U.S. Pizza Team Welcomes New Members After Acrobatic Trials

Oxford, MS, February 20, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The U.S. Pizza Team (USPT) held its Acrobatic Trials at the 2014 North America Pizza and Ice Cream Show (NAPICS) in Columbus, Ohio, last Monday. The team came away with three new members and a champion who will represent the United States at the World Pizza Championship in Parma, Italy this spring.

Events held at the trials included the Largest Dough Stretch, Fastest Pie Maker, Fastest Box Folder and the Freestyle Acrobatics. All who placed earned a spot on the U.S. Pizza Team, but only one was awarded the grand prize of an all-expense-paid trip to Italy.

Jamie Culliton of Grimaldi’s Pizza—which has more than 30 locations in the U.S.—beat out the fierce competition to emerge as the winner of the Freestyle Acrobatics category and earn a trip to the World Pizza Championship. Following closely in second place was Wilhelm Rodriguez of Papa’s Pizza in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, while Dave Sommers of Mad Mushroom Pizza in West Lafayette, Indiana, took third place.

First place for the Largest Dough Stretch went to Bradley Johnson of Mellow Mushroom in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Second and third places went to USPT newcomers Garrett Marlin of Uncle’s Pizzeria in Ft. Collins, Colorado, and Adam Tucker of Giuseppe’s Pizza in Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, respectively.

David Whisker of B.C. Pizza in Boyne City, Michigan, took first place in both Fastest Pie Maker and Fastest Box Folder events. Second and third place for Fastest Pie Maker went to Bradley Johnson and Wilhelm Rodriguez respectively. Second and third place for Fastest Box Folding went to Jamie Culliton and Adam Tucker respectively.

The U.S. Pizza Team consists of expert pizza makers and dough-spinning acrobatic performers from pizza restaurants across the United States. The squad won the Team Acrobatics World Championship in Salsomaggiore, Italy, in 2011.

PMQ Pizza Magazine, the leading national trade publication for the pizza restaurant industry, created the U.S. Pizza Team in 2000. For more details about the USPT or the World Pizza Championships, visit http://www.USPizzaTeam.com, worldpizzachampionship.com or contact Brian Hernandez at brian@pmq.com or 662-234-5481, ext. 129.