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Iowa is the birthplace of the first competitive trampoline, built by George Nissen at the Nissen Trampoline Factory several decades ago. This year, 2019, it is the host of the USAG National Championships for Trampoline, Tumbling, Acrobatic Sports and Rhythmic Gymnastics held at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines last week. The event was not only significant because it crowned newly minted US National Champions, it was also the team trial competition for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, July 27-31.
In a strong field of competitors, the young, up-and-coming competitors met the steady, stalwart Champions – and both prevailed. Great examples were demonstrated in the Senior Level Individual trampoline events. Jeffrey Gluckstein held his own, winning gold for the third time – and the 11th time for one of Gluckstein brothers – maintaining the Steven and Jeffery tradition. To win, he had to out-perform the stunning final routine by silver-medalist Alexai Shostak, but he rose to the occasion.
However, a new Women’s Champion was awarded the gold. Jessica Stephens’ strong, clean routines edged past champions Nicole Ahsinger and Charlotte Drury. After her win, Jessica was quoted, “I still can’t believe it. I’m in shock. I’m so happy right now,” adding, “I remember when I was younger and a junior elite and watching Charlotte and Nicole, and wanting to be just like them.” Today, she is.
The US Team selected to compete at the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru were selected by the results of the preliminary competitions. The US Team will be:
Rhythmic gymnastics
Camilla Feeley, Deerfield, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center
Evita Griskenas, Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center
Group: Isabelle Connor of Manhattan Beach, Calif.; Yelyzaveta Merenzon of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; Elizaveta Pletneva of Deerfield, Ill.; Nicole Sladkov of Vernon Hills, Ill.; and Kristina Sobolevskaya of Chicago
Trampoline
Men
Jeffrey Gluckstein, Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy
Ruben Padilla, Oakley, Calif./Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling
Alternate: Cody Gesuelli, Huntsville, Ala./Merino Trampoline Gymnastics Academy
Women
Charlotte Drury, Laguna Niguel, Calif./World Elite Gymnastics
Nicole Ahsinger, Lafayette, La./Trampoline and Tumbling Express
Non-traveling alternate: Jessica Stevens, Ellicott City, Md./Fairland Gymnastics
The Senior Champions are:
Acrobatic gymnastics
Men’s pair: Angel Felix and Braiden McDougall of Moreno Valley, Calif./Realis Gymnastics Academy
Mixed pair: Aisley Boynton and Sean Obley of Chandler, Ariz./Aspire Kids Sports Center
Women’s pair: Victoria Blante and Morgan Sweeney, Livermore, Calif./WestCoast Training Center
Women’s group: Reagan Dubbels, Emily Petty, Abby Rosilier, San Antonio, Texas/Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio
Rhythmic gymnastics
All-around: Laura Zeng, Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center
Group: U.S. National Group, North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, Deefield, Ill.
Trampoline and tumbling
Trampoline: Jeffrey Gluckstein, Atlantic Highlands, N.J./Elite Trampoline Academy, and Jessica Stevens, Ellicott City, Md./Fairland Gymnastics
Tumbling: Kaden Brown, Herriman, Utah/Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling, and Eve Doudican, Bixby, Okla./Oklahoma Extreme Tumbling
Double mini-trampoline: Ruben Padilla, Oakley, Calif./Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling, and Kayttie Nakamura, Honolulu, Hawaii/Merino Trampoline Gymnastics Academy
For full results: https://www.usagymchamps.com/results/
For photos and videos: https://www.usagymchamps.com/photovideo/
Photo credit: Jeffery Gluckstein by Graham Dodd
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