PESARO, Italy (September 17, 2026) – Americans took on the first day of qualifying in Italy at the 2026 Acrobatic Junior World Championships and World Youth Competitions, notching several top 20 finishes.
In junior competition, the 13-19 women’s group of Leesy Sarria (Gambrills, Md./International Elite), Gia Calo (Annapolis, Md./International Elite) and Dakota Martin (Upper Marlboro, Md./International Elite) finished 18th (26.270) in dynamic qualifications followed closely by Alani Do (San Diego, Calif./So Cal TTC), Awdriana Ornelas (Ramona, Calif./So Cal TTC) and Silver Weddle (Poway, Calif./So Cal TTC) in 24th (26.000). That is also where they sit in all-around competition until balance qualifying on Saturday.
In the World Youth Competitions, American juniors were active in mixed pair and men’s group action. The two U.S. 12-18 men’s groups sit sixth (25.850) and seventh (25.550) following their balance routines. Dean Miller (Highland, Calif./Incentive), Noah Alvarado (San Jacinto, Calif./Incentive), Caleb Hoffmann (Fontana, Calif./Incentive) and Joshua Hoffmann (Fontana, Calif./Incentive) finished sixth, and the group of Grant Mathison (Crofton, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer), Benjamin Dethridge (Laurel, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer), Max Rosenshaft (Damascus, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer) and Peter Vonder Haar (Imperial, Mo./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer) seventh.
As a mixed pair, Yasmin Roberts (Las Vegas, Nev./AGC Las Vegas) and Valentino Elbaz (Las Vegas, Nev./AGC Las Vegas) had a top 20 finish in dynamic with a 25.500 to land 18th. They will return to the mat Friday to compete their balance routine and solidify their all-around score.
13-19 Women’s pair Sophia Roberston and Isabella Brookins withdrew from junior competition due to illness.
The event continues Friday, September 18th with dynamic qualifying for youth women’s groups, men’s pairs and junior men’s groups; and balance qualifying for youth women’s and mixed pairs, men’s groups and junior men’s pairs. The competition will get underway beginning at 3 a.m. ET with live scores available on acro-companion.com. Final competition on Sunday is expected to stream live on tv.sportface.it.