SOFIA, Bulgaria, Nov. 17, 2013 – Gretchen Schultz, Destrehan, La./Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, and Jordyn Duffield, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics, went 1-2 in the girls 11-12 tumbling final, as the 2013 World Trampoline and Tumbling Age Group Competition in Sofia, Bulgaria, concluded. Cody Gesuelli of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./ETA, and Joseph Kozlowski, Avondale, Pa./ETA, claimed the silver medal in the boys 15-16 synchronized trampoline final. The U.S. finishes the competition with 14 medals.
Shultz and Duffield claimed the top two spots in the girls 11-12 tumbling final with scores of 32.000, and 31.800, respectively. Great Britain’s Jessica Brain was third, 31.100.
Belarus’ Artsiom Smirnou and Artsiom Zhuk won the boys 15-16 synchronized trampoline final with a 47.400. Gesuelli and Kozlowski earned 44.900 for the silver, with Russia’s Dmitry Kiknadze and Vitaly Krivonos taking the bronze with a 44.800.
Trampoline events involve athletes using trampolines that can propel them up to 30 feet in the air, during which they can perform double and triple twisting somersaults. Tumbling utilizes elevated rod-floor runways that enable athletes to jump at heights more than 10 feet and execute a variety of acrobatic maneuvers. For the double-mini competition, the athlete makes a short run, leaps onto a small two-level trampoline, performs an aerial maneuver and dismounts onto a landing mat. Trampoline was added to the Olympic Games in 2000, and at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the USA had its first athlete in history advance to the finals.