MONTERREY, Mexico, June 19, 2019 – Team USA won the team title and went one-two in the all-around at the 2019 Junior Pan American Championships for rhythmic gymnastics at the Nuevo Leon Independent Gymnasium in Monterrey, Mexico. Jenna Zhao of Burr Ridge, Ill./Vitrychenko Academy of Gymnastics, and Victoria Kobelev of Palm Coast, Fla./Rhythmic Art, were first and second, respectively, in the all-around. Zhao also won the ribbon title, along with two event silvers, and Kobelev picked up a silver and bronze. The U.S. Group claimed the all-around and five hoops bronze medals.

Zhao won the all-around crown with a 63.600, with Kobelev in second at 62.050. Canada’s Elizabeth Savchenko tied with her teammate Michel Vivier at 61.450, with Savchenko getting the nod for third via the tie-breaker. Erica Foster of Hopkins, Minn./Northwest Rhythmic, took fifth at 57.550. The U.S. Team’s individual event scores were: Zhao – clubs/16.600, ball/16.100, ribbon/15.700, rope/15.200; Kobelev, – clubs/16.650, ball/16.850, ribbon/15.200, rope/13.350; and Foster – clubs/16.100, ball/15.400, ribbon/13.200, rope/12.850.

In the individual events, Zhao won the ribbon title and Vivier earned the gold in the other three events, hoop, ball and clubs. Zhao’s ribbon crown came via her 15.950, putting her ahead of Viver’s 15.750 and Mexico’s Kimberly Salazar’s 15.650. Kobelev was fourth at 15.350. In hoop, Kobolev was second (14.950), finishing behind Vivier’s 17.050. Mexico’s Dalia Alcocer edged past Zhao for third, 14.700 to 14.550. For ball, Zhao and Kobelev took second (17.050) and third (16.750). Vivier won the title (17.050). The club medalists were: Vivier, gold, 17.150; Zhao, silver, 16.900; and Alcocer, bronze, 16.250. Kobelev was sixth at 15.600.

In the group all-around, the USA was third with 29.900. The U.S. group also brought home the five hoops bronze. Mexico was first in the all-around at 33.100, with Brazil in second with at 30.050. The USA’s event scores were: five ribbons/13.300; and five hoops/16.600. For five hoops, Mexico was first (19.550), with Brazil in second (17.700) and the USA third (17.350). Brazil won the five ribbons gold (16.250). The USA finished sixth (8.800). The members of the U.S. Junior Group, all from Vitrychenko Academy in Niles, Ill., are: Madeleine Avila, Loraine Perez, Tatyana Shilshtut, Remy Turner and Emily Wilson.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its athlete safety policies and procedures. Former gymnast and business executive Li Li Leung is the new president and chief executive officer of USA Gymnastics. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, visit usagym.org.