USA Sweeps 2014 AT&T American Cup Title

© John Cheng

• Results
• GREENSBORO, N.C., March 1, 2014 – Sam Mikulak of Corona del Mar, Calif./University of Michigan, and Elizabeth Price of Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes National Training Center, won the all-around titles at the 2014 AT&T American Cup at the Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum Complex. The event is part of the International Gymnastics Federation's all-around World Cup series. The United States' Brenna Dowell of Odessa, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, finished second in the women's competition, while John Orozco of the Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center), finished fifth.

In the men's competition, Mikulak earned a 90.098 to take the title followed by Japan's Shogo Nonomura at 88.965. Great Britain's Daniel Purvis was third at 88.899. For the women, Price won her first AT&T American Cup title with a total of 59.966. Dowell was right behind her at 57.532. Switzerland's Giulia Steingruber was third at 57.332.

Price vaulted to the lead in the first rotation, performing an Amanar vault for a 15.700, which was the highest score on any event in the women's competition. She held her lead through uneven bars, 15.200, where she performed a toe-on piked Tkatchev to an overshoot to handstand, and the balance beam, scoring a 14.566. She closed out her competition on the floor exercise, opening her routine with a tucked, double-double and a double layout. She posted a 14.500 to secure the all-around crown.

"It means a lot to me to win the AT&T American Cup because it is a huge competition," said Price, who is currently leading the all-around World Cup series. "To say that I was able to come out and win against some of the top girls from these countries is a huge accomplishment."

In the first rotation, Dowell, like Price, performed an Amanar on vault for a 15.600. On the bars, Dowell nailed her toe-on Tkatchev with a half to a straddle back with a half turn, called an Ezhova, and scored 14.733. She posted scores of 13.333 for the balance beam, and 13.866 for the floor exercise.

"It is so exciting, and I have always looked up to the girls competing in the AT&T American Cup," said Dowell. "It's an honor to be here, and it's even cooler to win the silver medal."

Mikulak started on floor with a 15.666 after tumbling a one-and-a-half to front double full and dismounting with a stuck triple full. He performed clean routines on the pommel horse and still rings with scores of 14.800 and 15.066, respectively. On the vault, he nearly stuck his Kasumatsu one-and-a-half for a 14.966. In the fifth rotation, Mikulak kept his swing going after a slight error in his healy on the parallel bars and scored 14.700. In the final rotation, he soared high above the bar on his Kolman catch-and-release move for a 14.900 and the all-around title.

"It feels amazing (to win)," said Mikulak. "I wanted to perform better on the last two events, but I was still able to come out on top. The pressure got to Shogo, unfortunately, and I don't like winning by someone else falling, but I will take victory. I am happy that I could come out on top to be the next AT&T Cup champion."

Orozco posted his highest score of the day on the high bar, a 15.066, after executing a laidout full-twisting Tkatchev, and a full-twisting double layout dismount. His other scores were 14.866, floor; 14.533, pommel horse; 14.800, still rings; 14.700, vault; and 14.100, parallel bars.

At the conclusion of the AT&T American Cup, the FIG World Cup Series points leaders are: men – Purvis at 125 points; Andrey Likhovitskiy of Belarus at 100 points, and Orozco at 95 points; and women – Price with 145 points, Italy's Vanessa Ferrari at 110 points, and Italy's Carlotta Ferlito at 85. The AT&T American Cup became an International Gymnastics Federation all-around World Cup event in 2011 and is part of the FIG's all-around World Cup series.

Background information

• AT&T. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att. © 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. 4G LTE speed claim based on national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds. Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.
• Greensboro Coliseum Complex. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is a multi-building facility designed to serve the citizens of Greensboro and the surrounding area through a broad range of activities, including athletic events, cultural arts, concerts, theater, educational activities, fairs, exhibits, and public and private events of all kinds including conventions, convocations and trade and consumer shows. The Greensboro Coliseum Complex is one of the most actively booked facilities in the country hosting more than 1,000 events on an annual basis. With its incredible versatility, the Complex has gained worldwide acclaim from promoters, producers, event planners and patrons. For more information; www.greensborocoliseum.com.
• International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The International Gymnastics Federation is the governing body for gymnastics worldwide. It is the oldest established international sports federation and has participated in the Olympic Games since their revival in 1896. The FIG governs seven disciplines: gymnastics for all, men's artistic, women's artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, aerobic and acrobatic. It counts 135 national member federations and boasts a 27-person staff at its international seat in Lausanne, Switzerland, host city of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). For more information, go to www.fig-gymnastics.com.