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SAN JOSE, Calif., June 29, 2009 – More than 120 champions were crowned during the 2009 U.S. Junior Olympic Trampoline and Tumbling National Championships at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif. The six-day event featured competitions for both men and women in trampoline, double-mini trampoline and tumbling for Levels 5-10 and synchronized trampoline for Level 10.

In the Regional All-Stars Competition, Region 3 was named the Grand Champion Team by accumulating the highest combined score. Region 3 just edged out Region 2 for the honor, 388.700 to 387.200. Region 6 was third at 382.800. The Regional All-Star first place teams were: girl’s and boy’s tumbling, Region 4; girl’s trampoline and boy’s double mini-trampoline, Region 3; boy’s trampoline, Region 6; and girl’s double mini-trampoline, Region 2.

For trampoline and tumbling, there are six regions:

  • Region 1 – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming
  • Region 2 – Arizona, California – North, California – South, Hawaii and Nevada
  • Region 3 – Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas – North, Texas –South, Texas – West
  • Region 4 – Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
  • Region 5 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
  • Region 6 – Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia

Athletes qualified for the Junior Olympic Championships by meeting the qualifying criteria and score requirements which vary by category and event. Gymnasts in Levels 5-10 are ranked by their level of expertise, with 10 being the highest and just below elite. Nearly 1,600 gymnasts represented 200 clubs from 37 states.

Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform single, double and twisted somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated spring runways that enable athletes to jump at heights over 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. Double mini competition involves the athlete making a short run and leaping onto a small two-level trampoline. The athlete will then perform an aerial maneuver and dismount onto a landing mat.