| USAG HOME | NEWS | EVENTS | Acrobatic gymnastics field set for 2007 Visa Championships August 9, 2007 INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Aug. 9, 2007—Two-time defending U.S. men’s pair champions Julian Amaro of Pleasanton, Calif., and Tyler Spray of Livermore, Calif., are two of 27 acrobatic gymnasts competing in the junior and senior elite divisions at the 2007 Visa Championships, Aug. 15-18 in San Jose, Calif. In addition to national titles, berths on the 2007 U.S. Acrobatic Gymnastics National Team are at stake.   Also competing is the trio of Mariah Henninger of Walnut Creek, Calif., Ally Kidd of Livermore, Calif., and Tisa Penny of San Leandro, Calif., who won the 2006 U.S. women’s group title and claimed the bronze medal in April at the World Cup Final. The mixed pair of Andre Solodar of San Jose, Calif., and Xiau-Ling Wee of Monte Sereno, Calif., who also earned bronze at the World Cup Final, is also scheduled to compete.   The elite field breaks down into 17 seniors and 10 juniors, representing five states. Twenty gymnasts are from or train in the Bay Area. The complete field is listed below.   A competition for acrobatic gymnasts in Levels 8-10 is being held in conjunction with the elite competition at the Visa Championships. Eighteen gymnasts will vie for available spots on the Acrobatic Gymnastics Junior Olympic National Team and for consideration for future international competitions, in addition to gaining additional experience.   The schedule for acrobatic gymnastics opens on Friday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., followed by a second session at 2 p.m. The final round is Saturday, Aug. 18 at 10 a.m. Acrobatic gymnastics competition is at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.   Acrobatic gymnastics, previously referred to as sport acrobatics, combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. Gymnastics skills add excitement to the exercises, while intense acrobatic balances show grace, strength and flexibility. Routines are choreographed to music and consist of dance, tumbling, and partner skills. At the elite level, each pair or group performs a balance, dynamic and combined routine. Pyramids and partner holds characterize the balance routine, while synchronized tumbling and intricate flight elements define the dynamic exercise. The combined routine unites elements of balance and dynamic.   An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women's group is comprised of a base, middle and top partner, while a men's group has a base, two middle partners and one top partner. Bases generally are older athletes who display strength and balance and top partners generally are younger athletes who display flexibility and agility. Middle partners often are required to show a combination of all attributes.   The U.S. champions for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics are determined at the Visa Championships, gymnastics’ national championships. Artistic gymnastics will be held at HP Pavilion at San Jose, and rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics are set for the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, held in conjunction with the Visa Championships, will also be at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center.   Visa Championships tickets for men's and women's artistic and rhythmic/acrobatic gymnastics are on sale now at the HP Pavilion Ticket Office; all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone at (408) 998-TIXS; or online at www.ticketmaster.com.   The Visa Championships traces its history back to 1897 for the men and 1931 for the women.   About HP Pavilion at San Jose HP Pavilion at San Jose is the premier sports and entertainment venue in Northern California. Home to the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League, SAP Open men’s professional tennis tournament and the annual Pac-10 Women’s Basketball Tournament, HP Pavilion also hosts a multitude of events annually including concerts, family shows and civic events.   HP Pavilion at San Jose is an exemplification of architectural excellence and technological innovation. Outside, a shining stainless-steel facade supports a magnificent, glass pyramid entry, soaring 10 stories above the ground. Inside, first-class amenities and leading-edge seismic engineering contribute to the building’s reputation as one of the finest facilities in the United States.   HP Pavilion at San Jose is capable of accommodating a full-range of entertainment. State-of-the-art acoustics, plush seating and a video replay scoreboard add to the comfort and luxury for the venue’s patrons. In addition, the downtown location is easily accessible via several major freeways, light-rail and a regional train station, located across the street.   About San Jose McEnery Convention Center Considered the hub for meetings and conventions in San Jose, the San Jose McEnery Convention Center opened its doors in April 1989. The facility has 432,000 square feet of function space, including a 22,000 square-foot ballroom and 30 meeting rooms.   About Visa USA Visa USA is a leading payments brand and the nation's largest payments system, enabling banks to provide their consumer and business customers with a wide variety of payment alternatives tailored to meet their evolving needs. Visa USA is committed to increasing the choice, convenience, acceptance and security of Visa payments for all stakeholders – financial institutions, cardholders and merchants. In the United States, more than 521 million Visa-branded cards have been issued by our 13,320 financial institution customers.   Visa products generated nearly $1.8 trillion in total volume in the United States through March 2007 and enjoy unsurpassed acceptance around the globe. For more information, visit www.visa.com.   About the San Jose Sports Authority The San Jose Sports Authority is a non-profit organization that serves as the sports marketing agency for the City of San Jose. Since their inception in 1991, they have worked with community partners to bring more than 150 premier events and programs to the San Jose area. For more information, visit www.sjsa.org.   About USA Gymnastics Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encourages participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.   #   Acrobatic gymnastics field for 2007 Visa Championships   By state, information shows name, hometown/club (teammate(s)), division   California Kristin Allen, Livermore, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Mixed Pair (Brian Kincher), senior elite Julian Amaro, Livermore, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Men's Pair (Tyler Spray), senior elite Kyle Bloom, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Madeline Bones), junior elite Madeline Bones, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Kyle Bloom), junior elite; Women's Group (Monica Simikowski, Tiana Terry), Level 10 Mariah Henninger, Walnut Creek, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Women's Group (Ally Kidd, Tisa Penny), senior elite Crystal Johnston, Riverside, Calif./Empire, Women's Group (Jasmine Tequida, Kelly Wilkinson), Level 8 Jake Kanavel, San Jose, Calif./Paramount Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Eirian Smith), Level 9 Ally Kidd, Livermore, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Women's Group (Mariah Henninger, Tisa Penny), senior elite Liselle Kitchens, San Ramon, Calif./San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, Women's Group (Amanda Plumer, Amy Slater), junior elite Dylan Maurer, Riverside, Calif./Empire, Mixed Pair (Molly Rye), Level 9 Megan Nickerson, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Jenna Provazek, Heather Vachon), senior elite Tisa Penny, San Leandro, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Women's Group (Mariah Henninger, Ally Kidd), senior elite Amanda Plumer, Walnut Creek, Calif./San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, Women's Group (Liselle Kitchens, Amy Slater), junior elite Jenna Provazek, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Megan Nickerson, Heather Vachon), senior elite Molly Rye, Riverside, Calif./Empire, Mixed Pair (Dylan Maurer), Level 9 Monica Simikowski, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Madeline Bones, Tiana Terry), Level 10 Amy Slater, Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley Dance Academy, Women's Group (Liselle Kitchens, Amanda Plumer), junior elite Eirian Smith, San Jose, Calif./Paramount Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Jake Kanavel), Level 9 Andre Solodar, San Jose, Calif./Paramount Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Xiau-Ling Wee), senior elite Lauren Speers, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Haley Stalion, Camille Strawn), junior elite Tyler Spray, Livermore, Calif./West Coast Acrobatics, Men's Pair (Julian Amaro), senior elite Haley Stalion, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Lauren Speers, Camille Strawn), junior elite Kelianne Stankus, Riverside, Calif./Realis Acrobatic Gymnastics Academy, Mixed Pair (Ryan Ward), junior elite Camille Strawn, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Lauren Speers, Haley Stalion), junior elite Jasmine Tequida, Riverside, Calif./Empire, Women's Group (Crystal Johnston, Kelly Wilkinson), Level 8 Tiana Terry, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Madeline Bones, Monica Simikowski), Level 10 Heather Vachon, San Jose, Calif./Aerial Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Women's Group (Megan Nickerson, Jenna Provazek), senior elite Ryan Ward, Corona, Calif./Realis Acrobatic Gymnastics Academy, Mixed Pair (Kelianne Stankus), junior elite Xiau-Ling Wee, Monte Sereno, Calif./Paramount Tumbling & AcroGymnastics, Mixed Pair (Andre Solodar), senior elite Kelly Wilkinson, Oceanside, Calif./Empire, Women's Group (Crystal Johnston, Jasmine Tequida), Level 8   Colorado Brian Kincher, Fort Collins, Colo./West Coast Acrobatics, Mixed Pair (Kristin Allen), senior elite   Louisiana Jennifer Landry, Belle Chasse, La./Fliptastics, Mixed Pair (Michael Parsiola), Level 8 Michael Parsiola, Belle Chasse, La./Fliptastics, Mixed Pair (Jennifer Landry), Level 8   Maryland Meghan Ball, Rockville, Md./Xtreme Acro, Women's Group (Keisha Padello, Erika Sundberg), senior elite Erika Sundberg, Bethesda, Md./Xtreme Acro, Women's Group (Meghan Ball, Keisha Padello), senior elite   Missouri Mallory Henthorn, Blue Springs, Mo./Acro Explosion, Women's Pair (Savannah Shields), senior elite Mia Medina, Blue Springs, Mo./Acro Explosion, Women's Group (Allison Mock, Megan Muehlerger), Level 8 Allison Mock, Blue Springs, Mo./Acro Explosion, Women's Group (Mia Medina, Megan Muehlberger), Level 8 Megan Muehlberger, Blue Springs, Mo./Acro Explosion, Women's Group (Mia Medina, Allison Mock), Level 8 Savannah Shields, Blue Springs, Mo./Acro Explosion, Women's Pair (Mallory Henthorn), senior elite   Ohio Beth Ann Gaier, Dayton, Ohio/Dynasty Sports Acrobatics Team, Women's Group (Meredith DeHart, Brianna Sowatskey), Level 10 Meredith DeHart, Dayton, Ohio/Dynasty Sports Acrobatics Team, Women's Group (Beth Ann Gaier, Brianna Sowatskey), Level 10 Brianna Sowatskey, Dayton, Ohio/Dynasty Sports Acrobatics Team, Women's Group (Meredith DeHart, Beth Ann Gaier), Level 10   Virginia Keisha Padello, Arlington, Va./Xtreme Acro, Women's Group (Meghan Ball, Erika Sundberg), senior elite   About USA Gymnastics Online. 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