© John Cheng

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (July 29, 2022) – Hezly Rivera (Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics) rose to the top of the scoresheet Friday at Maverik Center as the 2022 U.S. Classic junior women’s competition got under way. With 13 athletes competing Friday night, Rivera’s 52.450 has her positioned at the front of the field with another 16 gymnasts set to take the floor Saturday. Apparatus and all-around champions will be crowned at the conclusion of the second junior session.

In addition to the top all-around score, Rivera posted the day’s high marks on balance beam with a 13.650. Her WOGA teammate Madray Johnson (Dallas, Texas) led the way on vault (14.000) and was tied for the lead on uneven bars (13.250), sharing the top spot with Rochester Gymnastics Academy’s Kieryn Finnell (Pittsford, N.Y.), who also notched a 13.250. Annalisa Milton (Lee’s Summit, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express) set the bar on floor exercise with a 13.250.

The junior women’s competition will wrap Saturday with the second and final session airing live on CNBC, beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET. The senior women’s competition will follow at 7 p.m. ET on CNBC. Both sessions will also stream live on Peacock. A pair of men’s sessions will close out a full weekend if high-flying gymnastics Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. ET.