2014 SCEGA California ClassicMar 12, 2014 by Anne Phillips
Countdown: The 7 Standout Routines You Must See
Countdown: The 7 Standout Routines You Must See
Countdown: The 7 Standout Routines You Must See
The Gymnastike team was busy this past weekend with video coverage of the Cal Classic elite qualifier and level 10 competitions plus top NCAA meets around the country. There were plenty of noteworthy performances captured by the Gymnastike cameras, but here is our final countdown of the show stopping performances you must see before we move on to the competitions ahead!
#7 Milliner's Perfect Vault and Priceless Reaction
Reigning NCAA Co-Vault Champion Diandra Milliner launched a huge yurchenko 1.5 vault and stuck it cold to earn a perfect 10 in front of 11,138 fans. The reaction that follows is sure to put a smile on your face. Her efforts helped Bama beat Stanford and set a new record team score of 198.250! Watch here.
#6 Oklahoma Freshman Chayse Capps' Captivating Floor Routine
Freshman Chayse Capps is a former competitive dancer and it shows! She and coach K.J. Kindler really took the choreography to the next level on this one. The dance from 1:00 - 1:17 is especially beautiful. Watch here.
#5 Melissa Reinstadtler's Senior Debut on Floor
With one year of junior elite competition under her belt, Melissa Reinstadtler is ready to move up to the senior level. She won the senior division of the Cal Classic elite qualifier with a 53.80, good enough to earn a trip to the U.S. Classic in August. She impressed us on floor with a textbook double arabian and gorgeous presentation. She won the event with a 13.40. Floor is her favorite apparatus and she is the 2013 J.O. National Champion on the event. Watch here.
#4 Alaina Johnson's Record Breaking Performance
We knew Florida senior Alaina Johnson would make our must-see list this week after delivering the nation's best all around score, 39.85, since Courtney Kupets in 2009. After much debate over which routine to feature, we settled on bars where she is the reigning NCAA Champion. Her routine stands apart with exquisite toe point, hit handstands, and a stunning Ray release. She scored a 9.975 for this particular routine, then cruised to the highest all around score in Florida program history. Johnson has always been capable of huge scores but injuries have plagued her throughout her career. This record breaking performance was especially meaningful in that it took place on her senior night, the final home meet of her Florida career. It was awesome to see the former National Team Member deliver such a stunning performance on an emotional night. Watch here.
#3 Danusia Francis' Delightful and Daring Beam
No one performs beam like Danusia Francis. From her pleasant smile throughout to her signature finger "sprinkles", this routine is downright refreshing. And then we get to the dismount - an absolutely insane and unique standing aerial sideways across the beam connected to a back layout full twist. Words can not sufficiently describe the ridiculousness of this dismount. Just watch it for yourself here!
#2 Marissa Oakley's Huge Elite Bar Routine
14 year old Marissa Oakley of Phenom really stood out at the Cal Classic elite qualifier won bars with a 13.650. She showed an aggressive swing and flew through a jaeger from eagle grip. She placed 3rd all around with a 54.100 to easily qualify to the 2014 Secret US Classic in April. Oakley has been attending the USA Elite Developmental Camps for the past year. We expect big things from this little gymnast! Watch here.
#1 Kytra Hunter's 5th Perfect 10 of the Season
Kytra Hunter's latest record breaking performance came on Friday when she scored her FIFTH Perfect 10 of the season! Hunter opens with a monstrous double layout, plays to the crowd with fun, sassy choreography, and ends with an impressive open tucked double back. We especially love her unique, deduction free second pass ending in a Shushunova. Hunter boldly stated that her goal this season was to record ten perfect ten's. Now, she's half way there. Watch here.
Can't get enough? Don't worry. We've also got some honorable mentions:
- Samantha Peszek's much anticpated 2014 Floor Debut!
- Samantha Peszek's much anticpated 2014 Floor Debut!