SOFIA, Bulgaria (September 16, 2022) – The U.S. took fifth in the team competition Friday at the 2022 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, while the U.S. Senior National Group notched a top-15 all-around finish.

The U.S. group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center and was comprised of Gergana Petkova (Barrington, Ill.), Katrine Sakhnov (Glencoe, Ill.), Karolina Saverino (Elk Grove Village, Ill.), Hana Starkman (Deerfield, Ill.) and Emily Wilson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) for this event, posted season-high scores on both five hoops (28.650) and three ribbons and two balls (25.250). They finished 15th in the group all-around with a cumulative 53.900, landing 15th in five hoops and 16th in three ribbons and two balls.

The Bulgarian group captured the group all-around title with a 66.600 and earned the day’s high score on three ribbons and two balls with a 32.800. Italy’s 34.150 topped the scoresheet on five hoops.

After three days of individual and group qualifications, U.S. gymnasts secured fifth in the team competition. Team scores were based on each country’s aggregate point total, inclusive of all qualification scores.

U.S. athletes amassed a combined 287.050, eclipsed only by Italy, who clinched the title with a 312.550, Germany (301.400), Spain (297.100) and Ukraine (292.400). Over the first two days of competition, Olympians Evita Griskenas (Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) and Lili Mizuno (Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) garnered four-apparatus scores of 117.450 and 115.700, respectively, and the group added 53.900 Friday.

Griskenas and Mizuno will be back in action Saturday with the individual all-around up for grabs. Both will compete with the first of two groups of finalists, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET.