Nastia Cup Contenders 2014

Feb 25, 2014 by Becca Reed

Every year the Nastia Liukin Cup gathers an incredible field of top level 10 and elite gymnasts and delivers some of the most impressive routines you will see all season. This year’s competition is no different as every qualifying gymnast has an impressive resume. Below are some of the notable competitors and their routines that you don’t want to miss.

Kennedy Baker - Flower Mound, Texas - Texas Dreams

Kennedy qualified for the Nastia Cup at the WOGA Classic where she scored an incredible 39.3. This is the highest of all qualifying scores for both juniors and seniors. Her dynamic gymnastics is both powerful and polished and and her elite experience makes her a strong and consistent competitor.

Kennedy was a long-time member of the US National Team but recently retired and returned to level 10 in preparation for college. Kennedy will graduate from high school this spring and plans to join the University of Florida gymnastics team in the fall. Watch an interview with Kennedy from last weekend HERE.

You don't want to miss any of Kennedy's routines but make sure to keep an eye out for her floor with an incredible piked arabian double front opening pass. Watch Kennedy’s first place 9.85 bar routine from WOGA Classic here. Watch Kennedy's first place 9.85 floor routine from WOGA Classic here.

Mackenzie Brannan - Austin, Texas - Capital

Mackenzie qualified for the Nastia Cup at the Metroplex Challenge where she scored a 38.725. Mackenzie is coming into this year’s Nastia Cup with a last year’s competition under her belt- she placed sixth all-around with a 37.9 at the 2013 Nastia Cup. This season she has already claimed all-around titles at the Alamo Classic, Sand Dollar Invitational, and Metroplex Challenge.

Mackenzie is a former international elite and returned to level 10 in 2013. She is a senior in high school and will be joining the University of Alabama gymnastics team this fall.

Make sure to look out for Mackenzie’s beautiful bar routine with a huge straddle jeager and double layout dismount. Watch here 9.725 bar routine from Metroplex here. Watch here 9.6 beam routine from Metroplex here.

Kari Lee - Peoria, Arizona - Flames

This is Kari’s third year qualifying for the Nastia Cup and this year she has her eyes on the prize. This season Kari has already posted some incredible scores including her 39.025 at the Classic Rock Invitational, which qualified her to this year’s Nastia Cup. Kari scored a 9.75 on vault, 9.8 on bars, and 9.825 on beam, placing first on those three events and second on floor with a 9.65. Kari also won her division of the WOGA Classic at the beginning of this month.

At last year’s Nastia Cup, Kari placed fourth all-around with a 38.05, the highest placement of any of this year’s qualifiers. Kari then went on to win all-around at the 2013 JO Nationals. Kari graduates this year and will be joining the University of Utah team for the 2014-2015 season.

Make sure to watch for Kari’s gorgeous floor routine. She opens with a huge triple full and her sky high tumbling is accompanied by exquisite dancing. Watch her floor routine from this year’s Classic Rock here. Watch her vault here.

Reagan Campbell - Highland Village, Texas - Texas Dreams

Reagan has the skills, style, and determination of a high class gymnast and you won’t want to miss any of her routines. Reagan competed at last year’s Nastia Cup where she placed fifth all-around with a 37.925. She went on to compete at JO Nationals where she placed second on beam, third on floor and all-around, and tied for third on bars.

While all of Reagan’s events are superb, her favorite is beam and her confidence shines through on this event. Watch Reagan’s 9.8 on beam at the WOGA Classic here. Watch her 9.75 bars here.

Brehanna Showers - Belmont, Michigan - R-Athletics

Brehanna is only a second year level 10 but she scored an incredible 38.975 to qualify her to the Nastia Cup and she also scored an unbelievable 10.0 on vault earlier this season. Last year she placed first on vault and floor and second all-around at her first level 10 JO Nationals. She was awarded the prestigious Region 5 JO Athlete of the Year for 2013.

You do not want to miss her vault, we will looking out to see if she can get another perfect 10. Watch her 10.0 vault here. Watch her first place floor routine from 2013 JO Nationals here.

The full list of 2014 Nastia Liukin Cup competitors: (one last senior gymnast will qualify at the Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational on Feb. 26)

Seniors
Brehanna Showers	Belmont, MI	R-Athletics	38.975 / Presidential Classic
Brianna Brown	West Chester, OH	CGA	38.35 / Circle of Stars
Bridget Dean	Fort Myers, FL	Orlando Metro	38.775 / Magical Classic
Grace Glenn	Charlotte, NC	Southeastern Gym	38.175 / Atlanta Crown Invite
Kari Lee	Peoria, AZ	Flames	39.025 / Classic Rock Invite
Kennedi Edney	Chino, CA	Precision	38.15 / Gliders Invite
Kennedy Baker	Flower Mound, TX	TX Dreams	39.3 / WOGA Classic
Kyana George	McKinney, TX	Metroplex	38.55 / Sand Dollar Invite
Mackenzie Brannan	Austin, TX	Capital	38.725 / Metroplex
Maddie Karr	Stillwater, MN	Twin City Twisters	38.3 / Chicago Style
McKenna Kelley	Houston, TX	Stars	38.225 / Pikes Peak Cup
Michaela Nelson	Montgomery, MD	Hills	38 / Parkettes
Nikole Addison	Fort Myers, FL	Coast Elite	38.575 / Sand Dollar Invite
Olivia Karas	Chicago, IL	IK	38.3 / Chicago Style
Reagan Campbell	Highland Village, TX	TX Dreams	38.7 / Texas Prime
Stefani Catour	Phoenix AZ	Desert Lights	38.175 / Fiesta Bowl Invite
Wynter Childers	Spearfish, SD	Spearfish Gym	38.175 / Lady Luck Invite

Juniors
Alexa Al-Hameed	Ames, IA	Triad Gym	38.125 / Circle of Stars
Bailey Ferrer	Orlando, FL	Orlando Metro	37.675 / Atlanta Crown Invite
Courtney Klausen	Concord, CA	Head Over Heels	37.225 / Chicago Style
Emma Brown	Adel, IA	Chow's	35.35 / Wisconsin Dells Classic
Hannah McCrary	Murfreesboro, TN	CGA	37.35 / Buckeye Classic
Kai Rivers	Franklin, MI	Twistars	38.5 / WOGA Classic
Kaitlin DeGuzman	Rowlett, TX	Metroplex	38 / Sand Dollar Invite
Kelsey Knox	OK City, OK	Dynamo	38.05 / Presidential Classic
Kiya Johnson	De Soto, TX	TX Dreams	38 / WOGA Classic
Lauren Ramirez	Chandler, AZ	Gold Medal Gym	38.375 / Fiesta Bowl Invite
Madison Brunette	Seattle, WA	Seattle Gym Acad	37.575 / Charity Choice Invite
Madison Dagen	Pleasanton, CA	San Mateo Gym	36.925 / Lady Luck Invited
Morgan Hurd	Middletown, DL	First State	38.125 / Magical Classic
Rachael Flam	Houston, TX	Stars	38.325 / Metroplex
Rachael Lukacs	Hillsborough, NJ	North Stars	38.525 / Parkettes Invite
Rachel Baumann	Plano, TX	WOGA	37.325 / Texas Prime

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