© Diane Bidermann / FIG

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 26, 2012 — Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Heights, N.J./ETA Gymnastics, and Savannah Vinsant of Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express, finished first in the preliminary round of the 2012 USA Gymnastics Trampoline Championships in San Jose, Calif. The finals are set for June 27, when the men’s and women’s spots on the U.S. Olympic Team will be determined, pending approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee Board of Directors.

Gluckstein, who currently leads the 2012 Olympic Selection Rankings, led the field with a 104.135, followed by Jeffrey Gluckstein of Atlantic Heights, N.J./ETA Gymnastics, at 102.470 and Michael Devine of Winnebago, Ill./J and J Tumbling and Trampoline Team, with a 102.305.

"There’s a lot of pressure going on and I was definitely feeling it," said Gluckstein. After that first shaky routine, it kind of lit a fire that I needed. my second routine was much better."

Eight of the men advanced to the June 27 final: Hunter Brewster of Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express; Casey Chandler of Reno, Nevada/Legacy Trampoline and Tumbling; Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics; Neil Gulati of Irvine, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics; Tanner Page of Bellevue, Wash./Action Athletics Inc.; Jeffrey Gluckstein; Steven Gluckstein; and Devine.

Steven Gluckstein currently leads the 2012 Olympic Games Rankings, followed by Jeffrey Gluckstein and Dooley. The USA Gymnastics Championships is the third and final event in for ranking competitors to determine the men’s and women’s Olympic slots. Of the three competitions, which also include the Elite Challenge and Stars & Stripes Cup, the lowest score is dropped for each competitor when figuring total score.

In women’s competition, Vinsant scored highest with a 100.055, trailed by Dakota Earnest of Plains, Texas/Acrospirits, with a 96.455 and Shanelle Landry of Lafayette, La./ETA Gymnastics, at 96.330.

"Anything can happen," said Vinsant, who would clinch an Olympic berth with a win on June 27. "I’m very confident, I’m at peace after tonight, so I’m just going to go out there and give it my all like it’s my last."

Eight women advanced to the June 27 final, with today’s scores added to the second night results for a two-day total: Hayley Butcher of Saint John, Ind./Midwest Training and Ice Center; Audrey Ghanian of Holmdel, N.J./ETA Gymnastics; Erica Owen of Mission Viejo, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics; Alicia Powder of Ladera Ranch, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics; Alaina Williams of Norman, Okla./Acrospirits; Earnest; Landry; and Vinsant.

Women’s preliminary results mirrored the 2012 Olympic Games Rankings top-three, with Vinsant, Earnest and Landry leading the field, respectively.

Men’s and women’s finals are at 7 p.m. PST on June 27 at the San Jose Convention Center.

Background information

  • San Jose Convention Center. The San Jose Convention Center offers plenty of versatile space: 143,000 square feet of column-free exhibit space; room for 1,000 10′ x 10′ booths; a 22,000-square-foot ballroom; 100,000 square feet of pre-function space; 31 meeting rooms with capacities from 50 to 2,400 in theater-style seating; and banquet seating and kitchen facilities for 5,000. The convention center was the site for the 2007 USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show and the rhythmic gymnastics competition for the 2007 Visa Championships.

  • San Jose Sports Authority. The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase the City of San Jose’s economic development, visibility and civic pride through sports. Serving as the City’s sports commission since its inception in 1991, the Sports Authority has provided leadership and support to attract and host hundreds of sporting events in San Jose and the South Bay. The Sports Authority also supports and operates community, youth and amateur sports programs, including the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, The First Tee of San Jose, and the REACH Youth Scholarship Program. To learn more, visit www.sjsa.org.