© Ron Wyatt and Diane Bidermann
INDIANAPOLIS, April 27, 2011 – More than 200 gymnasts are heading to Fort Worth, Texas, this weekend to compete in trampoline and tumbling’s U.S. Elite Challenge, April 29-30, at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The field boasts several World Cup medalists and U.S. champions, including Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif.; Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J.; Kalon Ludvigson of Sterling, Utah; Savannah Vinsant of Lafayette, La.; Austin White of Newport Coast, Calif.; and Alaina Williams of Norman, Okla.
The U.S. Elite Challenge is the second of three qualifying events for the 2011 U.S. Trampoline Championships, July 10-13, in San Antonio, Texas, for junior and senior elite gymnasts. Gymnasts may also earn points toward selection for the 2011 Junior and Senior National Teams. And, it is the first of two qualifying events for determining the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, Oct. 14-30, and the 2011 World Championships and World Age Group Competition in Birmingham, England, Nov. 16-26.
The U.S. Elite Challenge features senior and junior competition in four events: trampoline, synchronized trampoline, double mini-trampoline, and tumbling.
Competition begins on Friday, April 29, at 10 a.m. with prelims and continues Saturday, April 30, at 7:15 p.m. with event finals. Each session has men’s and women’s competition for both the junior and senior levels. All times are CENTRAL.
The Elite Challenge is held in conjunction with the Region 3 Championships, which take place April 29-May 1. A full competition schedule, as well as ticket and parking information, is available at http://www.usag-region3.org/11championships.
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.