CHANDLER, Ariz. – USA Gymnastics has announced the 41 athletes who will represent the USA at the 2019 Pan American Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships later this month in Monterrey, New Leon, Mexico. Also, nearly 100 athletes and coaches from throughout the USA participated in the fall 2019 U.S. National Team training camp, held at Aspire Kidsports in Chandler, Ariz. The four-day camp included individualized training and “mental toughness” training, as well as the Pan Am Championship team demonstrating competitive readiness. The National Acrobatic Gymnastics Technical Committee and judging clinicians held meetings in conjunction with the training camp.

“The U.S. Acrobatic Gymnastics National Team and staff appreciate Scott Barclay and the staff at Aspire Kidsports for the use of their facility,” said Jennifer Banowsky, USA Gymnastics high performance administrator and interim director for acrobatic gymnastics. “We cannot thank them enough for everything they did for us. Scott and his team went above and beyond to give the national team a great experience!”

The gymnasts who will compete in the Pan Am Championships, Nov. 22-24, at the New Leon Independent Gymnasium. The championships features qualification and final rounds for several levels, including senior, junior (13-19) and age group (12-18 and 11-16), for the all-around and events. The competition schedule is: Nov. 22 – opening ceremony and qualification round; Nov. 23 – qualification; and Nov. 24 – finals and award ceremonies.

The team members are listed below by level and event.

Senior

  • Men’s pair: Angel Felix and Braiden McDougall, Realis Gymnastics, Riverside, Calif.
  • Women’s group: Elanor Chang, Grace Vonder Haar and Kayla Vonder Haar, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.

Junior

  • Mixed pair: Anna Blough and Carson Breen, Realis Gymnastics, Riverside, Calif.
  • Mixed pair: Jordan Gruendler and Tim Massa, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
  • Women’s group: Isabel Chang, Alexandra Gladkova and Sydney Martin, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.
  • Women’s pair: Katie Borcherding and Destiny Nolting, Show Me Acro, Pacific, Mo.

Age-group, 12-18

  • Mixed pair: Shawn Powell and Audrey Wang, Xtreme Acro, Rockville, Md.
  • Women’s group: Makayla Anderson, Reagan Grigsby and Taylor Smith, Empire Acrobatics, Riverside, Calif.
  • Women’s group: Bethany Glick, Emma Sousa and Ellie Sousa, California Elite Kids, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
  • Women’s pair: Hannah Davis and Leavy McDonald, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas

Age-group 11-16

  • Mixed pair: Trent Stoker and Savanah Wood, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
  • Women’s group: Aaliylah, Guastella, Meghan Gul and Katryna Oselska, Rodina Elite Gymnastics Academy, Sacramento, Calif.
  • Women’s group: Meghan Kampmann, Catherine Lacy and Cecelia Shadrick, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.
  • Women’s group: Taylor Kozelsky, Sofia Martinez and Kheya Patel, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
  • Women’s pair: Kaylee DeSantis and Reese Morgan, Crescent City Gymnastics, New Orleans, La.
  • Women’s pair: Cassie Andrews and Maddy Jenson, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
  • Women’s pair: Cailey Smith and AdelynneTill, First State Gymnastics, Newark, Delaware

“Our athletes have clearly put in a lot of hard work since the USA Gymnastics Championships last summer,” said Banowsky. “They demonstrated they are ready to compete at the Pan Am Championships later this month.”

National Team coaches Vladimir Vladev and Youri Vorobiev, along with coaches Sarah Thomas and Gawain Dupree, and sports psychologist Dr. Alison Arnold, Ph.D., conducted the various sessions during the camp. In addition, the judges watched training at the camp and provided feedback to support the national team athletes and coaches.

The Technical Committee worked its way through a long agenda. The group discussed current policies and potential updates to the Rules & Policies for next year and beyond. During the workshop, materials for the Regional Judges’ Courses were prepared and reviewed, and routines were evaluated. They also reviewed the first-ever online judges’ recertification exam, which will be used for all recertifying judges this season. Videos and notes were also gathered in preparation for future judges’ educational courses.