Sereda, Kerber finish first half of qualification round at 2013 World Rhythmic Championships

KIEV, Ukraine – After completing two of the four apparatus in the qualification round at the 2013 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships, Rebecca Sereda of Staten Island, N.Y./Isadora, and Jazzy Kerber of Highland Park, Ill./North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center, are currently in 18th and 20th place, respectively, and in contention to advance to Friday's all-around final. Qualification and event finals for clubs and ribbon are set for tomorrow. The two days of qualification results determine the 24 athletes who advance to the all-around final on Friday.

Sereda posted a 32.449 in the all-around with scores of 15.983 for hoop and 16.466 for ball. Kerber was just behind her at 32.416, with scores of 16.133, hoop, and 16.283, ball.

The U.S. senior group, which trains at North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics in Deerfield, Ill., begins competition on Aug. 31, with the general competition qualification and finals for 10 clubs and three balls/two ribbons and wraps up on Sept. 1 with the group finals for 10 clubs and three clubs/two ribbons.