Jordyn Wieber dominated the competition in the junior division of the 2010 the CoverGirl Classic. Photo/Greg Long
Former American Cup, Pacific Rim and U.S. junior champion Jordyn Wieber added the junior CoverGirl Classic to her rapidly expanding list of titles Saturday afternoon in Chicago.
Wieber, who competes for Geddert's Twistars in Lansing, Mich., was absolutely dominating in her win, scoring 59.95 to best second-place finisher Katelyn Ohashi of WOGA (59.1).1. Reigning U.S. Junior champion Kyla Ross finished third (58.7), followed by Sabrina Vega (57.25) and Madison Kocian (56.2).
Wieber, who returned to competition in April after a year off to rehab a hamstring injury, showed no signs of slowing down. The 15-year-old competed her full difficulty, including an Amanar vault, standing tucked full on beam and a double twisting double tuck on floor.
Jordyn Wieber, 2010 CoverGirl Classic, vault:
Gymnastics Videos on Gymnastike
Ohashi, who will not be eligible to compete as a senior until 2013, showed a double-twisting Yurchenko on vault and wonderful lines on floor exercise. Ohashi also proved she's capable of a layout full twist on balance beam by practicing it during Friday's podium training.
Wieber and Ohashi weren't the only ones throwing big skills in Chicago. Californian McKayla Maroney also threw an Amanar (2.5 twisting Yurchenko) vault. Both she and Wieber landed it well -- Wieber scored a meet-high 15.9, and Maroney followed up with a 15.8.
Maroney, who switched gyms from Gym-Max (where she trained with Ross) to All Olympia, was in good contention to be top-five before crotching the beam on a full turn during her last event. She finished seventh (55.65).
Cincinnati's Lexie Priessman, who made a name for herself this spring by winning the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup with big skills, unveiled another huge new element, a double layout on floor. Priessman also competed a double twisting Yurchenko vault and full-twisting double tuck off beam. She finished sixth (55.9).
Mackenzie Brannan, who led the competition after the first group of juniors competed, was eighth (55.45).
Fourteen-year-old Gabrielle Douglas of Exclaibur Gymnastics was originally scheduled to compete with the first sbudivision but arrived at the UIC arena late due to a storm in Chicago. Douglas was allowed to compete with the second division group.
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer or click the "Subscribe" button above to receive the latest gymnastics news and results via e-mail.
Comments