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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 29, 2008 – 2008 U.S. mixed pair champions Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues, both of Livermore, Calif./West Coast Training Center, will compete in the 2008 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, Oct. 10-12, in Glasgow, Scotland. In addition, 20 gymnasts will compete at the World Age Group Competition, Oct. 3-5, held just prior to the World Championships in Glasgow.
The World Championships’ competition format features three qualification round routines and one final routine: Oct. 10 at 11 a.m., qualifications, first routine; Oct. 11 at 9:15 a.m., qualifications, second and third routines; and Oct. 12 at 2 p.m., finals. All times listed are local in Glasgow. Marie Annonson of Patterson, Calif./West Coast Training Center is the head coach for the U.S. World Championships Team.
Armed with a new partner, Rodrigues hopes to repeat the success he achieved at the 2006 World Championships when he won the mixed pair world bronze medal with then-partner Clare Brunson. The USA has won two other acrobatic world medals, both in 2004: Arthur Booth and Shenea Davis, mixed pair world gold medal; and the women’s group of Samantha Schabow, Danielle Heider and Jennifer DaSilva, bronze. The World Championships are held every two years.
The World Age Group Competition also has three days of competition: Oct. 3, first routine; Oct. 4, second and third routines; and Oct. 5, finals.
The USA’s age-group delegation, divided into age groups, is listed below. Selena Peco of Belle Chasse, La./Fliptastics is the head coach for the World Age Group Competition Team, with Linda Porter of Kearney, Mo./Rising Star Acrobatic Club and Annonson serving as assistant coaches.
11-16 year-old division
- Women’s group
- Ashley Hargis, Kearney; Chelcea Riegel, Kearney; Krissy Weidmaier, Holt, Mo.; Rising Star Acrobatic Club
- Nora Connors, Bethesda, Md.; Kendall Meyer, Silver Spring, Md.; Erica Prestipino, Rockville, Md.; Xtreme Acro and Cheer
- Hannah Douglas, Tracy, Calif.; Kristin Metzler, Pleasanton, Calif., West Coast Training Center
- DeShey Eisenmenger and Hayley Lemmons, Boerne, Texas; Boerne Gymnastics Center
Women’s pair
12-19 year-old division
- Women’s group
- Hannah Busha, Steffi Scheid and Mariah Spray, Livermore; West Coast Training Center
- Jillian Giblin, San Ramon, Calif.; Maren Focke Rey, Rockville; Katie Rodgess, Livermore; West Coast Training Center
Men’s pair: Cameron Carlson, San Ramon; Brandon McCallum, Livermore; West Coast Training Center
Mixed pair: Kyle Bloom and Madeline Bones, San Jose, Calif.; Aerial Tumbling & Acro 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 routines, 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 routine. 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.