Integrity Rhythmics Gymnastics Hosts Largest U.S. Rhythmics Competition April 8-10
Integrity Rhythmics Gymnastics and the Boosters of Rhythmic and Artistic Gymnastics are pleased to announce the 8th Annual Spring Fling Rhythmic Gymnastics Invitational competition April 8-10 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
Last year’s Spring Fling champion and Greek National Champion Vavara Filiou will once again compete. Since last year’s Spring Fling, Filiou qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
“We are pleased to be able to showcase Olympic-caliber athletes here in Columbus as the road to Rio in rhythmic gymnastics truly runs through Central Ohio,” said Integrity Rhythmics Head Coach Anna Loescher. “Vavara is among the best of the best, and is known across the world for being a crowd favorite with her energetic and entertaining routines. She is a great example to young American girls, as the sport continues to grow in popularity.”
For the sixth year in a row, the meet will be held in the Greater Columbus Convention Center’s Battelle Grand, the largest multi-purpose ballroom in Ohio. Gymnasts are expected to represent 18 U.S. states along with Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Greece, Kazakhstan, Poland, Puerto Rico, Russia, United Arab Emirates and Ukraine.
The centerpiece of the event is the annual Grand March-In scheduled for Saturday, April 9 at 12:30 p.m. All competitors from around the world will be recognized at that time, followed by special gala performances from Olympic athlete Vavara Filiou and others.
In addition to being an Olympian, Filiou has also served as a visiting coach at Integrity. “Having been to many competitions around the world, I can say that Spring Fling is similar to many of the large European competitions,” said Filiou. “I truly enjoy the opportunity to perform and compete in Columbus, especially with its large Greek community.”
The Integrity Rhythmics team is led by last year’s Level 8 National Silver Medalist Grace Bundy (13) of Galloway. Other members of the team include sisters Christina (11) and Brittaney Jin (14) of Dublin who are both current members of the USA Rhythmic Gymnastics Elite Squad and up and coming future star, Sophia Arbona (10) of Dublin who is a member of the USA Youth Elite Squad.
Ticket prices for the three-day event are $30 for adults and $15 for children under 12. One ticket covers spectator entry for the entire weekend. The competition is expected to run from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. The final schedule will be posted at IntegrityRhythmics.com approximately one week before the event.
About Integrity Rhythmics
Integrity Rhythmics is part of Integrity Athletics of Plain City, home of Blaine Wilson, who earned a silver medal in the team competition at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens and was a member of the U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Olympic team for the 1996 Atlanta Games and 2000 Sydney Games. Founded by Coach Loescher in 2005, the Integrity Rhythmic program has grown into the largest rhythmic gymnastics program in Ohio. For information about Spring Fling, contact Anna Loescher at springflingrhythmic@gmail.com.