Thirteen-year-old Lexie Priessman grabbed the all-around gold at the first annual Nastia Liukin Cup with a score of 38.400. (The level 10 scoring system was used, so a 10.0 was the top score on each event). Priessman (Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy) is a great performer and throws some awesome skills, too -- including a full-twisting double layout and a full-in dismount off beam.
Kassandra Lopez (Gym World East) was second with a 37.675, while Diandra Milliner (Folger's Gymnastics) was third with a 37.400. Lopez has committed to Utah and Milliner to Alabama, and both seem to have bright futures in the NCAA. Milliner nearly stuck her Yurchenko 1.5 on vault and throws a beautiful piked full-in on floor, while Lopez was remarkably consistent, scoring between 9.375 and 9.450 on every event.
Fourth went to Gabrielle Douglas (Excalibur) who did an impressive standing full on beam and had beautiful lines and a gorgeous Tkatchev on bars.
Full results are up on the USA Gymnastics website, and I believe that the live video coverage will be archived on UniversalSports.com.
Comments
The name of this competition sounds really lame to me. Nastia Liukin is neither the most decorated nor the most influential/popular American gymnast. How come USAG decided to name a comp. series after her is beyond my understanding. Shame on USAG and FIG to play so much politics in our sport and show blatant favoritism toward the Liukins! Justice will prevail sooner or later. Let’s just wait and see.
Gyms,
It sounds like you have a personal problem with Liukin. I am 99% sure that USA Gymnastics would have happily done a Shawn Johnson Cup or Shannon Miller Cup or Mary Lou Retton Cup for that matter, but Nastia was the one willing to do it. She is a remarkable ambassador for the sport, and we’re lucky to have her.
gymcoach, I don’t think it’s fair to claim that gyms has a personal problem with Nastia Liukin just because s/he doesn’t idolize her as much as you do. Please respect others opinions even if they differ from yours. Thanks.
I actually agree with gyms to some extent given the fact that USAG has never given Shannon Miller the credits she well deserves and has thrown Shawn Johnson under the bus since the Beijing Olympics. How do you (gymcoach) know that “USA Gymnastics would have happily done a Shawn Johnson Cup or Shannon Miller Cup or Mary Lou Retton Cup”? I’d rather say that I am 99% sure they are NOT willing to do it because none of them is their favorite and none of them has the same connections and relationships with USAG and FIG as Valeri Liukin does.
Hey, you three…fight NICE!
Ummm…isn’t anybody going to acknowledge how well
Lexie Priessman did (besides Amy)?
I mean, granted, it was only at the Nastia Liukin Cup.
But I still feel Lexie deserves our sincere appreciation.
She’s part of the future of gymnastics. And, many young girls aspire to become great gymnasts, themselves!
It’s a shame that Lexie will be a month too young to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
Hey, is there any truth to the rumor that the 2012 Chinese women’s team members are only 12 years old today, but will miraculously age four years during the span of just 2.5 years?
Just pondering.
I don’t really have anything to add, but am surprised by the strong feelings everyone seems to have to what I thought seemed like a great meet. But I do have one question, for nypca.
Why would you say that USAG “has thrown Shawn Johnson under the bus since the Beijing Olympics”? Just curious. I am no insider at all, I just thought it seemed like they loved Shawn.
I agree with you Robin, Lexie Priessman was so good!!