© Tom Theobald

EVERETT, Wash., April 10, 2016 – Team USA captured all eight gold medals at today’s junior and senior rhythmic individual event finals at the 2016 Pacific Rim Championships presented by Hershey’s at Everett (Wash.) Community College. The USA won 11 gold medals total, in the rhythmic gymnastics competition.

The individual event gold medalists are: Aliya Protto of Culver City, Calif./California Rhythms, senior ball, hoop, clubs; Camilla Feeley of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, ribbon; and Lili Mizuno of Brentwood, Calif./Community Youth Center, ball, hoop, clubs, rope). For the entire rhythmic competition, the USA won 16 medals (11 gold and five silver).

Recently crowned all-around champion Protto finished first in ball, scoring a 17.033. Feeley earned the silver medal with a 17.016, and Danielle Prince of Australia finished third (15.150). Protto won two additional gold medals, hoop (17.316) and clubs (16.900).

For clubs, Protto garnered a 16.900 for the gold, and Brigita Budginas of Agoura Hills, Calif./Burlo Gymnastics, was second at 15.783. Prince was third at 14.500. Protto also scored a 17.316 for the hoop gold. Feeley’s 16.616 secured the silver, and Yili Wang of China snared the bronze with a 15.050.

Feeley earned a 17.200 to take the ribbon top spot, and Protto at 17.050 nabbed the silver. Prince finished third at 14.766.

In the junior competition, Mizuno swept the gold medals winning ball (15.400), hoop (14.633), clubs (14.833), and rope f (15.066).

Earlier in the competition, the USA won three gold medals (team, junior and senior all-around), and one silver (senior all-around).

Held every two years, the Pacific Rim Championships traditionally feature gymnasts from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore and the United States. NBC Sports will televise action from the Pacific Rim Championships. Past sites include: 2014, Richmond, B.C., Canada; 2012, Everett, Wash.; 2010, Melbourne, Australia; 2008, San Jose, Calif.; and 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii.

Background information

  • XFINITY Arena at Everett. The XFINITY Arena at Everett, recipient of the International Association of Venue Manager’s (IAVM) prestigious Venue Excellence Award 2010, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District. The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, ice skating and family shows. The facility is also home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise, and the venue accommodates other sporting events such as basketball, volleyball and international skating competitions. Spectra is a major provider of sports and entertainment hospitality services in Washington. One or more of the divisions is at work supporting 15 Washington venues and events, including Washington State University and Gonzaga.

  • Spectra by Comcast Spectacor. Spectra by Comcast Spectacor is the expert in hosting and entertainment, partnering with over 300 clients at 400 global properties to create memorable experiences for millions of visitors every year. Spectra’s expertise is embodied within three divisions: Venue Management (formerly Global Spectrum), Food Services & Hospitality (formerly Ovations Food Services), and Ticketing & Fan Engagement (formerly Paciolan). Learn more at SpectraExperiences.com. Comcast Spectacor is part of Comcast Corporation, a Fortune 50 media and technology company that operates Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, in addition to Spectra, Comcast Spectacor owns and operates the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center venue. Visit us at ComcastSpectacor.com, Philadelphia Flyers.com, and WellsFargoCenterPhilly.com for more information.

  • The Hershey Company. The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 21,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Hershey’s Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America. At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through ‘Nourishing Minds,’ a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020. Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com