Individual Olympian Evita Griskenas (Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center) and group Olympian Izzy Connor (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.) headline the eight-athlete rhythmic delegation set to represent the U.S. at the 2023 Baku World Cup April 21-23 in Azerbaijan.
After claiming ball bronze at the Faliro World Cup in Athens, Greece, Griskenas will be joined in individual competition by 2022 U.S. all-around bronze medalist Erica Foster (Chanhassen, Minn./NorthWest Rhythmic). The Senior National Group of Connor, Daria Merkulova (Vernon Hills, Ill.), Gergana Petkova (Barrington, Ill.), Katrine Sakhnov (Glencoe, Ill.), Karolina Saverino (Elk Grove Village, Ill.) and Hana Starkman (Deerfield, Ill.) will participate in group competition.
The event kicks off Friday, April 21 with hoop and ball qualifications at 2:15 a.m. ET with USA in Group C at 7 a.m. ET, followed by group five balls at 9:40 a.m. ET. Clubs and ribbon qualifications is slated for Saturday, April 22 at 2 a.m. ET, USA in Group C at 4:04 a.m. ET, with groups taking the floor for three ribbons and two balls at 9:30 a.m. ET. Sunday's schedule is reserved for all finals beginning at 4 a.m. ET.
More information about the Baku World Cup can be found on the event website.