KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Natasha Kelley of Katy, Texas, and Ashley Priess of Hamilton, Ohio, tied for the senior all-around title at the 2006 U.S. Classic in Kansas City, Mo. Kelley, the 2005 junior national champion, and Priess, the 2005 U.S. Classic junior champion, both scored a 60.900 to take the title; this is the first year competing as seniors for both.

Priess, who is 16 and trains at Cincinnati Gymnastics, said, “I was really happy with the way I hit four for four routines today. I didn’t know what the scores were. I just stayed in my box and focused on what I needed to do.”
Also 16, Kelley, who trains at Stars Gymnastics, said, “I’m very happy. I’ve been training really hard for this and I’m prepared for Visa Championships.”
Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, Mass., the 2005 floor exercise world champion, won titles on both the vault (15.750) and the floor exercise (15.55), as well as finished second on the balance beam and third in the all-around (60.40).
Sacramone, who trains at Brestyan’s, said, “I was so excited to realize that even with a mistake I was close to the top. I’m happy that I hit beam and I’m looking forward to Visa Championships.”
Kelley also won the uneven bars (15.90) and was second on vault. 2005 uneven bars and balance beam world champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, won the balance beam (16.05).
Liukin, who trains at WOGA, said, “You can’t always be on and today I was off. I added new skills on every event but vault. I’m going to go back to the gym and train hard to be ready for Visa Championships.”
In addition to the all-around title, Priess also tied for second in the floor exercise and third in the uneven bars and balance beam. Kayla Hoffman of Union, N.J./Rebound, tied with Priess for second in the floor exercise. Jana Bieger of Coconut Creek, Fla./Boca Twisters, was second in the uneven bars. Morgan Evans of Norfolk, Va./Excalibur, was third in the vault
Earlier on Saturday in the junior all-around competition, Shawn Johnson of Des Moines, Iowa and Chow’s Gymnastics, won the title with a score of 60.65. Samantha Peszek of McCordsville, Ind./DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics, was second at 60.500. Bianca Flohr of Creston, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, took third with a 59.95.
Approximately 80 gymnasts competed in the U.S. Classic, the main qualifying event for women for the 2006 VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS, Aug. 16-19 in St. Paul, Minn., where the national champions for both artistic and rhythmic gymnastics will be determined. The field included both gymnasts who have already qualified for the Visa Championships and those gymnasts vying for a berth to the Visa Championships.

 

 
2006 U.S. Classic – Senior Division Top 3 Results

All-Around
    1. Natasha Kelley, Katy, Texas/Stars Houston, 60.900
    1. Ashley Priess, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, 60.900
    3. Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s, 60.400

Vault
    1. Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s, 15.750
    2. Natasha Kelley, Katy, Texas/Stars Houston, 15.050
    3. Morgan Evans, Norfolk, Va./Excalibur, 15.000

Uneven bars
    1. Natasha Kelley, Katy, Texas/Stars Houston, 15.900
    2. Jana Bieger, Coconut Creek, Fla./Boca Twisters 15.800
    3. Ashley Priess, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, 15.600

Balance beam
    1. Nastia Liukin, Parker, Texas/WOGA, 16.050
    2. Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s, 15.750
    3. Ashley Priess, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, 15.600

Floor exercise
    1. Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s, 15.550
    2. Ashley Priess, Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, 14.750
    2. Kayla Hoffman, Union, N.J./Rebound, 14.750