Videos, Live Stream and News from the 2012 Visa Championships in St Louis

Jun 4, 2012 by Anne Phillips

The country's top gymnasts are headed to St Louis for the 2012 Visa Championships, June 7-10. This is the annual national championships for USA Gymnastics, and Gymnastike will be on-site for coverage once again!

National Champions and National teams will be decided for both men and women in junior and senior divisions. For the senior athletes, this serves as the qualifying competition to the 2012 US Olympic Trials.

Top athletes expected to compete are 2011 U.S. and World all-around champion Jordyn Wieber of Gedderts' Twistars USA and her fellow 2011 World team champions Gabrielle Douglas of Chow's Gymnastics and Dance, McKayla Maroney of AOGC, Sabrina Vega of Dynamic, Anna Li of Legacy Elite (alternate), and Alexandra Raisman and Alicia Sacramone of Brestyan's American Gymnastics. Sacramone will be joined by Olympic teammates Nastia Liukin of WOGA, 2008 Olympic Champion, and Bridget Sloan of Sharp's Gymnastics. Liukin will compete just bars and beam while Sloan will compete all around for the first time since 2009 when she won the U.S. and World all around titles. Moving up to the senior ranks will be 2-time junior champion Kyla Ross of Gym-Max Gymnastics, and Rebecca Bross has battled back from her 2011 Visa Championships injury to compete two events.

In the junior women's division, reigning U.S. junior all-around champion Katelyn Ohashi of WOGA is back to defend her title. Ohashi is joined by fellow junior national team members Amelia Hundley and Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, Madison Desch of GAGE, and Bailie Key of Texas Dreams. Also watch for 2012 Secret U.S. Classic junior all-around champion, Simone Biles of Bannon's Gymnastix.

On the men's side, Defending U.S. all-around champion and 2011 World parallel bars champion Danell Leyva of Universal headlines the field. He'll be joined by his entire 2011 World Championships bronze medal team: Jonathan Horton and Chris Brooks of Cypress, John Orozco of USOTC, Jake Dalton and Steven Legendre of University of Oklahoma, and Alex Naddour of USA Youth Fitness Center. Making a comeback to the Visa Championships for the first time since 2009 will be 2008 U.S. all-around champion David Sender, now training at the University of Illinois alongside fellow National team members Paul Ruggeri and CJ Maestas.

Visa Championships 2012 Gymnastike Coverage

Here is what you can expect to see on gymnastike during the Visa Championships:

Podium Training Videos. We'll give you an inside view of the Visa Championships podium training day so you can get the first look at the gymnasts as they prepare for competition. Training takes place Wednesday, June 6th.
Video interviews. Hear from your favorite gymnasts and meet the rising stars before and after they take to the competition floor, and get a glimpse of the personalities of the stars of the 2012 Visa Championships
LIVE Updates. Up-to-the minute competition quick hits, news, insights, and meet results throughout each and every day of competition.
Photo Galleries. We'll be showcasing the beatuiful, sharp shots by photographer Melissa Perensen
Competition Previews and Recaps. Comprehensive meet coverage, results and commentary from the Championship arena, AND the announcement of the 2012 US Olympic Trials qualifiers
Behind the Scenes Videos. Not making the trip to St Louis? Don't worry, we've got you covered!

Links to gymnastike coverage:

Visa Championships 2012 video channel HERE

Visa Championships LIVE Updates HERE

Photo galleries HERE
Results and news to be posted HERE
Follow us on twitter @gymnastike, and like us on facebook.

Visa Championships 2012 Live Stream and TV Schedule: (all times EASTERN)

June 8 - Women Day 1

8-10 p.m. Universal Sports - LIVE webcast on universalsports

June 9 - Men Final Day

1-3 p.m. NBC - LIVE

8-10 p.m. Universal Sports re-air

June 10 - Women Final Day

4-6 p.m. NBC - LIVE

8-10 p.m. Universal Sports re-air

Meet Schedule - Follow LIVE Updates on Gymnastike throughout each session

Thursday, June 7

1 p.m. - Junior Men Competition - Day 1

6:30 p.m. - Senior Men's Competition - Day 1

Friday, June 8

1 p.m. - Junior Women's Competition - Day 1

6:30 p.m. - Senior Women's Competition - Day 1

Saturday, June 9

11:30 a.m. - Senior Men's Competition - Final Day

6 p.m. - Junior Men's Competition - Final Day

Sunday, June 10

10 a.m. - Junior Women's Competition - Final Day

2:30 p.m. - Senior Women's Competition - Final Day

What's at Stake?

1. National titles in the all around as well as every event

2. Selection to the USA Junior and Senior National Teams

3. For senior level elites, selection to 2012 USA Olympic Trials! Only 12 men and 12 women will advance to San Jose for a chance to make the Olympic team!

Meet Host - USA Gymnastics
- Link to official event website
- Link to official results

The Gymnasts
Defending Champions: Danell Leyva (sr men), Jordyn Wieber (sr women), Katelyn Ohashi (jr women), Adrian de los Angeles (16-18 jr men), Sean Melton (14-15 jr men).

Women's field for the 2012 Visa Championships

Listed by alphabetically by state. Subject to change

Arizona

Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., Desert Lights Gymnastics, senior

California

Lacy Dagen, Pleasanton, Calif., San Mateo Gymnastics, junior

McKayla Maroney, Long Beach, Calif., All Olympia AOGC, senior

Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Gym-Max Gymnastics, senior

Jessica Wang, Chino Hills, Calif., Winner's Academy of Gymnastics, junior

Colorado

Brandie Jay, Ft Collins, Colo., GK Gymnastics, senior

Polina Shchennikova, Arvada, Colo., T.I.G.A.R., junior

Georgia

Amanda Huang, Roswell, Ga., Northwind Gymnastics Center, junior

Megan Skaggs, Marietta, Ga., Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta, junior

Illinois

Anna Li, Aurora, Ill., Legacy Elite, senior

Indiana

Bridget Sloan, Pittsboro, Ind., Sharp's Gymnastics Academy, senior

Kansas

Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., Great American Gymnastics Express, junior

Massachusetts

Alexandra Raisman, Needham, Mass., Brestyan's American Gymnastics, senior

Alicia Sacramone, Winchester, Mass., Brestyan's American Gymnastics, senior

Michigan

Jordyn Wieber, DeWitt, Mich., Gedderts’ Twistars USA, senior

Minnesota

Maggie Nichols, Little Canada, Minn., Twin City Twisters, junior

Missouri

Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., Great American Gymnastics Express, senior

Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., Great American Gymnastics Express, senior

New Jersey

Ashley Foss, Towaco, N.J., North Stars Gymnastics Academy, junior

Lauren Hernandez, Old Bridge, N.J., Monmouth Gymnastic Academy, junior

New York

Sabrina Vega, Carmel, N.Y., Dynamic Gymnastics, senior

Ohio

Alexis Beucler, Findlay, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics, junior

Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics, senior

Nia Dennis, New Albany, Ohio, Buckeye Gymnastics, junior

Amelia Hundley, Hamilton, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics, junior

Amanda Jetter, Milford, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics, senior

Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics, junior

Pennsylvania

Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, senior

Meredith Sylvia, Macungie, Pa., Parkettes National Gymnastics Center, junior

Texas

Kennedy Baker, Flower Mound, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, senior

Simone Biles, Spring, Texas, Bannon's Gymnastix, junior

Mackenzie Brannan, Austin, Texas, Capital Gymnastics, senior

Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas, WOGA. Gymnastics, senior

Peyton Ernst, Coppell, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior

Ariana Guerra, League City, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior

Veronica Hults, Allen, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior

Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior

Ashton Kim, Westlake, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics, junior

Nicole Lehrmann, Cedar Park, Texas, Capital Gymnastics / Texas, junior

Nastia Liukin, Parker, Texas, WOGA, senior

Grace McLaughlin, Allen, Texas, WOGA, senior

Shannon McNatt, Houston, Texas, Stars Gymnastics Training Center, junior

Abigail Milliet, Denton, Texas, Denton Gymnastics Academy, senior

Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, WOGA, junior

McKenzie Wofford, McKinney, Texas, Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy, senior

Virginia

Gabrielle, Douglas, Virginia Beach, Va., Chow's Gymnastics & Dance Institute, senior

Senior men's field for the 2012 Visa Championships

Listed by alphabetically by state. Subject to change

Arizona

Alex Naddour, Gilbert, Ariz., USA Youth Fitness Center

California

Donothan Bailey, Lake Forest, Calif., University of California - Berkeley

Alexander Buscaglia, Stanford, Calif., Stanford University

Adrian De Los Angeles, Long Beach, Calif., University of Michigan

Joshua Dixon, San Jose, Calif., U.S. Olympic Training Center Gymnastics

Jesse Glenn, Northridge, Calif., SCATS Gymnastics

Glen Ishino, Santa Ana, Calif., University of California - Berkeley

Steven Lacombe, Mission Viejo, Calif., University of California - Berkeley

Masayoshi Mori, Irvine, Calif., University Of Illinois

Sho Nakamori, Albany, Calif., Champions Academy

Colorado

Wyatt Baier, Denver, Colo., University Of Nebraska - Lincoln

Andrew Elkind, Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S.O.T.C. Gymnastics

Florida

Danell Leyva, Miami, Fla., Universal Gymnastics Inc.

Jake Martin, Ovieda, Fla., U.S.O.T.C. Gymnastics

Edward Mesa, Cooper City, Fla., Universal Gymnastics Inc.

Illinois

Craig Hernandez, Libertyville, Ill., Penn State University Gymnastics

Ryan Lieberman, Lake Forest, Ill., Stanford University

Matthew Loochtan, Hawthorne Woods, Ill., Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center

David Sender, Arlington Heights, Ill., University of Illinois

Massachusetts

Matthew Felleman, Medway, Mass., Penn State University Gymnastics

Michigan

Samuel Mikulak, Ann Arbor, Mich., University of Michigan

Daniel Zerbel, Portage, Mich., University of Illinois - Chicago

New Jersey

Mackenzie Dow, Cranford, N.J., Penn State University Gymnastics

Brandon Wynn, Voorhees, N.J., The Ohio State University

New Mexico

C.J. Maestas, Corrales, N.M., University of Illinois

New York

Steven Legendre, Port Jefferson, N.Y., Cypress Academy of Gymnastics

John Orozco, Bronx, N.Y., U.S.O.T.C. Gymnastics

Eddie Penev, Penfield, N.Y., Stanford University

Paul Ruggeri, Manlius, N.Y., University of Illinois

Jesse Silverstein, Spring Valley, N.Y., U.S. Gymnastics Development Center II

Nevada

Jake Dalton, Reno, Nevada, University of Oklahoma

Ohio

Kristofer Done, Columbus, Ohio, The Ohio State University

Trevor Howard, Columbus, Ohio, Hocking Valley Gymnastics Center

Miguel Pineda, Galloway, Ohio, Penn State University Gymnastics

Pennsylvania

Scott Rosenthal, State College, Pa., Penn State University Gymnastics

Sean Senters, Center Valley, Pa., Stanford University

Tennessee

Alexander Tighe, Mountain City, Tenn., Philadelphia Boys Gym & Temple University

Texas

Dylan Akers, Kingwood, Texas, University of Oklahoma

Christopher Brooks, Houston, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics

Randall Heflin, Houston, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics

Jonathan Horton, Houston, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics

Eric Schryver, Richardson, Texas, University Of Nebraska-Lincoln

Washington

Zachary Chase, Woodinville, Wash., University Of Minnesota