Acro Nationals Begin July 27

The 2013 U.S. Acrobatic Championships, USA Gymnastics' national championships for acrobatic gymnastics, get underway on July 27.  Held at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Ky., the four-day event determines the U.S. champions and wraps up on July 30.

The opening ceremonies begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 27, followed by the first competitive session.  The competition schedule is as follows.

July 27
6:30 p.m., Opening ceremonies
7 p.m., Dynamic routines for women’s pair, men’s pair and mixed pair (Level 10, Elite) and mixed pair (senior elite); and balance routines for women’s group (Level 10, Elite, Sr. Elite)

July 28
9 a.m., Level 5
1 p.m., Levels 5 and 8
6:30 p.m., Levels 5 and 8 awards ceremony; balance routines for women’s pair, men’s pair and mixed pair (Level 10, Elite) and mixed pair (senior elite); dynamic routines for women’s group (Level 10, Elite, Sr. Elite); and award ceremonies for women’s pair, men’s pair and mixed pair (Level 10, Elite), mixed pair (senior elite) and women’s group (Level 10, Elite, Sr. Elite)

July 29
9 a.m., Levels 5, 7, 8, 9
1 p.m., Level 8
6:30 p.m., Levels 5, 7,8 and 9 award ceremonies; combined routines and awards for Level 10 and elite women’s pair, men’s pair, mixed pair and women’s group, and senior elite mixed pair and women’s group; and team awards for Level 10, elite and senior elite

July 30
9 a.m., Level 6
This national event features the best acrobatic gymnasts in the United States, representing gymnastics clubs from across the country. Athletes will qualify through state and regional competitions and will compete in women's pair, men's pair, mixed pair, women's group and men's group, Levels 5 through elite.

Acrobatic gymnastics combines the beauty of dance with the strength and agility of acrobatics. 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. An acrobatic gymnastics pair consists of a base and a top. A women's group is comprised of three athletes - a base, middle and top partner – while a men's group has four athletes, a base, two middle partners and one top partner.

Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Its mission is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in the sport. Its disciplines include men's and women's artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics, and group gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usagym.org.