Eight 2014 U.S. T&T champs hope to repeat at 2015 USA Gymnastics Championships

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INDIANAPOLIS, June 11, 2015 – Six individual, plus men’s and women’s synchronized trampoline, senior elite champions from 2014 are among the more than 900 trampoline and tumbling gymnasts who will compete at the 2015 USA Gymnastics Championships June 23-28 at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum Complex. The six-day competition is the national championships for acrobatic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline and tumbling, and it features competition on both Junior Olympic and elite levels. The junior and senior elite gymnasts compete June 25-27, with the Junior Olympic competition spanning all six days.

Jeffrey Gluckstein of Elite Trampoline Academy, is looking for his fourth U.S. trampoline title, and Yuliya Brown of Idaho Elite Gymnastics, has her sights set on a sixth women’s tumbling crown. 2014 U.S. senior men’s double mini-trampoline champion Stewart Pritchard of Tumblebees Ultimate Gym hails from Greensboro. The other returning 2014 senior champions in the field are: Charlotte Drury of World Elite Gymnastics, women’s trampoline; Logan Dooley of World Elite Gymnastics, and Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./ETA, men’s synchronized trampoline; Ivanna Antezana of Silver Spring, Md., and Deana Parris of Burtonsville, Md., both of Fairland Gymnastics, women’s synchro; Austin Nacey of TwistStars Tumbling and Trampoline LTD., men’s tumbling; and Erin Jauch of Fox Valley Tumbling and Trampoline, women’s double-mini. Jauch is also the reigning World women’s double-mini champion.

The entire trampoline and tumbling field includes more than 900 gymnasts, representing 37 states. The senior and junior elite levels are the highest competitive levels, and Junior Olympics is the age-group, developmental program. The complete junior and senior elite field roster is included below.

USA Gymnastics will provide live webcast coverage of three evening sessions from Greensboro with expert analysis from acrobatic gymnastics World Championships and World Games gold medalist Kristin Allen, six-time U.S. rhythmic gymnastics all-around champion Rebecca Sereda, and former trampoline and tumbling U.S. National Team member Peter Dodd. The webcasts of the senior elite competition will be available on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel or USAGymChamps.com/live Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6-9 p.m. ET. Former NCAA and Big Ten gymnastics champion Evan Heiter will join Allen, Sereda and Dodd as the host. The webcasts will be available worldwide free of charge on USAGymChamps.com/live.

About the USA Gymnastics Championships
Tickets are on sale now. Evening session tickets at the Greensboro Coliseum are: June 25 and 26, $25; and June 27, $30. The all-session pass, which grants access to all sessions at both venues, is $80. For the events at the Coliseum Complex’s Special Events Center, a $30, single-day pass will be available onsite on competition days. Tickets may be purchased at the Greensboro Coliseum Box Office, ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000. Group discounts are available for groups of 10 or more by calling 336-373-7433 or emailing [email protected]. For special pricing for gymnastics clubs, contact the Greensboro Coliseum Group Sales Department at 336-373-7433 or [email protected]. For more information on the USA Gymnastics Championships, please go to usagymchamps.com.

The local hosts for the event are the Greensboro Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Tournament Hosts of Greensboro, Greensboro Sports Commission, and Sports & Properties, Inc. Greensboro played host to the AT&T American Cup, the premier international invitational held in the United States, and the Nastia Liukin Cup in 2014.

For the junior and senior elite levels for each discipline, the athletes will be vying for national titles. Performances will determine berths on the junior and senior U.S. National Teams for rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline and tumbling. The Junior Olympic division has several different levels, and national titles will be awarded for each level and age group for each discipline. The Junior Olympic levels for each of the disciplines are: acrobatic gymnastics – Levels 6-10; rhythmic gymnastics – Levels 7-8; and trampoline and tumbling – Levels 8-10.

The schedule, outlined below, has the junior and senior elites competing June 25-27, with Junior Olympic sessions running all six days. NOTE: Level refers to the Junior Olympic competition level. The schedule is subject to change.

Tuesday, June 23
Special Events Center
1:30 p.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 7
5 p.m. – Synchronized trampoline, prelims and finals, all levels
6 p.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 7

Wednesday, June 24
Special Events Center
9 a.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 7; Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 7; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Levels 9-10/Youth Elite/Open Elite
1:30 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 8; Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 7; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Levels 9-10/Youth Elite/Open Elite
6 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 7; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Levels 9-10/Youth Elite/Open Elite

Thursday, June 25
Special Events Center
9 a.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 8; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Levels 9-10/Youth Elite/Open Elite
1:30 p.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 8
Greensboro Coliseum
9 a.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, junior and senior elite all-around preliminaries and event finals
2:30 p.m. – Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, junior elite preliminaries
6 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, junior and senior elite preliminaries; Rhythmic gymnastics, senior elite all-around preliminaries and event finals; Tumbling and double mini-trampoline, senior elite preliminaries

Friday, June 26
Special Events Center
9 a.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 6; Trampoline and tumbling, Level 9/Open Elite finals
1:30 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Levels 9-10; Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 8; Trampoline and tumbling, Level 10/Youth Elite finals
Greensboro Coliseum
9 a.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, junior event/all-around finals and senior elite preliminaries/event finals
6 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, junior and senior elite preliminaries; Rhythmic gymnastics, senior elite all-around preliminaries/event finals; Trampoline, senior elite preliminaries

Saturday, June 27
Special Events Center
9 a.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Level 6; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Level 8
1:30 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, Levels 9-10; Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 8
Greensboro Coliseum
10:30 a.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, senior elite all-around finals (two events)
2:30 p.m. – Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, junior elite finals
6 p.m. – Acrobatic gymnastics, junior and senior elite finals; Rhythmic gymnastics, senior elite all-around finals; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, senior elite finals

Sunday, June 28
Special Events Center
9 a.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, Level 8; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Level 8
10:30 a.m. – Rhythmic gymnastics, Junior Olympic group; Trampoline, tumbling and double mini-trampoline, Level 8

Acrobatic gymnastics combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. At the elite level, each pair or group performs a balance, dynamic and combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and intricate flight elements define the dynamic exercise. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of three athletes – a base, middle and top partner – while a men’s group has four athletes, a base, two middle partners and one top partner.

Rhythmic gymnastics is characterized by grace, beauty and elegance combined with dance and acrobatic elements, while working with ribbons, balls, hoops, ropes and clubs in a choreographed routine to music. The choreography must cover the entire floor and contain a balance of jumps, leaps, pivots, balances and flexibility movements. Only four of the apparatus are competed each quad, and the four for 2016 are hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon. Each movement involves a high degree of athletic skill. Physical abilities needed by a rhythmic gymnast include strength, power, flexibility, agility, dexterity, endurance and hand-eye coordination.

Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform double and triple twisting somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated rod-floor runways that enable athletes to jump at heights more than 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. For the double-mini competition, the athlete makes a short run, leaps onto a small two-level trampoline, performs an aerial maneuver and dismounts onto a landing mat. Trampoline was added to the Olympic Games in 2000, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the USA had its first athlete in history advance to the finals.

In 2014, the USA Gymnastics Championships was held at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

Background information

  • Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. The Greensboro Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is an independent, non-profit governmental authority whose mission is to aggressively market Greensboro’s assets, maximizing economic impact while providing excellent visitor service. Guilford County ranks third in the state in travel and tourism expenditures, with over $1 billion generated in 2011 and more than 11,700 people employed in travel-related jobs. For more information: www.visitgreensboronc.com.

  • Greensboro Sports Commission. The mission of the Greensboro Sports Commission is to foster economic development through coordinating and developing Greensboro’s role as a leading site for sports events involving youth, collegiate, amateur and professional organizations. The Greensboro Sports Commission acts as a clearing house for sporting activities in the Greensboro area and assists organizations and promoters in making Greensboro the host city for sports events. For more information: www.greensborosports.org.

  • Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a multi-building facility designed to serve the citizens of Greensboro and the surrounding area through a broad range of activities, including athletic events, cultural arts, concerts, theater, educational activities, fairs, exhibits, and public and private events of all kinds including conventions, convocations and trade and consumer shows. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is one of the most actively booked facilities in the country hosting more than 1,100 events on an annual basis. With its incredible versatility, the Complex has gained worldwide acclaim from promoters, producers, event planners and patrons. For more information; www.greensborocoliseum.com.

  • Sports & Properties, Inc. SPI is a sports marketing and sports development firm concentrating in three primary areas of business: major sponsorships, including naming rights; sports tourism; and major events. SPI’s recent projects include the Africa Youth Games, new sports complexes for Seminole County, Florida; the USA Gymnastics AT&T American Cup and Nastia Liukin Cup; and the 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships. SPI clients include Capitol Broadcasting Company, PIER 39, the Greensboro Coliseum Complex, Seminole County, Fla., and the United States Olympic Committee, among others. For more information on SPI, visit sportsproperties.com.

2015 USA Gymnastics Championships trampoline and tumbling roster
Includes only senior elite and junior elite athletes as of June 10, 2015
Athletes listed alphabetically by state
Legend: TR-trampoline; TU=tumbling; DMT=double mini-trampoline; SE=senior elite; JE=junior elite

Alabama
Clare Johnson, Huntsville, Ala./The Matrix Gym Inc, TR/SE

Arizona
Caleb Fritz, Scottsdale, Ariz./Scottsdale Gymnastics, TU/JE, DMT/JE
Matthew Hawkins, Phoenix, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center, TU/JE, DMT/JE
Shaye Hayden, Phoenix, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics, DMT/JE
Michael Liao, Chandler, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center, DMT/SE
Blaise Wagner, Scottsdale, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics, TR/JE
Bryce Wilson, Goodyear, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center, TU/SE

California
Nicole Ahsinger, San Diego, Calif./So Cal TTC, TR/SE
Casey Block, Irvine, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE
Lauren Broughton, Coto de Caza, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE
Garret Chew, Mission Viejo, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE
Taylor Cook, Rsm, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE
Jeremy Cooper, Irvine, Calif./SkySurfers Trampoline Team, TR/SE, DMT/SE
Joshua Cooper, Irvine, Calif./SkySurfers Trampoline Team, TR/SE, DMT/SE
Logan Dooley, Lake Forest, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE
Charlotte Drury, Laguna Niguel, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE
Anna Garmon, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE
Neil Gulati, Dana Point, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE
Paige Howard, Mission Viejo, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE, DMT/SE
Breanne Millard, Rsm, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TU/SE, DMT/SE
KJ Newman, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif./So Cal TTC, TR/JE
Tanner Robinson, Anaheim, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/SE
Kylee Roby, Ladera Ranch, Calif./So Cal TTC, DMT/JE
Amanda Spitzer, Vista, Calif./So Cal TTC, DMT/SE
Carly Townsend, Foothill Ranch, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE, DMT/JE
Danielle Ward, Corona, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, DMT/JE
Austin White, Newport Coast, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, DMT/SE
Maya Yesharim, Ladera Ranch, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, TR/JE

Colorado
David Ford, Firestone, Colo./Airborne Gymnastics and Dance, TR/SE

Florida
Mary Berdis, Winter Haven, Fla./Elite World Gymnastics, TU/JE
Ty Carlson, West Palm Beach, Fla./The Gymnastics Revolution, TU/SE, DMT/SE
Noelle Cowan, Orlando, Fla./Reflex Gymnastics, DMT/JE
Haley Frangioni, Milton, Fla./Elite World Gymnastics, TU/JE, DMT/JE
Harley Merritt, Auburndale, Fla./Elite World Gymnastics, TU/SE, DMT/SE
MJ Seguin, Plant City, Fla./Elite World Gymnastics, TR/JE, DMT/JE

Georgia
Garrett Wheeler, Ellenwood, Ga./FlipCity South, TU/SE

Idaho
Yuliya Brown, Idaho Falls, Idaho/Idaho Elite Gymnastics, TU/SE
Natalie Ory, Pocatello, Idaho/Team Revolution, TU/JE
Abby Rowe, American Falls, Idaho/Team Revolution, TU/SE

Illinois
Reghan Brands, Belvidere, Ill./Gymnastic Academy of Rockford, TU/JE
Kellyn Euhus, Byron, Ill./Wight Tumble Academy, DMT/SE
Victor Householter, Morton, Ill./Central Illinois Gymnastics Academy, TU/SE
Erin Jauch, Crystal Lake, Ill./Fox Valley Tumbling and Trampoline, DMT/SE
Lacey Jenkins, Mattoon, Ill./Sun Elite Gymnastics, DMT/SE
Alyssa Long, McHenry, Ill./5 Star Tumbling and Trampoline, DMT/SE
Kristle Lowell, Orland Park, Ill./Wight Tumble Academy, DMT/SE
Austin Nacey, Braidwood, Ill./TwistStars Tumbling and Trampoline LTD, TU/SE, DMT/SE
Asa Taylor, Poplar Grove, Ill./Gymnastic Academy of Rockford, TU/JE
Garret Waterstradt, Savoy, Ill./Sun Elite Gymnastics, TU/SE, DMT/SE

Indiana
Alexander Renkert, Indianapolis, Ind./Geist Sports Academy, TU/SE, DMT/SE
Tristan Van Natta, Anderson, Ind./Geist Sports Academy, DMT/SE

Kansas
Aaron Jack, Stark, Kan./Amplify Gymnastics, TU/JE

Louisiana
Hunter Brewster, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express, TR/SE
Aliaksei Shostak, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express, TR/SE
Rachel Thevenot, Metairie, La./Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, TU/JE

Maryland
Ivanna Antezana, Silver Spring, Md./Fairland Gymnastics, TR/SE
Delilah Glidden, Laurel, Md./Fairland Gymnastics, TR/SE
Deana Parris, Burtonsville, Md./Fairland Gymnastics, TR/SE
Danielle Samuel, Randallstown, Md./United Gymnastix, TU/JE
Jessica Stevens, Ellicott City, Md./Fairland Gymnastics, TR/JE

Michigan
Mitchell Dewey, Walker, Mich./For the Kidz Gymnastics and Trampoline, TR/SE
Alexis Diaz, Southfield, Mich./AGT Flipcity, TU/SE

Missouri
Cassidy Wright, Lees Summit, Mo./Xtreme Gymnastics and Trampoline, TR/JE

New Jersey
Colin Duda, Atlantic Higlands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Cody Gesuelli, Middletown, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Jeffrey Gluckstein, Atlantic Highslands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Steven Gluckstein, Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Meghan OConnell, Middletown, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Courtney Walsh, Red Bank, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/JE

Nevada
Jake Carder, Las Vegas, Nev./Go For It USA, TU/SE
Casey Chandler, Reno, Nev./Legacy Trampoline and Tumbling, TR/SE, DMT/SE
Quinn Ross, Reno, Nev./Legacy Trampoline and Tumbling, TR/JE, DMT/JE

North Carolina
Stewart Pritchard, Greensboro, N.C./Tumblebees Ultimate Gym, TR/SE, DMT/SE
Jackson Tyson, Greensboro, N.C./Flip Force Gymnastics LLC, TU/SE
Marco Valencia, Charlotte, N.C./Cabarrus County Gymnastics, TU/JE

Oklahoma
Will Nunes, Tulsa, Okla./Oklahoma Extreme Tumbling, TU/SE
Ethan Pace, Pryor, Okla./T3: Tulsas Tumbling and Trampoline, TR/JE
Spencer Reed, Tulsa, Okla./Oklahoma Extreme Tumbling, TR/SE

Tennessee
Paul Bretscher, Knoxville, Tenn./Premier Athletics Knoxville North, TR/SE
Kaylah Whaley, Knoxville, Tenn./Premier Athletics Knoxville North, TU/SE

Texas
Stewart Brackett, Dallas, Texas/Elite Trampoline Academy, TR/SE
Drew Collins, Allen, Texas/Eagles Wings Athletics, TU/SE
Shaylee Dunavin, Amarillo, Texas/Ready Set Go- Air Extreme, TR/SE
Dakota Earnest, Tokio, Texas/Ready Set Go- Air Extreme, TR/SE
Brandon Griffith, Murphy, Texas/The Palaestra LLC, TR/SE
Isaac Rowley, Allen, Texas/Eagles Wings Athletics, TR/JE
Morgan Seyler, Flower Mound, Texas/Southlake Gymnastics Academy, TR/JE
Shea Silhan, Morton, Texas/Ready Set Go- Air Extreme, TR/JE
Sarah Webster, Valley View, Texas/Trampoline and Tumbling Express, TR/SE

Utah
Mikala Collier, Mapleton, Utah/High Altitude Tumbling and Cheer, DMT/SE
Eliza Floisand, Salt Lake City, Utah/Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling, TU/JE
Carter Rhoades, Lindon, Utah/Amplify Gymnastics, DMT/SE
Brandon Krzynefski, Centreville, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Center, TU/SE