CINCINNATI, Ohio, May 10, 2012 – More than 700 of the USA’s top Level 9 and 10 gymnasts will compete in the 2012 P&G U.S. Men’s Junior Olympic National Championships, May 10-13, at the Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. The event features competition in regional team, all-around and individual apparatus. Opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m. on May 9.
Defending champions Sean Melton of Orlando, Fla./U.S. Olympic Training Center, who won the Level 10 14-15 all-around title in 2011, and Level 9 all-around champion Marty Strech of Fountain Valley, Calif./Azarian U.S. Gymnastics, who is now a Level 10, are expected to compete.
For a complete list of competitors, click here.
The levels are determined by age and skill level. Level 10 is split into two age groups, 14-15 years old and 16-18 years old, while Level 9 has only 12-13 years old. The Junior Olympic National Championships are a qualifier for Level 10 gymnasts to advance to the Visa Championships (June 7-10 in St. Louis, Mo.), where the national teams for both age groups are determined. The top gymnasts in Level 9 are named to the Junior Olympic National Team.
Level 10 and Level 9 athletes compete on May 10 and 11, respectively, and each day has two sessions of individual event qualification, followed by regional team finals. The competition schedule is: May 10, Level 10 (14-15 and 16-18) Aca a