Attention peasants! The US Classic is a mere 12 days away, and because everything is going super great, USAG used this definitely-not-down-to-the-wire opportunity to announce, “What up, turkey butts. Check it, we still have a number of sponsors. That number is one.”
Yes, everything is solved now because the CoverSecret US Classic will henceforth be known as the GK US Classic. GK released an official statement on the sponsorship agreement, saying, “Ugh, I mean I guess. We’re a leo company, so…”
In addition to revealing the new title sponsorship of the GK US RSTLNE Classic, USAG announced the list of competitors, a fairly hearty group, one that is overall Simone. With some Simone. I’m impressed by how Simone.
What’s more, Simone has suddenly decided to do the all-around instead of just bars and beam like she was originally planning because why not. Everyone else is like, “Can’t we just have ONE DAY?”
There are, however, four notable absences in the senior division this year: Maile O’Keefe, Marz Frazier, Trinity Thomas, and Gabby Perea, all of whom are already qualified to nationals and will still be able to compete the all-around there if they so choose. Thomas says she’s still planning to compete elite in 2018 but has also already started Florida-ing, so we’ll see. Ashton Locklear is injured and out for the year.
Seniors who have not already qualified to nationals will have to reach 52.000 all-around at this meet (or 39.750 on 3 events, or 27.000 on 2 events) to advance. Otherwise, they are cut loose at this point. Those who still need their qualifying scores are noted below.
| 2018 GK U.S. Classic – Seniors | |
| Shania Adams, Buckeye |
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| Stephanie Berger, Brestyan’s |
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| Simone Biles, WCC |
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| Sloane Blakely, WOGA |
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| Luisa Blanco, WOGA |
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| Jade Carey, Arizona Sunrays |
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| Jordan Chiles, Naydenov |
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| Audrey Davis, WOGA |
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| Olivia Dunne, ENA |
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| Kara Eaker, GAGE |
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| Jaylene Gilstrap, Metroplex |
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| Olivia Hollingsworth, WCC |
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| Morgan Hurd, First State |
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| Madeleine Johnston, Hill’s |
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| Shilese Jones, Future |
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| Adeline Kenlin, IGN |
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| Emily Lee, West Valley |
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| Isabel Mabanta, Denton |
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| Emma Malabuyo, Texas Dreams |
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| Grace McCallum, TCT |
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| Riley McCusker, MG Elite |
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| Alyona Shchennikova, 5280 |
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| Ragan Smith, Texas Dreams |
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| Deanne Soza, Texas Dreams |
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| Madelyn Williams, San Mateo |
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As for the juniors, all the national teamers are planning to compete at Classic, as well as all the juniors who have been invited to verifications at any point in 2018—except for Anya Pilgrim of Hill’s, who did not compete at American Classic either. Jay Jay Marshall also continues to be missing entirely.
The juniors are looking for 51.000 AA qualifying score. Those who have already qualified to nationals are noted below.
| 2018 GK U.S. Classic – Juniors | |
| Ciena Alipio, West Valley | 51.300 at American Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Sydney Barros, Texas Dreams | 53.550 at April verification **Qualified to nationals |
| Annie Beard, Texas Dreams | 53.100 at 2017 Championships |
| Love Birt, First State | 50.600 at 2017 Championships |
| Skye Blakely, WOGA | 53.400 at American Classic Qualified to nationals |
| Jordan Bowers, Solid Rock | 54.750 at Junior Pan Ams **Qualified to nationals |
| Sophia Butler, Discover | 53.400 at WOGA Classic |
| Kailin Chio, Gymcats | 52.850 at Desert Lights qualifier |
| Claire Dean, HOH | 51.350 at Auburn qualifier |
| Kayla DiCello, Hill’s | 55.400 at American Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Amari Drayton, Olympia Hills | 51.100 at Auburn qualifier |
| Addison Fatta, Prestige | 50.500 at 2017 Championships |
| Aleah Finnegan, GAGE | 53.300 at Brestyan’s qualifier **Qualified to nationals |
| Delaney Fisher, Georgia Elite | 50.750 at KPAC qualifier |
| eMjae Frazier, Parkettes | 50.800 at Auburn qualifier |
| Gabbie Gallentine, Everest | 51.900 at Buckeye qualifier |
| Elizabeth Gantner, JPAC | 51.500 at Auburn qualifier |
| Karis German, WCC | 52.500 at Orlando qualifier **Qualified to nationals |
| Trista Goodman, Salcianu | 51.550 at KPAC qualifier |
| Zoe Gravier, MG Elite | 51.000 at American Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Olivia Greaves, MG Elite | 53.800 at Brestyan’s qualifier **Qualified to nationals |
| Hannah Hagle, Texas East | 50.600 at 2017 Championships |
| Maeve Hahn, FIF | 50.750 at KPAC qualifier |
| Selena Harris, Gymcats | 50.600 at American Classic |
| Alexis Jeffrey, GAGE | 51.250 at Auburn qualifier |
| Kaytlyn Johnson, Denton | 51.250 at Orlando qualifier |
| Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Paramount | 52.300 at WOGA Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Alonna Kratzer, Top Notch | 51.700 at Desert Lights qualifier |
| Sunisa Lee, Midwest | 56.000 at KPAC qualifier **Qualified to nationals |
| Lillian Lewis, San Mateo | 51.050 at Auburn qualifier |
| Kaliya Lincoln, Airborne | 52.550 at WOGA Classic |
| Lilly Lippeatt, CGA | 52.050 at April verification **Qualified to nationals |
| Lauren Little, Everest | 52.650 at Buckeye qualifier |
| Mallory Marcheli, Stars | 50.550 at Brestyan’s qualifier |
| Konnor McClain, Revolution | 53.950 at American Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Sydney Morris, First State | 51.900 at American Classic **Qualified to nationals |
| Brenna Neault, Precision | 54.200 at Brestyan’s qualifier |
| Lauren Pearl, Brestyan’s | 51.950 at Brestyan’s qualifier |
| Katelyn Rosen, Mavericks | 50.750 at WOGA Classic |
| Lyden Saltness, Midwest | 51.250 at Auburn qualifier |
| Abigain Scanlon, Capital | 50.050 at Brestyan’s qualifier |
| JaFree Scott, GAGE | 53.000 at April verification **Qualified to nationals |
| Ava Siegfeldt, World Class | 50.500 at Orlando qualifier |
| Victoria Smirnov, Shooting Stars | 51.600 at 2017 Championships |
| Ui Soma, San Mateo | 53.700 at Auburn qualifier **Qualified to nationals |
| Calvary Swaney, FIF | 50.650 at Buckeye qualifier |
| Tori Tatum, TCT | 52.600 at Junior Pan Ams **Qualified to nationals |
| Leanne Wong, GAGE | 55.700 at Auburn qualifier **Qualified to nationals |