© Tom Theobald

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 22, 2016 – Behind personal best scores, 2016 World Cup bronze medalist Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, and the U.S. rhythmic group advanced to the clubs and ribbon and six clubs, two hoops finals, respectively, today at the Baku (Azerbaijan) World Cup. Zeng and the group were selected in June to represent the United States at the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

In individual competition, Zeng posted an 18.350 for her ribbon routine to qualify to the final tied for sixth. In clubs, Zeng earned an 18.300 to advance to the final in fifth. Both scores are personal bests in international competition. In the all-around, Zeng’s 70.350 put her 11th. Camilla Feeley of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, who is the USA’s replacement athlete for the Rio Olympics in rhythmic gymnastics, posted scores of 17.300, ribbon, and 17.400 for clubs, where she is the second reserve for the final. Feeley finished 13th in the all-around, her best at a World Cup competition.

The U.S. group, which consists of North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics’ Kiana Eide, Alisa Kano, Natalie McGiffert, Jennifer Rokhman, Monica Rokhman and Kristen Shaldybin, earned its best-ever World Cup score with a 17.100 in six clubs, two hoops. They advanced to the final in eighth place and also earned eighth in the all-around standings.