If you are a coach, you are probably beginning to create a schedule for your team’s 2018 season. Below are Chalk Warrior’s opinion on the best meets in the US for next season. The best meets are selected upon their history, number of participating teams and gymnasts, location, and the experiences and memories that gymnasts, coaches, and parents take away.
The meets are listed by date.
Note: W = women’s levels; M = men’s levels; T&T = Trampoline & Tumbling
The # of 2017 Competitors is approximate
Atlanta Crown Invitational
Date: January 5-7, 2018
Location: Duluth, GA
Host:Gwinnett Gymnastics Center
Levels: 2-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:1350
What makes this meet awesome?The 2018 Atlanta Crown Invitational will be it’s 26th year and in 2017, the invitational was a Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier!
Little Boston Invitational
Date: January 5-7, 2018
Location:Boston, MA
Host:Gymnastics & More
Levels:2-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:2400
What makes this meet awesome?The 2018 Little Boston Invitational will feature a college meet on Saturday, January 6 featuring: The University of Maryland, Temple, and Towson!
Twistars Invitational
Date:January 5-7, 2018
Location:Dimondale, MI
Host:Gedderts’ Twistars USA
Levels:1-10, XCEL (W); 4-10, Junior Developmental (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:1700
What makes this meet awesome?The Twistars Invitational includes meets for both men and women and includes six competition floors! Also, last year, the invitational was a Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier.
Ozone Invitational
Date:January 12-15, 2018
Location:Knoxville, TN
Host:Premier Athletics
Levels:1-10, XCEL (W); 4-10, Junior Developmental (M), 1-Sr. Elite (T&T)
# of 2017 Competitors: 2500
What makes this meet awesome?The Ozone Invitational features a College Meet! The Invitational also features cash prizes, giveaways and team events.
Starstruck Invitational
Date:January 12-14, 2018
Location:Atlantic City, NJ
Host:Star Bound
Levels:2-10, XCEL, USAIGC (W); 4-10 (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:2500
What makes this meet awesome?The Starstruck Invitational has event finals for levels 9 & 10 and includes a custom gift for each gymnast!
Texas Prime Meet
Date:January 19-21, 2018
Location:Irving, TX
Host: Texas Dreams
Levels:3-10/Open (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:1100
What makes this meet awesome?The Texas Prime Meet includes its famous “Legendz Classic” which is an event finals competition for level 9 and 10 gymnasts. For the past few years, the Texas Prime Meet has been a Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier.
Circle of Stars Invitational
Date:January 19-21, 2018
Location:Indianapolis, IN
Host:DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics
Levels:2-10, XCEL (W); 4-10 (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:3500
What makes this meet awesome?The Circle of Stars Invitational offers free admission and a college scholarship for a junior or senior (male or female) competitor.
Manhattan Classic
Date:January 27-28, 2018
Location:New York, NY
Host:NYC Elite
Levels:1-10, XCEL, USAIGC (W)
# of 2017 Competitors: 3300
What makes this meet awesome?Each gymnast receives a Manhattan Classic leotard!
Buckeye Classic
Date: February 2-4, 2018
Location:Columbus, OH
Host:Buckeye
Levels:2-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:3100
What makes this meet awesome?For the past few years, the Buckeye Classic has been a Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier.
Pikes Peak Cup
Date:February 2-4, 2018
Location:Colorado Springs, CO
Host:Colorado Aerials
Levels:3-10 (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:1340
What makes this meet awesome?The Pikes Peak Cup features event finals for the top level 9 and 10 gymnasts!
Brestyan’s Las Vegas Invitational
Date:February 8-11, 2018
Location:Las Vegas, NV
Host:Salcianu Elite & Brestyan’s American Gymnastics
Levels:2-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:4000
What makes this meet awesome?For the past two years, the Brestyan’s Las Vegas Invitational has been a National Elite Qualifier. This meet is also the site of the Gymnast of the Year Awards Banquet which brings famous gymnasts from around the US to the meet!
Classic Rock Invitational
Date:February 9-11, 2018
Location:Phoenix, AZ
Host:Arizona Sunrays
Levels:2-10/Open, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:1570
What makes this meet awesome?In each session, team winners receive a genuine electric guitar and AA winners receive a special trophy.
IGI Chicago Style
Date:February 9-11, 2018
Location:Chicago, IL
Host:IGI
Levels:3-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors: 3800
What makes this meet awesome?The Special Olympics is held in conjunction with the IGI Chicago Style Meet! Cash prizes are also awarded to team winners.
Paws for a Cause Invitational
Date:February 9-11, 2018
Location: Atlanta, GA
Host:Ultimate Gymnastics
Levels: 1-10, XCEL, AAU (W); 4-10 (M), Rhythmic
# of 2017 Competitors:1700
What makes this meet awesome?Since the meet was established in 2014, the Paws for a Cause Invitational has donated over $60,000 to veterans, families, and children’s causes and has helped provide service dogs for children who need them. The Paws for a Cause Invitational also includes a Special Olympics meet!
Charity Choice Invitational
Date:February 16-19, 2018
Location: Tacoma, WA
Host:Emerald City
Levels:2-10/Open (W); 4-10 (M)
# of 2017 Competitors: 2300
What makes this meet awesome?The Charity Choice Invitational is all about (as you probably guessed), Charity! Clubs pick their charity and the team who wins (based on a point system), gets $5,000 donated to their charity!
Excalibur Cup
Date:February 16-18, 2018
Location:Virginia Beach, VA
Host:Excalibur
Levels:2-10/Open, XCEL (W); 4-10, Junior Elite (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:2500
What makes this meet awesome?It’s right on the beach and last year hosted over 10 countries!
Presidential Classic
Date:February 16-19, 2018
Location:Orlando, FL
Host:USA Competitions
Levels:1-10/Open, XCEL (W); 4-10 (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:2700
What makes this meet awesome?It’s held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex right in Disney World!
Disney
WOGA Classic
Date:February 16-18, 2018
Location:Fisco, TX
Host:WOGA
Levels:1-10, Elite, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:1200
What makes this meet awesome?The WOGA Classic includes an international elite session which features gymnasts from all over the world including Brazil, Russia and China!
Chris Waller’s Heart of a Champion Invitational
Date:February 23-25, 2018
Location:Pasadena, CA
Host:Wallers GymJam
Levels:3-10, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:970
What makes this meet awesome?The Heart of a Champion Invitational was created to support children with heart disease and has raised over $40,000 for charities since the meet has existed!
Gasparilla Classic
Date:February 23-25, 2018
Location:St. Petersburg, FL
Host:Lightning City Gymnastics
Levels:3-10, XCEL, AAU (W); 4-10, Junior Developmental (M)
# of 2017 Competitors:2800
What makes this meet awesome?The Gasparilla Classic has donated many of its proceeds to multiple charitable organizations. This tradition continues with this meet!
Pink Invitational
Date:February 23-25, 2018
Location:Philadelphia, PA
Host:AJS Pancott
Levels:3-10/Open, XCEL (W)
# of 2017 Competitors:2800
What makes this meet awesome?The Pink Invitational is a meet in partner with Unite For HER and has raised over $2.4 million for Unite For HER!
