INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 1, 2009 – At the trampoline and tumbling World Cup at the Ostend Sports Centre in Ostend, Belgium, the USA’s Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif., and Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J., won the USA’s first World Cup gold medal when they clinched the synchronized trampoline title. Dooley went on to win the first men’s individual trampoline title. Kalon Ludvigson of Pocatello, Idaho, also medaled, taking the men’s tumbling silver medal. While the USA celebrates its gold medals, Dooley, Gluckstein and the entire U.S. delegation is turning its sights to duplicating that success at the World Cup in Zielona Gora, Poland, on Sept. 4-5.

“We are so proud of Logan and Steven for their gold medal performances, as well as Kalon for his tumbling silver,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Our goal is to put ourselves in position to win medals and to stand on the awards podium. They did that, becoming our first trampoline World Cup gold medalists. This is a great momentum builder just before Worlds in St. Petersburg.”

Heading into the synchronized trampoline finals, U.S. duo Dooley and Gluckstein sat in first place and were the last to compete.

“It was a little nerve-wracking,” said Dooley. “(Heading into the competition,) I knew Steven was going to hit his routine, and he knew I would hit mine, which is a pretty comfortable place to be. All we had to do was stay together.”

Dooley and Gluckstein did not know they were the USA’s first World Cup gold medalists until after the medal ceremony.

“We were up in the stands when Ann (Sims, the trampoline program director) told us we were the first,” said Gluckstein. “We were shocked and so proud.”

In men’s individual trampoline, Dooley went on to win a second gold medal, with Gluckstein finishing fifth.

“To go to a World Cup where the USA typically is not expected to get to finals and then have two competing in the finals was exciting,” said Dooley. “Then to win two was incredible. It was an awesome experience to hear the anthem; it was overwhelming.”

Ludvigson’s silver in tumbling rounded out the USA’s medal count in Belgium.

All three competitors are hope to continue their success in Poland. Additionally, Ludvigson will represent the USA at the World Cup event in Salzgitter, Germany, Sept. 11-12.

“It was disappointing to have a mistake in my first pass and end up in second,” said Ludvigson. "I have a few more chances in Poland and Germany to make up for my mistakes. Our original plan was to do two passes that I know I can hit, but training was going so well that we decided to add difficulty. For Poland and Germany, I will be more conservative and hope that higher execution scores will help me earn gold."

The U.S. delegation to the World Cup includes the following:

Men’s trampoline

  • Steve Gluckstein, Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Ultra Twisters
  • Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics
  • Michael Devine of Winnebago, Ill./J & J Trampoline
  • Austin White of Newport Coast, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics

Women’s trampoline

  • Nani Vercruyssen, Honolulu, Hawaii/Hawaii Academy
  • Alaina Williams, Huntsville, Ala./Matrix

Men’s tumbling

  • Kalon Ludvigson, Pocatello, Idaho/Team Revolution

Synchronized trampoline

  • Men, Gluckstein/Dooley
  • Women, Williams/Vercruyssen

The World Cup format features a preliminary round, with the top eight gymnasts or pairs advancing to the finals (a maximum of two individuals or one pair per country may advance in final).