Eleven rhythmic and trampoline gymnasts will compete for the U.S. this week at the Pan American Games November 1-4 in Santiago, Chile.
To qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games, American rhythmic gymnasts in Santiago must place first among athletes or teams who have not already qualified for Paris. Olympians Evita Griskenas (Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center)and Lili Mizuno (Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) will take on the individual all-around competition, while the Senior National Group composed of Olympian Izzy Connor (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.), Gergana Petkova (Barrington, Ill.), Katrine Sakhnov (Glencoe, Ill.), Karolina Saverino (Elk Grove Village, Ill.) and Hana Starkman (Deerfield, Ill.), aim for a first-place podium finish in the group all-around.
Griskenas returns to the Pan Am stage with high hopes after claiming four of five possible gold medals at the 2019 Games, including the all-around title. Connor also was a part of the Senior Group in 2019 to take the all-around silver medal. Named as the non-traveling alternates for the team are individual Alexandra Kautzman (Simi Valley, Calif./California Rhythms) and group athlete Daria Merkulova (Vernon Hills, Ill.).
The 2023 Pan American Games continues an Olympic qualifying process in trampoline that will continue into 2024. Representing the U.S. in Santiago are Olympians Nicole Ahsinger (Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express) and Aliaksei Shostak (Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express), and 2022 World team all-around silver medalists Jessica Stevens (Ellicott City, Md./Fairland Gymnastics) and Ruben Padilla (Bluffdale, Utah/Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling). Ahsinger and Padilla each boast an individual trampoline medal from their past appearances at the 2019 Pan American games – Ahsinger earned silver, while Padilla took bronze. Sarah Webster (Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express) and Isaac Rowley (Allen, Texas/Eagle Gymnastics Academy) were selected as non-traveling replacement athletes.
A comprehensive schedule for rhythmic and trampoline competition in Chile is outlined below. The Panam Sports Channel will be the hub for all Pan Am action throughout the week.
Wednesday, November 1
- RG Hoop and Ball Qualifications at 3 p.m. ET
- RG 5 Hoops Qualifications at 5:30 p.m. ET
Thursday, November 2
- RG Clubs and Ribbon Qualifications at 3 p.m. ET
- RG 3 Ribbons & 2 Balls Qualifications at 5:45 p.m. ET
Friday, November 3
- TRA Women’s Synchro Qualifications at 9 a.m. ET
- TRA Men’s Synchro Qualifications at 9:30 a.m. ET
- RG Hoop Final at 10 a.m. ET
- RG Ball Final at 10:50 a.m. ET
- TRA Women’s Individual Qualifications at 3 p.m. ET
- TRA Men’s Individual Qualifications at 4 p.m. ET
- RG 5 Hoops Final at 5 p.m. ET
Saturday, November 4
- TRA Women’s Synchro Final at 9 a.m. ET
- TRA Men’s Synchro Final at 9:30 a.m. ET
- RG Clubs Final at 10:30 a.m. ET
- RG Ribbon Final at 11:20 a.m. ET
- TRA Women’s Individual Final at 4 p.m. ET
- TRA Men’s Individual Qualifications at 4:30 p.m. ET
- RG 3 Ribbons & 2 Balls Final at 5:30 p.m. ET
In rhythmic competition, all-around winners for individuals and groups are determined following two days of qualifications. The top eight athletes/groups in qualifying will advance to their respective event finals.
For rhythmic Olympic qualifications, the top individual and group all-around winners who have not previously qualified for the Olympics will secure a spot to the Games in Paris. The individual all-around winner will obtain an Olympic quota by name.
The top eight gymnasts/pairs in trampoline will move onto the individual and synchronized trampoline finals.
Visit santiago2023.org for all information about the 2023 Pan American Games. All U.S. athletes are listed alphabetically by discipline below.
Rhythmic Gymnastics
Izzy Connor — Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.
Evita Griskenas — Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center
Alexandra Kautzman — Simi Valley, Calif./California Rhythms*
Daria Merkulova — Vernon Hills, Ill.*
Lili Mizuno — Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center
Gergana Petkova — Barrington, Ill.
Katrine Sakhnov — Glencoe, Ill.
Karolina Saverino — Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Hana Starkman — Deerfield, Ill.
Trampoline and Tumbling Gymnastics
Nicole Ahsinger — Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express
Ruben Padilla — Bluffdale, Utah/Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling
Isaac Rowley — Allen, Texas/Eagle Gymnastics Academy*
Aliaksei Shostak — Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express
Jessica Stevens — Ellicott City, Md./Fairland Gymnastics
Sarah Webster — Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express*
*Denotes non-traveling replacement athlete