Juniors ready to take the stage at the 2018 GK US Classic

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/