© Simone Ferraro

KITAKYUSHU, Japan, October 28, 2021 - The U.S. was represented by three individual gymnasts at this week's Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships held at the West Japan Exhibition Center Annex in Kitakyushu, Japan. Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill., finished 30th in the all-around competition, notching a 63.000 across the hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon apparatus, with the top three scores contributing to the her total. Fellow 2020 Olympian Lili Mizuno of Northbrook, Ill., who previously competed as a member of the U.S. Senior National Group, was 20th and 29th, respectively, on hoop and ribbon in her individual debut. Erica Foster of Chanhassen, Minn., the youngest gymnast in the field at 15, took 26th on ball and 41st on ribbon.

Griskenas posted a 19.950 on hoop, 22.500 on ball, 19.950 on clubs and 20.550 on ribbon. Her scores placed her 33rd on hoop, 22nd on ball, 36th on clubs and a competition-high 13th on ribbon. Mizuno garnered a 21.750 on hoop on the first night of the competition and an 18.600 on ribbon to close out her first individual World Championships performance. Foster earned scores of 22.200 on ball and 19.200 on clubs.

On Wednesday, Russian Gymnastics Federation's Dina Averina claimed the hoop and ball titles with scores of 27.750 and 29.125, respectively. She also took the crown on clubs on Day 2, earning a 27.100. Alina Harnasko of Belarus led the way on ribbon with a 23.950.

The competition continues Friday, as group qualifications kick off at 4:50 p.m. local time. The U.S. group consisting of Camilla Feeley of Northbrook, Ill., Isabella Ivanova of Kirkland, Wash., Nicole Khoma of Northbrook, Ill., Gergana Petkova of Barrington, Ill., Karolina Saverino of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and Emily Wilson of Brooklyn, N.Y., will be in action. Japan is 13 hours ahead of eastern time in the U.S.