LIMA, Peru, Sept. 15, 2018 – The U.S. women qualified for the 2019 Pan American Games based on their first-place ranking in the team qualification round at the Senior Pan American Championships in Lima Peru, at the Polideportivo N° 1. Grace McCallum of Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters, and Trinity Thomas of York, Pennsylvania/Prestige Gymnastics, went one-two in the women’s all-around and uneven bars. Competition concludes tomorrow with the men’s team final at 10:50 a.m. CT and the women’s team final at 4 p.m. CT. The Peru Gymnastics Federation has a live feed on its Facebook page.

Jade Carey of Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona Sunrays, was the champion for both vault and floor exercise. Kara Eaker of Grain Valley, Missouri/ Great American Gymnastics Express, won the balance beam gold and the floor bronze. McCallum picked up the bronze for both vault and the balance beam.

In the team qualification, the United States was first in the team rankings with a 170.166, which included the top team scores for each apparatus: 43.567, vault; 43.099, uneven bars; 41.733, balance beam; and 41.767, floor exercise. Brazil was second at 161.134, followed by Mexico (157.933). The U.S. team included Shilese Jones of Westerville, Ohio/Future Gymnastics Academy, along with Carey, Eaker, McCallum and Thomas.

For the Pan American Games qualification, a total of 57 men and 57 women will qualify to compete in the Games: countries that finish in the top eight teams in the qualification round; two gymnasts from the countries who finish ninth to 13th in the team qualification rankings; and seven gymnasts, maximum one per country, with the best all-around results from countries who have not already qualified. All placements are awarded to the country not to an individual athlete. Peru, as the host country, will also receive a berth.

In the all-around, McCallum tallied a 56.366 total to win the gold medal. Thomas was second at 54.433. Brazil’s Flavia Saraiva rounded out the top three at 53.334.

On vault, Carey took the gold with her 14.550. Cuba’s Marcia Vidiaux claimed a 14.234 for second, and McCallum earned the bronze at 13.883.

For the uneven bars, McCallum scored a 14.533, with Thomas at 14.333. Jones had the third best score at 14.133 but didn’t medal due to the maximum two per country rule. Eaker posted a 12.433. Mexico’s Nicolle Castro was the bronze medalist (14.000).

Eakers’ 14.300 put her atop the beam rankings. Saraiva’s 14.033 just edged out McCallum’s 14.000 for the silver. Thomas was fifth at 13.433, and Jones posted a 12.433.

Carey easily won the gold for the floor exercise at 14.400. Saraiva slipped by Eaker, 13.867 to 13.767. McCallum was fourth at 13.600. Thomas posted a 12.367.

The competition format for the team finals is three athletes compete on each event and all three scores count.

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 empowers and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. 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, log on to usagym.org.