Pictured: Brandy Johnson

 

Junior elite gymnast Sydney Johnson-Scharpf is coached by her mom, Brandy Johnson at Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics. 13 year old Sydney qualified for junior elite last June at US Training Center. She qualified to the 2013 P&G Championships after finishing 18th in the all-around and 8th on beam and floor at the Secret Class in Chicago. Sydney placed 27th in the all-around and 9th on floor at the P&G Championships last year. 

Brandy is the owner of the gym which is home to former national team member Morgan Smith and currently home to several elite level gymnasts including Alexis Beucler, Aja Monet Sims, and Brandy's own daughter Sydney. Brandy Johnson was a member of the 1988 Olympic team. At the Olympics, Brandy placed 10th in the all-around. Brandy continued elite gymnastics after the Olympic Games. She ended her career at 1990 World Cup where she placed 5th all around.

Sydney will look to her mom for key advice and support during her elite career. Brandy will be able to provide great insight to Sydney from her personal experiences. Sydney's dreams include traveling the world for team USA, and earning a scholarship to a Division 1 College.

Pictured: Elena Arenas

Junior elite gymnast Elena Arenas is being coached by her mom, Kim Arnold Arenas and also by her dad Pete Arenas. In 2006, Kim and Pete took over Classic City Gymnastics in Athens, GA, renaming it Georgia Elite Gymnastics. In 2013 Elena finished 7th in the all-around, 2nd on bars and 6th on beam at the US Challenge. Elena is a new junior elite who is only 12 years old.  

Arnold enjoyed some success as an elite gymnast by becoming the bronze medalist on vault at the 1993 U.S. Nationals. Kim moved onto college gymnastics where she competed for the University of Georgia. Kim was an All-American all four years, along with winning the AA National Championships in ’97 and ’98. She also was awarded the Honda Award two times in her career. Elena is also coached by her dad Pete who also attended the University of Georgia on a baseball scholarship.

Elena has goals and dreams of competing for team USA along with making an Olympic team. Elena will look to both her mom and dad for experience, support and advice.

Pictured: Milan Clausi

 

Junior elite gymnast, Milan Clausi is being coached by her mom, Missy Marlowe at USA 
Gymnastics World. Milan is 14 years old and in her first year as a junior elite. Milan qualified for elite back in March 2014 at the Cal Elite Qualifier. In 2013 Milan finished 3rd in the all-around, 6th on vaults and 2nd on floor at the US Challenge. 

Missy is currently the owner and head coach of Missy Marlowe's Gymnastics and Sports Center.Melissa (Missy Marlowe) was a member of the 1988 Olympic Team. After the Olympics she began NCAA competition with the University of Utah. While there, Missy earned 7 perfect 10s and was an All-American in all four of her competitive seasons (1989-1992).
Milan will look to her mom for support throughout her elite gymnastics career. Missy will be able to provide Milan with the support not only from a coaches perspective but as her mom with personal experience.

Junior elite gymnast, Alyona Shchennikova is being coached by both of her parents, Alex and Katia Shchennikov. Alyona trains at TIGAR gymnastics located in Colorado. Alyona is 13 years old and is new to the junior elite team. Last year Alyona won the 2013 US Challenge and placed 3rd on vault,1st on bars and floor. 

Alyona has two parents coaching her, in which both were elite gymnasts themselves. Katia was on the Russian National Team. Alyona has the opportunity to gain support, knowledge, and advice from both of her parents. Katia and Alex will offer Alyona great experience advice to their daughter throughout her elite career.

Stay tunned with Gymnastike for more information to come on gymnasts competing at the American Classic next month!

Related:
See the full roster for the 2014 American Classic
Read about the most recent June National Team Training Camp here