USA wins 17 medals at World Age-Group Competition

QUEBEC CITY, Quebec, Nov. 10, 2007— The USA surpassed expectations by winning a total of 17 medals at the World Age-Group Competition, Nov. 8-10, in Quebec City, Que., Canada.  Nani Vercruyssen of Honolulu/Hawaii Academy took gold in both 15-16 year-old girls trampoline and double mini-trampoline, a rare feat at the WAGC.  Vercruyssen is a three-time member of the World Age-Group Team, having competed in 2003 and 2005.

Also bringing home gold medals were: Shaylee Dunavin of Amarillo, Texas/All-American Gymnastics, 11-12 year-old girls’ trampoline; Kiara Nowlin of Oxnard, Calif./Gold Coast Gymnastics, 11-12 year-old girls’ tumbling; Kelsen Onigama of Honolulu/Hawaii Academy, 11-12 year-old boys’ double mini; Maurice Dunker of Rockford, Ill./Gymnastic Academy of Rockford, 13-14 year-old boys’ tumbling; and Ryan Walsh of Asheville, N.C./Olympia Gymnastics, 17-18 year-old boys’ double mini.

Walsh had the comeback story of the year after undergoing open-heart surgery in late May to repair a congenital defect. He recovered enough to compete in the Stars and Stripes Cup in September, where he earned a spot on his fourth World Age-Group Team. To win a gold medal was icing on the cake for the 17-year-old.

Bringing home silver medals were: Tristan VanNatta of Shelbyville, Ind./Ultra Stars Academy, 11-12 year-old girls’ double mini, Savannah Vinsant of Newton, Texas/Twist & Shout, and Jeffrey Gluckstein of Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Ultra Twisters, 13-14 year-old girls’ and boys’ trampoline, respectively; and Lisa VanOrden of Pocatello, Idaho/Joy’s Jym, and Aaron Cook of Detroit, Mich./All-World Gymnastics, 13-14 year-old girls’ and boys’ double mini, respectively.

Bronze medals were won by Mackenzie Kulka of Tulsa, Okla./Oklahoma Extreme, 11-12 year-old girls’ tumbling; Adam Bragg of Lake Forest, Calif./Sky Surfers Trampoline, 13-14 year-old boys’ trampoline; Sarah Gandy of Paris, Texas/Texas T&T Institute, 13-14 year-old girls’ double mini; Cook, 13-14 year-old boys’ tumbling; and Spencer Dupio of Honolulu/Hawaii Academy, 15-16 year-old boys’ double mini.

For complete results, visit www.trampolinequebec2007.ca/.

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.

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