© Scott Einius

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Aug. 18, 2011 – Katelyn Ohashi of Plano, Texas/WOGA, led the all-around after the first rotation with a score of 14.900 on the floor exercise and never let it go. After the first day of the junior competition at the 2011 Visa Championships at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn, Ohashi has a 60.950 total score in the all-around competition.

"I’m really happy with today," Ohashi said after the competition. "That was the best beam routine I’ve ever done in competition."

Ohashi started on the floor, where her dramatic routine earned her a 14.900, the highest score of the competition on the event. In the second rotation, Ohashi vaulted a Yurchenko double twist, receiving a 14.900, good for third on the event after day one. On the uneven bars, the leader dazzled the crowd with intricate el-grip work and an impressive double twisting double back dismount. Her score, a 15.050, was her second individual first place of the competition. In the final rotation, Ohashi showed one of the most difficult balance beam routines in the world, nailing a standing Arabian, a series including two back handsprings and a back layout full twist and an incredible full twisting double pike dismount. Her near perfect routine earned the highest score of the competition on any event with a 16.100.

Sarah Finnegan of St. Louis, Mo./GAGE, finished strong on floor exercise scoring a 14.70 for her full twisting double back and Arabian double front, to finish second with an all-around score of 57.900.

Defending champion Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max Gymnastics, finished third in the all-around with a score of 57.500, including a 15.300 on the balance beam in the last rotation where she was rock solid performing a beautiful switch ring to back tuck and double back dismount.

Event leaders after the first day of competition: Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, on vault (15.650) for a nearly stuck two-and-a-half twisting Yurchenko; Ohashi on the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

Photos by John Cheng and Scott Einuis

The second day of women’s junior competition is scheduled for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The scores from both days will be added together to determine the all-around rankings and national champions.

The 2011 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastics’ national championships, features the country’s best gymnasts vying for national titles and spots on the U.S. National Team in men’s, women’s and rhythmic gymnastics. Men’s and women’s gymnastics will be held at Xcel Energy Center, Aug. 17-20, and rhythmic gymnastics will be at Roy Wilkins Auditorium Aug. 19-20. Tickets for the four-day event are on sale now, with individual session tickets, as well as multi- and all-session ticket packages. Tickets may be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by phone at 800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com. In recognition of Visa’s sponsorship, USA Gymnastics is proud to accept only Visa at the 2011 Visa Championships, along with cash. For ticket and event information, go to www.usagym.org/visa.

Television and webcast coverage

  • Universal Sports. Universal Sports television will broadcast the men’s and women’s senior competitions live on Aug. 18 and 19 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Competition in the first day of the senior women’s competition will be simultaneously webcast on UniversalSports.com, while the final day of both the men’s and women’s championship will be available for on-demand streaming following the television broadcast. To find a Universal Sports channel in a specific area, click here.
  • NBC Sports. Live, prime-time coverage of the final day of the senior women’s competition on NBC Sports begins at 8 p.m. ET on Aug. 20. Action from the men’s competition will air on NBC Sports beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 21.
  • "Around the Gym." "Around the Gym," which provides commentary, recaps and interviews, will air on Universal Sports half an hour before and immediately following the Universal Sports telecasts on Aug. 18 and 19, as well as after the conclusion of the NBC Sports broadcast on Aug. 20. 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin and three-time Olympic team member John Roethlisberger serve as hosts for the show.

Ways to follow

    Online. The 2011 Visa Championships and its ancillary activities are easier than ever to follow online. Schedules and general information for both fan activities and the competition, including the official event program, start lists, live scoring and more are available at www.usagym.org/visa, which is easily viewable on smart phones and other digital devices. The increased information online is just part of the overall effort to make the 2011 Visa Championships the "greenest" to date.

  • Social Media. USA Gymnastics are connecting with fans on Facebook (facebook.com/USAGymnastics) and Twitter (@USAGym), providing live updates and exclusive content including videos and photos from the Visa Championships. Gymnastics fans can follow the action easily on Twitter by using the official hashtag of the 2011 Visa Championships, #visachamps.
  • Fan Activities. USA Gymnastics will be hosting a wide-range of fan activities at Saint Paul’s Rice Park, adjacent to the Xcel Energy Center and Roy Wilkins Auditorium including 6:30 a.m. morning fitness, lunchtime gymnastics demonstrations and Painting in the Park presented by Art of the Olympians. Fans can also gather for fun between the women’s gymnastics sessions on Aug. 20 and post-competition Aug. 19-20 in Rice Park for the Visa Fan Fest to enjoy interviews, food, music and celebrate the Visa Championships.

Background information

  • USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show is held in conjunction with the Visa Championships and will be conducted next door at Saint Paul RiverCentre. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show is the annual gathering of professional members that offers educational and business sessions, a large exhibitor’s hall and other business and educational opportunities.
  • Xcel Energy Center. Regarded as one of the finest arenas in the world, Xcel Energy Center is home to the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, the NLL’s Minnesota Swarm and a multitude of premier sports and entertainment events annually. The one-of-a-kind, multi-purpose facility is located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, owned by the City of Saint Paul and managed by Saint Paul Arena Company, an affiliate of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment.
  • Saint Paul RiverCentre. Saint Paul RiverCentre is the city’s premier convention center that overlooks the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Featuring more than 250,000 square feet of versatile event space and flexible room configurations that include the Grand Ballroom and The Legendary Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Saint Paul RiverCentre is the preferred choice for hundreds of events each year including star-studded galas, trade shows and conventions.
  • Visit Saint Paul. The mission of Visit Saint Paul is to generate economic growth for Saint Paul by effectively marketing the RiverCentre campus, Saint Paul and the region as a preferred convention and tourism destination.
Videos of selected routines

2011 Visa Championships
Xcel Energy Center
St. Paul, Minn.
Aug. 18, 2011
First day of two for junior women’s gymnastics

All-Around
1. Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, 60.950
2. Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., 57.900
3. Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., 57.500
4. Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, 56.450
5. Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, 56.300
5. Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., 56.300
7. Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, 55.550
8. Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas, 54.750
9. Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., 54.700
10. Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, 54.550
11. Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., 54.450
11. Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas, 54.450
13. Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., 54.350
14. Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, 54.250
15. Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, 53.500
15. Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas, 53.500
17. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, 53.300
18. Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, 53.150
19. Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, 53.050
20. Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif., 52.800
21. Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo., 52.350
22. Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla., 51.750
23. Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, 51.150
24. Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas, 49.100
25. Veronica Hults, Allen, Texas, 27.150

Vault
1. Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, 15.650
2. Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., 15.250
3. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, 14.900
3. Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, 14.900
5. Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., 14.800
6. Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., 14.700
6. Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., 14.700
8. Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., 14.550
9. Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, 14.500
10. Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, 14.450
11. Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, 14.400
12. Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas, 14.350
13. Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., 14.300
14. Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas, 14.250
15. Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, 14.150
15. Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas, 14.150
17. Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, 14.100
18. Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, 13.900
19. Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, 13.650
20. Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas, 13.600
21. Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla., 13.550
22. Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, 13.400
23. Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo., 13.200
24. Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif., 13.050

Uneven Bars
1. Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, 15.050
2. Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., 14.750
3. Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., 14.300
4. Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, 14.200
5. Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, 14.000
6. Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., 13.900
7. Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., 13.850
8. Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, 13.800
9. Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, 13.600
9. Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, 13.600
11. Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, 13.550
12. Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo., 13.450
12. Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif., 13.450
14. Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, 13.300
15. Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, 13.250
15. Veronica Hults, Allen, Texas, 13.250
17. Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas, 13.000
18. Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas, 12.950
19. Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas, 12.900
20. Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., 12.850
21. Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., 12.600
22. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, 11.500
23. Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, 10.600
24. Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla., 10.500
25. Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas, 9.900

Balance Beam
1. Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, 16.100
2. Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., 15.300
3. Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, 14.500
4. Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla., 14.350
4. Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., 14.350
6. Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas, 14.100
7. Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas, 14.050
8. Veronica Hults, Allen, Texas, 13.900
9. Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., 13.800
10. Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, 13.650
10. Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, 13.650
12. Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, 13.450
12. Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., 13.450
12. Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., 13.450
15. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, 13.400
16. Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, 13.300
17. Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif., 13.200
17. Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, 13.200
19. Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, 13.100
20. Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas, 12.800
21. Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas, 12.750
21. Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, 12.750
21. Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, 12.750
24. Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo., 12.350
25. Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., 12.300

Floor Exercise
1. Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, 14.900
2. Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., 14.700
3. Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, 14.450
4. Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, 14.000
5. Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., 13.850
6. Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., 13.700
7. Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, 13.650
8. Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas, 13.550
8. Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas, 13.550
10. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, 13.500
11. Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, 13.450
11. Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., 13.450
13. Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo., 13.350
13. Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla., 13.350
15. Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, 13.150
15. Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., 13.150
15. Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., 13.150
18. Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif., 13.100
18. Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, 13.100
20. Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas, 13.050
21. Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas, 12.850
22. Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, 12.750
23. Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, 12.550
24. Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, 12.400