© Diane Bidermann

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Aug. 20, 2011—Shelby Kisiel of Missouri City, Texas/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, and Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, won the senior and junior U.S. rhythmic gymnastics all-around titles, respectively, today at the 2011 Visa Championships at the legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul, Minn. The junior and seniornational teams were determined at the conclusion of the rhythmic gymnasticscompetition

Kisiel claimed the all-around gold medal with a total score of 203.175, followed by Polina Kozitskiy of Fountainville, Pa./Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy, at 195.750, and Alexis Page of New York,N.Y./Aviator Sports, at 194.825.

"Today was a major improvement from yesterday," said Kisiel, who won the ball and club titles early in the competition. "I let a lot of my nerves go and was able to focus more on what I had been practicing on. I amextremely happy with how it turned out and I am happy to be where I am."

In the junior division, Sereda added the all-around title to her two individual event titles (ball and clubs). She posted a total all-around score of 198.100, followed by Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, in second with 194.850, and Serena Lu of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, in third with 191.525.

"I am really happy," Sereda said. "I was a little shaky in the beginning, but toward the end of the competition, I knew I had to pull together all my energy to perform well in my last two routines. I am reallypleased with the results."

The scores from both days were combined to determine the all-around rankings and national champions.

The U.S. senior and junior national rhythmic team was named following the competition, with the top eight in the all-around rankings for the junior and senior divisions making the team.

Photos by Diane Bidermann

2011-12 rhythmic gymnastics senior national team
Shelby Kisiel, Missouri City, Texas/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics
Polina Kozitskiy, Fountainville, Pa./Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy
Elektra Markogiannakis, Randolf, Mass./Rhythmic Dreams
Alexis Page, New York, N.Y./Aviator Sports
Olga Pavlenko, Flushing, N.Y./Isadora
Claire Skach, Portland, Ore./Rose City Rhythmics
Anastasia Torba, Orinda, Calif./Allegro
Hannah Walter, Angola, N.Y./Gymnastics Unlimited

2011-12 rhythmic gymnastics junior national team
Julia Garbuz of Eden Prairie, Minn./NorthWest Rhythmic
Jazzy Kerber, Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics
Cindy Lu of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora
Serena Lu, Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora
Jennifer Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic
Monica Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic
Rebecca Sereda, Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora
Ronit Shamuilov of Brooklyn, N.Y./Isadora

The 2011 Visa Championships conclude today with the final session of women’s gymnastics at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.

The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, is the annual gathering of professional members which offers educational and business sessions, a large exhibitor’s hall and other business and educational opportunities.

2011 Visa Championships
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Saint Paul, Minn.
Aug. 20, 2011
Rhythmic gymnastics
All-around finals

Senior division
1. Shelby Kisiel, 203.175
2. Polina Kozitskiy, 195.750
3. Alexis Page, 194.825
4. Anastasia Torba, 188.575
5. Olga Pavlenko, 186.425
6. Hannah Walter, 178.250
7. Elektra Markogiannakis, 177.225
8. Claire Skach, 175.225

Junior division
1. Rebecca Sereda, 198.100
2. Jazzy Kerber, 194.850
3. Serena Lu, 191.525
4. Ronit Shamuilov, 191.200
5. Cindy Lu, 191.175
6. Julia Garbuz, 186.225
7. Monica Rokhman, 183.125
8. Jennifer Rokhman, 180.75