This year’s Nastia Liukin Cup Series will be comprised of 12 meets, each of which will qualify one or two senior gymnasts (aged 16 or older) and one or two juniors (15 or younger) to the 12th Nastia Liukin Cup in Indianapolis on Feb. 26.
This week’s meet was the Chow’s Winter Classic Invitational in Des Moines, Iowa.
Last week’s qualifiers were Bryce Wilson and Gabby Gladieux (seniors) and Madelyn Dorbin and Gabby Bednar (junior).
Chow’s Winter Classic Invitational
Winner (senior division): Lexi Zeiss (38.275)
Winner (junior division): Avery Neff (37.950)
This was a surprising and fun meet, with two impressive newcomers in the class of 2024 upsetting such stars as level 10 national champion Sage Thompson and former U.S. national team member Jordan Bowers. Lexi Zeiss, a junior elite, posted the highest all around score of the day to win the senior spot. Particularly impressive was her huge Yurchenko 1.5 on vault. Avery Neff, the junior qualifier, was not far behind, with four strong performances and a big bar routine. Thompson, a Utah commit, posted two big scores on vault and beam, but struggled on bars, her pet event, to miss out on qualification by just 0.275.
Lexi Zeiss
Scores: VT: 9.675 | UB: 9.575 | BB: 9.400 | FX: 9.625 | AA: 38.275
- Club: Omaha
- High School Graduation Year: 2024
- Notable Results: 2020 junior elite qualifier
- Previous NLC Appearances: N/A
Avery Neff
Scores: VT: 9.425 | UB: 9.600 | BB: 9.300 | FX: 9.625 | AA: 37.950
- Club: Olympus
- High School Graduation Year: 2024
- Notable Results: fourth place on floor at the 2019 L10 nationals (junior A)
- Previous NLC Appearances: N/A
READ THIS NEXT: Nastia Liukin Cup Series: Week 1
Article by Talitha Ilacqua
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