Snapshot: Local Gymnast Heads to the Olympics

We’re stepping a little bit out of our area this week for Snapshot, but these pictures (and the event they capture) are just so cool.

Auroran Anna Li, one of three alternates on the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, was given a rousing sendoff to the summer games in London at the Eola Community Center in Aurora July 9. The festivities included several hundred flag- and sign-waving fans, speeches, presentations and chants of "USA, USA."

Li, 23, is a 2006 Waubonsie Valley High School graduate. She starred on UCLA's 2010 NCAA championship team and was a member of the 2011 U.S. world championship team. These pictures of her were captured by Al Benson.

If you have a photo you’d like to see featured in Snapshot, write Editor Steven Jack at steven.jack@patch.com.