© John Cheng
INDIANAPOLIS, February 27, 2021 – Piloted by all-around champion Asher Hong of Tomball, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, Region 3 continued its Elite Team Cup dominance capturing its sixth title in as many years. Hong earned an 80.700 to lead all competitors. Fellow Junior National Team members Kai Uemura (Region 5) of Chicago, Ill./Lakeshore Academy of Art Gymnastics (77.450) and Vahe Petrosyan (Region 1) of Van Nuys, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica USA (77.250) rounded out the top 3 all-around athletes.

Hong earned top scores on still rings (13.950), vault (15.000) and parallel bars (13.700), while Uemura took the high score on floor exercise (13.550) and Petrosyan topped the standings on pommel horse (13.500) and horizontal bar (12.450).

Region 3 led the way with a score of 306.950. Region 1 finished in second place with 303.750, and Region 8 took third with 300.300. Region 1 posted the top score on horizontal bar. Region 3 took the high score on all other events.

The Elite Team Cup is a regional competition in which teams of six Junior Elite athletes vie for national bragging rights.

© John Cheng
Region 3 team members included Caden Clinton, Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics; Dallas Hale, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics; Hong; Cameron Lee, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics; Vishal Mandava, Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics; Dave Wolma, Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics.

Region 1, was comprised of team members Arun Chhetri, Culver City, Calif/Gymnastics Olympica USA; Toma Murakawa, Van Nuys, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica USA; Joseph Pepe, Peoria, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics; Petrosyan; Cailen Walker, Hercules, Calif./Head Over Heels; and Landon Wu, West Sacramento, Calif./Elevate Gymnastics Academy.

Region 8 team members included Max Bereznev, Woodstock, Ga./Zenit Gymnastics; Jaden Blank, Lakewood Ranch, Fla./EVO Gymnastics; Jacob Foster, Knoxville, Tenn./GymTek Academy; Alex Nitache, Knoxville, Tenn./GymTek Academy; Garrett Schooley, Sarasota, Fla./EVO Gymnastics; and Danilo Viciana, Marietta, Ga./Cartersville Twisters.

Team scores for the eight participating regions are below. Region 6 did not compete in this year's event.
  1. Region 3: total, 306.950; floor exercise, 51.950; pommel horse, 49.650; still rings, 51.450; vault, 56.650; parallel bars, 50.800; horizontal bar, 46.450
  2. Region 1: total, 303.750; floor exercise, 49.950; pommel horse, 49.650; still rings, 50.550; vault, 54.250; parallel bars, 50.050; horizontal bar, 49.300
  3. Region 8: total, 300.300; floor exercise, 51.150; pommel horse, 48.400; still rings, 49.300; vault, 54.000; parallel bars, 49.600; horizontal bar, 47.850
  4. Region 5: total, 297.600; floor exercise, 49.750; pommel horse, 47.750; still rings, 49.350; vault, 52.850; parallel bars, 49.950; horizontal bar, 47.950
  5. Region 7: total, 293.750; floor exercise, 49.800; pommel horse, 48.500; still rings, 47.450; vault, 54.250; parallel bars, 49.500; horizontal bar, 44.250
  6. Region 4: total, 291.350; floor exercise, 50.100; pommel horse, 44.900; still rings, 46.100; vault, 54.050; parallel bars, 48.000; horizontal bar, 48.200
  7. Region 2: total, 283.150; floor exercise, 49.350; pommel horse, 45.500; still rings, 46.950; vault, 49.100; parallel bars, 47.600; horizontal bar, 44.650
  8. Region 9: total, 270.900; floor exercise, 46.950; pommel horse, 40.400; still rings, 43.300; vault, 50.400; parallel bars, 44.000; horizontal bar, 45.850
USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encompassing seven disciplines: women's gymnastics, men's gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, gymnastics for all (a.k.a. group gymnastics) and, most recently, parkour. USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern the sport of gymnastics, including selecting and training the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on the grassroots and national levels, as well as a safe, empowered and positive training environment; and serving as a resource and educational center for the more than 200,000 members, clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the United States. The organization is deeply committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority: the safety and well-being of athletes and our community.