© Shots 4 Sports
MONTERREY, Mexico, Nov. 22, 2019 – Five U.S. groups and pairs won senior and junior titles on the first day of the 2019 Pan American Acrobatic Gymnastics Championships in Monterrey, New Leon, Mexico. The competition continues on Nov. 23 and concludes on Nov. 24 with the combined competition.
In the senior division, Braiden McDougall and Angel Felix of Realis Gymnastics (Riverside, Calif.) were a crowd favorite and earned a 26.390 to earn the men’s pair dynamic gold medal. The senior women’s group of Elanor Chang and Kayla and Grace Vonder Haar of Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics (Laurel, Md.) impressed with their triple tuck dismount, earning a score of 27.240 and the women’s group dynamic title.
In the junior division, Katie Borcherding and Destiny Nolting of Show Me Acro (Pacific, Mo.) claimed the gold medal for women’s pair balance with a score of 26.700. In the women’s group dynamic competition, Isabel Chang, Alexandra Gladkova, and Sidney Martin of Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics (Laurel, Md.) scored 26.950 to win the gold. Mixed Pair Anna Blough and Carson Breen of Realis Gymnastics had the high score of the evening with their stunning balance routine, tallying a 28.050 and securing the Pan Am mixed pair balance champions.
In the 12-18 age-group division, U.S. women’s group Makayla Anderson, Reagan Grigsby and Taylor Smith of Empire Acrobatics (Riverside, Calif.) scored 26.350 to win the dynamic routine crown. Bethany Glick and Emma and Ellie Sousa of California Elite Kids (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) won the bronze with a score of 26.000. Shawn Powell and Audrey Wang of Xtreme Acro (Rockville, Md.) captured the mixed pair balance silver medal with a score of 24.450. Hannah Davis and Leavy McDonald of Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio (Texas) claimed the women’s pair Pan Am balance gold with their mark of 26.150.
The Pan Am Championships features qualification and final rounds for several levels, including senior, junior (13-19) and age group (12-18 and 11-16), for the all-around and events. The competition schedule is: Nov. 22 – opening ceremony and qualification round; Nov. 23 – qualification; and Nov. 24 – finals and award ceremonies.
The complete U.S. Team is listed below by level and event.
Senior
- Men’s pair: Angel Felix and Braiden McDougall, Realis Gymnastics, Riverside, Calif.
- Women’s group: Elanor Chang, Grace Vonder Haar and Kayla Vonder Haar, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.
Junior
- Mixed pair: Anna Blough and Carson Breen, Realis Gymnastics, Riverside, Calif.
- Mixed pair: Jordan Gruendler and Tim Massa, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
- Women’s group: Isabel Chang, Alexandra Gladkova and Sydney Martin, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.
- Women’s pair: Katie Borcherding and Destiny Nolting, Show Me Acro, Pacific, Mo.
Age-group, 12-18
- Mixed pair: Shawn Powell and Audrey Wang, Xtreme Acro, Rockville, Md.
- Women’s group: Makayla Anderson, Reagan Grigsby and Taylor Smith, Empire Acrobatics, Riverside, Calif.
- Women’s group: Bethany Glick, Emma Sousa and Ellie Sousa, California Elite Kids, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.
- Women’s pair: Hannah Davis and Leavy McDonald, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
Age-group 11-16
- Mixed pair: Trent Stoker and Savanah Wood, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
- Women’s group: Aaliylah, Guastella, Meghan Gul and Katryna Oselska, Rodina Elite Gymnastics Academy, Sacramento, Calif.
- Women’s group: Meghan Kampmann, Catherine Lacy and Cecelia Shadrick, Emilia’s Acro Gymnastics, Laurel, Md.
- Women’s group: Taylor Kozelsky, Sofia Martinez and Kheya Patel, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
- Women’s pair: Kaylee DeSantis and Reese Morgan, Crescent City Gymnastics, New Orleans, La.
- Women’s pair: Cassie Andrews and Maddy Jenson, Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio, Texas
- Women’s pair: Cailey Smith and Adelynne Till, First State Gymnastics, Newark, Delaware