KISSIMMEE, Fla., July 24, 2010 — 2010 world mixed pair champions Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues, both of Livermore, Calif./West Coast Training Center, won the senior mixed pair balance and dynamic titles on the first day of the 2010 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships, July 24-28, at the Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla. Competition in the junior and senior elite division continues today with the determination of the all-around champions.

In addition to Allen and Rodrigues, the balance and dynamic champions crowned on Saturday night are as follows.

    Sr. Elite Women’s Group
    Balance and dynamic: Kailey Maurer, Holli Morris, Crystal Johnston/Empire
    Sr. Elite Men’s Pair
    Balance and dynamic: Axl Osborne, Dylan Inserra/World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
    Sr. Elite Women’s Pair
    Balance and dynamic: Beth Landeche, Nicole Barrilleaux/Crescent City Gymnastics
    Jr. Elite Women’s Group
    Balance: Kaitlyn Plata, Allison Tokunaga, Jenna Provazek/Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics
    Dynamic: Cassandra Lim, Alyssa Gardner, Katie Slater/West Coast Training Center
    Jr. Elite Mixed Pair
    Balance and dynamic: Eirian Smith, Jake Kanavel/West Coast Training Center
    Jr. 11-16 Women’s Group
    Balance: Daphne Kirschner, Kerrie Prestipino, Rachel Cole/Xtreme Acro
    Jr. 11-16 Mixed Pair
    Balance: Riley Browne, Josh Miles/Realis Gymnastics Academy
    Jr. 11-16 Women’s Pair
    Balance: Mariah Cockshell, Kennedy Swanson/Acro Explosion, 28.150

Both national titles and national team berths are on the line at the championships, which are co-hosted by the Central Florida Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships feature competition in women’s pair, men’s pair, mixed pair, women’s group and men’s group for each level. On July 25, opening ceremonies start at 6:30 p.m., followed by the junior and senior elite combined routine and junior 11-16 dynamic routine. The Junior Olympic competition schedule is: July 26 – Level 5 at 9 a.m., Level 7 at 1 p.m. and Level 9 (balance) and Level 10 (balance and dynamic) at 6:30 p.m.; July 27 – Level 6 at 9 a.m., Level 8 (balance) at 1 p.m. and Level 9 (dynamic) and Level 10 (combined) at 6:30 p.m.; and July 28 – Level 6 at 9 a.m. and Level 8 (dynamic) at 1 p.m. In the Junior Olympic competition, the number of routines performed varies by level. For more information on both events, click here.

Daily all-day tickets are $26.75 per person (includes all sessions), and a five-day pass is $85. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster by phone at 800-745-3000; online at www.ticketmaster.com; and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Visa is the preferred method of payment.

Acrobatic gymnastics combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. At the elite level, each pair or group performs a balance, dynamic and combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and intricate flight elements define the dynamic exercise. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of a base, middle and top partner, while a men’s group has a base, two middle partners and one top partner.

The Central Florida Sports Commission is a private, non-profit organization created to solicit and support activities, events and sports-related businesses that stimulate the local economy; construct and utilize sports facilities; enhance the area’s image worldwide; provide outstanding entertainment and participatory opportunities; and contribute to the community’s quality of life. The Sports Commission represents the counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, as well as the City of Orlando.

Located in the heart of Florida, Kissimmee’s lodging properties are close to all that makes Central Florida a great place to visit, including world famous theme parks, entertainment centers, dinner attractions, championship-caliber golf courses and thrilling natural attractions, including ziplining and alligator spotting aboard an airboat. Add to that an impressive array of shopping and dining options, and an easy drive to Florida’s beaches and other attractions, and Kissimmee is the ideal choice for a world-class vacation. Choose from among more than 47,000 total Kissimmee accommodations, from luxury resorts and familiar chain hotels to condos, vacation homes, villas and campgrounds. Go to VisitKissimmee.com.

2010 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships
Kissimmee, Fla.
July 24, 2010
Elite Division – first of two days of competition
Finals for Balance and Dynamic

Sr. Elite Women’s Group Balance
1. Kailey Maurer, Holli Morris, Crystal Johnston/Empire, 27.970
2. Jillian Giblin, Liselle Kitchens, Hannah Busha/West Coast Training Center, 27.200
3. Alyssa Bright, Jennyfer Herzfeld, Becky Herzfeld/Emilias Acro Gymnastics Club, 25.580

Sr. Elite Women’s Group Dynamic
1. Kailey Maurer, Holli Morris, Crystal Johnston/Empire, 27.340
2. Jillian Giblin, Liselle Kitchens, Hannah Busha/West Coast Training Center, 26.150
3. Alyssa Bright, Jennyfer Herzfeld, Becky Herzfeld/Emilias Acro Gymnastics Club, 24.420

Sr. Elite Mixed Pair Balance
1. Kristin Allen, Michael Rodrigues/West Coast Training Center, 28.910
2. Nicole Faubert, Brian Kincher/West Coast Training Center, 27.200

Sr. Elite Mixed Pair Dynamic
1. Kristin Allen, Michael Rodrigues/West Coast Training Center, 28.750
2. Nicole Faubert, Brian Kincher/West Coast Training Center, 26.710

Sr. Elite Men’s Pair Balance
1. Axl Osborne, Dylan Inserra/World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, 24.740

Sr. Elite Men’s Pair Dynamic
1. Axl Osborne, Dylan Inserra/World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, 25.390

Sr. Elite Women’s Pair Balance
1. Beth Landeche, Nicole Barrilleaux/Crescent City Gymnastics, 26.340

Sr. Elite Women’s Pair Dynamic
1. Beth Landeche, Nicole Barrilleaux/Crescent City Gymnastics, 25.760

Jr. Elite Women’s Group Balance
1. Kaitlyn Plata, Allison Tokunaga, Jenna Provazek/Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, 26.750
2. Cassandra Lim, Alyssa Gardner, Katie Slater/West Coast Training Center, 25.750
3. Anna Grafov, Melisa Noriega, Carissa Marcelle/Emilias Acro Gymnastics Club, 23.100

Jr. Elite Women’s Group Dynamic
1. Cassandra Lim, Alyssa Gardner, Katie Slater/West Coast Training Center, 26.850
2. Kaitlyn Plata, Allison Tokunaga, Jenna Provazek/Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, 26.350
3. Anna Grafov, Melisa Noriega, Carissa Marcelle/Emilias Acro Gymnastics Club, 25.100
4. Ginger Burrows, Erica Prestipino, Mackenzie Meyer/Xtreme Acro, 23.650

Jr. Elite Mixed Pair Balance
1. Eirian Smith, Jake Kanavel/West Coast Training Center, 27.900
2. Kiley Boynton, Ryan Smethers/Realis Gymnastics Academy, 26.750
3. Jenna Frazer, Dylan Maurer/Empire, 25.750
4. Kendall Meyer, Christopher Ball/Xtreme Acro, 25.350

Jr. Elite Mixed Pair Dynamic
1. Eirian Smith, Jake Kanavel/West Coast Training Center, 27.850
2. Jenna Frazer, Dylan Maurer/Empire, 26.950
3. Kiley Boynton, Ryan Smethers/Realis Gymnastics Academy, 26.800
4. Kendall Meyer, Christopher Ball/Xtreme Acro, 26.200

Jr. 11-16 Women’s Group Balance
1. Daphne Kirschner, Kerrie Prestipino, Rachel Cole/Xtreme Acro, 27.600
2. Sarah Southerly, Michelle Banowsky, Jordan Jones/USA Aerial Athletics, 27.400
3. Kelli Weidmaier, Halie Kimmel, Mariah Wilkin/Rising Star Acrobatic Club, 25.800
4. Holland Koller, Sophia Handel, Rachel Zorn/1st Class Gymnastics, 24.300

Jr. 11-16 Mixed Pair Balance
1. Riley Browne, Josh Miles/Realis Gymnastics Academy, 25.900
2. McKenzie Handy, Cole Francis/Acro Explosion, 25.250

Jr. 11-16 Women’s Pair Balance
1. Mariah Cockshell, Kennedy Swanson/Acro Explosion, 28.150
2. Hannah Seiger, Belinda Watson/1st Class Gymnastics, 27.750
3. Helena Hall, Alana Floyd/Skyview Gymnastics, 26.650
4. Daphne Kirschner, Rachel Cole/Xtreme Acro, 26.600 5. MaKayla Whitley, Victoria Kadous/USA Aerial Athletics, 26.200 6. Lindsay Maier, Ashley True/Skyview Gymnastics, 25.950