Men’s and women’s artistic gymnasts come together for first combined USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships May 11-16 in Daytona Beach

USA Gymnastics announced the 2021 USAG Development Program National Championships will be held May 11-16, 2021, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. For the first time, the event will bring together gymnasts from the men’s and women’s artistic disciplines. More than 1,500 athletes are expected to compete. 

These championships will serve as the culmination of the competitive season for USA Gymnastics Development Program Women’s Level 10 athletes and Men’s Level 8, 9 and 10 athletes. Many of the nation’s top elite gymnasts are alumni of past men’s and women’s championships, which were previously held separately under the moniker Junior Olympic Nationals.

“In addition to creating greater connection between disciplines, combining these two iconic events will provide the nation’s top up-and-coming artistic gymnasts the opportunity to compete and be recognized on one of the highest stages,” said Stefanie Korepin, USA Gymnastics’ Chief Programs Officer. “We are thrilled to bring this marquee event to the Ocean Center and look forward to concluding a successful 2020-21 USA Gymnastics Development Program competitive season with the inaugural national championships in May.”

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, USA Gymnastics will continue to consult with medical and public health experts to determine necessary safety protocols for this event and will communicate updates to participants as they are available.

Men’s competition

In addition to the all-around, champions will be crowned for all six apparatus – floor exercise, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar – and competitors will be separated by age group.

Based on the results of the USA Gymnastics Development Program National Championships, fourteen elite-track gymnasts between Levels 8 and 9 will be named to the Level 8/9 Junior National Team. Level 10 gymnasts competing in the elite division are eligible to qualify to the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships where the Level 10 Junior National Team will be determined.

To qualify for the USA Gymnastics Development Program Nationals, athletes participate in their Regional Championships, hosted by each of USA Gymnastics’ nine men’s artistic gymnastics regions. Qualification is determined by an athlete’s ranking in the all-around or by their individual event placement.

Men’s artistic gymnastics regions are determined by state as follows:

• Region 1 – Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada
• Region 2 – Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
• Region 3 – Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas
• Region 4 – Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
• Region 5 – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio
• Region 6 – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• Region 7 – Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
• Region 8 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
• Region 9 – Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming

Women’s competition

Gymnasts will compete for the all-around title as well as in individual events – vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise – in 12 age divisions determined by birthdate: 

• Junior A, Junior B, Junior C, Junior D, Junior E and Junior F
• Senior A, Senior B, Senior C, Senior D, Senior E and Senior F

The top four all-around athletes from each age division will make up the Development Program National Team and will receive an invitation to participate in a special training camp. Based on overall team performance in all 12 age divisions, a regional Super Team will also be recognized at the conclusion of the event.

Event participants qualify to compete through regional championships hosted by each of USA Gymnastics’ eight women’s artistic gymnastics regions. The top seven all-around gymnasts in each of the twelve age divisions from each of the eight regions will compete as regional team members.

Women’s artistic gymnastics regions are separated by state as follows:

• Region 1 – Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah
• Region 2 – Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
• Region 3 – Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming
• Region 4 – Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
• Region 5 – Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio
• Region 6 – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
• Region 7 – Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia
• Region 8 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee

USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States, encompassing seven disciplines: women’s gymnastics, men’s gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, gymnastics for all (a.k.a. group gymnastics) and, most recently, parkour. USA Gymnastics sets the rules and policies that govern the sport of gymnastics, including selecting and training the U.S. Gymnastics Teams for the Olympics and World Championships; promoting and developing gymnastics on the grassroots and national levels, as well as a safe, empowered and positive training environment; and serving as a resource and educational center for the more than 200,000 members, clubs, fans and gymnasts throughout the United States. The organization is deeply committed to creating a culture that encourages and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority: the safety and well-being of athletes and our community.