Shchennikova, Kenlin win 2013 US Challenge

Jul 26, 2013 by Anne Phillips

The 2013 Secret US Challege wrapped up today in Chicago with Alyona Shchennikova of TIGAR and Adeline Kenlin of Iowa Gym Nest claiming all around titles in their respective divisions. The US Challenge is a pre-elite competition which features two age divisions of "Hopes" level athletes. These gymnasts are looking to gain experience with the elite scoring system before advancing to the junior elite level.

Alyona Shchennikova, the younger sister of U.S. Junior National Team member Polina Shchennikova, won the the Hopes 12-13 age division thanks to a 52.800 optional all around score in Friday's finals. Shchennikova impressed with clean lines and gorgeous flexibility. She also won the meet's title on uneven bars (13.00) and floor (13.50).

Samantha Davis of North Stars (New Jersey) finished second in the 12-13 division with an nice array of skills including a Bhardwaj on uneven bars, and a perfect back 2.5 twist to scissone jump on floor. Davis also won the vault title (13.80), and earned top honors on beam with a 13.650.

Hopes 12-13 All Around Results

Milan Clausi of USA Gym World (Utah) posted the top score in Thursday's compulsory competition and was in the lead at the half way point in today's optional finals. However, a shaky bar routine in the third rotation dashed her chances of the all around title. Clausi finished in bronze medal position. She is the daughter of 1988 US Olympian Missy Marlowe and has a bright future ahead of her.

In the Hopes 10-11 age division, Adeline Kenlin of Iowa Gym-Nest dominated the competition with a huge 51.250 optional all around score, besting her competitors by over two points. She also won Thursday's compulsory competition with a 34.650. Kenlin nearly swept the meet, winning every title expect for vault. Her beam was the real show stopper. Kenlin competed an elite level routine valued at a 6.00. She totaled a 14.60 to win the event by over a point. Click here to watch Kenlin's amazing beam routine.

Adorable Olivia Dunne of ENA Paramus finished second all around. She turned heads as a ten-year-old level 10 gymnast in 2013. Aside from a slight hiccup on bars, Dunne had a great day. She also took home silver medals on beam (13.40) and floor (13.150).

Coming in third all around and first on vault was the talented Shilese Jones of Auburn Gym Center in Washington. Jones made a name for herself on Gymnastike by casually competing a full in on floor as a level 9. Her powerful tumbling helped her claim the Level 9 Western National floor title earlier this season. We look forward to seeing Jones and her fellow Challenge medalists take to the elite stage in the near future.

Hopes 10-11 All Around Results