Level 10 Senior All-Around medalists
© James Glader

CHICAGO, Ill., June 19, 2009 — Ivana Benson of Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, and Sarah Kudishevich of Eden Prairie, Minn./International Gymnastics Minnesota, won the senior Level 9 and 10 all-around titles, respectively, at the 2009 U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Optional National Championships at Chicago’s Broadway Armory. The U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Optional Championships, which showcases the country’s best Level 7-9 gymnasts and the Level 10 Invitational, is being held in conjunction with the Chicago Cup.

Kudishevich won the senior Level 10 all-around crown with a total score of 85.075, edging out Rebecca Wallenstein of Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, who posted 85.025. Joanna Arnold of Evanston, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, was third at 81.475. Kudishevich also took top honors in ribbon (21.275) and rope (22.050), as well as second in hoop (21.250). Nicole Chillingworth of Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Eurogymnastics, earned the highest score in hoop with 22.225 points and placed third in ribbon and rope. Wallenstein was the champion in ball (22.475) and finished second in ribbon and rope, with a third place finish in hoop,

In the Level 9 senior division, Benson captured the all-around crown with 79.925 points, as well as taking top honors in ribbon (20.900) and rope (19.950) along with a second-place finish in ball. Michelle Przybylo of Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, was second in the all-around at 79.675, followed by Alexis Moore of Auburn, Wash./Evergreen Rhythmics, at 73.100. Przybylo won both hoop (20.675) and ball (19.300), along with second place honors in ribbon and rope.

Two of the four events in the junior Levels 9 and 10 are completed. Shelby Kisiel of Missouri City, Texas/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, had the highest score in both hoop and rope for junior Level 9. For junior Level 10, Amanda Tran of Shoreline, Wash./Kortel Academy of Gymnastics, garnered the top score for hoop, with Alexis Page of New York, N.Y./Aviator Sports and Recreation, finishing first in rope. Competition concludes on June 20.

The competition for Levels 9-10 were held on June 18-19, and the first of two days of competition for junior Levels 9-10 were conducted on June 19, 2009, with the final two events staged on June 20. The balance of the Junior Olympic Championships will finish up on June 22-23 with competition for Levels 7-8 at Trinity International University.

For the complete competition schedule, click here. Junior Olympic tickets may be purchased onsite.

U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Optional National Championships
Chicago, Ill.
June 18-19, 2009

Final results

Level 10, senior

All-around
1. Sarah Kudishevich, Eden Prairie, Minn./IGM, 85.075
2. Rebecca Wallenstein, Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, 85.025
3. Joanna Arnold, Evanston, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 81.475

Hoop
1. Nicole Chillingworth, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Eurogymnastics, 22.225
2. Sarah Kudishevich, Eden Prairie, Minn./IGM, 21.250
3. Rebecca Wallenstein, Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, 21.00

Ribbon
1. Sarah Kudishevich, Eden Prairie, Minn./IGM, 21.275
2. Rebecca Wallenstein, Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, 20.725
3. Nicole Chillingworth, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Eurogymnastics, 20.675

Rope
1. Sarah Kudishevich, Eden Prairie, Minn./IGM, 22.050
2. Rebecca Wallenstein, Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, 20.825
3. Nicole Chillingworth, Rolling Hills Estates, Calif./Eurogymnastics, 20.450

Ball
1. Rebecca Wallenstein, Ponte Vedre, Fla./World Rhythmics, 22.475
2. Anastasia Torba, Orinda, Calif./Allegro Rhythmics, 21.925
3. Joanna Arnold, Evanston, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 20.975

Level 9, senior

All-around
1. Ivana Benson, Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 79.925
2. Michelle Przybylo, Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 79.675
3. Alexis Moore, Auburn, Wash./Evergreen Rhythmics, 73.100

Hoop
1. Michelle Przybylo, Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 20.675
2. Alexis Moore, Auburn, Wash./Evergreen Rhythmics, 20.275
3. Ivana Benson, Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 19.950

Ribbon
1. Ivana Benson, Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 20.900
2. Michelle Przybylo, Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 20.200
3. Rachel Little, Frisco, Texas/Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 17.500

Rope
1. Ivana Benson, Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 19.950
2. Michelle Przybylo, Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 19.500
3. Alexis Moore, Auburn, Wash./Evergreen Rhythmics, 19.050

Ball
1. Michelle Przybylo, Glenview, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 19.300
2. Ivana Benson, Valrico, Fla./Tampa Bay Rhythmics, 19.125
3. Nicole Minevich, San Diego, Calif./San Diego Rhythms, 17.675

Partial results (competition concludes on June 20)

Level 10, junior

Hoop
1. Amanda Tran, Shoreline, Wash./Kortel Academy of Gymnastics, 21.050
2. Alexis Page, New York, N.Y./Aviator Sports and Recreation, 20.875
2. Lyrica Okano, New York, N.Y./Aviator Sports and Recreation, 20.425

Rope
1. Alexis Page, New York, N.Y./Aviator Sports and Recreation, 20.350
2. Lyrica Okano, Aviator Sports and Recreation, 19.800
3. Megan Kincaid, Los Angeles/California Rhythms, 19.550

Level 9, junior

Hoop
1. Shelby Kisiel, Missouri City, Texas/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 21.450
2. Madeline Peterson, Elmhurst, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 20.150
3. Caitlyn Hillier, Lisle, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 19.700

Rope
1. Shelby Kisiel, Missouri City, Texas/North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 20.800
2. Madeline Peterson, Elmhurst, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics, 19.550
3. Peggy Flavin, Downers Grove, Ill./Elite Sports Complex Inc., 19.000