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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., June 29, 2011 – More than 2,000 gymnasts will compete in trampoline and tumbling’s two national championships, the U.S. Elite Championships and the Junior Olympic National Championships, July 9-15 at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. The U.S. Elite Championships, scheduled for July 9-10, determine the junior and senior national champions, and the Junior Olympic National Championships, slated for July 10-15, features competition for Levels 5-10. Both events have competition in trampoline, double mini-trampoline, synchronized trampoline and tumbling for both men and women.
At the U.S. Elite Championships, the USA’s top trampoline and tumbling gymnasts will earn points toward making the junior and senior national teams. It is also the second of two qualifying events for the U.S. Teams for the 2011 Pan American Games, World Championships and World Age-Group Competition. The United States will have its first of two opportunities to qualify for trampoline at the 2012 Olympic Games at the 2011World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships.
To qualify for the Junior Olympic National Championships, athletes must meet the qualifying criteria and score requirements which vary by category and event. Gymnasts in Levels 5-10 are ranked by their level of expertise, with 10 being the highest and just below elite.
The Regional All-Stars Competition features the Level 10 regional champions vying for the title of Grand Champion as the best overall Regional All-Star Team. The region accumulating the highest combined score is named the Grand Champion Team. This is part of the Grand March ceremony.
The competition schedule for the two events is listed below.
U.S. Elite Championships
July 9 – 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. – Preliminary rounds
July 10 – 6-9 p.m. – Finals
Junior Olympic Championships
July 10 – 2-6 p.m. – Levels 9 and 10 synchronized trampoline
July 11 – 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. – Levels 8-10 competition
July 12 – 8 a.m.-6 p.m. – Levels 8-10 competition, Levels 9 & 10 finals
July 12 – 6-9 p.m. – Opening ceremonies,/Grand March/Regional All-Star Challenge
July 13 – 2-5 p.m. – Levels 5-7 competition
July 14 – 9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Levels 5-7 competition
July 15 – 9 a.m.-6 p.m. – Levels 5-7 competition
The San Antonio Sports Commission is serving as the local host for the competition.
Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform single, double and twisted somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated spring runways that enable athletes to jump at heights over 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. Double-mini competition involves the athlete making a short run and leaping onto a small two-level trampoline. The athlete will then perform an aerial maneuver and dismount onto a landing mat.