© John Cheng
"I am so excited for these young ladies to compete at such a prestigious arena like Madison Square Garden," said Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Olympic all-around champion. "For most of these girls, this is a once-in-a-life time opportunity and will be a moment I hope they remember for the rest of their lives."
"The Nastia Liukin Cup is a terrific showcase for our Junior Olympic programs and athletes," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "These kids work hard every day for a sport they love, and to bring them to New York City and Madison Square Garden to compete is truly exciting. We are so thrilled to produce this event in partnership with Nastia and the gymnastics community."
The returning competitors are to include: 2010 – Lauren Beers of Warren Center, Pa./Southern Tier Gymnastics; and Ashleigh Gnat of Lake Mary, Fla./ACE Gymnastics; and 2011 – Lisa Burt of Port Orange, Fla./ACE Gymnastics; Kathryn Kluz of Wixom, Mich./Oakland Gymnastics; Lauren Marinez of Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro; Alexandra McMurtry of Midlothian, Va./Richmond Olympiad; Alyssa Nocella of Gilbertsville, Pa./Sylvia's Gymnastics; and Williams.
A complete list of the 34-gymnast field is available below, alphabetical by state.
Each gymnast qualified through one of the designated invitationals that comprised the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. A selected number of gymnasts from each invitational advanced to the Nastia Liukin Cup, which takes place on the evening prior to the prestigious AT&T American Cup using the event's podium. This year's Nastia Liukin Cup will be televised live on Universal Sports. For more information on qualifiers and results from each invitational, go to www.nastialiukincup.com.
Reserved tickets for the Nastia Liukin Cup are $35, and $25 for general admission, plus applicable fees. Tickets may be purchased by phone at 800-745-3000; online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.thegarden.com; at all Ticketmaster outlets; or at the Madison Square Garden Box Office. For more information on tickets, go to www.nastialiukincup.com. In recognition of its long-time support of USA Gymnastics, Visa is the preferred method of payment.
Portions of the proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup benefit the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation.
2012 Nastia Liukin Cup Field
(alphabetical by state)
Arizona
Kari Lee, Peoria, Ariz./Flames Gymnastics Academy
Lauren Ramirez, Chandler, Ariz./Gold Medal Gymnastics
California
Kennedi Edney, Chino, Calif./Precision Gymnastics
Felicia Hano, San Gabriel, Calif./West Coast Elite
Kristen Nogaki, Orange, Calif./Wildfire Gymnastics
Charlie Owens, Alta Loma, Calif./Charter Oak Gymnastics
Colorado
Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo./TIGAR
Florida
Emily Brauckmuller, Auburndale, Fla./Orlando Metro
Lisa Burt, Port Orange, Fla./ACE Gymnastics
Ashleigh Gnat, Lake Mary, Fla./ACE Gymnastics
Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro
Hollie Minichiello, Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro
Alexandria Ruiz, Lake Mary, Fla./ACE Gymnastics
Illinois
Alexis Cappalli, Kildeer, Ill./Illinois Gymnastics Institute
Michigan
Lauren Bancroft, Fowler, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA
Kathryn Kluz, Wixom, Mich./Oakland Gymnastics
Jessica Ling, Wixom, Mich./Oakland Gymnastics
Alyssa Shermetaro, Rochester Hills, Mich./ Olympia Gymnastics Academy
Grace Williams, Linden, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA
New Jersey
Alicia Boren, Franklin Lakes, N.J./North Stars Gymnastics Academy
Nevada
Taylor Rice, Henderson, Nev./Gymcats
Randii Wyrick, Las Vegas, Nev./Brown's Gymnastics-Las Vegas
North Carolina
Kendal Moss, Cornelius, N.C./Everest Gymnastics
Ohio
Nia Dennis, New Albany, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics
Sydney McGlone, Dublin, Ohio/Universal Gymnastics
Oklahoma
Charity Jones, Miami, Okla./Dynamo Gymnastics
Pennsylvania
Lauren Beers, Warren Center, Pa./Southern Tier Gymnastics
Alyssa Nocella, Gilbertsville, Pa./Sylvia's Gymnastics
Meredith Sylvia, Macungie, Pa./Parkettes
South Dakota
Wynter Childers, Spearfish, S.D./Spearfish Gymnastics Academy
Texas
Caitlin Atkinson, Houston, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
Briley Casanova, Dallas, Texas/WOGA
Virginia
Alexandra McMurtry, Midlothian, Va./Richmond Olympiad
Washington
Baely Rowe, Federal Way, Wash./Auburn Gymnastics Center
Background information
Nastia Liukin. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin's total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin's Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin is just the third U.S. woman to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including "Gossip Girl," "Make It or Break it," and the feature film, "Stick It." She was also chosen as one of 2009's most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin recently returned to training with an eye on the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold, she was added to the 2011-12 Women's National Team in November 2011.
AT&T American Cup. The 2011 AT&T American Cup, an FIG World Cup event, is one of the most prestigious international invitational events and features an all-around format. The list of former champions comprises some of the sport's best-known names, including Jordyn Wieber, Nastia Liukin, Jonathan Horton, Bart Conner, Paul Hamm, Shawn Johnson, Shannon Miller, Carly Patterson, Mary Lou Retton and Peter Vidmar. For more information, go to www.usagym.org/attamericancup.
