INDIANAPOLIS – The window of opportunity to make the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team is reopens for just a few more days during the U.S. Classic, May 14-16 at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y.
The U.S. Classic, featuring Junior and Senior elite gymnasts, is the second of two qualifiers for the 2004 U.S. Championships, June 2-5 in Nashville, Tenn. Top athletes from the U.S. Championships will qualify to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials with a chance to earn a trip to Athens for the 2004 Olympic Games.
“The U.S. Classic is a very important meet for the U.S. gymnasts, as it is the last opportunity to earn your way into the U.S. Championships and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials process,” said USA Gymnastics President Bob Colarossi. “With the U.S. Championships only 30 days away and the Olympic Games just 100 days away, we expect all of the athletes to be well prepared for this second qualifying meet.”
Expected to compete are 2003 U.S. all-around champion Courtney Kupets, who is on the road to recovery following an ankle injury sustained at the 2003 World Championships; 2001 team and uneven bars world bronze medalist Katie Heenan; Ashley Postell, the 2002 World Champion on beam; 2000 Olympian and two-time national champion Tasha Schwikert; and Hollie Vise, the 2003 World Champion on uneven bars.
The top 14 all-around athletes in both the Junior and Senior divisions will qualify to the U.S. Championships, where they will join by the top 10 all-around athletes from the American Classic, held March 4-6 in Ontario, Calif. Additionally, the nine members of the 2003 World Championships Team will automatically qualify to the U.S. Championships.
Friday, May 14, 1:00-8:30, Jr. & Sr. Training
Saturday, May 15, 1:00-4:00, Jr. All-Around
7:00-9:00 Sr. All-Around
Sunday, May 16, 1:00-4:00, Challenge Optionals
7:00-9:00 Sr. Team Meet
Tickets are $10-35 per session, Friday through Sunday, or $100 for all sessions, and can be purchased at the Blue Cross Arena Box Office, through Ticketmaster at (585) 232-1900 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.