BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 25, 2016 – 2016 World Cup bronze medalist Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, and the U.S. rhythmic group participated in the finals at the Baku (Azerbaijan) World Cup yesterday. Zeng and the group were selected in June to represent the United States at the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
In individual competition, Zeng finished fifth in hoop (18.250) and clubs (18.300), while recording a sixth place finish with ribbon (18.150). Russia’s Yana Kudravtseva took the hoop and clubs titles, while teammate Margarita Mamun was the champion in ribbon.
The U.S. group, which consists of North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics’ Kiana Eide, Alisa Kano, Natalie McGiffert, Jennifer Rokhman, Monica Rokhman and Kristen Shaldybin, finished eighth in both the five ribbons and six clubs, two hoops finals with scores of 17.150 and 17.300, respectively. Israel won the five ribbons final while Russia took the top spot in the six clubs, two hoops final.