INDIANAPOLIS, June 10, 2014 – U.S. junior rhythmic gymnastics all-around champion Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, will represent the USA in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. The 2014 Youth Olympic Games will be held Aug. 16-28 in Nanjing, China.
In accordance with the Youth Olympic Games selection procedures, Zeng secured her spot on the U.S. Youth Olympic Team by winning the all-around at the Junior Pan American Championships and having the highest verification scores at the International Selection Camp held in March in Deerfield, Ill. At the Junior Pan Am Championships, where the USA qualified as a country for the Youth Olympic Games, Zeng also won all four event titles (hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon) and helped the USA to the team title. Camilla Feeley of Lincolnshire, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, qualified as the replacement athlete.
Earlier this year, Zeng won the all-around and all four event titles at the Rhythmic Challenge in Colorado Springs. At the 2013 U.S. Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Zeng won her first U.S. all-around crown, as well as all four event titles.
In addition to the Junior Pan Am Championships, Zeng has enjoyed success at events in Europe: Lisbon (Portugal) International Tournament, ball silver, and hoop and team bronze medals; Pesaro (Italy) International Junior Tournament, hoop silver, and team, club and ribbon bronze medals; and Crystal Rose Junior Tournament (Minsk, Belarus), ball and ribbon silver and clubs, hoop and team bronze medals.
Feeley, who was third in the all-around at the Rhythmic Challenge, claimed the team gold, clubs and ribbon silver medals and the all-around bronze at the Junior Pan Am Championships and was a member of the bronze medal teams at the Liston International Tournament and Pesaro International Junior Tournament.