New Stars Emerge at Cal Classic

Mar 11, 2014 by Jennifer Teitell

The California Classic National Elite Qualifier took place last weekend with plenty of exciting gymnastics and new faces. In order to qualify elite, gymnasts must pass the dreaded compulsory testing in addition to attaining the required optional score. The gymnasts do not have to earn the required optional and compulsory scores in the same competition and athletes that have previously competed at a U.S. Classic can bypass the compulsory score. Gymnasts are also competing to qualify to the 2014 Secret U.S. Classic held on August 2, 2014 in Chicago. Athletes in the pre-elite level or “Hopes" division may qualify for the US Challenge, held in connection with the Classic.

Compulsory elite qualifying scores for 2014:

Senior International (16 and up): 35.00 AA

Junior International (ages 11 - 15): 35.00 AA

Hopes (ages 10 - 11): 32.00

Hopes (ages 12-13) : 33:00

Optional Scores to Qualify to Classics or Challenge:

Senior International: 53.00 AA, 3 Event=40.5, 2 Event =27.5 at a 2014 Qualifier, NT camp, or at 2013 US Championships

Junior International: 51.00 AA at a 2013 Championships, 2014 National Qualifiers, or at training camp

Hopes ages 12-13: 48.00 at Qualifier

Hopes age 10-11: 47.00 at Qualifier

Session 1: Junior Elite

Christina Desiderio of Parkettes dominated the junior elite competition at the California Classic National Elite Qualifier San Diego, CA. Competing in the first of two sessions, Desiderio posted the top all around score of the day for any age division with a very impressive 56.250. Desiderio posted the top score on vault and floor with a 14.600 and 14.050. She placed in the top 3 on every event but bars. Desiderio had already qualified elite at the National Training Camp.

Maile O’Keefe of Salcianu qualified elite with a 54.400 highlighted by her first place beam routine earning her a 14.250. Marissa Oakley of Phenom placed third in the all around and qualified elite with her strong performances that included a 1st place finish on bars with a 13.650 and 2nd on beam with a 14.200.

Session 2: Junior Elite

2014 Nastia Cup Champion Rachel Flam of Stars won the junior all around in the second qualifying session with a 53.700 highlighted by her first place beam routine that was jam packed with difficult skills and earned a 14.150

Milan Clausi of USA Gym World earned junior elite status with her second place finish in the all around scoring a 51.900. Clausi’s winning floor routine earned a 13.400 and opened with an impressive double layout. The win was doubly impressive since Clausi had limited training time due to injuries. Clausi is coached by Kyle Khou and her mother, 1988 Olympian Melissa Marlowe.

Madison Rau of Cypress placed third in the all around with a 51.850 that included an impressive performance on beam where she tied Rachel Flam for 1st with a 14.150.

Injuries limited Olivia Dunne of ENA Paramus at the Cal Classic after having less than two weeks to prepare for the competition. Despite the lack of training time, the spunky 11-year-old placed third on beam with a gorgeous routine scoring a 13.750. Dunne placed 2nd all around at the 2013 Hopes Challenge and is definitely one to keep your eye on for the future.

Additional gymnasts who met the Junior elite optional qualifying score: Anastasia Webb of IGI, Taylor Lawson of Parkettes, Megan Freed of Parkettes, Margzetta Frazier of Parkettes, Shilese Jones of Auburn, Tabitha Jones of AOGC and Emily Muhlenhaupt of Colorado Aerials.

Senior Elite

Melissa Reinstadtler of Rebound Gymnastics won the all around title with a with a 53.80 qualifying to the U.S. Classic.

Alyssa Pritchett of GymJam decided to pull out of the all around after falling on vault and twice on floor. It was a disappointing day for the former Bruin but we fully expect Pritchett to bounce back in her next performance. It is worth noting that Pritchett landed her extremely difficult double double in warm ups.

HOPES

In the Hopes division, Adeline Sabados of Colorado Aerials qualified Hopes with a 50.100 to place first in the 12-13 age divisioin for session 1. Alexa Brinker of Parkettes also earned her Hopes qualifying score placing second with a 50.000.

Hopes qualifiers in session two included Alysen Fears of SCEGA who won the Hopes 10-11 age division with a 51.450, followed by Sanisa Lee of Midwest Gymnastics with a 51.300 and Genevieve Baez of Gliders with a 47.200.

Makenzie Sedlacek of IGI won the 12-13 age division followed by Erin Elkabchi of SCEGA with a 51.600 and Neveah DeSouze with a 51.300

Additional gymnasts who met the Hopes optional qualifying score: Courtney Tsunoda of Azarian, Ruby Hernandez of SCEGA, Anna McGee of Georgia Elite, Mickayla Stuckey of Perfection and Cienna Samiley of Gold Medal.

Related:
Watch videos from the 2014 Cal Classic
Sturday's Level 10 Results
Friday's Level 10 Results
Elite Qualifier Results