Veronica Navarro leads Rhythmic competition after subdivision 1 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships

© Diane Bidermann

• Photo Gallery
• Official 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships website

EVERETT, Wash., March 16, 2012 – After the first sub division, senior Veronica Navarro of Mexico and junior Zakirah Fatin of Malaysia lead today’s competition in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2012 Kellogg’s Pacific Rim Championships at the Comcast Community Ice Rink.
Earning the highest score in clubs, Navarro scored an 8.250, followed by a strong performance in hoop and ribbon with an 8.350 and 7.300, respectively. Navarro also scored a 7.150 in ball, leaving her with a final all-around score of 89.925.
Fatin leads the junior divison with an all-around score of 87.075. Placing first on ribbon (8.050) and second on both clubs and hoop (8.000, 8.150), Fatin finished her all-around competition with a beautiful ball routine, scoring a 8.350.
Competition concludes tonight at 8 p.m. PT with competitors from Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, and the United States in Sub Division 2.

Women's podium training photos and videos from the 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships

• Click here for a video playlist of routines from podium training
• Official Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships website

Alicia Sacramone - Wallies and Collages (Created by me)

Pearl and the Beard - Prodigal Daughter

A wonderful song and video, so cute:)

USA Gymnastics names women's team for Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships

USA Gymnastics names women's team for Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships

03/12/2012

© John Cheng

INDIANAPOLIS, March 12, 2012 - Following a U.S. national team training camp in Huntsville, Texas, at the USA Gymnastics National Team Training Center at the Karolyi Ranch, an official U.S. Olympic Training Site, USA Gymnastics is announcing the six-woman team who will compete at the 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships, scheduled for March 16-18 at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Wash. Team USA is lead by 2011 World all-around champion Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA, 2011 World team gold medalist Gabrielle Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Chow's Gymnastics and Dance, and Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max, who will make her senior international competitive debut at the event. The trio is joined by junior national team members Katelyn Ohashi of Plano, Texas/WOGA, Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics, and Amelia Hundley of Hamilton, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics.

USA Gymnastics announces women's team for 2012 City of Jesolo Trophy

USA Gymnastics announces women's team for 2012 City of Jesolo Trophy

03/12/2012

© John Cheng

INDIANAPOLIS, March 12, 2012 – 2011 World Championships team gold medalists McKayla Maroney of Long Beach, Calif./All Olympia AOGC, and Alexandra Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan's American Gymnastics, are two of the 14 women who will represent the USA in the 2012 City of Jesolo (Italy) Trophy on March 31. The event is expected to feature gymnasts from Japan, Italy, Russia and the USA.
The U.S. Team features nine seniors and five juniors.

Seniors Rebecca Bross, Plano, Texas, WOGA Brianna Brown, West Chester, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics Brenna Dowell, Odessa, Mo., GAGE Sarah Finnegan, St. Louis, Mo., GAGE McKayla Maroney, Long Beach, Calif., All Olympia Elizabeth Price, Coopersburg, Pa., Parkettes Alexandra Raisman, Needham, Mass., Brestyan's American Gymnastics Kyla Ross, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Gym-Max Mykayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz., Desert Lights Gymnastics Juniors Madison Desch, Lenexa, Kan., GAGE Bailie Key, Coppell, Texas, Texas Dreams Gymnastics Amelia Hundley, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics Katelyn Ohashi, Plano, Texas, WOGA Lexie Priessman, Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Gymnastics

McKayla Maroney is the defending all-around and vault champion, while Ali Raisman won the all-around bronze medal and gold medals on balance beam and floor exercise in 2011. Kyla Ross, now a senior, won the junior all-around title last season.

Brenna Dowell

Brenna Dowell

Birthdate: 3/4/1996 Program: Women's Artistic Level: Junior Current Residence: Odessa, MO Club: Great American Gymn. Express Head Coach: Al Fong Other Coaches: Armine Barutyan

Personal Information Years on the National Team: 1 Nickname: Burnie Birthplace: Kansas City, MO Hometown: Odessa, MO Year in School: Sophomore Name of High School: Odessa High School High School Graduation Year: 2014 Year you began gymnastics: 1997 Favorite Event: Bars - it has all my favorite skills How did you get involved in gymnastics: My older sisters wanted to learn a back handspring so my mom put them in flip flop class and enrolled me too. Favorite thing about gymnastics: The feeling of accomplishment when you learn a new skill or do well at a meet or just learn to do something better. What are your goals for gymnastics?: To make the National Team again this year, to keep improving my skills and to compete in more international competitions. Names of parents/guardians: Michael and Carole Names of sibling(s): Sisters Carey, Jacey and Lauren Family members in sports: Carey and Jacey were cheerleaders. Lauren is a gymnast. Interests Outside the Gym Favorite school subject: Math. I really like Algebra Hobbies or favorite activities: Swimming, reading, hanging out with my cousins. Favorite music: KLove Favorite book(s): Percy Jackson series, Gallagher Girls series Favorite movie(s): Funny movies like Cars 2 Favorite TV show(s): Lie to Me, Bones Favorite Food: Watermelon, cantelope, cherub tomatoes, chicken Charity Involvement: At Christmas our gym sponsors several families from a women's shelter. National Competition Results 2011 Visa Championships, Saint Paul, Minn. - 5th-VT(T); 6th-AA, UB; 8th-FX (Jr. Div.) 2011 CoverGirl Classic, Chicago, Ill. - 3rd-VT(T); 5th-AA, UB (Jr. Div.) 2010 Visa Championships, Hartford, Conn. - 4th-UB (Jr. Div.) 2009 Women's Junior Olympic Level 10 National Championships, Puyallup, Wash. - 1st-VT(T); 2nd-AA, FX(T) (Jr. A) International Competition Results 2010 Pan American Championships, Guadalajara, Mexico - 1st-Team

The 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships

International field brings talent to Everett

03/07/2012

• 
  

INDIANAPOLIS, March 7, 2012 – From World champions and multiple medal winners to the new up-and-comers, U.S. athletes will be alongside talent from 16 other countries next week in Everett, Wash. The 2012 Kellogg's Pacific Rim Championships will feature more than 200 athletes in artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampoline, March 16-18, at the Comcast Arena and Comcast Community Ice Rink in Everett, Wash.

Headlining the international field for the women is 2008 Olympian Lauren Mitchell of Australia, who won the 2010 World title on floor, along with 2010 World teammate Emily Little, and alternate Georgia Simpson. Mitchell, the first Australian woman gymnast to win gold at Worlds, also claimed the World silver medal on balance beam in 2009.

Canadians Christine Lee and Kristina Vaculik, both competed at 2008 Pacific Rim Championships and the 2011 World Championships, while teammate Victoria Moors recently finished fourth at the AT&T American Cup. From China, 2011 World bronze-medal team member Tan Sixin is also set to contend for a medal.

For the men, Takuya Nakase of Japan, who finished fifth on the horizontal bar at the 2008 Olympic Games, will be a star feature beside his teammates Koji Uematsu and Tatsuki Nakashima, who both competed at the 2010 World Championships. Nakase also competed at the 2006, 2007, and 2009 World Championships.

The international field for the 2012 Pacific Rim Championships is as follows.

Senior women
Australia: Lauren Mitchell, Emily Little, Georgia Simpson
Canada: Christine Lee, Victoria Moors, Kristina Vaculik
China: Tan Sixin, Luo Peiru, Shang Chunsong
Chinese Taipei: Yu-Chun Chen, Chia-Jung Tsai
Colombia: Jessica Gil
Costa Rica: Karina Regidor
Hong Kong: Hiu Ying Angel Wong, Nim Yan Choi, Ka Man Leung
Japan: Risa Konishi, Wakiko Ryu, Yuri Ishii
Mexico: Sandra Paola Garcia Victoriano, Karla Adriana Martinez Lozano
Russia: Maria Stepanova, Anastasiya Marchuk, Diana Elkina
United States: To be determined.

Junior women
Australia: Alexandra Eade, Madelaine Leydin, Jazminne Casis
Canada: Maegan Chant, Jordyn Pedersen, Victoria Kayen Woo
China: Mei Jie, Wang Wei, Lou Nina
Chinese Taipei: Wan-Yin Chen, Yu-Chun Lai
Costa Rica: Angela Arce
Japan: Yuki Uchiyama, Sakura Yumoto
Mexico: Federica Scheiman Hernandez, Andrea Fernanda Mora Ramirez, Shaden Michelle Cortes Herrera
New Zealand: Hanna Malloch, Courtney Mcgregor, Rebecca Morrison, Brittany Robertson, Charlotte Sullivan, Millie Williamson
Panama: Ana Victoria De Leon, Valentina Brostella
Russia: Ekaterina Baturina, Maria Kharenkova, Anastasia Belova
United States: To be determined.

Senior men
Australia: Joshua Jefferis, Thomas Pichler, Samuel Offord
Canada: Anderson Loran, Scott Morgan, Robert Watson
China: Liu Rongbing, Cheng Ran, Wang Peng
Chinese Taipei: Szu-Chieh Chen, Sheng-Meng Huang, I-Hsiang Chen
Colombia: Jorge Giraldo
Hong Kong: Kam Wah Liu, Kiu Chung Ng, Wai Hung Shek
Japan: Takuya Nakase, Koji Uematsu, Tatsuki Nakashima
Mexico: Santos Martinez Reyes, Rodolfo Heron Bonilla Ruiz, Axel German Elias Jimenez
New Zealand: Mikhail Koudinov
Philippines: Jean Nathan Monteclaro
Russia: Mikhail Bodnar, Daniil Kazachkov, Pavel Pavlov
Thailand: Bobby Kriangkum
United States: Chris Brooks, Jake Dalton, Sam Mikulak

Junior men
Australia: Brody-Jai Hennessy, Lachlan Savill, Kent Pieterse
Canada: Cory Paterson, Zachary Clay, Joshua Stuart
China: Wu Guanhua, Xu Kangye, Xiao Ruoteng
Chinese Taipei: Fu-Li Liu, Yu-Chin Chao, Jia-En Lin
Costa Rica: Tarik Soto
Hong Kong: Chun Kit Poon, Tzn Tak Seto
Japan: Kaito Imabayashi, Koji Nonomura, Kenzo Seryu
Mexico: Rodolfo Gomez Grosso, Andres Esteban Resendiz Sanchez, Sergio Elias Borquez
New Zealand: Reegan Edwards, Leo Golder
Russia: Grigorii Zyrianov, Nikolay Kovinov, Sergey Stepanov
United States: Marvin Kimble, Sean Melton, Akash Modi

Senior rhythmic
Australia: Janine Murray, Danielle Prince, Jaelle Cohen
Canada: Jessica Ho, Maria Kitkarska, Nerissa Mo
China: Yang Yuqing, Peng Linyi, Liu Jiahui
Chinese Taipei: Yuan-Yuan Wang, Yun Kung
Hong Kong: Hung Yan Wong
Korea: SuLin Lee
Mexico: Veronica Alejandra Navarro Blizzard, Alejandra Vazquez Lopez, Karla Diaz Arnal
New Zealand: Amelia Coleman
United States: Julie Zetlin, Polina Kozitskiy, Alexis Page

Junior rhythmic
Australia: Michaela Joannides, Amy Quinn, Michaela Whitehouse
Canada: Patricia Bezzoubenko, Kiah Dick, Alexandra Fomina
China: Xu Xiaolan, Xu Kemeng, Ding Ziyi
Chinese Taipei: Chia-Hui Sung, Chia-Yi Lu
Hong Kong: Hiu Wing Heung, Stacey Devina Chan, Lai Chun Cheng
Korea: Song E Chun, NaKyung Lee
Malaysia: Fatin Zakirah Jalany Zain Jalany, Emma Ooi, Qing Tong Tai
Mexico: Marialicia Ortega Elizondo, Cindy Hassel Gallegos Barrera, Edna Maryel Garcia Amor
New Zealand: Mackenzie Figgitt, Annaleise Graham
United States: Laura Zeng, Julia Garbuz, Jennifer Rokhman

Senior men trampoline
Australia: Blake Gaudry, Shaun Swadling
Canada: Jason Burnett, Keegan Soehn
Mexico: Jose Alberto Vargas Garcia, Yael Tellez
Russia: Mikhail Melnik, Aleksey Ilichev
United States: Steven Gluckstein, Neil Gulati

Junior men trampoline
Australia: Luke Seal, Blake Rutherford
Canada: Trevor Stirling
Mexico: Esaul Ceballos Cervera, Cesar Prieto Angel
New Zealand: Dylan Schmidt
Russia: Andrey Yudin, Oleg Selyutin
United States: Cody Gesuelli, Colin Duda

Senior women trampoline
Australia: Alexandra Freeman, Eva Kierath
Canada: Karen Cockburn, Rosannagh Maclennan
Mexico: Alejandra Fernandez Lomeli
New Zealand: Penny Bennett
Russia: Galina Goncharenro, Victoria Voronina
United States: Savannah Vinsant, Alaina Williams

Junior women trampoline
Australia: Nikita Wilson-Beddoe, Leanne Janse Van Rensburg
Canada: Alexandria Giesbrecht, Karine Dufour
Mexico: Dafne Carolina Navarro, Karina Cantu Martinez
Russia: Yana Pavlova, Susana Kochesor
United States: Shaylee Dunavin, Maggie Gallagher

Single-session tickets range from $15 to $65, and all-session tickets range from $110 to $250 (including facility fees). Tickets may be purchased at the Comcast Arena at Everett Box Office; by phone at 866-332-8499; or online through Comcastarenaeverett.com. In recognition of Visa's long-time support of USA Gymnastics, Visa is the preferred method of payment.

Held every two years, the Pacific Rim Championships were held in Honolulu in 2004 and 2006; San Jose in 2008; and Melbourne, Australia, in 2010. In 2010, the USA won both the men's and women's team titles and three of the all-around titles - John Orozco of the Bronx, N.Y./U.S. Olympic Training Center, junior men; Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA, women's junior title; and Rebecca Bross of Plano, Texas/WOGA, senior women. Past all-around champions include the USA's Paul Hamm, Carly Patterson, and Nastia Liukin.

Background information

• Kellogg Company. For more than 100 years, consumers have counted on Kellogg for great-tasting, high-quality and nutritious foods. Kellogg Company, with 2010 sales of more than $12 billion, is the world's leading producer of cereal and a leading producer of convenience foods, including cookies, crackers, toaster pastries, cereal bars, fruit-flavored snacks, frozen waffles and veggie foods. Kellogg Company's beloved brands, which are manufactured in 18 countries and marketed in more than 180 countries, include Kellogg's®, Keebler®, Pop-Tarts®, Eggo®, Cheez-It®, All-Bran®, Mini-Wheats®, Nutri-Grain®, Rice Krispies®, Special K®, Chips Deluxe®, Famous Amos®, Sandies®, Austin®, Club®, Murray®, Kashi®, Bear Naked®, Morningstar Farms®, Gardenburger® and Stretch Island®. For more information on the Kellogg Company, including our corporate responsibility initiatives, visitwww.kelloggcompany.com.
• Comcast Arena at Everett. The Comcast Arena at Everett, recipient of the International Association of Venue Manager's (IAVM) prestigious Venue Excellence Award 2010, was developed by the Everett Public Facilities District. The 10,000-seat venue hosts a myriad of events including concerts, ice skating and family shows. The facility is also home to the Everett Silvertips, a Western Hockey League franchise and the 2010 National Lacrosse League Champions, the Washington Stealth. The venue accommodates other sporting events such as basketball, volleyball and international skating competitions. Global Spectrum (global-spectrum.com) manages the Comcast Arena at Everett, as well as more than 100 other public assembly facilities around the world. Based in Philadelphia, Pa., Global Spectrum is part of Comcast-Spectacor, one of the world's largest sports and entertainment companies.
• Comcast Community Ice Rink. The Comcast Community Ice Rink is used for public skating, hockey leagues, figure skating and much more. The two ice sheets can be converted to form a 57,000 square foot space to host trade shows and special events. The three-story Edward D. Hansen Conference Center includes three 900 square foot executive meeting rooms, and an 11,000 square foot ballroom, which can be arranged in a number of different configurations.
• Everett, Wash., and Snohomish County. Everett, the county seat of Snohomish County, is home to innovative companies and industries producing everything from large commercial airplanes to tiny microprocessors. Just minutes north of Seattle, Snohomish County and Everett offer a diverse collection of urban delights and rural masterpieces and an endless menu of outdoor recreation and indoor attractions.
• Everett Community College. Everett Community College educates more than 20,000 students every year at seven learning centers throughout Snohomish County, with most students and faculty at the main campus in north Everett. Students come to EvCC to affordably start their four-year degrees, earn certificates, train for a new job, experience hands-on training in professional and technical programs, learn English, develop basic skills, finish high school, train for a promotion, or to learn just for fun. EvCC is also the home of the University Center of North Puget Sound, which offers more than 25 bachelor's and master's degree programs. For more information, visit www.everettcc.edu.
• Production Sports Management. Based in Snohomish County, Production Sports Management is an LLC offering sport national governing bodies, sports clubs and other community groups the support needed to take an event to the next level. Acting as the liaison between the local community and USA Gymnastics for the 2012 Pacific Rim Championships, Production Sports will be the eyes and ears on the ground to assist with marketing, public relations, sponsorships and event logistics. For more information, log on towww.productionsports.net.
• Tulalip Resort Casino. With exceptionally appointed rooms and suites and a warm, personal brand of hospitality Tulalip Resort Casino makes you feel right at home. In celebration of our Native American heritage our Seattle luxury accommodations feature vibrant Northwest Coast Salish artwork and textures. No modern comfort has been overlooked from complimentary Wi-Fi Internet and 47-inch flat screen HDTVs to stylish furnishings and bathrooms with Italian tile and granite countertops. With 30,000 square feet, our meeting and event spaces are orchestrated to ensure productive, efficient and trouble-free sessions, whether for a committee of 10 or a conference for 1,000. Rooms combine Coast Salish art with complimentary state-of-the-art presentation technology to offer distinctly elegant, highly functional spaces. Our casino boasts a 192,000 square-foot facility featuring nearly every game imaginable. With outstanding catered meals, luxurious rooms, spa and gaming facilities, and nearby shopping, golf and entertainment, it's easy to see why Tulalip Resort is regarded as one of the most outstanding meeting venues in the Pacific Northwest. Come discover the perfect blend of contemporary style and authentic Pacific Northwest culture at the only AAA-Four-Diamond-rated Washington luxury resort casino.
  In 1855, with the signing of the Point Elliott Treaty, the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other Pacific Northwest allied tribes settled what is now the Tulalip Reservation. In the Lushootseed Salish language, the word for Tulalip is dxwlilap, which means "small-mouthed bay," a description of the body of water on the western boundary of our home.

Pictures from the Nastia Liukin Cup

Pictures from the Nastia Liukin Cup luncheon

Photos by John Cheng
March 2, 2012 - Luncheon with Nastia

Hilary Duff is ready to pop in this new video............

Hilary Duff is ready to pop in this new video for Funny or Die.

In the video, the 24-year-old actress and mama-to-be spoke about some of the unglamorous side effects pregnancy can bring – including unwanted hair.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics ofHilary Duff

“After I got pregnant, my hormones caused so much hair growth that I felt like a yeti,” Hilary said. “Or Robin Williams.”

Hil jokes in the video that she solved her hair problem with a product called NoGrowActiv.

Hilary Duff's Pregnancy Secrets from Hilary Duff      

Teen Mom

In an emotional scene, Farrah breaks down in tears as she walks over to the grave of baby daddy Derek Underwood, who died in a car accident before Sophia’s birth.

On tonight’s episode of Teen Mom, Farrah Abraham finally builds up enough courage to visit the cemetery where Derek Underwood, Sofia‘s father, is buried. Derek died in a devastating car crashon December 28, 2008, just two months before Sophia was born on February 23, 2009. So sad. 

Farrah meets up Derek’s dad and stepmom, who walk her and Sophia to his grave. Farrah struggles to hold back her tears, saying, “I don’t know why I’m already sad, I’m just thinking about it.”

When she reaches his tombstone, Farrah tells Sophia, “This is your daddy’s grave right here and they decorated it for him.”

Once Farrah’s back in the car, she breaks down in front of her mom saying, “He’s just in the ground like…It’s hard that Sofia doesn’t understand!”

Get More: Teen Mom (Season 3), Full Episodes

Teen Mom 2

‘Teen Mom’ Casts Reunite In NYC — Find Out Who’s Banned From Coming

Tags:

Courtesy of MTV

All of the stars from both seasons of ‘Teen Mom’ and ‘Teen Mom 2′ will be reuniting in the city that never sleeps.

The casts of Teen Mom and Teen Mom 2 are all heading to NYC for the weekend. This means that Jenelle Evans, Leah Messer, Kailyn Lowry, Chelsea Houska, Farrah Abraham, Maci Bookout, Gary Shirley will all reunite in the Big Apple.

Jenelle shared a pic of her boyfriend Gary Head with her 2-year-old son Jace at the airport on Twitterthe morning of March 2.

Leah most likely will be there, though she hasn’t mentioned anything on Twitter or Facebook as of yet. But both her ex-husband Corey Simms and Jeremy Calvert were both complaining about having to pack on March 1, so we can assume that they will be there.

Kailyn tweeted: “Fun night at home with my favorite people. NYC tomorrow.” Chelsea, Farrah and Maci also revealed their travel plans on Twitter.

Gary S. will have his 3-year-old daughter Leah with him. He wrote on Facebook: “NYC bound tomorrow with Leah and Evan – it’s reunion time.” But it’s unlikely that Amber Portwood will be joining the large group as she is under house arrest awaiting to find a drug rehab program that will accept her.

Catelynn Lowell hasn’t said if she will be joining the group.

It sounds like it’s going to be an exciting weekend for all of the Teen Mom stars!

11 Wallpapers of Samantha Peszek (Created by me)

All wallies are 1280 x 1024

Brandie Jay

Brandie Jay

Birthdate: 11/26/1993 Program: Women's Artistic Level: Senior Current Residence: Ft Collins, CO Club: GK Gymnastics Head Coach: Gene and Lorraine Koehnke

Career Highlights 2011 Pan American Games team and vault gold medalist  Personal Information Birthplace: Fort Collins, CO United States Hometown: Fort Collins, CO United StatesYear in School: Senior Name of High School: Rocky Mountain High School High School Graduation Year: 2012 Name of College: University of Georgia-Athens Year you began gymnastics: 1996 Favorite Event: Bars How did you get involved in gymnastics: My grandpa picked me up from preschool one day to find me hanging upside down on the rings by my legs so he put me in gymnastics to teach me how to fall. Favorite thing about gymnastics: Everything..........if I have to pick just one it would be learning new skills. What are your goals for gymnastics?: To go as far as I can! Names of parents/guardians: Teresa Jay Names of sibling(s): Jennifer Jay, David Jay Family members in sports: My siblings have participated in many different sports.  Interests Outside the Gym Favorite school subject: Math/English Hobbies or favorite activities: Swimming, babysitting, coaching, horses Favorite music: Country Favorite book(s): The Last Song, many many more :) Favorite movie(s): Stick it! Shes the man, The last song, Favorite TV show(s): Make it or Break it! Rookie Blue, Combat Hospital, NCIS, Criminal Minds Charity Involvement: Volunteer for many animal rescues and for special olympics, also for many local events.   National Competition Results 2011 Visa Championships, Saint Paul, Minn. - 3rd-VT; 7th-UB 2011 CoverGirl Classic, Chicago, Ill. - 2nd-VT (2 vaults); 9th-AA(T) 2011 American Classic, Huntsville, Texas - 1st-VT; 3rd-AA; 4th-UB; 7th-BB 2010 J.O. National Championships - 1st-VT, 4th-BB 2nd-FX, 1st-AA   International Competition Results 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico - 1st-Team, VT; 6th-AA 2011 Woga Classic - 1st-VT, 3rd-UB, 6th-BB, 4th-FX, 2nd-AA

Grace McLaughlin

Grace McLaughlin

Birthdate: 9/5/1995 Program: Women's Artistic Level: Senior Current Residence: Allen, TX Club: WOGA Gymnastics Head Coach: Valeri Liukin

Career Highlights 2011 Pan American Games team gold medalist  Personal Information Nickname: Gracie Birthplace: Sacramento, CA United States Hometown: Allen, TX United States Personal Website: www.gym-style.com/grace/gym.htm Year in School: Sophomore Name of High School: A Beka Academy High School Graduation Year: 2014 Year you began gymnastics: 1999 Favorite Event: Uneven Bars How did you get involved in gymnastics: Mommy and Me Classes Favorite thing about gymnastics: Defying gravity What are your goals for gymnastics?: To do my best with what I have and learn new skills Names of parents/guardians: Eric and Lynn McLaughlin Names of sibling(s): Andrea and Christian  Interests Outside the Gym Favorite school subject: Algebra Hobbies or favorite activities: Cooking and Baking Favorite music: Contemporary Christian/ Francesca Battistelli Favorite book(s): Christy Miller Series Favorite movie(s): Soul Surfer Favorite Food: Mangos Charity Involvement: Compassion International  National Competition Results 2011 Visa Championships, Saint Paul, Minn. - 10th-AA 2011 CoverGirl Classic, Chicago, Ill. - 8th-BB 2011 American Classic, Huntsville, Texas - 1st-AA; 2nd-BB; 3rd-UB, FX; 5th-VT(T) 2009 Visa Championships, Dallas, Texas - 3rd-UB  International Competition Results 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico - 1st-Team

Jordyn Wieber and Danell Leyva won the 2012 AT&T American Cup

Jordyn Wieber

NEW YORK, March 3, 2012 – Danell Leyva of Homestead, Fla./Team Hilton HHonors (Universal Gymnastics), and Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts' Twistars USA, won the all-around titles at the 2012 AT&T American Cup inside New York City's Madison Square Garden Saturday. Wieber posted a 61.032, while Alexandra Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan's American Gymnastics, 60.832, and Romania's Larisa Iordache, 59.332, finished second and third, respectively. On the men's side, Leyva scored 90.664 to win the all-around gold medal, Ukraine's Mykola Kuksenkov took the silver medal (90.498) and Germany's Marcel Nguyen won the bronze (89.925).
Team USA's John Orozco of the Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S.O.T.C.), finished fifth in the all-around with an 89.331.
Leyva came from behind to take the title, after scoring a 15.933 on the horizontal bar. His routine, which included four catch-and-release moves, was punctuated by a stuck double-twisting double layout to the delight of the more than 12,000 fans on hand at Madison Square Garden.
"Being the AT&T American Cup champion is amazing," Leyva said. "It's great to be on that list with people like Blaine Wilson, Jonathan Horton and Paul Hamm – and to say it was in the Garden is even better."
The Florida-native began his competition on the floor exercise, mounting with a double-twisting, double layout for a 15.033. Leyva earned a 14.433 on the pommel horse, a 14.666 on the still rings and a 15.633 for his Kasumatsu double full on vault. In the fifth rotation, Leyva took to the parallel bars displaying the precision that won him the World title on the event and earned a 14.966.
Wieber, the reigning World all-around champion and defending AT&T American Cup champion, led from start-to-finish en route to her second, consecutive American Cup title and her third overall. Wieber began on the vault performing a nearly flawless Amanar for a 16.100.
"It feels amazing to win my third American Cup," Wieber said after the competition. "I'm really excited to get started with the Olympic year."
On the uneven bars, Wieber shook off a mistake on a free-hip to full pirouette to score 14.833. On the balance beam, Wieber posted a 14.966 with her front aerial, one-arm back handspring, layout step out combination and two-and-a-half twist dismount. In the final rotation, Wieber tumbling a big tucked, double-twisting, double back to earn a 15.133 and the title.

Photos by John Cheng and Brian Freed

For the men, Kuksenkov led the field after five events after posting the highest score of the night on the pommel horse, a 14.933. His 15.200 score on the high bar completed his 90.498 total. Nguyen claimed the all-around bronze medal, earning the highest score on the still rings of the competition (15.133) and an 89.925 all-around total.
Orozco, competing in his hometown, finished fifth in the all-around with a total score of 89.331, highlighted by a meet-high 15.500 on the parallel bars. Orozco closed competition on the high bar, performing a Liukin release move to earn a 15.366, the second highest score on the event.
On the women's side, all-around silver medalist Raisman started with a nearly stuck Amanar vault for 16.100, which tied the high score on this event with Wieber.
"I'm really happy and excited with my performance. I can't wait to see what the rest of the year has to offer," said Raisman.
On the uneven bars, Raisman earned a 14.333. Moving to the balance beam, Raisman, who dismounted with an impressive Arabian double front, scored 14.966. In the final rotation, Raisman electrified the crowd on the floor exercise, tumbling a one-and-a-half to Arabian double front to punch layout front. She earned the highest score of the day on the event, a 15.433.
Iordache posted the highest score of the meet on the balance beam with a 15.400, after executing a back handspring to tuck full twist. She scored 14.866 on the vault, 14.233 on the uneven bars and a 14.833 on the floor exercise, giving her the all-around bronze medal.
U.S. alternate Gabrielle Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Chow's Gymnastics and Dance, who performed exhibition routines, which did not factor into the final results, hit four-for-four, highlighted by the debut of her Amanar vault and L-grip endo half to piked Tkatchev on the uneven bars. Douglas earned scores of 15.866 on vault, 15.633 on the uneven bars, 15.100 on the beam and 14.700 on the floor.
Christopher Brooks of Houston/Team Hilton HHonors, like Douglas, performed exhibition routines as the U.S. alternate. Brooks earned his highest score of the night, a 15.833, for his handspring double front vault. He scored 14.900 on the floor, 13.933 on the pommel horse, 14.833 on the still rings, 14.900 on the parallel bars and 15.533 on the high bar.
For the third, consecutive year the AT&T American Cup is part of the International Gymnastics Federation's All-around World Cup Series. The series in men's and women's artistic gymnastics includes five World Cups over the period of two years. The series continues with stopovers on Dec. 1–2 in Stuttgart, Germany, and Dec. 8 in Glasgow, Scotland, for 2012, before turning to the USA in March 2013 and concluding in Tokyo in April 2013.
Background information

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• Madison Square Garden Company. The Madison Square Garden Company is a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis, as well as MSG Action Sports, an action sports and lifestyle division. MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG's venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Entertainment is one of the country's leaders in live entertainment. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG's diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.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 130 national affiliated federations and boasts a 25-person staff at its international seat in Lausanne, Switzerland, host city of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Jessie DeZiel

Jessie DeZiel

Birthdate: 8/12/1993 Program: Women's Artistic Level: Senior Current Residence: Rogers, MN Club: Twin City Twisters Head Coach: Mike Hunger

Career Highlights 2011 Pan American Games team gold medalist Personal Information Name of High School: Spectrum High School Graduation Year: 2011 Name of College: Will attend Nebraska Names of parents/guardians: Craig and Jean Names of sibling(s): Sister Brittany Family members in sports: Brittany is a gymnast at UW-Stout Interests Outside the Gym Favorite school subject: Math Favorite music: Taylor Swift Favorite movie(s): The Last Song Favorite TV show(s): American Idol Favorite Food: Sausage pizza Other sports involvement: Played softball National Competition Results 2011 Visa Championships, Saint Paul, Minn. - 2011 CoverGirl Classic, Chicago, Ill. - 3rd-VT; 6th-FX(T) 2011 Women's Junior Olympic Level 10 National Championships, Long Beach, Calif. - 1st-AA, FX; 2nd-VT; 3rd-UB(T); 5th-BB (Sr. C) 2010 Women's Junior Olympic Level 10 National Championships, Dallas, Texas - 1st-AA, UB; 3rd-BB(T); 5th-FX; 7th-VT (Sr. B) International Competition Results 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara, Mexico - 1st-Team; 6th-FX