© Tom Theobald

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Sept. 15, 2018 – The U.S. group placed 14th in the all-around at the 2018 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, which concludes tomorrow at the Arena Armeec in Sofia, Bulgaria. With its 14th place finish, the U.S. group qualified for the 2019 World Championships, which is a qualifier for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Group rhythmic gymnastics wraps up with five hoops and three balls/two ropes event finals at 4 p.m. ET. NBC Sports will carry a livestream of all of the finals on olympicchannel.com.

The U.S. senior rhythmic group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, includes Dasha Baltovick of Highland Park, Ill.; Isabelle Connor of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Ugne Dragunas of Darien, Ill.; Connie Du of Deerfield, Ill.; Elizaveta Pletneva of Caldwell, N.J.; and Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills, Ill. Kristina Sobolevskaya of Deerfield, Ill., is the alternate.

The U.S. group posted an all-around score of 35.800, which included a 17.300 for five hoops. Their 18.500 for three balls and two ropes is the highest score the group has earned and just missed being a top 10 score, placing 11th. Russia won the all-around with a 46.300. Italy was second (44.825) and Italy was third (42.050).

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 empowers and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. 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, log on to usagym.org.