Hatch to join Kupets on U.S. gymnastics team
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Annia Hatch is going back to the World Gymnastics Championships – this time, as an American. Hatch, who won a bronze medal on vault at the 1996 worlds when she was still competing for her native Cuba, was added to the U.S. women’s team Saturday night for next month’s world championships in Anaheim, Calif.
Ashley Postell, the reigning world gold medalist on balance beam, and Carly Patterson also were chosen after a five-day training camp at Bela and Martha Karolyi’s ranch.
Courtney Kupets, Tasha Schwikert and Hollie Vise automatically qualified for the world team at last month’s U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
Kupets won nationals, while Schwikert and Vise tied for second.
“It’s quite obvious that our program has never been as strong as it is right now,” said Bob Colarossi, president of USA Gymnastics. “Every time the U.S. has hosted a major gymnastics competition, great things have happened.”
The world championships are Aug. 16-24.
The men’s team will be chosen after a training camp that begins Wednesday.
The U.S. women’s team for the Pan American Games also was selected Saturday night. They are Junior national champion Nastia Liukin, Allyse Ishino, Chellsie Memmel, Marcia Newby, Courtney McCool and Tia Orlando.
The Pan-Am games are Aug. 1-17 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.