INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 13, 2013 – The 2013 U.S. men’s and women’s gymnastics champions will be crowned this week at the P&G Gymnastics Championships at Hartford’s (Conn.) XL Center, where USA Gymnastics will celebrate 50 years of champions, marking its 50th anniversary. 2012 Olympic team gold-medalists McKayla Maroney of Long Beach, Calif./All-Olympia and Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max, are two of the six 2012 Olympians expected to compete: Danell Leyva of Miami/Team Hilton HHonors (Universal), the Olympic all-around bronze medalist; Jake Dalton of Reno, Nev./Team Hilton HHonors (University of Oklahoma), the 2013 AT&T American Cup champion; John Orozco of The Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center), the defending all-around champion; and Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, Calif./University of Michigan, the 2013 NCAA all-around champion.
"Hartford provides the perfect backdrop for USA Gymnastics to celebrate its Golden Anniversary," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "Fans will not only get a glimpse at the past, but also see a showcase of gymnastics at the highest level as our future prepares for the Road to Rio and the 2016 Olympic Games."
The competition schedule is:
- Aug. 15 – women’s gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 16 – men’s gymnastics, juniors at 1 p.m. and seniors at 7 p.m.
Aug. 17 – women’s gymnastics, juniors at 2 p.m. and seniors at 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 18 – men’s gymnastics, seniors at 11:30 a.m. and juniors at 6:30 p.m.
Times listed are Eastern.
This year, it will be easier than ever to follow the competition and fan events. Schedules, the official program and general information for both fan and competition activities, including start lists, live scoring and more, are available at PGChamps.com. USA Gymnastics is also providing enhanced event coverage on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Fans can connect with gymnastics enthusiasts around the world by using the event’s official hashtag, #PGChamps.
Tickets are still available. Single-session tickets range in price from $20 to $99. Multi-session packages are also available: men’s package – all men’s sessions (junior and senior), Aug. 16 and 18, $85-135; women’s first day of competition package – junior and senior women’s sessions, Aug. 15, $70-125; women’s final day of competition package — junior and senior women’s sessions, Aug. 17, $85-135; and men’s and women’s package – senior women on Aug. 17 and senior men on Aug. 18, $85-135. All-session tickets, which range in price from $125-$395, are also on sale, and the top-priced ticket is for the best seat location and includes an autographed commemorative poster. Prices include facility fees and vary according to ticket location. Tickets are available through several different avenues: Ticketmaster.com; calling 1-800-745-3000; or the Public Power Ticket Office at the XL Center. For group tickets, please call 860-548-2000.
Women’s Gymnastics
In addition to Maroney and Ross, eight other members of the U.S. National Team are expected to compete in the senior competition: Kennedy Baker of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams; Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/Bannon’s Gymnastics; Madison Desch of Lenexa, Kan./Great American Gymnastics Express; Brenna Dowell of Odessa, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express; Peyton Ernst of Coppell, Texas/Texas Dreams; Maggie Nichols of Little Canada, Minn./Twin City Twisters; Elizabeth Price of Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes; and Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics. In addition to competing, Maroney and Ross, as part of the Fierce FiveAca