Kaci Barry

QUEBEC CITY, Que., Nov. 3, 2007 — Kaci Barry of San Diego, Calif., and Kalon Ludvigson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, won the bronze medal in women’s and men’s double-mini trampoline, respectively, at the 2007 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships in Quebec City, Que.  The United States won a total of five medals at this year’s World Championships, one gold, one silver and three bronze.

 

The USA just missed two more individual event medals with fourth place finishes by Chris Estrada of Lafayette, La., and Ryan Weston of Chubbuck, Idaho, in men’s synchronized trampoline and Ludvigson in tumbling. 

 

“Overall it was a good showing for the United States,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Being able to advance to and be well represented at the World Games in a few years is very important.  We are very proud of all of the athletes and the job they have done this week in Quebec City.”

 

In men’s double-mini, Ludvigson posted a 71.60 total to take the bronze, his second medal at this year’s World Championships.  Russia’s Kirill Ivanov took the title at 78.00, followed by Denis Vachon of Canada at 73.60. Although scores from the prelims did not carry forward, Ludvigson was eighth in the qualification round, the last spot to advance to the finals. The USA’s Stephen Raymond of Byron Center, Mich., was sixth at 69.30. Both Ludvigson and Raymond were members of the silver-medal double-mini team.

 

“It is great (to have two medals),” said Ludvigson.  “I saved my harder passes for today.  On my first pass, I fell back on the apparatus and had a deduction. I thought maybe I would be fifth, so I headed to the training hall after I competed to get ready for tumbling.  My coach came running into the hall and told me I had to come back for the medals ceremony.  I was very surprised and glad.

 

“I am very pleased with my World Championships,” said Ludvigson.  “I was just hoping to make team and event finals and a medal was a nice surprise.”

 

For the women, Barry captured the bronze medal in double-mini tramp with a 68.80 for her second bronze at the championships.  Canada’s Sarah Charles and Julie Warnock went one-two, respectively.  Aubree Balkan of Carlsbad, Calif., finished in seventh place.  Both Barry and Balkan are competing in their first World Championships and were on the team that finished third in the team finals.

 

“It is the most amazing feeling than I’ve ever felt before,” said Barry.  “It is great to have something to show for all of the work I have done for the past two years.  I worked really hard and now I have two bronze medals to show for it.