio, and a final selection event held in conjunction with the U.S. Elite Trampoline Championships, June 27-28, in San Jose, Calif. TUMBLING FINAL In the senior men’s tumbling competition, Kalon Ludvigson of Team Revolution, earned the title with a combined score of 153.400. Natalya Beneschott of Team Revolution took the senior women’s tumbling title with a score of 125.400. DOUBLE MINI-TRAMPOLINE FINAL In the senior men’s double mini-trampoline final, Austin White of World Elite Gymnastics, who is the reigning World silver medalist in the event, took first with a 75.300. For the women, Kristle Lowell of 5 Star Tumbling and Trampoline won the title, earning 132.800 points. SYNCHRO TRAMPOLINE FINAL Audrey Ghanian of ETA and Deana Parris of Fairland Gymnastics, senior women, and Steven Gluckstein and Dooley, senior men, claimed the synchronized trampoline titles with scores of 108.000 and 134.500, respectively. For full results and videos from the event, go to www.usagym.org/trampoline.
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
29
EVENT SCHEDULE
USA MEN WIN MEDALS
MAY 26
Secret U.S. Classic (W)
Chicago, IL
31–June 3
USA Gymnastics Open Championships (W)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
6–12
JO Nat’l. Champs./Invl./Open Champs./RSG Festival (R)
Lake Buena Vista, FL
7–10
Visa Championships (M/W)
St. Louis, MO
8–10
Region 4 Congress
St. Louis, MO
26–28
USA Gymnastics Rhythmic & Trampoline Championships
San Jose, CA
28–July1
U.S. Olympic Team Trials–Gymnastics (M/W)
San Jose, CA
28
Certifications for USA Gymnastics National Congress
San Jose, CA
29–July1
USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show
San Jose, CA
JUNE
JULY 5–7
U.S. Elite Championships (TT)
Long Beach, CA
5–11
JO National Championships (TT)
Long Beach, CA
19–22
USA Gymnastics For All Nationals
Lake Buena Vista, FL
21–25
Acrobatic National Championships
23–26
JO Optional Skills Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
27–Aug. 12 Olympic Games (M/W/R/T)
London, GBR
Detroit, MI
Original action photos by John Cheng.
2012
COTTBUS CUP John OROZCO
Paul Ruggeri of University of Illinois, and John Orozco of the Team Hilton HHonors, won the silver and bronze medals, respectively, for high bar at the 2012 World Cup in Cottbus, Germany. Ruggeri posted a 15.525, finishing behind the Netherlands’ Epke Zonderland (15.725). Orozco, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, was third at 15.375. On vault, Ruggeri earned a two-vault average of 15.825 for his two vaults, 16.175 and 15.475. He tied for sixth with Jeffrey Wammes of the Netherlands. Igor Radivilov of the Ukraine won the event at 16.250. On the first day of the event finals, Jesse Silverstein of Gymnastics Development Center II, and Orozco competed in the still rings final, finishing sixth (15.025) and eighth (14.400), respectively. China’s Chen Yibing was first at 15.675.
AUGUST 8–11
TOPs Invitational Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
10–12
Region 6 Congress
Providence, RI
10–12
Region 8 Congress
Nashville, TN
12 – 15
TOPs Invitational Camp (W)
Huntsville, TX
17–19
Region 7 Congress
Baltimore, MD
22-25
Women’s Level 300 JO Team Coaches Course (W300)
Huntsville, TX
24–26
Region 2 Congress
26 – 29
Women’s Level 400 National Coaches Course (W400)
Everett, WA Huntsville, TX
SEPTEMBER September 9 – November 18
Various Cities
Paul RUGGERI
CHINA WORLD CUP 2011 World team bronze-medalist Steven Legendre of Team Hilton HHonors (University of Oklahoma), tied for a share of the floor exercise title and won the vault silver medal at the China World Cup in Zibo City, China.
(L to R) Steven Legendre, Alex Naddour and Danell Leyva
On the floor exercise, Legendre executed a piked Hypolito and stuck an Arabian double pike dismount to score 15.450. He shared the gold medal with Romania’s Flavius Koczi, while Israel’s Alexander Shatilov won the bronze.
Visit KelloggsTour.com for complete schedule.
Legendre earned a two-vault average of 15.687 to win the silver medal behind Ukraine’s Igor Radivilov, who posted a 16.125. Koczi finished in third. Danell Leyva of Team Hilton HHonors (Universal Gymnastics) scored 13.175 on the horizontal bar, finishing fourth. China’s Zhang Chenglong won the event title.
30
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
Alex Naddour of Team Hilton HHonors (USA Youth Fitness Center) just missed advancing to the pommel horse finals, placing fifth at 14.500. More Event Results on page 32...
S
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
31
Original action photos by Diane Bidermann except for Monica Rokhman photo.
he USA rhythmic program has had a great spring season of international competition. In addition to the 18 medals from the Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships, the athletes in the rhythmic program have also earned eight additional medals in international competition. At the Moscow Senior Tournament, Junior National Team member Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, earned the all-around bronze medal on March 2. At the Schmiden International Tournament, Junior National Team member Monica Rokhman of Northbook, Ill., and Northshore Rhythmic, earned the silver medal in the ribbon final. The Schmiden International Tournament took place in Germany, March 10-11. Three National Team members participated in the Opal Cup, an international rhythmic tournament in Calais, France March 24-25. Senior Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill. and North Shore Rhythmic, finished third in the all-around behind France’s Delphine Ledoux and Russia’s Elizaveta Nazarenko and earned the bronze medal in all four event finals. In the Junior division, Jennifer Rokhman had the second highest score in the allaround behind Russia’s Anna Markelova but was entered “out of concourse” (one per country). Monica Rokhman finished sixth in the all-around and earned the silver medal in the ribbon final, tied with Germany’s Anastasia Kempf. Congrats to the rhythmic gymnasts on their medals earned this spring! Photo by Dr. Qinqwei Chen.
More Event Results on page 42...
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USA A GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
T
he Trampoline & Tumbling Program is pleased to announce the 2012 JumpStart National Team. Athletes ages 7-12 participated in the national testing, January 27-30, 2012, at the USA Gymnastics Training Center in Huntsville, Texas. USA Gymnastics would like to thank those who helped with testing: Bev Lloyd, Crissy LaFollette, Mig O’Hara, Shaun Kempton, Konstantin Gulisashvili, Peter Dodd and Karys Blake, who served as testers; Nancy Cummings, who was the trainer on site.
The JumpStart National Team Camp was held March 2-5, 2012, at the USA Gymnastics Training Center. Athletes had a great weekend and were skillfully coached by Joy Umenhofer, Pat Henderson, Sergio Galvez, and National Team Coordinator Shaun Kempton. JumpStart is the talent identification program, used to identify future elite athletes at a young age and provide education for their coaches as they prepare for the eventual move to the highest level. More Gym Update on page 38...
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USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
37
WHAT’S NEW NEW NEW
IMPORTANT NOTICE
More Gym Update on page 46...
The following Membership Statement has been adopted by the Board of Directors of USA Gymnastics: Membership in USA Gymnastics is a privilege granted by USA Gymnastics. That privilege can be withdrawn by USA Gymnastics at any time where a member’s conduct is determined to be inconsistent with the best interest of the sport of gymnastics and of the athletes we are servicing The following former members are permanently ineligible for membership within USA Gymnastics. Based on an amendment of Article 10.16 to the USA Gymnastics Bylaws, beginning January 1, 2012, any individual who is declared ineligible will have the USA Gymnastics’ Bylaw, rule, regulation or policy that was violated and resulted in his/her expulsion listed next to his/her name. NAME Julian Amaro Charles Theodore Bates James Bell Kristopher Berry Phillip Bishop Patrick Bogan Douglas Boger Joseph Bowers Shawn Bowlden Vince Brown Edward Trey Coniff James Craig III Thad Cypher Steven Elliott Anthony Engelke Matthew H. Erichsen Rick Feuerstein William Foster Joseph Fountain Roy Larry Gallagher Robert Allen “Bob”Garner Sean Gilham Timothy Glas Ricardo “Chico” Goddard *Nathaniel Goodale Marcelo Guimaraes Vernor Gumila Paul Hagan
STATE
VIOLATION
CA MN WA SC MI MD CA OH IL SC TX CO MI TX PA WA CA AL MD PA TN CA NE NY VT Bylaw 9.02 (a) (iii) TX IL MI
NAME
STATE
Robert Dean Head Ted Hicks Michael Hinton Nicholas Hitchcock Robert Hoefer Frank Hohman, Jr. Milos Hroch Steven L. Infante Dana Koppendrayer Ronnie Lewis *Jung Min Lim William McCabe Robert Mollock John S. Moore Gregory Muller William Munsinger Jeena Nilson Paul O’Neill Patrick Okopinski Marian Penev William M. Permenter Don Peters Timothy Picquelle David Pyles Jeffrey Richards Rudy Rodriguez John H. Row
VIOLATION
KY TN TN MI FL PA CA CT FL AR PA Bylaw 9.02 (a) (iii) GA OR WV ID MN UT CA WI NY FL CA CA AZ FL CA DE
*New Addition
NAME Gabriel Salazar Mark Schiefelbein Robert Shawler Steve Shirley Steven Todd Siegel Blake Steven Starr Paul Summers Mark Swift Freddie Eugene Tafoya, Jr. Jay Thomas Jon Oliver Kenneth Thomas *Phillip Thompson Brent Trottier Jon Valdez Anthony Van Kirk Joel Velasquez David Paul Waage Chris Wagoner Jeremy Waldridge Russell Wallace Brooklyn Walters Steve Waples Donald Watts Mike West Jonathan White Lyf Christian Wildenberg Bill Witthar Joel Woodruff
STATE
VIOLATION
TX TN CA MO CO UT OK FL CA LA VA NC Bylaw 9.02 (a) (iii) WA IL CA OR OR TX OR CT IN TX KY WA CA MN MO TX
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
39
40
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
41
BRIDGEPORT WINS AGAIN
AT WOMEN’S COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS riday the 13th proved to be a lucky day for the University of Bridgeport when the school won its fourth straight team title at the 2012 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships, held at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Conn. Bridgeport posted to become just the team titles. Texas only other school
a team total of 195.575 second school to win four Woman’s University, the to have four consecutive
Monica Mesalles
Sallares
third respectively with scores of 39.275 and 38.950. Sallares won three individual event titles for vault, beam and floor while Courtney Cochefski of Texas Woman’s University won the bar title. On vault, Sallares Dana Bonincontri posted a 9.9250 to take the title. Bethany Larimer of Texas Woman’s University was second at 9.9125, followed by McKenna Archer of Cornell University at 9.8875 in third. For the uneven bars, Cochefski took the top honor with her 9.8500. Lissette La Fex of the University of Bridgeport and Bonincontri tied for second at 9.8250.
and Sasha Tsikhanovich of Bridgeport and Sherah Veron of Seattle Pacific University tied for third at 9.8250.
RESULTS TEAM RESULTS 1 University of Bridgeport
195.575
2 Texas Woman’s University
193.700
3 University of Pennsylvania
193.475
ALL-AROUND RESULTS 1 Monica Mesalles Sallares
University of Bridgeport
2 Dana Bonincontri
University of Pennsylvania
39.350 39.275
3 Kirsten Strausbaugh
University of Pennsylvania
38.950
VAULT 1 Monica Mesalles Sallares University of Bridgeport
9.9250
2 Bethany Larimer
Texas Woman’s University
9.9125
3 McKenna Archer
Cornell University
9.8875
UNEVEN BARS
team titles, was second at 193.700. The University of Pennsylvania was third at 193.475, followed by the U.S. Air Force Academy in fourth place at 191.075. University of Bridgeport junior Monica Mesalles Sallares of Barcelona, Spain, won the all-around title with a score of 39.350. University of Pennsylvania’s Dana Bonincontri and Kirsten Strausbaugh took second and
Sallares scored a 9.8750 on beam for first place. Cornell’s Melanie Standridge landed in second place at 9.8500, and Bridgeport’s Emily Repko took third at 9.8250. Sallares earned the day’s highest score for any event at 9.900 to win the floor title. Kristin Edwards of TWU scored a 9.8500,
University of Bridgeport
PURPLE KNIGHTS
42
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
1 Courtney Cochefski
Texas Woman’s University
9.8500
2 Lissette La Fex
University of Bridgeport
9.8250
2 Dana Bonincontri
University of Pennsylvania
9.8250
BALANCE BEAM 1 Monica Mesalles Sallares University of Bridgeport
9.8750
2 Melanie Standridge
Cornell University
9.8500
3 Emily Repko
University of Bridgeport
9.8250
1 Monica Mesalles Sallares University of Bridgeport
9.9000
Kirsten Strausbaugh
FLOOR EXERCISE 2 Kristin Edwards
Texas Woman’s University
9.8500
3 Sasha Tsikhanovich
University of Bridgeport
9.8250
3 Sherah Veron
Seattle Pacific University
9.8250
USA GYMNASTICS USA GYMNASTICS JANUARY • FEBRUARY MAY • JUNE 2012 2012
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AIR FORCE, ASU WIN TEAM TITLES AT USA GYMNASTICS MEN’S COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS
he U.S. Air Force Academy and Arizona State University successfully defended their varsity and collegiate club team titles at the 2012 USA Gymnastics Men’s Collegiate National Championships, held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., March 30-31. Air Force won its third straight varsity team title, posting a 341.050 total. The College of William and Mary was second at 331.850, followed by the U.S. Navy at 326.900. In the club division, ASU won its sixth consecutive and 15th overall team title by scoring a team total of 328.600. The College of Brockport was second at 289.900, followed by the University of Washington in third at 287.450. Andrew Faulk of the U.S. Naval Academy, who was third in the all-around in 2011, won the varsity all-around title with
his 84.300. William and Mary’s JJ. Jindra was second, edging out Navy’s Chris Junghans, 82.200 to 82.000. In the club division, ASU swept the all-around medals. Alex Gaudaur won the gold medal with a 83.200. Lee Wilkerson was the silver medalist at 80.900, with Stephen Gragg claiming the bronze at 79.600. During event finals, Jimmy Pezzino of Springfield College successfully defended his title with a 14.900 on floor exercise. Junghans took the pommel horse crown with a 13.700. On still rings, Ryan Ponce of Springfield scored a 15.250 to claim first. Ben Zaiser of Air Force earned the vault crown with a 14.600. Air Force’s Josh Ramos won the parallel bars title scoring 14.150. Mac Richie claimed the third event title win for Air Force with a 14.900 on the horizontal bar.
VARSITY DIVISION TEAM FINALS 1 U.S. Air Force Academy
341.050
2 College of William and Mary
331.850
3 United States Naval Academy
326.900
ALL-AROUND FINALS 1 Andrew Faulk
U.S. Naval Academy
2 JJ Jindra
College of William & Mary
84.300 82.200
3 Chris Junghans
U.S Naval Academy
82.000
COLLEGIATE CLUB TEAM RESULTS TEAM FINALS 1 Arizona State University
328.60
2 College of Brockport
289.90
3 University of Washington
287.45
ALL-AROUND FINALS 1 Alex Gaudaur
Arizona State University
83.200
2 Lee Wilkerson
Arizona State University
80.900
3 Stephen Gragg
Arizona State University
79.600
1 Jimmy Pezzino
Springfield College
14.900
2 Corbin Palmer
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.150
3 Alex McCabe
Springfield College
14.050
1 Chris Junghans
U.S. Naval Academy
13.700
2 James Okamoto
U.S. Air Force Academy
13.400
3 Stephen Gragg
Arizona State University
13.350
1 Ryan Ponce
Springfield College
15.250
2 Gared Chapman
U.S. Air Force Academy
15.000
3 Devin Menefee
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.950
FLOOR EXERCISE
POMMEL HORSE
STILL RINGS
VAULT 1 Ben Zaiser
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.600
2 Jimmy Pezzino
Springfield College
14.500
3 Daniel Potemski
College of William & Mary
14.450
1 Josh Ramos
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.150
2 Corbin Palmer
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.100
3 Andrew Faulk
U.S. Naval Academy
13.950
PARALLEL BARS
HORIZONTAL BAR
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
te
na
44
Te
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Ari
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ta a te C legi ol
1 Mac Ritchie
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.900
2 James Okamoto
U.S. Air Force Academy
14.250
3 Alex Gaudaur
Arizona State University
13.950
USA GYMNASTICS MAY • JUNE 2012
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Cathy and Jim Whitfield with scholarship recipients Jesse Silverstein, John Orozco and Stacey Ervin. Danell Leyva not pictured.
Jason Whitfield invitational
The 20th annual Jason Whitfield Invitational was held in Ann Arbor, Mich., March 12-13. Cathy and Jim Whitfield announced the 2012 Whitfield Foundation scholarship winners of $3,000 each are: Danell Leyva, Jesse Silverstein, John Orozco and Stacey Ervin. Three of the four scholarship winners attended the meet this year. The Whitfield Foundation was established after the death of Jason who died in a motorcycle accident in 1991 while pursuing his own gymnastics dreams. Thus far, the Whitfield Foundation has awarded a total of $180,500 to 67 male gymnasts from across the country.
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FACES IN THE GYM Emerson Ionita
Maya NguyenHaberneski
Chicago, Illinois
Emerson, 9, is a Level 4. In five meets, he won first in the all-around three times including at the Black Jack Invitational in Las Vegas. Emerson trains at Lakeshore Gymnastics Academy.
Missoula, Montana
Maya recently won all five gold medals at the Mt. Helena Open with her best ever all-around score of 37.6. Maya, 11, competes as a Level 5, and trains at MISMO Gymnastics.
Karina Mayasova
Needham, Massachusetts
Karina is a Level 4 rhythmic gymnast and won the all-around at the Massachusetts State Meet. Karina, 7, trains at Fitness Elite Training Center with her coach Yulia Kisseleva.
Kealoha Yamaguchis
Fishers, Indiana
Kealoha, 8, scored a perfect 16.0 on rings as a Level 6 gymnast at DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics. He is coached by Chad Ford, Jeff Greene, Aaron Schmitt and Rick Mitchell.
Mya Baker
Brentwood, California
Mya, 9, is a Level 4 at Black Diamond Gymnastics. She placed first on beam, bars and in the allaround in the Northern California State Meet in her age division with a score of 36.875.
Emily Ho
Aliso Viego, California
Emily, 11, is a Level 5 gymnast from Azarian Gymnastics. She scored a perfect 10.0 on beam at the Broadway Olympic Dream Classic, and a 10.0 on bars at the Pumpkin Patch Prelim, as a 10-year-old.
Ignacio Yockers
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Ignacio won his third consecutive Oklahoma floor state title. He is a Level 5 and scored 15.20. He is coached by Jacob Blanco and is a member of Tulsa Boys Gymnastics.
Brockport Junior Eagles Brockport, New York
The Brockport Junior Eagle team was established in 2011. There are 17 girls on the competitive team. In their first season, the Level 8’s already won two team awards! The team is coached by Chelsea Graff and Alicia Baum.
Would you like to be included in USA Gymnastics or the USA Gymnastics website for Faces in the Gym? Send a photo and a paragraph of information to: publications@usagym.org and we’ll select gymnasts to publish in each issue of the magazine and a few more to post on the website at www.usagym.org/faces
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CLASSIFIEDS POSITION AVAILABLE GIRLS TEAM COACH – The Rochester Gymnastics Academy is looking for a Girls Team Coach to supplement a dedicated and goal driven staff. IMMEDIATE OPENING. Must have long term, dedicated goals, be experienced, encouraging, organized and a team player, with Excellent understanding of compulsory program a must. Must be USAG and safety certified. Our results speak for themselves. 2011 NY State Team Champions at Level 4,5,6,7,8. National Qualifiers, Scholarships, Multiple Regional and State AA champions. All salaries are comensurate with experience. Full medical and dental benefits with 401k offered. Please send resume and references to mail@rochesterga.com. This is a Full-time position. POSITION AVAILABLE. Rettig’s Gymnastics Training Center Inc. established 1992 is located in beautiful northwest New Jersey. We are seeking a FULL-TIME HEAD COACH for our USAG Womens program. Applicants must be fun, energetic and team players. You must have strong spotting skills and the ability to coach at all levels of the Woman’s J.O. Program. Rettig’s Gymnastics is a well established program with a strong foundation of recreational gymnasts to compliment our U.S.A.G. Teams. Benefits include paid vacations, holidays, health insurance, USAG membership and certifications. Performance based bonuses. Contact: Dave/Diane Rettig. Web: www. rettigsgymnastics.com. Email: djrettig@cs.com. Phone: (973)267-5611 Fax: (973)267-7796 GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR. We are looking for enthusiastic, qualified gymnastics coaches, martial arts, and dance instructors, great with kids, a team player. Positions are available at our state of the art gymnastics, martial arts, and dance facility, Mon-Sat, day and times vary depending on availability and our class schedules. Salary is based on experience. All interested instructors/coaches please call All American Gymnastic Academy at 413 596-0089 or e-mail info@allamericangymnasticacademy.com . Must be enthusiastic and great with kids. Olympia Gymnastics of Myrtle Beach has an immediate opening for a RECREATIONAL & COMPULSORY COACH FOR BOYS & OR GIRLS. If you are an energetic, positive, fun, individual who loves working with children and enjoys the beach, we have a great opportunity for you. Ideal candidates will be a well organized, responsible, team player, who understands the value of good customer service. This is a part time position with potential for dynamic growth. Pay commensurate with experience. Reliable and serious applicants only. Send resume to office@olympiagymnasticsmb.com. Jump Start Gym (www.jumpstartgym.com), located in Sandy Springs, GA (North Atlanta), is looking for COACHES. TEAM HEAD COACH NEEDED FOR COMPETITIVE TEAM, DEVELOPMENTAL, COMPULSORY LEVEL 3-6, OPTIONAL, & ADMIN. PARENT TOT, PRESCHOOL, REC, TUMBLING, SUMMER CAMP, PARTY, AND FRONT DESK POSITION AS WELL. New facility, 12K sq ft, great area, established gym. Applicants need to have love of children, be positive, energetic, reliable, responsible, and motivated. FT/PT positions, salary depends on experience. Send resumes to coachtodd@jumpstartgym.com.
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Regal Gymnastics, 7 years young and the most awarded gym in the state of Vermont, now has a a brand new, state-of-the-art facility minutes from gorgeous Lake Champlain and some of the best skiing in the northeast. We have a highly skilled coaching staff with a growing program of over 80 team athletes. We are now seeking a SKILLED, ENERGETIC LEADER to bring our team to the NATIONAL LEVEL. Forward resume, references and salary requirements to: regalgymnastics@gmail.com.
FOR SALE GK RISK-FREE PROGRAM: Get with the program! It’s better than ever, with a terrific assortment of NEW styles and fabrics and incomparable sales potential. Plus, it’s easier than ever to order, sell and return your RISK-FREE garments. We offer customized packages for your pro shop, meets and summer camp. You only pay for what you’ve sold and may return the rest, there is absolutely NO RISK! If you haven’t tried us lately, it’s time you started earning extra profits with our RISK-FREE merchandise. Call 1-800-345-4087 for more information on how you can get started today! Email: customerservice@gkelite.com. SCORE MASTER – Scorekeeping software interfaced to many different score boards: EliteScore, BetaBrites, TV’s & Projectors. Download team rosters from the USAG website. Features include: random draws, create rotations, assign #’s, the most comprehensive reporting and results can go directly to your website. Supports: womens/mens, individual/team, artistic/rhythmic/ trampoline, compulsory/optional. Download a FREE demo at www.Score-Master.com.
EDUCATION AVAILABLE NOW! THE NEW GYMCERT Gymnastics training manuals (Levels 1, 2, 3, & the NEW Skills & Drills for the Compulsory Coach Level’s 4, 5 & 6) a must for training your staff; cut your lesson planning time significantly; use to coordinate class progressions and skill training methods; and, best of all have a quick reference that is easy to use which includes Lesson Planning Forms and Class Evaluation Forms by level. The GYMCERT manuals provide concise instruction, clear illustrations, and several coaching, spotting, and safety tips. Will your staff be ready for your fall students? Order direct by calling 407-444-5669 EST or online at www.GymCert.com.
FUNDRAISING NEED A FUNDRAISER? How about 1200 thread count Sheet Fundraiser? Since everyone needs linen, this has been a very successful fundraiser. You’ll make large profits by selling a great product at a great price. Here are a few success stories: Jasper Middle School Band (Jasper, GA) raised $4000+, Georgia All-Star Gymnastics (Woodstock, GA) to date have raised over $6000 and River Ridge Cheerleaders (Canton, GA) raised $9,450 in 3 weeks. Your customers will be impressed and coming back for more! Satisfaction guaranteed! NO start up costs! Get started today, email Mary @ marysmonogramming@gmail.com or call 770-893-8842.
HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD RATES: 1-100 words=$100, 101-200 words=$200 Your ad in USA Gymnastics magazine will automatically be placed online for 30 days at no additional charge. The address is: www.usagymnastics.org/classifieds/. Your 30 days will begin on the next regular posting date. DEADLINES: Issue Deadline for ad & payment Jan-Feb December 1 Mar-Apr
February 1
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April 1
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June 1
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October 1
NOTE: If the 1st falls on a weekend or holiday, the preceding work day is considered the deadline. USA Gymnastics is received by more than 100,000 members plus thousands of viewers will be exposed to your ad online. Advertise your employment opportunity, product, service, or competition here for great results. Questions? Call Luan Peszek at 317-829-5646. PAYMENT:
Mail your ad and payment to: USA Gymnastics, 132 East Washington Street, Suite 700, Indianapolis, IN 46225 or fax to 317-237-5069. If you fax, please include your credit card number, expiration date and signature. ADS SUBMITTED WITHOUT PAYMENT WILL NOT BE PUBLISHED. USA Gymnastics reserves the right to vary format.
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