SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — For the first time ever, Sioux Falls will be hosting the American Jump Rope National Championship.
With jump roping under Olympic consideration, city leaders say the timing of this event couldn’t be better.
We all grew up jumping rope, but nothing like this.
When the American Jump Rope Federation was looking for a city to host the national championships, Experience Sioux Falls jumped at the chance.
“Put all the details together and do every single little thing that can make their championship the best in Sioux Falls of anywhere else in the country,” Experience Sioux Falls executive director Teri Schmidt said.
Sioux Falls was chosen over 80 other cities.
After a site visit, the American Jump Rope Federation knew Sioux Falls was the place.
“Your experience, you don’t realize what a gem you have here, just walking downtown, the sculptures you have, it’s just beautiful,” chairperson Anita Gabel said.
Experience Sioux Falls partnered with Augustana University.
“We can’t wait to see all the interest and all of the young people that this will attract to our campus and to our city,” Augustana University President Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin said.
Two to three hundred jumpers from all across the country will be here next summer to compete in 13 different events, including freestyle.
“Every competition you’ll get to see something you’ve never seen before. I’ve been jumping for 22 years and every time I go to a competition there’s stuff I’ve never seen before,” Utah jumper McKenzie Christensen said.
They’ll also compete in pairs.
“You really get a lot of creativeness on your own, so I think a lot of us love jump rope because of that creative aspect, you get to hold a rope and you think of whatever you can do with this rope and I’m going to try and come up with something,” Christensen said.
The national jump rope championships will take place at Augie from June 28th through July 3rd of 2025. To learn more about the sport and how to get involved or volunteer, click here.
