Many of the country’s top and emerging gymnasts are headed to Chicago and the UIC Pavilion, located on the University of Illinois – Chicago campus, on July 23 for the 2011 CoverGirl Classic, the final qualifying event for women’s gymnastics for the 2011 Visa Championships. The competition will feature a mix of veterans and rising stars, including four Chicago-area gymnasts: senior national team members and sisters Bridgette and Mackenzie, a 2010 World Championships Team silver-medalist, Caquatto, both of Naperville, Ill.; Anna Li, a member of UCLA’s 2010 NCAA champion team, of Aurora, Ill.; and Wesley Stephenson of Plainfield, Ill. Tickets for the CoverGirl Classic are on sale now.
Also among those expected to compete are 2010 World all-around bronze-medalist Rebecca Bross of Plano, Texas; 2010 World all-around finalist Alexandra Raisman of Needham, Mass.; 2010 World vault champion Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, Mass.; and 2011 AT&T American Cup champion Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich. Returning to the national competitive stage are 2008 Olympic team silver-medalists Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa, who also won the 2008 Olympic balance beam and 2007 World all-around titles, and Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., the 2005 World all-around and 2003 World uneven bars champion.
Universal Sports will carry the action live on its cable network and website, universalsports.com, beginning at 8 p.m. ET. Olympic gold-medalists Tim Daggett and Amanda Borden are the commentators.
While current national team members Bross, both Caquattos, Raisman, Sacramone and Wieber are using the event as a tune-up for the Visa Championships, Johnson and Memmel are hoping to advance to the Visa Championships, scheduled for Aug. 17-20 at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., based on their performances.
Single session tickets for the senior session are $20.50-$36, with junior session tickets ranging from $16-$26, plus applicable convenience fees. Also available are all-day tickets, which include admission to both the junior and senior elite sessions, for $32-$52, plus applicable convenience fees. An all-session ticket package, which provides access to both the elite and U.S. Challenge sessions, ranges from $49-$79, plus convenience fees. Ticket prices already include any facility fees. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800.745.3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets. In recognition of Visa’s long-standing support of USA Gymnastics, we are proud to accept Visa. For more event and ticket information, visit www.covergirlclassic.com.
The junior and senior elite sessions are on Saturday, July 23, with the juniors competing at 11:30 a.m. and the seniors at 7 p.m. The U.S. Challenge competition, which features up-and-coming gymnasts, is scheduled for Friday, July 22, at 1 p.m. and Sunday, July 24, at 10 a.m.; tickets will be available on day of competition. All times are Central.
This year’s CoverGirl Classic field includes 38 junior and 26 senior gymnasts. In addition to Bross (WOGA), the Caquattos (Legacy Elite Gymnastics), Raisman (Brestyan’s American Gymnastics), Sacramone (Brestyan’s American Gymnastics) and Wieber (Twistars USA), other national team members expected to compete are: Kennedy Baker of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics (junior); Bridgette Caquatto of Naperville, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC (senior); Gabrielle Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute (senior); Brenna Dowell of Odessa, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express (junior); Ericha Fassbender of Katy, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston (junior); Sarah Finnegan of St. Louis, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express (junior); Ariana Guerra of League City, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston (junior); McKayla Maroney of Laguna Niguel, Calif./All-Olympia Gymnastics (senior); Keely McNeer of West Des Moines, Iowa/Gymsports America and Miss Kim’s Gymnastics (junior); Amanda Jetter of Milford, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics (senior); Katelyn Ohashi of Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics (junior); Elizabeth Price of Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center (junior); Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics (junior); Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max Gymnastics (junior); Sabrina Vega of Carmel, N.Y./Dynamic Gymnastics (senior); and McKenzie Wofford of McKinney, Texas/Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy (senior). A complete list of the field is attached below.
USA Gymnastics is partnering with World Sport Chicago for the CoverGirl Classic. The two organizations worked together on the 2009 American Cup, the 2009-10 Chicago Cup and the 2010 CoverGirl Classic. Athletico returns as the official local medical provider for the 2011 CoverGirl Classic. Athletico served in a similar capacity for both the 2010 Chicago Cup and 2010 CoverGirl Classic. CoverGirl is sponsoring the event for the third straight year.
The 2011 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastics’ national championships, are Aug. 17-20 in Saint Paul, Minn. The U.S. champions for men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics and rhythmic gymnastics are determined at the Visa Championships, as well as the national teams. Artistic gymnastics will be held at Excel Energy Center, and rhythmic gymnastics is set for Roy Wilkins Auditorium at Saint Paul RiverCentre. The USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show, held in conjunction with the Visa Championships, also will be staged at the Saint Paul RiverCentre. For complete information on the Visa Championships, log on to usagym.org/visa.
Background information
UIC Pavilion: Located on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago–just minutes from Downtown. The UIC Pavilion is one of the Midwest’s finest arenas. In its brief history, it has hosted many special or one-of-a-kind programs. The UIC Pavilion hosts concerts, UIC sports, boxing, meetings, festivals, and corporate, civic, and cultural events. The UIC Pavilion is a 10,000-seat multi-purpose arena, located at 525 S. Racine Street Chicago IL, 60607.
World Sport Chicago: World Sport Chicago, the legacy of Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid, believes that sport has the power to transform lives and is dedicated to helping children in Chicago find a sport to meet their interests and abilities. The organization promotes the Olympic ideals of fitness, education and well-being by working with partner organizations to launch or expand sport programs for kids. WSC is working to introduce Chicago’s youth to the fun and benefit of sports and the ideals of fair play, teamwork, respect and leadership.
Field for the 2011 CoverGirl Classic
Alphabetical by state, then last name
As of 7/14/11
Arizona
Stefani Catour, Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Lights Gymnastics, Junior International
Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz./Desert Lights Gymnastics, Junior International
California
Sophina DeJesus, Temecula, Calif./SCEGA Gymnastics, Senior International
Madison Howlett, Murrieta, Calif./SCEGA Gymnastics, Junior Pre-Elite
McKayla Maroney, Laguna Niguel, Calif./All Olympia AOGC, Senior International
Mary Maxwell, Elk Grove, Calif./Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Jaclyn McCartin, West Covina, Calif./West Coast Elite Gymnastics, Senior International
Hallie Mossett, Los Angeles, Calif./West Coast Elite Gymnastics, Senior International
Lauren Navarro, La Verne, Calif./Gliders – Charter Oak Gymnastics, Hopes
Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max Gymnastics, Junior International
Jasmine Vallejo, Fontana, Calif./Precision Gymnastics, Hopes
Colorado
Claire Hammen, Loveland, Colo./GK Gymnastics, Junior International
Brandie Jay, Ft. Collins, Colo./GK Gymnastics, Senior International
Polina Shchennikova, Colorado Springs, Colo./The International Gymnastics Academy of the Rockies, Junior International
Florida
Bridget Dean, Cape Coral, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, Junior International
Olessia Dounaeva, Clermont, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, Junior Pre-Elite
Jasmine Kaufman, St. Petersburg, Fla./LaFleur’s Gymnastics Largo, Hopes
Lauren Marinez, Orlando, Fla./Orlando Metro Gymnastics, Junior International
Aja-Monet Sims, Orlando, Fla./Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics, Senior International
Georgia
Amanda Huang, Roswell, Ga./Northwind Gymnastics Center Inc., Junior International
Megan Skaggs, Marietta, Ga./Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta, Hopes
Illinois
Bridgette Caquatto, Naperville, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC, Senior International
Mackenzie Caquatto, Naperville, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC, Senior International
Anna Li, Aurora, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC, Senior International
Wesley Stephenson, Plainfield, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC, Hopes
Iowa
Shawn Johnson, West Des Moines, Iowa/Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, Senior International
Keely McNeer, West Des Moines, Iowa/Gymsports America and Miss Kim’s Gymnastics, Junior International
Kansas
Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan./Great American Gymnastics Express, Junior International
Massachusetts
Alexandra Raisman, Needham, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, Senior International
Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, Senior International
Michigan
Jordyn Wieber, DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts Twistars USA, Senior International
Minnesota
Jessie DeZiel, Rogers, Minn./Twin City Twisters, Senior International
Abby Paulson, Coon Rapids, Minn./Twin City Twisters, Hopes
Missouri
Claire Boyce, Lee’s Summit, Mo./Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Senior International
Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, Junior International
Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, Junior International
New Jersey
Julianna Drapkin, Aberdeen, N.J./Monmouth Gymnastic Academy Inc., Junior Pre-Elite
Ashley Foss, Towaco, N.J./North Stars Gymnastics Academy, Junior International
Alonza Klopfer, Boonton, N.J./North Stars Gymnastics Academy, Junior Pre-Elite
New York
Sabrina Vega, Carmel, N.Y./Dynamic Gymnastics, Senior International
Nevada
Nichelle Christopherson, Reno, Nev./Byers Gymnastics Center – Elk Grove, Junior International
Ohio
Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, Junior International
Nia Dennis, New Albany, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics, Junior International
Sydney Doggette, Pickerington, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics, Hopes
Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, Junior International
Amanda Jetter, Milford, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, Senior International
Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, Junior International
Jenna Swartzentruber, Centerburg, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics, Hopes
Oklahoma
Alexandra Marks, Cushing, Okla./Dynamo Gymnastics, Junior International
Oregon
Casey Magee, Eugene, Ore./Capital Gymnastics Super Center, Senior International
Pennsylvania
Lauren Beers, Warren Center, Pa./Southern Tier Gymnastics, Senior International
Hope Masiado, Bethlehem, Pa./Girls In Co-Operation Gymnastics Training Center Inc., Hopes
Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, Junior International
Elena Spengler, Bethlehem, Pa./Girls In Co-Operation Gymnastics Training Center Inc., Hopes
Meredith Sylvia, Macungie, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, Junior International
Ashley Szafranski, Orefield, Pa./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, Junior International
Texas
Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/Bannon’s Gymnastix Inc., Junior International
Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas/Capital Gymnastics Super Center, Junior International
Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Senior International
Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Ericha Fassbender, Katy, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston, Junior International
Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston, Junior International
Jessica Howe, Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Senior International
Veronica Hults, Allen, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Sophia Lee, Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Senior International
Nicole Lehrmann, Cedar Park, Texas/Capital Gymnastics Super Center, Junior International
Grace McLaughlin, Allen, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Senior International
Shannon McNatt, Houston, Texas/Stars Gymnastics Training Center-Houston, Junior International
Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, Junior International
Samantha Partyka, Katy, Texas/Champions Gymnastics, Junior International
Jordan Stavrou, Dallas, Texas/Eagles Wings Athletics, Junior International
Macy Toronjo, Huntsville, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
Kiana Winston, Fort Worth, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, Junior International
McKenzie Wofford, McKinney, Texas/Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy, Senior International
Utah
Khyla Pottenger, Saratoga Springs, Utah/Arete Gymnastics, Hopes
Virginia
Gabrielle Douglas, Virginia Beach, Va./Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, Senior International
Wisconsin
Chellsie Memmel, West Allis, Wis./M and M Gymnastics, Senior International