Monday, May 26, 2008

Wang Wins All-Round Title at Visa Championships

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 24, 2008) Lisa Wang of Buffalo Grove, Ill., won her third straight U.S. all-around title in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2008 Visa Championships at Reliant Park in Houston, Texas. She won all four gold medals in the individual events (clubs, hoop, ribbon and rope) during Thursday’s competition.

She posted a two-day score of 131.950 to best Rachel Marmer of Los Angeles, Calif., and Ava Gehringer of Evanston, Ill., who finished second and third, respectively. Marmer posted a 125.100 and Gehringer scored a 123.550.

Wang has decided to retire from competitive rhythmic gymnastics and focus on college. She will enroll at Yale University in the fall.

“I loved being out there,” Wang said of her final competition. “It was great doing the sport that I love. It’s an amazing sport and it was an amazing part of my life.”

Wang retires with 13 career U.S. senior rhythmic gymnastics titles: the all-around, clubs, hoop, ribbon and rope in 2008; the all-around, hoop and clubs in 2007; the all-around, ball and ribbon in 2006; and ball and clubs in 2005. She also won five U.S. titles as a junior: hoop and clubs in 2002; and the all-around, ball and ribbon in 2001. Wang has represented the United States at three World Championships (2003, 2005 and 2007). At the 2007 Pan American Games, she won gold medals in the all-around and ribbon, and placed second in clubs and rope.

In the junior all-around, Marlee Shape of Buffalo Grove, Ill., claimed her second straight U.S. junior all-around title with a score of 122.100. Finishing second was Gabrielle Magid of Brooklyn, N.Y., with a score of 114.275, and in third was Rebecca Sereda of Las Vegas, Nev., with a score of 112.850.

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