USA Gymnastics Names first-ever Acrobatic Gymnastics Junior Olympic Nationa

Selections were based on ranking and performance at the 2005 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships, held July 24-28 in Louisville, KY. Team members will receive additional training opportunities, inclusion in national team training camps and priority consideration for age group and junior international competitions.

Acrobatic gymnastics combines the power and athleticism of tumbling with the grace and creativity of dance. Routines are choreographed to music and pairs or groups perform a balance, dynamic or combined routine. Balance routines are characterized by flexibility, pyramids and partner holds, while dynamic exercises exhibit aerial summersaults and throws. The combined exercises mix the elements of balance and dynamic movements.

Acrobatic gymnastics, which emerged at the world level in the 1970s, became a part of USA Gymnastics in 2002. Competition in acrobatic gymnastics is divided into men’s pairs, women’s pairs, mixed pairs, women’s groups (3 athletes) and men’s groups (4 athletes).

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport.

NOTE: List shows gymnast’s name, his or her club and hometown;
        * indicates Level 10
      ** indicates Level 9
    *** indicates Level 8

California
***Kyle Allen, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
**Gwen Bickle, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
***Kyle Bloom, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Madeline Bones, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Hannah Busha, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
*Hannah Crawley, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
**Alayna Davis, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
**Khrista Delucchi, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
**Lauren Eklund, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
*Jamie Gobright, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
**Charissa Graham, Wings USA, Livermore, Calif.
***Vanessa Lopes, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Patrick Mann, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
*James Maurer, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
*Kailey Maurer, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
***Michaela Meyer, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Michelle Meyer, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Marina Mihov, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
**Gina Nicolo, Wings USA, Livermore, Calif.
**Courtney Olivencia, Wings USA, Livermore, Calif.
***Amy Peltier, Wings USA, Livermore, Calif.
***Steffi Scheid, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
**Gabriela Seropian, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
*Jordan Seto, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
**Monica Simikowski, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
***Brianna Souza, Wings USA, Livermore, Calif.
***Mariah Spray, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
*Kelianne Stankus, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
*Alexandra Tichy, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
***Jenna Tidwell, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.
*Heather Vachon, Aerial Tumbling & Acrobatics, San Jose, Calif.
*Ryan Ward, Empire Acrogymnastics Sports, Inc., Riverside, Calif.
***Ashley Welch, Northern California Sports Academy, Livermore, Calif.

Louisiana
*Margot Beerman, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.
***Nicole Ceraso, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.
*Jara Crear, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.
**Ravenne Eschette, Fliptastics, Belle Chasse, La.
**Brittany Klein, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.
***Taylor Leverett, Fliptastics, Belle Chasse, La.
**Kelsey May, Fliptastics, Belle Chasse, La.
***Kipp Nash, Fliptastics, Belle Chasse, La.
*Kelsey Scott, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.
***Jenna Seelig, Elmwood Gymnastics Academy, Harahan, La.

Maryland
*Becky Herzfeld, Emilia’s Acro/Gymnastics Club, Columbia, Md.
*Ekaterina Randazzo, Emilia’s Acro/Gymnastics Club, Columbia, Md.
*Roksana Slavinsky, Emilia’s Acro/Gymnastics Club, Columbia, Md.

Missouri
***Mallory Henthorn, Acro Explosion, Blue Springs, Mo.
***Alex Porter, Rising Star Acrobatic Club, Kearney, Mo.
***Savannah Shields, Acro Explosion, Blue Springs, Mo.
***Arielle Ziegler, Rising Star Acrobatic Club, Kearney, Mo.

Ohio
**Emily Kleine, Hand 2 Hand Acrobatic Train. Ctr., Springboro, Ohio
**Shae Pridemore, Hand 2 Hand Acrobatic Train. Ctr., Springboro, Ohio

Texas
**Sarah Longi, Browns Acrogymnastics, San Antonio, Texas
**Taylor Mosher, Browns Acrogymnastics, San Antonio, Texas
**Andrew Theis, Texas Sports Ranch, Inc., Crosby, Texas
**Brittany Westra, Texas Sports Ranch, Inc., Crosby, Texas