INDIANAPOLIS, April 3, 2019 – The U.S. rhythmic gymnastics group earned a personal best score of 20.250 for their 3 hoops/4 clubs routine in the qualification round at the Thiais (France) Grand Prix this past weekend. The U.S. group finished in the top eight in both qualification rounds, as well as maintained its seventh-place finish in the 3 hoops/4 clubs final.
In the qualification round, the U.S. squad also earned a 19.200 for 5 balls, for eighth place, Their two-event total of 39.450 put them in seventh place in the all-around. The Americans also qualified for the 5 ball finals with their eighth-place ranking, but were bumped to allow the host country a berth in the final.
The members of the U.S. group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are: Isabelle Connor of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Connie Du of Deerfield, Ill.; Yelyzaveta Merenzon of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Elizaveta Pletneva of Deerfield, Ill.; Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills, Ill.; and Kristina Sobolevskaya of Chicago.
For the Thiais Challenge, the tournament added all of the scores of the U.S. group, as well as those of Nastasya Generalova of Los Angeles/California Rhythms, who competed in the individual competition. The USA’s total of 128.600 yielded eighth place in the Challenge rankings. Russia had the top team score of 182.400, followed by Israel (175.200) and Ukraine (172.150).
The champions for the group events were: Russia, all-around, 48.450; and Ukraine, 5 balls, 25.500, and 3 hoops/4 clubs, 24.950.
In the individual competition, Israel’s Nicol Voronkov and Generalova both posted a 70.100 all-around total, with Generalova taking 17th place on a tie-breaker. Generalova’s individual event scores were: hoop, 18.100; ball, 17.600; clubs, 17.800; and ribbon, 16/600. Russia’s Arina Averina won the title at 84.800. Israel’s Linoy Ashram claimed the silver with 84.550, and Averina’s twin Dina was third at 80.750. The four event champions were: hoop, Ashram, 22.950; ball, Arina Averina, 22.150; and Dina Averina – clubs, 22.350, and ribbon, 20.100,
Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.