LISBON, Portugal, March 27, 2015 – Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and Nicole Kaloyanov of Woodbridge, Va./Gymnastics World, advanced to individual apparatus finals during qualification competition at the Lisbon International Tournament in Lisbon, Portugal. In addition, the duo combined to win the bronze medal in the team competition behind Russia and Belarus.
Competition continues today with individual World Cup competition, which will feature Team USA’s Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center.
During the first day of qualifications, Griskenas and Kaloyanov both advanced in rope, where they finished second and sixth, respectively. Griskenas posted a 15.350 behind only Alina Ermolova of Russia (16.450). Kaloyanov earned a 15.100. Griskenas also made the hoop final. She scored 15.550 to advance to the final in fifth place.
Today, Griskenas and Kaloyanov both punched tickets into the ball final after placing third (15.700) and seventh (15.500), respectively. In clubs, Griskenas advanced to the final in fifth with a 15.400. Kaloyanov missed the final, finishing with a 13.950 for 17th place.
The U.S. senior rhythmic group also saw action yesterday, participating in the Lisbon World Cup. The North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center-based group, which consists of Kiana Eide of Northbrook, Ill.; Alisa Kano of Glencoe, Ill.; Natalie McGiffert of Northbrook, Ill.; Monica Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill., Jennifer Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill.; and Kristen Shaldybin of Chicago, scored a 14.450 in the five ribbon event.