Dozens of the nation’s best gymnasts will meet in Columbus, Ohio to take part in the GK U.S. Classic on July 28. For some, the competition will be used as a warm up in preparation for the U.S. National Championships in August. For many others, the competition will serve as the final opportunity to obtain their qualifying score for the Championships.

Kayla DiCello on floor at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships Photo: Ricardo Bufolin
There are several strong contenders for the junior title this year. Jordan Bowers (Solid Rock) has had a strong showing in 2018 so far, winning three gold medals at the Pacific Rim Championships and four golds at the Junior Pan American Championships. Bowers enters the competition with the highest scoring potential of the entire junior field, so a clean competition could land her the title.
Fresh off a win at the American Classic, Kayla DiCello (Hill’s) will be right on Bowers heels. DiCello was a part of the team that won gold at the Pacific Rim Championships earlier this year and also won gold medals on vault and bars.
After finishing 5th AA and first on vault at last year’s U.S. National Championships, Leanne Wong is ready to prove that she can hang with the best junior gymnasts in the nation. Wong won a gold medal with the US team at the Pan American Championships earlier this year and also took home three silvers on vault, bars and beam. Wong has become known for her beautiful technique and gorgeous yurchenko double twist.
Konnor McClain didn’t have the meet she had hoped for last year at the U.S. Classic but will be looking for redemption this time around. McClain finished second all-around a few weeks ago at the American Classic and has some big skills that set her apart from her competitors.
Other names to keep your eye on are national team members Tori Tatum (Twin City Twisters) and JaFree Scott (GAGE) as well as newcomers Olivia Greaves (MG Elite), Skye Blakely (WOGA) and Aleah Finnegan (GAGE).
The complete roster is listed below. The asterisk (*) denotes which athletes have already qualified to the U.S. National Championships.
Sydney Barros, Texas Dreams*
Annie Beard, Texas Dreams
Skye Blakely, WOGA*
Jordan Bowers, Solid Rock*
Zoe Gravier, MG Elite*
Olivia Greaves, MG Elite*
Alexis Jeffrey, GAGE
Aleah Finnegan, GAGE*
JaFree Scott, GAGE*
Leanne Wong, GAGE*
Konnor McClain, Revolution*
Sydney Morris, First State*
Love Birt, First State
Ciena Alipio, West Valley*
Kayla DiCello, Hill’s*
Sunisa Lee, Midwest*
Lyden Saltness, Midwest
Lilly Lippeatt, CGA*
Sophia Butler, Discover
Kailin Chio, Gymcats
Selena Harris, Gymcats
Claire Dean, Head Over Heels
Amari Drayton, Olympia Hills
Addison Fatta, Prestige
Delaney Fisher, Georgia Elite
eMjae Frazier, Parkettes
Gabbie Gallentine, Everest
Lauren Little, Everest
Kaliya Lincoln, Airborne
Elizabeth Ganter, JPAC
Karis German, WCC*
Trista Goodman, Salcianu Elite
Hannah Hagle, Texas East
Maeve Hahn, First in Flight
Calvary Swaney, First in Flight
Kaytlyn Johnson, Denton
Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Paramount Elite*
Alonna Kratzer, Top Notch
Ui Soma, San Mateo*
Lillian Lewis, San Mateo
Mallory Marcheli, Stars Houston
Brenna Neault, Precision
Lauren Pearl, Brestyans
Katelyn Rosen, Mavericks
Abigail Scanlon, Capital
Ava Siegfeldt, World Class
Victoria Smirnov, Shooting Stars
Tori Tatum, Twin City Twisters*
The competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 28. You can follow the action live at http://www.usagymclassic.com/live/
Tags: Abigail Scanlon, Addison Fatta, Aleah Finnegan, Alexis Jeffrey, Alonna Kratzer, Amari Drayton, Annie Beard, Ava Siegfeldt, Brenna Neault, Cally Swaney, Ciena Alipio, Claire Dean, Delaney Fisher, Elizabeth Gantner, eMjae Frazier, Gabbie Gallentine, Hannah Hagle, JaFree Scott, Jordan Bowers, Kailin Chio, Kaliya Lincoln, Karis German, Katelyn Rosen, Kayla DiCello, Kaytlyn Johnson, Konnor McClain, Lauren Little, Lauren Pearl, Leanne Wong, Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Lillian Lewis, Lilly Lippeatt, Love Birt, Lyden Saltness, Maeve Hahn, Mallory Marcheli, Olivia Greaves, Selena Harris, Skye Blakely, Sophia Butler, Sunisa Lee, Sydney Barros, Sydney Morris, Tori Tatum, Trista Goodman, Ui Soma, United States, US Classic, Victoria Smirnov, Zoe Gravier