© FIG
MOSCOW, Sept. 24, 2010 – U.S. rhythmic gymnastics all-around champion Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., became the first U.S. woman since 2003 to advance to the all-around finals at the 2010 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, held at the Olympiysky Sports Complex in Moscow. Zetlin finished 23rd with a score of 99.025. The U.S. rhythmic group will compete Saturday, Sept. 25 in the first of two days of group competition.
Zetlin’s scores included a 24.850 for her rope routine, a 24.650 for her hoop routine, a 25.400 in the ball event, and a 24.650 for her ribbon routine to finish with a total all-around score of 99.025.
Zetlin is the first U.S. rhythmic gymnast to advance to the all-around finals since Mary Sanders in 2003. Zetlin finished 25th in the preliminary all-around competition, but qualified for the finals in the 22nd position due to the two per country rule. She trains at Capital Rhythmics in Gaithersburg, Md., with her coach Olga Kutuzova.
Russia’s Evgenia Kanaeva and Daria Kondakova finished one-two in the all-around competition with scores of 116.250 and 113.825, respectively. Belarus’ Melitina Staniouta finished third with a score of 110.350.
The U.S. Group, which includes Jessica Bogdanov, Stephanie Flaksman, Megan Frohlich, Michelle Przybylo, Sofya Roytburg and Sydney Sachs, will compete Saturday, Sept. 25 and Sunday, Sept, 26 at the World Championships. The group trains at North Shore Rhythmics in Buffalo Grove, Ill.
The other U.S. rhythmic gymnasts who competed in individual competition were: JoAnna Arnold of Northville, Mich./ North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center; Shelby Kisiel of Houston/ North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center; and Olga Pavlenko of Brooklyn, N.Y./ Isadora.