This weekend begins the first of two qualifying competitions for the USA Championships in Boston August 17th-19th. The Huntsman center on the campus of the University of Utah will not be filled with 15,o00 screaming Ute fans this weekend, however it will play host to some of our nationals best elites in the American Classic. These athletes have qualified to this competition either by achieving the classic qualifying score at a 2017 classic, 2o18 training camp verification or an 2018 elite qualifier along with members of our USA national team. This competition will also feature the HOPES Classic which is the qualifier for the HOPES Championships held in conjunction with upcoming US Classic in Columbus Ohio at the end of July.
The HOPES competition is broken down into two age groups: 10-11 year olds, and 12-13 year olds. If you are older then 13 you must compete as a junior international elite. The top 18 in each of these two age groups move onto the HOPES Championships.
USA Championships Junior qualifying score 51.00
USA Championships Senior qualifying score 52.00/ 3 score 39.75/ 2 score 27.00
Hopes Championships Top 18 in each age group with minimum score of 48.00
The competition is being streamed live by USA Gymnastics and will be posted on our site before each session here
July 6 | Hopes Classic
Hopes 10-11 3:00pm central time
Hopes 12-13 5:15pm central time
July 7 | American Classic
Juniors 10:00am central time
Seniors 3:00pm central time
Region 5 has four HOPES athletes, 1 Junior and 2 Senior athletes competing at the American Classic this weekend. Here is a little about each athlete.
HOPES 10-11
Gabriella Van Frayen (Gym X-Treme) is one of the athletes to watch especially for those in Region 5. In 2018, Gabby finished top 5 on three events and 3rd AA at Level 9 Easterns.
Clancy Conley (GymNasti) is another one of our region up and coming gymnasts. Clancy competed level 8 in 2018 and was the regional vault champion. Check out some of her training.
HOPES 12-13
Samantha Macasu (Legacy Elite Gymnastics) finished 3rd AA at the 2018 Level 9 Easterns and won the balance beam.
Sydney Jelen (Legacy Elite Gymnastics) competed in the HOPES Championships in 2016 and has qualified to Level 10 nationals the last two years. This year she won bars at JO Nationals.
Junior International Elite
Elizabeth Gantner, JPAC): 2017 Nastia Cup qualifier, 2x JO National qualifier, finished 9th on bars at this years JO Nationals.
Senior International Elite
Shania Adams (Buckeye Gymnastics) USA National Team Member, Region 5 Elite Ambassador
video from USA Gymnastics
Shilese Jones (Future Gymnastics Academy) 7th AA at both the 2016 P&G Championships and 2017 Secret Classic. Shilese was hurt and unable to compete at the 2017 P&G Championships.
video from USA Gymnastics
