Group rhythmic gymnastics take center stage at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – The USA's group rhythmic gymnastics team will compete in the general group competition, which serves as the qualification round for the two event finals, on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, at Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine.

For Saturday, each group will perform a routine in both 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons, with the total of both scores determining the rankings for the group competition. The two event scores will also determine which groups advance to the event finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons on Sept. 1.

The members of the U.S. Rhythmic Group Team, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., are: Sharon Dassouli, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Alisa Kano, New York, N.Y./Isadora; Natalie McGiffert, Topanga, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics; Monica Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Jennifer Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; and Laura Tutunikov, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Kerber, Sereda advance to all-around finals at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, and
Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, both advanced to the all-around finals at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, at Sports Palace in Kiev, Ukraine. Based on available records, this is the first time the USA has qualified two gymnasts to the all-around finals at the World Championships. The top 24 athletes from the qualification round advanced to the all-around finals tomorrow.

"We are very proud of how Jazzy and Rebecca have competed this week," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "They have trained hard for this opportunity and are focused on having a great day tomorrow. For them to make all-around finals at their first World Championships is a huge statement about the athlete development progress our rhythmic program is making."

On the final day of qualification, Kerber earned a 16.383 for clubs and a 15.533 for ribbon, and her all-around total of 48.799 put her in 20th place. Sereda was not far behind at 48.582 for the all-around qualification round score in 22nd place. Sereda's second day event scores were a 16.133 on clubs and a 15.083 for ribbon. On the first day of qualifications, Sereda posted a 15.983 for hoop and 16.466 for ball. Kerber's first day marks were 16.133 on hoop and 16.283 on ball. For 2013, gymnasts advanced to the World all-around finals based on rankings using the top three of an athlete's four event scores.

Julie Zetlin was the last U.S. gymnast to advance to the all-around finals at World Championships.

The U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., begins competition on Aug. 31, with the general competition qualification and finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons and wraps up on Sept. 1 with the group finals for 10 clubs and three clubs/two ribbons. The members of the U.S. Rhythmic Group Team, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., are: Sharon Dassouli, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Alisa Kano, New York, N.Y./Isadora; Natalie McGiffert, Topanga, Calif./Platinum Gymnastics; Monica Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; Jennifer Rokhman, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics; and Laura Tutunikov, Northbrook, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Sereda, Kerber finish first half of qualification round at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – After completing two of the four apparatus in the qualification round at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, and Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are currently in 18th and 20th place, respectively, and in contention to advance to Friday's all-around final. Qualification and event finals for clubs and ribbon are set for tomorrow. The two days of qualification results determine the 24 athletes who advance to the all-around final on Friday.

Sereda posted a 32.449 in the all-around with scores of 15.983 for hoop and 16.466 for ball. Kerber was just behind her at 32.416, with scores of 16.133, hoop, and 16.283, ball.

The U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., begins competition on Aug. 31, with the general competition qualification and finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons and wraps up on Sept. 1 with the group finals for 10 clubs and three clubs/two ribbons.