The American Classic is the first of two domestic meets for elite gymnasts who have not already qualified to nationals—either via previous international assignments or national training camps—or for those want an additional opportunity to compete. Junior competitors must earn an all around score of at least 51.000 to advance while seniors must reach the 52.000 mark. Senior competitors can also qualify on only two or three events with scores of 27.000 and 39.750, respectively. The event will take place June 22 at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.
The gymnasts slated to compete are listed below:
Juniors
| GYMNAST | CLUB | COLLEGE | FRESHMAN SEASON |
| Olivia Ahern | River City Gymnastics, Inc. | uncommitted | 2025 |
| *Ciena Alipio | West Valley Gymnastics School | uncommitted | 2023 |
| Charlotte Booth | Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics | uncommitted | 2026 |
| Kailin Chio | Gymcats | uncommitted | 2025 |
| eMjae Frazier | Parkettes | uncommitted | 2023 |
| Elizabeth Gantner | Jaycie Phelps Athletic Center | Georgia | 2024 |
| Karis German | World Champions Centre | Alabama | 2023 |
| Mia Heather | San Mateo | uncommitted | 2023 |
| Levi Jung-Ruivivar | Paramount Elite | uncommitted | 2025 |
| Lauren Little | Everest | Alabama | 2023 |
| Nola Matthews | Airborne Gymnastics Training Center | uncommitted | 2026 |
| Zoe Miller | World Champions Centre | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Sydney Morris | First State | uncommitted | 2023 |
| Annalise Newman-Achee | Chelsea Piers | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Sophie Parenti | San Mateo | uncommitted | 2025 |
| Anya Pilgrim | Hill’s | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Ariel Posen | MG Elite | UCLA | 2023 |
| Joscelyn Roberson | North East Texas Elite | uncommitted | 2025 |
| Sienna Robinson | Browns | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Katelyn Rosen | Mavericks | UCLA | 2024 |
| Lyden Saltness | Midwest Gymnastics Center | Auburn | 2024 |
| Jamison Sears | World Class | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Chavala Shepard | Hopes and Dreams | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Ava Siegfeldt | World Class | Oklahoma | 2023 |
| Mya Witte | Genie’s | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Jamie Wright | World Class | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Eva Volpe | Pearland Elite | uncommitted | 2024 |
| Ella Zirbes | Flips | Utah | 2024 |
*Denotes junior national team member
Skye Blakely (uncommitted ‘24) was scheduled to compete at the American Classic but has since been named to the team representing the United States at the inaugural junior world championships. That competition will take place June 27 to 30 in Győr, Hungary.
Even with Blakely not competing, there are plenty of excellent gymnasts in the mix: Ciena Alipio (uncommitted ‘23) earned silver with the U.S. junior team at the City of Jesolo Trophy and placed top eight in the all around. Though not on the junior national team, Mya Witte (uncommitted ‘23) and eMjae Frazier (uncommitted ‘23) have both posted all around scores above 54.000 in 2019.
While the majority of the junior competitors are still uncommitted, several NCAA programs will be represented: Alabama ‘23 gymnasts Keris German and Lauren Little, future UCLA Bruins Ariel Posen (‘23) and Sienna Robinson (‘24), Ella Zirbes (Utah ‘24), Ava Siegfeldt (Oklahoma ‘23), Elizabeth Gantner (Georgia ‘24) and Lyden Saltness (Auburn ‘24) will all be vying for a spot at nationals.
Seniors
| GYMNAST | CLUB | COLLEGE | FRESHMAN SEASON |
| Shania Adams | Future Gymnastics Academy | Alabama | 2021 |
| *Sloane Blakely | WOGA | Florida | 2022 |
| Jaylene Gilstrap | Metroplex | Utah | 2021 |
| Olivia Hollingsworth | World Champions Centre | Auburn | 2021 |
| Emily Lee | West Valley Gymnastics School | UCLA | 2022 |
| *Sunisa Lee | Midwest Gymnastics Center | Auburn | 2022 |
| Victoria Nguyen | Everest | uncommitted | 2020 |
| Abigael Vides | World Champions Centre | uncommitted | 2022 |
*Denotes senior national team member
The senior field is noticeably sparser than in prior years. Previously, American Classic scores were required as part of the selection process for the Pan American Games. However, USAG recently updated these procedures so that gymnasts are allowed to either compete at the American Classic or verify routines at the June national team camp. Numerous national team members have opted out of the competition as a result. In another change from past years, athletes who earned two- or three-event scores at an elite qualifier can only compete on those events versus in the all around.
The American Classic marks Sunisa Lee’s (Auburn ‘22) senior elite debut in the United States (she won gold in the all around, floor, beam and team gold at the City of Jesolo Trophy earlier this year). Lee’s fellow senior national team member Sloane Blakely (Florida ‘22) and last year’s all around silver medalist Shania Adams (Alabama ‘21) round out the top of the field.
Senior national team member Jordan Chiles (UCLA ‘20), junior national team member Sophia Butler (Florida ‘23) and juniors Love Birt (uncommitted ‘25), Addison Fatta (uncommitted ‘24) and Emily Golden (uncommitted ‘24) were expected to compete but are no longer listed on the competition roster as of Friday, June 21.
The American Classic will be live streamed on USA Gymnastics’ YouTube channel.
Article by Claire Billman
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