CALI, Colombia, December 3, 2021 – U.S. rhythmic and trampoline gymnasts had a successful first day of competition Friday at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, advancing to all eligible event finals.
In the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around, Nayenne Pollini Ashenaffi of Reseda, Calif./Rhythmic Academy of Los Angeles sits second at the halfway mark. Pollini Ashenaffi posted the second-highest scores of the day on hoop (20.750) and ball (20.300) behind Brazil’s Maria Eduarda Alexandre who posted top scores in the all-around (43.200) and on both apparatus (22.050, 21.150). Sarah Mariotti of San Diego, Calif./Emerald City Academy of Rhythmic Gymnastics is fourth with a 38.150 (18.750, 19.400). Both U.S. gymnasts have earned spots in Sunday’s hoop and ball apparatus finals. The all-around competition will conclude tomorrow, and participants for the clubs and ribbon finals will be determined beginning at 10 a.m. ET.
The U.S. rhythmic group sits third in the all-around after Day 1 of competition behind a 28.950 in five balls. The group has qualified to Sunday’s apparatus final behind Mexico (33.400) and Brazil (31.350). The group all-around will wrap up tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. ET with qualifications in five ribbons.
The trampoline competition also kicked off Friday at the Coliseo El Pueblo. Zachary Ramacci of St. John, Ind./TwistStars Tumbling and Trampoline and Elijah Vogel of Longmont, Colo./Elevated Trampoline Sports Academy each advanced to the men’s individual trampoline final. Vogel notched second in the qualifying round with a 102.510 behind Canada’s Remi Aubin (103.130), while Ramacci qualified in the fourth spot with a 100.345. The pair will also compete in tomorrow’s synchronized trampoline final after taking the top qualifying spot with a 44.950.
The men’s synchro final is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. ET and will be followed by the individual final at 6:20 p.m. The U.S. did not qualify a women’s team for this event.