Lisa Wang
© Cheng

PATRAS, Greece, Sept. 19, 2007 – At the 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Patras, Greece, Lisa Wang of Buffalo Grove, Ill., improved the USA’s best individual finish from the 2005 World Championships by 17 places, and the U.S. Team moved up four slots. The USA will compete in the group competition this weekend.

 

Wang finished 31st in the qualification round, a major improvement over the USA’s best individual finish of 48th at the 2005 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Wang’s 2007 finish is a personal improvement of 27 places from 2005, when she was 58th.

 

Also competing for the USA were Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., and Rachel Marmer of Los Angeles, who placed 57th and 88th, respectively. In the team competition, the USA finished 18th, jumping four spots from its 22nd-place showing in 2005.

 

“Our rhythmic team has worked hard to prepare for this year’s World Championships,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “To move up so far in two years is a significant accomplishment, and we are proud of the commitment and effort they have made. This progress will serve as motivation for the future development of the rhythmic program.”

 

The U.S. senior group champion North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center of Buffalo Grove, Ill., will compete in the group competition on Sept. 22. The members of the group are: Kristian Brooks, Corunna, Mich.; Stephanie Flaksman, Northbrook, Ill.; Krista Johnson, Downers Grove, Ill.; Nicole Kowalik, Libertyville, Ill.; Marina Ljuboja, Highland Park, Ill.; and Michelle Wojtach, Glenview, Ill.

 

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encourages participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.

 

#