TOKYO, August 6, 2021 – For the first time under the current qualification system, the U.S. was represented by two athletes in the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around qualifications at an Olympic Games Friday at Ariake Gymnastics Centre. Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill., and Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill., finished 12th and 13th, respectively. The pair narrowly missed Saturday’s final but were named the second and third reserves for the competition after the top ten gymnasts advanced.

It wasn’t always rhythmic gymnastics for two-time Olympian Laura Zeng. When she was 7 years old, she had a big decision to make: swimming or rhythmic gymnastics.

ST. LOUIS, June 26, 2021 - The 2021 USA Gymnastics Championships continued Saturday at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center swept the clubs and ribbon titles, posting a 25.450 in clubs and 20.850 in ribbon to close out the night. Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center finished second in clubs (23.350) and ribbon (20.100). In the junior division, Nayenne Pollini Ashenaffi of San Diego, Calif./Rhythmic Academy of Los Angeles topped the all-around competition and clubs field, and Milana Abayeva of Brooklyn, N.Y./Isadora took top honors in the ribbon competition.

ST. LOUIS, June 26, 2021 - The 2021 USA Gymnastics Championships began Friday at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center defended her senior rhythmic hoop title, while teammate Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center took the senior ball title. In the junior division, Nayenne Pollini Ashenaffi of San Diego, Calif./Rhythmic Academy of Los Angeles topped the hoop field, and Gemma Gow of Newton, Mass/Nely's School of Rhythmic Gymnastics took top honors in the ball competition.

ST. LOUIS, June 25, 2021 - The senior elite rhythmic competition at the USA Gymnastics Championships kicks off today at The Dome in St. Louis. Five-time U.S. all-around champion Laura Zeng of Libertyville, Ill., and 2019 Pan American Games all-around gold medalist Evita Griskenas of Orland Park, Ill., both of North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, lead a talented field of veteran and up-and-coming rhythmic gymnasts set to compete for a spot on the Tokyo Olympic team.

Learn about the Rhythmic, Trampoline & Tumbling, and Acro disciplines and get to know the athletes participating in the 2021 USA Gymnastics Championships.