© John Cheng

SOFIA, Bulgaria, April 14, 2019 – Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and the U.S. senior group finished in fifth in hoop and 5 balls finals, respectively, at the Sofia (Bulgaria) World Cup at the Arena Armeec. Griskenas also finished sixth and seventh in the ribbon and clubs finals, respectively.

In the hoop final, Bulgaria’s Neviana Vladinova and Griskenas both earned a 20.000, but the Bulgarian was fourth via a tie-breaker. Israel’s Linoy Ashram won the title (21.200), with Russia’s Ekaterina Selezneva and Aleksandra Soldatova in second (21.050) and third (20.750), respectively. Griskenas was sixth in the ribbon final (17.550). Soldatova clinched the gold at 19.700. Bulgaria’s Katrin Taseva was the silver medalist at 19.400, and the bronze went to Ashram at 19.150. For clubs, Griskenas was seventh (17.300), with Ashram winning the crown at 20.900. Taseva was second (20.650) and Soldatova in third (20.050). Selezneva was the ball champion (20.700).

The U.S. group came in fifth in the 5 balls final with a 21.650. Belarus took the title (23.600), followed by Japan (23.250) and Russia (23.150). The Ukraine won the 3 hoops/4 clubs title at 24.100. The members of the U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are: Isabelle Connor of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Connie Du of Deerfield, Ill.; Yelyzaveta Merenzon of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Elizaveta Pletneva of Deerfield; Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills, Ill.; and Kristina Sobolevskaya of Chicago.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.