INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 4, 2008 – Based on results from the 2008 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships, USA Gymnastics has named 11 to the senior national team and 17 to the junior squad for acrobatic gymnastics.
Acrobatic gymnastics, previously referred to as sport acrobatics, combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Gymnastics skills add excitement to the exercises, while intense acrobatic balances show grace, strength and flexibility. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. At the elite level, each pair or group performs a balance, dynamic and combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and intricate flight elements define the dynamic exercise. The combined routine unites elements of balance and dynamic.
An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women’s group is comprised of a base, middle and top partner, while a men’s group has a base, two middle partners and one top partner. Bases generally are older athletes who display strength and balance and top partners generally are younger athletes who display flexibility and agility. Middle partners often are required to show a combination of all attributes.
Click here for past Senior National Teams and click here for past Junior National Teams.
Acrobatic Gymnastics Senior National Team
Women’s Pair:
- Savannah Shields – Acro Explosion – Grain Valley, MO
Mallory Henthorn – Acro Explosion – Independence, MO
Alexis Thibodeaux – Crescent City Gymnastics, Harahan, LA
Nicole Barrilleaux – Crescent City Gymnastics, Metairie, LA
Mixed Pair:
- Sarah Radcliffe – Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics Club – Ellicott City, MD
Kevin Grear – Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics Club – Columbia, MD
Kristin Allen – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA
Michael Rodrigues – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA
Women’s Group:
- Mariah Spray – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA
Hannah Busha – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA
Steffi Scheid – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA
Kailey Maurer – Empire – Fontana, CA
Kelly Wilkinson – Empire – Oceanside, CA
Crystal Johnston – Empire – Riverside, CA
Acrobatic Gymnastics Junior National Team
Women’s Pair:
- Tiana Terry – Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics – San Jose, CA
Monica Simikowski – Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics – San Jose, CA
Sienna Martinez – Realis Gymn. Academy – Riverside, CA
Alexndra Tichy – Realis Gymn. Academy – San Jose, CA
Mixed Pair:
- Madeline Bones – Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics – San Jose, CA
Kyle Bloom – Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics – San Jose, CA
Catherine Becnel – Fliptastics – Belle Chase, LA
Michael Parsiola – Fliptastics – Belle Chase, LA
Women’s Group:
- Chelcea Riegel – Rising Star Acrobatic Club – Kearney, MO
Ashley Hargis – Rising Star Acrobatic Club – Kearney, MO
Krissy Weidmaier – Rising Star Acrobatic Club – Holt, MO
Amanda Plumer – San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, Walnut Creek, CA
Liselle Kitchens – San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, San Ramon, CA
Amy Slater – San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, Danville, CA
Jillian Giblin – West Coast Training Center – San Ramon, CA
Maren Focke Rey – West Coast Training Center – Rockville, MD
Katie Rodgess – West Coast Training Center – Livermore, CA