Indianapolis, Ind. – Many of America’s best elite gymnasts, including Tasha Schwikert (Las Vegas, Nev.), Tabitha Yim (Irvine, Calif.), and Mohini Bhardwaj (Los Angeles, Calif.), who finished first, second, and third, respectively, at the 2001 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, will compete at the U.S. Classic, July 12-14, at the Virginia Beach Pavilion Convention Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
“The U.S. Classic brings America’s current and future gymnastics stars to Virginia Beach,” said Bob Colarossi, President of USA Gymnastics. “These are the gymnasts who can be expected to challenge for positions at upcoming competitions such as the World Championships and Olympic Games.”
In addition to veterans Schwikert, Yim, and Bhardwaj, the U.S. Classic will feature several of America’s top up-and-coming gymnasts, including three-time Junior National Champion Kristal Uzelac (Johnstown, Pa.), along with Kaitlin White (Allen, Texas) and Jordan Schwikert (Las Vegas, Nev.), who placed second and third, respectively, at the American Classic in March. Uzelac, White, and Schwikert will all join the senior ranks this year. Other top names expected to compete include junior national team members Hollie Vise (Dallas, Texas), and Carly Patterson (Baton Rouge, La.), who placed second and third, respectively, in the junior division at the 2001 U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
The U.S. Classic serves as a qualification event for the 2002 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, August 7-10, in Cleveland. The U.S. Gymnastics Championships will determine the national team for 2002 and will qualify gymnasts to represent the U.S. in international competition, including the 2002 Individual Gymnastics World Championships, which will be held in Debrecen, Hungary, on November 20-24. The U.S. Classic will provide a preview of gymnasts expected to contend for positions on this World Championship team.
U.S. Classic Schedule
| July 12: | 7:00 p.m. | National Competition |
| July 13: | 1:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. |
Junior International Elite Competition Senior International Elite Competition |
| July 14: | 2:00 p.m. | Team Cup |
The Team Cup will feature the top 12 Junior International Elite gymnasts and the top 12 Senior International Elite gymnasts. The gymnasts will compete in four combined junior and senior teams of six.
The U.S. Classic is hosted by Excalibur Gymnastics. All-session ticket packages are available through Excalibur Gymnastics for $40, and can be purchased at the gym’s front desk or by phone at 757-499-8258. Individual tickets cost $15 for the Senior International Elite Competition, $10 for the Junior International Elite Competition, $8 for the National Competition, and $15 for the Team Cup, and can be purchased at www.tickets.com or by phone at 1-800-955-5566. Tickets can also be purchased at the Pavilion Box Office on the days of the event. There is no charge to children ages 3 and under.