JULIE ZETLIN

BRINGING

HEAVY METAL

BACK TO

BETHESDA

Bethesda Rhythmic Gymnast Brings

Pacific Rim Gold Haul to 3

Bethesda's Julie Zetlin is on a winning streak ahead of her trip to the 2012 London Olympics. Zetlin followed up Friday's All-Around gold medal with two more Saturday, at the Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships.

The previous Pan American champion took first place in Ball (25.300) and Ribbon (25.250). Zetlin's performances suggest she has recovered from her injuries last year, and bode well for her prospects against formidable competition in London this summer.

BETHESDA'S

JULIE ZETLIN

NAMED

HEADLINER

AT 2012

KELLOGG'S

PACIFIC RIM

CHAMPIONSHIPS

2012 Olympian to Lead USA

Rhythmic Gymnastics Team

Another

Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row

Exclusive!!!

Just after being named to Team USA for the 2012 London Olympics, Bethesda rhythmic gymnast Julie Zetlin has been chosen to lead the US team in that sport at the 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships.

To be held at Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington, March 16-18, the event will bring athletes from Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Phillipines, Russia and the US to compete in artistic and rhythmic gymnastics and trampoline.

JULIE ZETLIN

GETS A

GOLDEN TICKET

Bethesda Rhythmic Gymnast is Headed to

London's Summer Olympics

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

This summer, it will be that time again. Time for the Summer Olympics, which will be held in London this time around.

It's always been an exciting television event. But how exciting would it be to go to the Games in person? Better yet, how exciting would it be to be an Olympic athlete competing in the Games?

Bethesda's Julie Zetlin is about to do just that. Yesterday morning, she announced publicly that she will officially be representing the United States in Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Which means we have an actual Olympian here in our town.

Zetlin is most famous for winning 3 - count 'em: 3! - gold medals at the 2011 Pan-American Games in Mexico.

In fact, they're talking a lot about Julie Zetlin in Mexico over the last 24 hours.

Not only did Zetlin win the games held in Mexico, but Mexico's own golden girl, Cynthia Valdez, failed to qualify for London. As you can imagine, they are not pleased!

"Goodbye to the Olympic ticket," sobs the headline in The Informador. The article says that Valdez's biggest rival is "the American, Julie Zetlin." Who is going to London.

I'm kind of surprised the local media hasn't really picked up on this story yet. You know, it's kind of a big deal, folks.

This will put Bethesda on the international sports map, and certainly generate more interest in the Games around here.

And it will be a compelling story, Zetlin had knee surgery only last year. She is the only American competing in the sport. She is ranked as the best rhythmic gymnast on our continent, and faces several formidable opponents. Last but not least, no American has ever won a medal in this sport - not even a bronze!

That may be about to change.

You can be sure Bethesda will be following along, and you can follow her on Twitter at @JulieZetlin as she tweets from London this summer.