By Elizabeth Grimsley
Week five of the Nastia Liukin Cup series is over with eight new qualifiers that will compete for the title March 3 in Newark, N.J. Competitors at the Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Buckeye Classic, Chow’s Challenge, Pikes Peak Cup and Classic Spectacular competed for a chance to advance.
Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational
- Junior: Emma Pritchard
- Gym X-Treme
- 37.950
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 4th AA
- 2015 J.O. Nationals: 4th AA, 3rd BB, 7th VT, 8th FX
- Committed to college? Uncommitted
- Senior: Jaedyn Rucker
- Desert Devils
- 38.775
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 29th AA, 10th UB
- Committed to college? Uncommitted
Buckeye Classic
- Junior: Jacey Vore
- JPAC
- 37.575
- Did not compete in 2016
- Competed level 9 in 2015
- 2015 Easterns: 3rd AA, VT, UB, 5th BB
- Committed to college? Uncommitted
- Senior: Abby Heiskell
- Southeastern
- 38.350
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 1st AA, UB, 4th BB, 6th VT
- 2016 Nastia Cup qualifier
- 2015 J.O. Nationals: 4th UB
- 2015 Nastia CUp qualifier: 4th BB, 9th AA
- Committed to college? Michigan
Chow’s Challenge
- Junior: Carly Bauman
- Chow’s
- 38.900
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 1st AA, UB, BB, 4th VT, 6th FX
- 2015 Nastia Cup qualifier: 6th BB, 7th AA, UB, 8th FX
- Committed to college? Michigan
Pikes Peak Cup
- Junior: Gillian Rutz
- Perfection Gymnastics School
- 38.250
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 24th AA, 2nd UB
- 2015 Easterns: 5th AA, 2nd UB, 6th VT, 7th FX
- Committed to college? Uncommitted
- Senior: Rylie Mundell
- Colorado Gymnastics Institute
- 38.800
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 5th BB
- 2016 Nastia Cup qualifier
- 2015 J.O. Nationals: 2nd VT, 3rd UB
- Committed to college? Denver
Classic Spectacular
- Senior: Nevaeh DeSouza
- Dream Xtreme Gymnastics
- 37.975
- 2016 J.O. Nationals: 3rd AA, 4th FX, 5th BB
- 2016 Nastia Cup qualifier: 8th AA
- 2014 Secret Classic: 2nd VT, 8th UB, 7th AA
- Committed to college? California
Next weekend, gymnasts competing at three different competitions will vy for a spot at the Cup with two junior positions and two senior spot up for grabs. Stay tuned for more updates on the series or check out all the qualifiers thus far on our Events page.