Ukraine Tops Russia, Canada

Daria Zgoba

The host Ukrainians earned the highest team total on each event, including a meet-high 46.7 on balance beam in the last rotation. First-year senior Valentina Golenkova hit an impressive set which included a front aerial to side somi, a front handspring to front tuck, a standing Arabian, a full-turn in Y and a double pike.

Alina Kozich finished second all-around despite a fall on her Omelianchik on beam. The other members of the winning Ukrainian team were first-year senior Anastasia Koval and veterans Irina Krasnyanskaya, Marina Proskurina and Olga Scherbatykh.

Svetlana Klyukina was the top Russian, finishing third all-around. The other Russians competing were Nadezhda Chikhiryova, Alyona Donodina, Yulia Lozhechko, Kristina Pravdina, Ksenia Semyonova and Alyona Zmeu.

Canada, which brought four gymnasts, finished third. Canada was represented by new national champion Kristina Vaculik as well as Aisha Gerber, Cynthia Lemieux and Rebecca Simbhudas.

On Saturday the Ukrainian men will host a tri-meet against Russia and the United States.

Ukraine vs. Canada vs. Russia
June 29, Kiev

Women's Team
1. Ukraine (42.75, 46.05, 46.7, 43.9) 179.400
2. Russia (41.6, 45.7, 44.8, 43.45) 175.550
3. Canada (42.5, 41.3, 39.15, 41.25) 164.200