2011 Season Highlights
6 qualifiers to Level 7 State
7 qualifiers to Level 8 Regionals
6 qualifiers to Level 9 Western Nationals
3 qualifiers to Level 10 National Invitational Tournament
3 qualifiers to Level 10 Jr. Olympic Nationals
"Don't stop believing...."
Congratulations to Emily Briones on her 1st place All-Around finish at the NIT in Long Beach this weekend! We are so proud of all of the level 9 and 10 gymnasts who represented Aerial Athletics on the national scene the past two weeks! Great job, ladies!
· Elite: This is the top level in Gymnastics. Less than 1% of the athletes in USAG will compete at this level. Gymnasts compete in Regional, National and International competitions. The USA National team, as well as the Olympic team, is selected from this level. A gymnast must be 12 years old to compete in the International Elite Division.
- Qualifications: The gymnast must pass the elite testing at an elite competition. After passing the elite testing, the gymnast must achieve a score in optionals to move on to National competitions. From the National competitions, athletes try to qualify to Classics and Championships of the USA (International program) FIG rules are used for this competition – not JO rules!
· Level 10: Gymnasts compete optional routines only. This is the highest level in the USAG JO program. Competitions include invitationals, State, Regional and National. Athletes who place high enough in the AA at Nationals will be considered JO National Team members.
- Qualifications: A score of 32.00AA is required to compete at the State meet. At the State meet the athlete must score a 34.00AA to qualify to Regionals. At Regionals, the top 7 athletes in each age group will advance to Nationals.
· Level 9: Gymnasts compete optional routines only. Competitions include invitationals, State, Regional and Western Nationals. This level has modified rules with easier requirements than Level 10.
- Qualifications: A 32.00AA is required for State. At State, the athlete must score a 34.00AA to advance to Regionals. At Regionals, a percentage of each age group will advance to Nationals. The percentage is determined by the numbers in each age group from all the regions.
· Level 8: Gymnasts compete optional routines only. This level has restrictions on difficulty and has modified rules with easier requirements than Levels 9 or 10. Competitions include invitationals, State and Regionals.
- Qualifications: State score is determined by State board and may change every year. Qualification to Regionals will be by percentage with usually the top 40-50 from the entire State meet qualifying to the Regional meet. The top eight athletes at the State meet will represent Texas at Regionals as part of the Texas Team.
· Level 7: This is considered the first step in optional competition. Athletes create their own routines but must include certain compulsory elements. Competitions include invitationals and State.
- Qualification: Score is determined by the State board and may be different every year.