© James Glader

CHICAGO, Ill., June 25, 2010 – Four all-around champions and 16 event champions were crowned in the 2010 U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Optional National Championships at Chicago’s Broadway Armory. The all-around champions are: Nicole Kaloyanov of Woodbridge, Va., Level 7; Ronit Shamuilov of Brooklyn, N.Y., Level 8; Yana Matkivski of Philadelphia, Pa., Level 9 junior; and Ksenya Masterova of Livonia, Mich., Level 9 senior. The U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Optional Championships, which showcases the country’s best Level 7-9 gymnasts, are held in conjunction with the Chicago Cup.

Kaloyanov, who trains at Gymnastics World, won the Level 7 all-around crown with a total score of 67.550, edging Regina Yu of Wayland, Mass./New England Sports Academy, who posted a 66.850. Olga Mokin of Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy, placed third with 66.050. Kaloyanov also took top honors in floor (16.600) and placed second in ribbon (17.050) and rope (17.150). Yu earned the highest score in hoop (17.350) and ribbon (17.800), as well as earned second on floor (15.800). Mokin took top honors for rope (17.400) and finished second on hoop (17.000) and third in ribbon (17.000).

With a score of 83.250, Isadora’s Shamuilov captured the Level 8 all-around crown with an 83.250, and took top honors in floor (17.650), hoop (22.600) and ball (22.750), along with a second-place finish in ribbon (20.250). Camilla Feeley of Germantown, Md./Elegance Gymnastics, finished second with 77.700, in addition to winning ribbon (20.700). Emily Rokhnyansky of Brooklyn, N.Y./Isadora, took third in the all-around at 74.200 and in ball (20.300).

Matkivski, who trains at Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy, won the Level 9 junior all-around title with a 91.850, along with finishing first in hoop (23.000) and clubs (23.050) and third in ball (21.900). Serena Lu of Blaine, Minn./Twin Cities Rhythmic, finished second in the all-around (90.075), hoop (22.650) and clubs (22.200) and took top honors in rope (23.950). Monica Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, took third in the all-around at 88.250 and clubs (21.825) and first in ball (23.325).

Scoring an 80.300 to win the Level 9 senior all-around title, Oakland Rhythmics’ Masterova also won the ball (21.125) and ribbon (20.225) titles and finished second in rope (20.750). Alisa Kano of Bronxville, N.Y.,/Isadora, finished second in the all-around with 79.575, but won the rope (21.875) and hoop (21.950) titles. Rachel Little of Lithia, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, took third in the all-around with 78.025, but claimed second in ribbon (19.375) and ball (19.825).

The Level 10 Invitational will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, prior to the Chicago Cup event finals. As part of the Chicago Level 10 Invitational, four gymnasts will vie for the USA’s berth to the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August: Megan Kincaid of Los Angeles/California Rhythms, Polina Kozitskiy of Fountainville, Pa./Philadelphia Rhythmic Academy, Alexis Page of New York City/Aviator Sports and Recreation, and Amanda Tran of Shoreline, Wash./Kortel Academy of Gymnastics.

Background information
World Sport Chicago: World Sport Chicago believes that sport has the power to transform and is dedicated to helping children in Chicago find a sport to meet their interests and abilities. The organization is a legacy of the 2016 Olympic bid and promotes the Olympic ideals of fitness, education and well being by working with partner organizations to launch or expand sport programs for kids. WSC is working to introduce Chicago’s youth to the fun and benefit of sports and the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership.