U.S. men crack top five in trampoline/tumbling world ranking

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., Sept. 8, 2009 – For the first time, the U.S. men are in the top five in the International Gymnastics Federation’s World Rankings for trampoline and tumbling.  The synchronized trampoline duo of Steven Gluckstein, Atlantic Highlands, N.J., and Logan Dooley of Lake Forest, Calif./USA, are second in the rankings, with fourth place spots for Kalon Ludvigson of Pocatello, Idaho, in men’s tumbling and Dooley in men’s individual trampoline. 

“We are very proud of the recent success our trampoline and tumbling athletes have had,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics.  “Their dedicated training and strong performances in the last two World Cup competitions have given them the platform to achieve our country’s best showing in the World Rankings.” 

In addition, Gluckstein is 11^th in the individual men’s trampoline rankings, and the women’s synchronized team of Alaina Williams, Huntsville, Ala., and Nani Vercruyssen, Honolulu, are 10^th in the rankings.

At the trampoline and tumbling World Cup at the Ostend Sports Centre in Ostend, Belgium, Dooley and Gluckstein won the USA’s first World Cup gold medal when they clinched the synchronized trampoline title. Dooley went on to win the first men’s individual trampoline title. Ludvigson won the men’s tumbling silver medal in both Belgium and at the World Cup in Zielona Gora, Poland.

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.