SAN JOSE, Calif., July 2011 – The country’s best acrobatic gymnasts headed to San Jose, Calif., for the 2011 Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships, July 23-27, at the San Jose Convention Center. The Acrobatic Gymnastics National Championships showcased more than 500 of the nation’s top and up-and-coming acrobatic gymnasts, from the junior and senior elite levels and Junior Olympic Levels 5-10.
West Coast Training Center’s competitive team dominated each event they participated in marking this National Championships as the most successful for the entire team since it became WCTC. Among the individual success of each pair group, WCTC also won the 1st place Elite Team Award, 2nd place Level 8 Team Award and 3rd place Level 6 Team Award.
In addition, the WCTC trio of Ashley Porter, Brooke Luera and Kaylee Luera were named to the Acrobatic Gymnastics Development Team; Samantha Mihalic, Nicole Potepa and Haley Douglas were named to the Junior National Team and both this trio and the Junior Elite mixed pair of Ani Smith and Jake Kanavel were selected to compete for the USA at the 7th Winobranie International Tournament in Zielona Gora, Poland this September.
Success details of each WCTC Pair/group is as follows:
Cassie Lim & Brian Kincher, Sr. Elite Mixed Pair – All-Around National Champions (GOLD); Second Place in Balance & Dynamic (SILVER)
Ani Smith & Jake Kanavel, Jr. Elite Mixed pair – All-Around National Champions (GOLD); First Place in Balance & Dynamic (GOLD)
Samantha Mihalic, Nicole Potepa & Haley Douglas, Lvl 8 Trio, age cat. 15-16 – National Champions (GOLD)
Christina Wong, Kelsey Donavin & Hannah Douglas, Lvl 8 Trio, age cat 12-14 – National Champions (GOLD)
Ashley Porter, Brooke Luera & Kaylee Luera, Lvl 8 Trio, age cat 12-14 – 4th Place
Lauren Arganbright, Ali Miller & Amanda Houston, Lvl 7 Trio, age cat. 17+ – National Champions (GOLD)
Lexi Arganbright & Hannah Douglas, Lvl 6 Wmn’s Pair, age cat. 12-14 – Second Place (SILVER)
National Championship’s Signature Awards:
After the last day of competition, USA Gymnastics hosts the closing banquet for all the athletes, coaches, officials and parents to attend in celebration of a successful Nationals. A video collage is put together to highlight all the special moments of the week-long event and awards are given to athletes and coaches who have made a special impact on the sport during the year and/or at Nationals. We are pleased to announce the following awards were presented to WCTC:
2011 Sportsman of the Year: Brian Kincher
2011 Athlete of the Year: Brian Kincher
2011 Best Elite Performance of the Year: Ani Smith and Jake Kanavel
2011 Elite Coach of the Year: Marie Annonson
Congratulations to WCTC’s Acrobatic Gymnastics Team! We are so proud of all your hard work and dedication!
