PUURS, Belgium, April 14, 2019 – The U.S. women’s group of Isabel Chang of Columbia, Md., Alexandra Galdkova of Fairfax, Va., and Sydney Martin of Glenwood, Md., all of Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, won the senior women’s group title at the Flanders International Acro Cup at the Sporthal De Vrijhals. Emily Davis and Aubrey Rosilier, both of San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, withdrew from the women’s pair finals at the World Cup, which is held in conjunction with the Flanders Acro Cup.

In the senior women’s final, the U.S. group posted a 27.950 for the gold. The silver and bronze medals went to Great Britain’s Gladesville Gymnastics (27.090) and Belgium’s Turnclub Athena (26.640). The U.S. junior men’s group of Ethan Chang of Columbia, Md., Devon Freed of Mt. Airy, Md., Samuel Lacy of Columbia, and Cade Shields of Columbia, all of Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, was the silver medalist. Great Britain’s Spelthorne Gymnastics won the title, 26.650 to 26.330.

The scores and placements for the other U.S. Team groups and pairs competing in the Flanders Flanders International Acro Cup finals are listed below.

Junior, 12-18

  • Women’s group: Riley Freed of Mt. Airy, Md., Jessica Kicza of Woodbine, Md., and Mariam Tutberidze of Owings Mill, Md., Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, 4th, 26.600.
  • Women’s pair: Catherine Borcherding and Destiny Nolting, both of Pacific, Mo./Show Me Acro, 4th, 26.000.

Age Group 11-16

  • Women’s group: Meghan Kampmann, Catherine Lacy and Cecelia Shadrick, Laurel, Md./Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics and Cheer, 8th, 26.200.
  • Women’s pair: Kaylee DeSantis and Reese Morgan, New Orleans, La./Crescent City Gymnastics, 10th, 26.050.

Participating gymnasts can earn World Cup points based on their performances that count toward the coveted Acrobatic Gymnastics World Cup Series champion, which will be determined this fall at the conclusion of the series. At every World Cup, each pair or group will perform balance and dynamic routines. The pairs and groups that advance to the finals perform a combined routine.

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. The acrobatic gymnastics events are: men’s pair, mixed pair, women’s pair, men’s group and women’s group. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of three athletes – a base, middle and top partner – while a men’s group has four athletes, a base, two middle partners and one top partner.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.