Event Qualifies Gymnasts to John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Tulsa, Okla. – Vanessa Atler, 18, (Canyon Country, Calif.) of World Olympic Gymnastics won the 2000 U.S. Classic with a score of 37.937, this evening at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla. Her highest score of the evening was a 9.750 on floor exercise.
“I was very impressed with myself tonight,” said Atler. “I haven’t competed in a while and it all came together tonight.”

Morgan White, 17, (Fairfield, Ohio) and Alyssa Beckerman, 19, (Wyoming, Ohio) of Cincinnati Gymnastics placed second and third respectively, scoring 37.775 and 37.137. White’s top score was a 9.625 on balance beam, while Beckerman’s was also a 9.625 on uneven bars and floor exercise.
“I am ecstatic about how I did tonight,” said White. “I had a new skill on each event and I was psyched to hit everything and hit it really well. It was a breakthrough for me because I didn’t hold back on any routines.”
Two-time defending National Champion Kristen Maloney, 19, (Pen Argyl, Pa.) competed all events except the floor exercise. Her highest mark of the evening was a 9.575 on both uneven bars and balance beam.
“This meet really helped my confidence since I hadn’t competed in a while,” said Maloney. “I am taking everything one week at a time.”
1996 Olympic Gold Medalists Amy Chow, 21, (San Jose, Calif.), Dominique Moceanu, 18, (Cincinnati, Ohio) and Jaycie Phelps, 20, (Tempe, Ariz.) all successfully advanced.
Qualifiers to 2000 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships Gymnasts were required to place in the top 12 with a score of 34.500 or better in tonight’s competition to advance to the 2000 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The following six athletes advance:
Kendell Beck, Parkettes
Amy Chow, West Valley Gymnastics
Dominique Moceanu, Cincinnati Gymnastics
Cory Fritzinger, Excalibur
Jaycie Phelps, Desert Devils
Ashley Kelly, Krafft

The following athletes qualified to the 2000 John Hancock U.S. Gymnastics Championships as a member of the 1999 World Championships Team or by placing in the top 12 at the 2000 American Classic in Reno in February:

Jeanette Antolin, SCATS*
Vanessa Atler, World Olympic Gymnastics*
Alyssa Beckerman, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy*
Monique Chang, Capital GTC
Jamie Dantzscher, Gliders*
Erinn Dooley, Hill’s Gymnastics
Annabeth Eberle, Starz Gymnastics
Marie Fjordholm, World Olympic Gymnastics
Katie Hardman, National Elite Gymnastics
Kristen Maloney, Parkettes*
Carri Nagle, Parkettes
Dana Pierce, Wright’s Gymnastics
Elise Ray, Hill’s Gymnastics*
Jeana Rice, Ace Gymnastics
Tasha Schwikert, GymCats
Amanda Stroud, Great American Gymnastics Express
Rachel Tidd, SCEGA
Morgan White, Cincinnati Gymnastics*
Lindsay Wing, Hill’s Gymnastics

* 1999 World Championships Team Member