Florida, Washington, to Host Gymnastics Championships

The 2015 Women's Junior Olympic Level 9 Eastern and Western Championships begin this Friday, May 8, and wrap up on May 10. The Level 9 Eastern and Western Championships are the culmination of the Junior Olympic Level 9 competitive season, and each features the best 448 Level 9 gymnasts in the respective regions.  The Level 9 Eastern Championships are set for the Osceola Heritage Park Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., with the Western Championships at the Spokane (Wash.) Convention Center.

Both championships feature the top seven gymnasts in the all-around in each age division from the respective regional championships and will have competition in 16 age divisions, which are determined by birth date. The Junior Olympic Eastern and Western Championships are two of USA Gymnastics' championships events. Many Junior Olympians have gone on to make the U.S. National Team and represent the United States in international competition and/or to compete in collegiate gymnastics.

Level 9 Eastern Championships

Orlando Metro Gymnastics is the local club hosting the event.  Local organizations helping stage the championships are the Central Florida Sports Commission, Experience Kissimmee and the Florida Sports Foundation.

The competition schedule is:  May 8 – Session 1 - Juniors 1 and 2 at 9:35 a.m., Session 2 - Juniors 3 and 4 at 1:35 p.m., and Session 3 - Juniors 5 and 6 at 5:35 p.m.; May 9 – Session 4 – Juniors 7 and 8 at 9:35 a.m., Session 5 – Seniors 1 and 2 at 1:35 p.m., and Session 6 – Seniors 3 and 4 at 5:35 p.m.; and May 10 – Session 7 – Seniors 5 and 6 at 9:05 a.m., and Session 8 – Seniors 7 and 8 at 1:05 p.m.  Awards are held at the conclusion of each session. All times are Eastern.

Daily tickets are $15, adults; $10, seniors and children; and children under 3 are free.  The two-day pass is $25 for adults and $20 for children and seniors, and the three-day pass is $35 for adults and $30 for children and seniors.  parking is free.

The Eastern Championships feature 16 age divisions, which are determined by birth date. The Eastern Championships includes top gymnasts from Regions 5-8. The states that comprise each region are: 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; and Region 8 – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

To learn more about the Eastern Championships, go to http://www.usagymeastern.com/.

Level 9 Western Championships

Spokane Gymnastics and the Spokane Sports Commission are playing host for the Level 9 Western Championships.

The competition schedule is:  May 8 – Session 1 - Junior 1 and 2 at 9:35 a.m., Session 2 - Junior 3 and 4 at 1:35 p.m. and Session 3 - Junior 5 and 6 at 5:35 p.m.; May 9 – Session 4 - Junior 7 and 8 at 9:35 a.m., Session 5 - Senior 1 and 2 at 1:35 p.m. and Session 6 - Senior 3 and 4 at 5:35 p.m.; and May 10 – Session 7 - Senior 5 and 6 at 9:05 a.m. and Session 8 - Senior 7 and 8 at 1:05 p.m. All times are local.