RECAP: 2016 AAU GYMNASTICS AGE GROUP NATIONALS

Written by: Kristina Balducci  

The 2016 AAU Gymnastics Age Group National Championship was held from June 29th to July 2nd at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This year, the event saw more than 1,500 athletes from 25 AAU Districts.

The opening ceremony was held on Friday, July 1st at 7:00 PM in the Jostens Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports. It featured a speech from Kate Foster, a Level 7 Gymnast battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia that spoke about her journey and love for the sport. Kate competed at the event on beam and bars and nailed both routines. In fact, this was only her 6th time ever sticking her beam routine. Another notable gymnast, Emma Grace Ducksworth, who is currently battling Freiberg’s Disease, competed for the last time here.

At the event, the AAU was promoting the initiative “Kids Helping Kids” and asking those in attendance to donate. They were also encouraged to sign a banner to show their support for the cause and received a lollipop and pin to thank them for their generosity. Over $1,300 was raised from donations from the event’s Wishing Well and Candy Grams, thus the AAU will be making a $3500 donation to St. Jude’s.

Photos from the event have been posted on our Facebook page.

Results are posted on our website.

Further, next year’s event will be held in Kingsport, TN at the Meadow View Marriott Resort from June 21 - 25, 2017. We thank you all for making this year’s event such a success and we look forward to seeing you next year in Tennessee!