COTTBUS, Germany, March 11, 2011 – C.J. Maestas of Corrales, N.M., advanced to the still rings finals at the 2011 Cottbus (Germany) Challenger Cup on March 12. More than 150 male gymnasts were entered in the World Cup event, with 51-69 gymnasts competing on each apparatus.
Maestas, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., had the second highest score in the rings qualification round with a 15.150, finishing behind leader Luo Xuan of China’s 15.375. Maestas posted a 14.125 in the pommel horse qualification for 13th place, however only the top eight spots advance.
Andrew Elkind of Cherry Hill, N.J., a member of Team Hilton HHonors who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, also competed in the Cottbus event but did not qualify for the finals. The Cottbus Challenger Cup is the first in the FIG Challenger Cup series and is an individual event competition.