Rhythmic Gymnasts back from Worlds
By Luan Peszek
Photos by Tom Theobald

Julie Zetlin and Ava Gehringer represented the United States in the individual portion of the 2009 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships Sept. 7-13 in Mie, Japan. We caught up with them after their return to tell us about their experiences at the 2009 Visa Championships and overseas at the World Championships.

Julie Zetlin

USA Gymnastics: What were your goals going into the Rhythmic World Championships?

Julie: I had no specific goals other than to perform with the best of my abilities, perform from my heart and soul, and to represent my country well. I just wanted to look strong and consistent, and to leave the audience wanting more.

USA Gymnastics: What was your best routine and why?

Julie: My best routine was definitely rope. I started the competition with hoop, which was kind of shaky toward the end. I wanted to fight back, and show that I could bounce back and have a good all-around competition. I pulled up on my elements, jumped with all my strength, and made each toss with precision.

USA Gymnastics: Were you pleased with your routines at Worlds?

Julie: I was very pleased with my routines at Worlds. I ended up performing three consistent routines, which is what you need for the all-around score. I did well for me and, most importantly, my country. Hitting routines is the most important part of high level competition, so I was very pleased I could hit my routines at the most important competition in the world, other than the Olympics.

USA Gymnastics: Were you excited to be an alternate for the all-around finals?

Julie: I was so excited to be an alternate for the all-around finals. It was so unexpected, and I was so happy to almost be a part of competing with the best girls in the world.

USA Gymnastics: What was the best part of the trip?

Julie: I really loved watching the groups, and my favorite gymnast, Anna Bessonova. They were all so full of life and had amazing performances.

USA Gymnastics: Do you take classes or work when you are not at practice? Tell me about an average day for you.

Julie: I took last year off from school , but this year I am going to start taking classes in psychology and acting. I also just started teaching stretching classes for a dance company, along with performing for corporate events, and some additional dance classes.

USA Gymnastics: What are your goals now?

Julie: My goals are to always perform the best I can, perform with charisma, heart, and soul, and to make it to the all-around finals at Worlds next year.


Ava Gehringer

Twenty-year-old Ava Gehringer of Evanston, Ill., trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center and is coached by Natasha Klimouk and Dani Takova. Gehringer won the 2009 Rhythmic National All-Around title at the Visa Championships in Dallas this past August. In addition to the all-around, Gehringer won all four event titles - rope, hoop, ball and ribbon.

We asked Gehringer her thoughts on sweeping the competition and she said, "Winning the all-around title and all four events was incredible. I never technically set that goal for myself simply because the goals I set for myself usually consist of what I can control rather than what I cannot. However, in the back of my mind I always thought that if I pushed myself hard enough and wanted it enough I could do it. Honestly, though, the best part of Visa Championships for me was the combination of winning the all-around and being named Sportsperson of the Year again. That meant more than anything."

Gehringer, who started rhythmic gymnastics at age 5, also earned a spot on her second Rhythmic World Championships Team. She traveled to Mie, Japan, this past September for the competition and finished 34th all-around.

When asked if she was pleased with her performance in Japan, Gehringer said, "Overall I was really pleased with how I performed. I was able to show how hard I've worked for this opportunity and although I made a few minor mistakes I couldn't have asked for much more."

She also competed in the 2009 St. Petersburg World Cup where she placed seventh in hoop and eighth in ribbon; the 2008 Pacific Rim Championships where she was a member of the gold-medal team; and was the alternate for the 2007 World Championships Team.

Following the World Championships, Gehringer moved from Illinois to New York to attend New York University as a full time student. She's studying journalism and Russian and Slavic studies for now. She chose NYU because it's a place where it is valued to be different. She said, "I love the sport and have been dedicated to it for 16 years so in no way will it be dropped from my life, but for now school is my focus. I will never be far from the sport, though."

When not in the gym training, Gehringer likes to listen to music, read and write. She said, "I actually hope to pursue writing in the future."

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