Zetlin qualifies for World Cup finals in Maribor

MARIBOR, Slovenia, April 27, 2009 - Julie Zetlin of Bethesda, Md., finished in the top 10 in the all-around and competed in three of the individual event finals at the rhythmic gymnastics World Cup in Maribor, Slovenia. This is the USA's second consecutive event in 2009 where a U.S. gymnast has qualified for the finals at a World Cup.

Zetlin, who trains at Rhythmflex, finished sixth in the hoop finals and was eighth in the rope and ball finals. Zetlin finished in the number-10 spot out of 28 in the all-around. Her scores were: all-around - 23.175 on rope, 23.600 on hoop, 22.500 on ball and 21.675 on ribbon for a 90.950 total; 23.725, rope; 24.375, hoop; and 23.050, ball.

The champions crowned at the World Cup are: 2005 all-around champion Olga Kapranova, Russia -- all-around (108.100), rope (27.775) and ball (27.450); and Ljubov Charkashyna, Belarus, hoop (27.050).

Earlier this month, Ava Gehringer competed in the finals at the World Cup in St. Petersburg, Russia, marking the first time the United States has done so since 2004.

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, and acrobatic gymnastics. For more information, log on to www.usa-gymnastics.org.