Over this past weekend, eight gymnasts were added to the roster for the 2016 Nastia Cup to be held March 4th in Newark, N.J.

Amanda Cashman, Arena Gymnastics
Gracen Standley, Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy
Nevaeh DeSouza, Dream Xtreme Gymnastics
Kimberly Tessen, All American Gymnastics Utah
Olivia Raymond, North Stars Gymnastics Academy
Akoray Subject, Twin City Twisters
Kiya Johnson, Texas Dreams
Chloe Widner, Texas Dreams

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 19, 2016 – Eight young women punched their tickets to the 2016 Nastia Liukin Cup, scheduled for March 4 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., based on performances this past weekend at six invitationals. The Nastia Liukin Cup Series continues this weekend at two invitationals scheduled for Jan. 22-24: Alamo Classic in San Antonio, Texas, and the Sand Dollar Invitational in Orlando, Fla

This week’s qualifiers are listed below, by the invitational where they qualified.

Brestyan's Invitational, Medford, Mass. Amanda Cashman of Arena Gymnastics clinched her spot in the junior competition when she earned the top junior all-around score of 38.425.

CGA Coaches’ Spectacular, Cincinnati, Ohio. Gracen Standley of Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, posted a 37.800 to capture the top senior spot and a trip to the Nastia Liukin Cup.

Lady Luck Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev. Nevaeh DeSouza of Dream Xtreme Gymnastics posted a 37.600 to win the junior competition and Kimberly Tessen of All American Gymnastics Utah, scored a 38.500 to capture the top senior spot and a trip to the Nastia Liukin Cup.

Star Struck Invitational, Atlantic City, N.J. Olivia Raymond of North Stars Gymnastics Academy will compete in her first Nastia Liukin Cup. She garnered a 38.300 to win the senior all-around.

Tampa Bay Turners Invitational, Bradenton, Fla. Akoray Subject of Twin City Twisters notched a 38.575 for the highest junior Level 10 score in the all-around to snag the invitational’s junior Nastia Liukin Cup berth.

Texas Prime Meet, Irving, Texas. Kiya Johnson and Chloe Widner, both of Texas Dreams, won the junior and senior titles, respectively. Johnson scored a 37.875 in the all-around, and Widner tallied a 38.050 

Newark’s Prudential Center is hosting both the Nastia Liukin Cup and, on the following day, the 2016 AT&T American Cup, an International Gymnastics Federation World Cup event that features some of the world’s biggest names in gymnastics.

The 36 participants in the Nastia Liukin Cup are selected through the Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which features 25 of the country's top gymnastics invitationals held throughout the United States. A total of 18 junior and 18 senior gymnasts will advance to the Nastia Liukin Cup. Senior athletes must be 16 years of age or older, and junior athletes must be 15 or younger. The final Nastia Liukin Cup qualifiers will be determined at six invitationals held just three weeks before the Nastia Liukin Cup.

The remaining invitationals participating in the Cup Series are listed below with the number of qualifiers in parentheses.

•       Alamo Classic, San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 22-24 (1 Jr.)

•       Sand Dollar Invitational, Orlando, Fla., Jan. 22-24 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Chow’s Challenge, Galveston, Texas, Jan. 29-31 (1 Jr.)

•       Fiesta Bowl, Chandler, Ariz., Jan. 29-31 (1 Sr.)

•       Wisconsin Dells Vacation Classic, Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Jan. 29-31 (1 Sr.)

•       Circle of Stars, Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 29-31 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 5-7 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 5-7 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Charity Choice Invitational, Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 5-7 (1 Sr.)

•       Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 5-7 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 12-13 (1 Jr.)

•       Chicago Style, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 12-14 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 12-14 (1 Jr.)

•       Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational, Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 12-14 (1 Sr.)

•       Presidential Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 12-15 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

•       WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 12-14 (1 Jr., 1 Sr.)

Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the AT&T American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.

Tickets for the Nastia Liukin Cup are currently available through gymnastics clubs participating in the AT&T American Cup discount ticket program, and will go on sale to the general public in the near future. For more information on the event, please go nastialiukincup.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup benefits the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund in partnership with the National Gymnastics Foundation (www.usagym.org/foundation).

Past sites for the Nastia Liukin Cup are: 2015, Arlington, Texas; 2014, Greensboro, N.C.; 2013 and 2010, Worcester, Mass.; 2012, New York City; and 2011, Jacksonville, Fla.


Related:
Atlanta Crown Invitational Videos
Lady Luck Invitational Videos
Interview: Nastia Cup Qualifier Nevaeh DeSouza
Interview: Nastia Cup Qualifer Kimberly Tessen
Nastia Liukin Cup Series