INDIANAPOLIS – More than 550 athletes will compete Aug. 3-6 in the USA Gymnastics Sports Acrobatics National Championships at the Prime Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla.

The National Championships will also determine the 2003-2004 National Team. Each season, up to 15 pair-groups are named to the USA Gymnastics Sports Acrobatics National Team, granting these athletes first priority for selection to international competitions, including the World Championships. They are also invited to attend training camps and other clinics throughout the year.

The Prime Osborn III Convention Center is also host to the inaugural 2003 Freedom Cup, an international competition from July 31 – Aug. 3. Without another Sports Acrobatics World Championship until mid-2004, the 2003 Freedom Cup presents gymnasts with the opportunity to gain valuable international experience. Top nations expecting to compete include Great Britain, Germany, Puerto Rico and Kazakhstan.

Athletes Level 5 through Elite were invited to compete in the National Championships after earning their level’s qualification score at their respective regional championship. Events include Men’s Pair, Women’s Pair, Mixed Pair, Women’s Group and Men’s Group.

Sports Acrobatics combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Gymnastics skills add excitement to the exercises, while intense acrobatic balances show grace, strength and flexibility. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. Each pair or group performs a Balance, Tempo and Combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the Balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and dynamic flight elements define the Tempo exercise. Finally, the Combined exercise unites elements of Balance and Tempo.

Tickets for the National Championships and Freedom Cup can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, by calling 904-353-3309, or at the Prime Osborn III Convention Center box office. Following is a schedule of events. For more information, visit www.usa-gymnastics.org/acro.

National Championships Event Schedule


Sunday, Aug. 3
5 p.m. Opening Ceremony

Monday, Aug. 4
8:30 a.m.
Level 5 (WP 10 and under, 11-13, 14-17,18+, MF 14-17)
Level 6 (WP 14-17 Prelim, MX 11-13, 14-17, MF 11-13)

1 p.m.
Level 5 (MP 11-13, MX 11-13)
Level 6 (MP 11-13, 14-17, WP 11-13 Prelim, 18+)
Level 7 (WP 14-17 Prelim)

6:30 p.m.
Level 10 (WT Balance, WP and MX Tempo)
Jr. Elite and Elite (WT Balance, WP and MX Tempo)


Tuesday, Aug. 5
8:30 a.m.
Level 5 (WT 10 and under, 11-13)
Level 6 (WT 10 and under, 11-13, 14-17, 18+)
Level 7 (WT 14-17 Prelim)

1 p.m.
Level 6 (WP 11-13 Finals, 14-17 Finals)
Level 7 (WP 14-17 Finals, MP 11-13, MX 14-17)
Level 9 (WT Balance, WP, MP, MX Tempo)

6:30 p.m.
Level 10 (WT Tempo, WP and MX Balance)
Jr. Elite and Elite (WT Tempo, WP and MX Balance)


Wednesday, Aug. 6
8:30 a.m.
Level 7 (WP 11-13, 18+, MX 11-13, 18+)
Level 8 (WP 11-13, 14-17, 18+, MX 14-17)

1 p.m.
Level 7 (WT 10 and under, 11-13, 14-17 Finals, 18+)
Level 8 (WT 11-13, 14-17, 18+)
Level 9 (WT Tempo, WP, MP, MX Balance)

6:30 p.m.
Jr. Elite and Elite (Combined Exercise)
Level 10 Exhibition
Elite Awards Ceremony

KEY: WP = Women’s Pair, MP = Men’s Pair, WT = Women’s Trio, MF = Men’s Four, MX = Mixed