© Team Photo

MAIA, Portugal, March 9, 2019 – Aubrey Rosilier and Emily Davis, both of San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, and Angel Felix of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Braiden McDougall of Riverside, Calif., of Realis Gymnastics Academy, advanced to the women’s and men’s pair finals at acrobatic gymnastics’ 2019 World Cup at the Maia (Portugal) Municipal Gymnastics Complex. Competition concludes tomorrow with the combined routines at 3:30 p.m.

Three U.S. pairs advanced to the junior and age group 2 finals of the Maia International Acro Cup, held in conjunction with the World Cup: mixed pair Jordan Gruendler and Timothy Massa, both of San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, junior (13-19); mixed pair Anna Blough and Carson Breen, both of Riverside, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy, age group 12-18; and women’s pair Alexis Comnick, Yucaipa, Calif., and Tiffani Williams, Riverside, Calif., Realis Gymnastics Academy, age group 12-18.

In the women’s pair, Rosilier and Davis ranked third after the first two routines, earling a 26.460 for their dynamic routine. When combined with their 27.830 balance score, the duo posted a 54.290 total for third. Portugal had the top spot after two routines with a 56.060, to move ahead of Russia 2 at 55.960. Felix and McDougall ranked seventh in the preliminary rankings at 52.880 (26.850/26.030) in the men’s pair rankings. Russia hold the two top spots (58.470 and 56.540), with Belarus in third (56.400). The mixed pair of Aisley Boynton of Riverside, Calif., and Sean Obley of Mesa, Ariz., of Aspire Kids Sports Center, finished in 11th place after two routines (50.800) and did not advance. Russia topped the prelims ranking at 58.560.

The results for the junior pairs and groups competing in the Maia International Acro Cup are noted below.

  • 12-18 women’s group – Bella Aguayo, Queen Creek, Ariz., Riley Berg, Phoenix, and Kirsten Clark, Tempe, Ariz., Aspire Kids Sports Center: ranked 27th, 49.100 (23.550, balance/25.550, dynamic).
  • 12-18 women’s pair – Alexis Comnick, Yucaipa, Calif., and Tiffani Williams, Riverside, Calif., Realis Gymnastics Academy: advanced to finals, 9th, 50.550 (25.300/24.300).
  • 12-18 mixed pair – Anna Blough and Carson Breen, both of Riverside, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy: 1st, 52.400 (27.150/25.250).
  • 13-19 mixed pair – Jordan Gruendler and Timothy Massa, both of San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio: advance to finals; qualified in 5th, 50.670 (25.950; 24.720)

The World Cup wraps up at 3:30 p.m. with combined routines for women’s pair, mixed pair, men’s pair, women’s group and men’s group. The sessions for the Maia International Acro Cup also conclude on March 10. All times are local to Portugal, which is five hours ahead of U.S. eastern time. For more information, go to the event’s website, maiaacrocup.com.

Three 11-16 age-group teams are traveling with the national team and competing in the International Acro Cup. Here’s their preliminary results: women’s pair – Moraeah Arthur and Ariana Katsov, with Mid America Acro & Tumbling, 11th, advance to finals (51.100); women’s pair – Anabelle Lopez-Torres and Sidney Snyder, with 1st Class Gymnastics, 4th, advance to finals (52.400); and 11-16 women’s group – Audrey Alvarez, Maya Bajdarvanov, and Sydney Dorais, with Flip Force San Diego, 28th (49.350).

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 begins her tenure as president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics on March 8. 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.