INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., May 7, 2008 – The USA’s top Level 9 and 10 gymnasts will compete in the 2008 Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships, May 7-11, at the Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Mich. The event features competition in regional team, all-around and individual events.

The levels are determined by skill level, and Level 10 is split into two age groups, 14-15 years old and 16-18 years old. The Junior Olympic National Championships are a qualifier for Level 10 gymnasts to the Visa Championships (May 22-24 in Houston), where the national teams for both age groups are determined. The top gymnasts in Level 9 are named to the Junior Olympic National Team.

The opening ceremony for the Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships is May 7 at 7 p.m. Level 10 and Level 9 athletes compete on May 8 and 9, respectively, and each day has two sessions of individual event qualification, followed by regional team finals. Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. on May 8 and at 9 a.m. on May 9, with team finals at 6 p.m. on both days. All-around finals are May 10, with Level 10 (ages 14-15) at 10 a.m., Level 10 (ages 16-18) at 2:30 p.m. and Level 9 at 7 p.m. Concluding the Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships are the individual event finals on May 11 at 12 p.m.

Tickets, which may be purchased at the Kellogg Arena, range from $10-12 for training sessions on May 7, and $12-14 for the Opening Ceremony. Single-day passes on competition days are $17 for adults, and $15 for senior citizens age 65 and older and for children ages 7-12. All-session ticket packages are $65 for adults, and $55 for senior citizens and children ages 7-12. Admission is free for children age 6 and younger.

To advance to the Junior Olympic National Championships, gymnasts competed in state and regional championships and qualified based on their all-around or multiple-event scores, or through regional allotment. For more information on the event, which is hosted by Branch Gymnastics, visit www.branchgymnastics.com/JONationals2008.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and acrobatic gymnastics.