LEVALLOIS, France, July 11, 2014 – The United States’ Kiley Boynton and Ryan Ward, both of Riverside, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy, moved up to fourth place after the second of three qualifying routines today at the 2014 World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships, inside the Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdan in Levallois, France.

Competition for the U.S. contingent concludes tomorrow with women’s group and mixed pairs combined qualification routines. The top eight in both categories move on to the finals later in the day. Today’s competition wraps up with the finals for the men’s and women’s pairs, which will stream live on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel at 12 p.m. ET.

Boynton and Ward performed to a dramatic piece of music during their balance routine, where Ward lifted Boynton seamlessly through one hold to another. Their routine captivated the audience and earned a 28.730. The duo had the highest difficulty score of the day.

Eirian Smith and Brian Kincher, both of Livermore, Calif./West Coast Training Center, shook off an error in yesterday’s competition to deliver a dramatic routine of their own. Their 27.730 moved them into 10th place with the combined routine still to come.

The women’s group of Christina Antoniades of Eldersburg, Md., Emily Ruppert of Baltimore, Md., and Hannah Silverman, Clarksville, Md., all of Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, delighted the crowd with their energetic dynamic routine. They scored 26.675 and are in 15th place.