Great Job at the World Championships, USA Senior National Group!

Congratulations to our USA Senior National Group! See more beautiful photos on the USA Gymnastics website and on Tom Theobald's Facebook page. And here's the USA Gymnastics write-up of the girls' performance at the World Championships in Izmir, Turkey, over the weekend:

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USA finishes 14th in the group all-around at Rhythmic Worlds

IZMIR, Turkey, Sept. 27, 2014 — The USA’s rhythmic gymnastics group finished in 14th place in the group all-around finals at the 2014 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Izmir, Turkey. The World Championships conclude on Sunday with the group individual event finals, which will be carried live on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel. By finishing in the top 24, the USA’s group qualified to compete in the 2015 World 

Championships, which is the first of two opportunities to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. Based on available records, this is believed to be the USA’s best finish in the World group all-around finals. Earning a two-event total of 30.683, the U.S. group consists of Kiana Eide of Northbrook, Ill., Alisa Kano of Glencoe, Ill., Natalie McGiffert of Northbrook, Ill., Jennifer Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill., Monica Rokhman of Northbrook, Ill., and Kristen Shaldybin of Chicago, Ill., all of North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center. 

The USA started with its 3 balls/2 ribbons routine, marked with original choreography, to earn a 15.050. The group performed a strong in its 5 clubs routine, earning a 15.633.  Bulgaria won the group all-around title at 34.449, followed by Italy at 34.282 and Belarus with 34.133. For group, the top 24 groups automatically qualified to the 2015 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Based on rankings at the 2015 World Championships, the top 10 groups earn a ticket to the 2016 Olympic Games. Groups ranked 11 through 16 will advance to the Rio Olympic Test Event, where they will vie for the last four group berths to Rio. 

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