Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., June 29, 2009 – 2008 mixed pair world silver-medalists Kristin Allen and Michael Rodrigues of Livermore, Calif., and World Cup Finals tumbling silver-medalist Kalon Ludvigson of Pocatello, Idaho, are among the 10 athletes who will represent the United States at the 2009 World Games, scheduled for July 16-26 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Approximately 4,500 athletes from 100 countries are expected to compete at the World Games, a multi-sport event for non-Olympic disciplines.

"The World Games is an important event for those disciplines that are not included in the Olympics," said Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics. " It is a great showcase of sport, and the U.S. is proud to be sending a talented team to Kaohsiung."

Allen and Rodrigues, who train at West Coast Training Center, compete in acrobatic gymnastics in the mixed pair event. Seven trampoline and tumbling gymnast will join Ludvigson in the synchronized trampoline, double mini-trampoline and tumbling events. The entire trampoline and tumbling squad are listed below.

  • Austin White of Newport Coast, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics – Double-mini-trampoline
  • Aubree Balkan of Carlsbad, Calif./Bounce California – Double-mini
  • Sarah Prosen of Apple Valley, Minn./Gleason’s Gymnastics – Double-mini
  • Ludvigson of Pocatello, Idaho/Team Revolution – Tumbling
  • Leanne Seitzinger of Stafford, Va./Novaks Gymnastics Center – Tumbling
  • Natalya Beneschott of Reno, Nev./Legacy Trampoline & Tumbling – Tumbling
  • Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics – Synchro
  • Steven Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Head Over Heels – Synchro

At the 2007 World Championships, Seitzinger was a member of the tumbling team that won the team gold medal, and Balkan was on the double mini-trampoline squad that finished third in the team competition. Ludvigson is a three-time U.S. tumbling champion, and Dooley and Gluckstein paired up to win the 2008 U.S. synchronized tumbling crown.

Although the Games officially begin with the opening ceremony on July 16, competition for acrobatic gymnastics and trampoline and tumbling is scheduled for July 21-23 at the Kaohsiung Arena.

The USA qualified for the 2009 World Games based on outstanding performances at the 2008 World Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, and the 2007 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships in Quebec City, Canada, where the United States earned berths in men’s and women’s tumbling, double-mini trampoline and synchronized trampoline. Each qualifying country is allowed one man and one woman in both tumbling and double mini, and one men’s pair and one women’s pair in synchronized trampoline.

At the 2005 World Games, the USA won bronze medals in women’s tumbling and double-mini and placed fourth in mixed pair in acrobatic gymnastics. The World Games is held every four years during an Olympic year for those sports that are not included in the Olympic program.