American Classic- Junior Elites - Part 5

 

The 2014 American Classic will feature thirty junior elite gymnasts. The American Classic will be held at the ranch in Huntsville, Texas on July 5th. The majority of the athletes competing in the American Classic are veterans of the ranch, through the developmental camps or National team camp, and they are very familiar with the equipment and environment. The American Classic will serve as one of two qualifiers for the P&G Gymnastics Championships. 

 

 

Margzetta Frazier is a first year junior elite gymnast who trains at Parkettes National Gymnastics Center. Frazier is 14 years old and is coached by Heather Moroz along with Bill and Donna Strauss. In 2013 Frazier qualified to hopes at the Parkette Elite Qualifier. She placed 5th on vault and bars at the US Challenge. In 2014, Margzetta qualified to junior elite at the California Classic. Margzetta trains alongside junior elite gymnasts Molly Frack, Megan Freed and Taylor Lawson. 

Watch her floor routine from the SCEGA California Classic here

Pictured: Megan Freed

 

Megan Freed is a second year junior elite gymnast who trains at Parkettes National Gymnastics Center. Megan is coached by Heather Moroz along with Bill and Donna Strauss. Freed was a 2010 and 2011 Tops National "B" team member. In 2012 she placed first in physical skills at 2 developmental camps at the ranch. In 2013, Megan competed at the Parkettes Elite Qualifier where she placed 8th in the optional section and 4th in compulsories qualifying her to junior elite status. Megan trains alongside junior elite gymnasts Molly Frack, Margzetta Frazier and Taylor Lawson. 

 

 

Taylor Lawson is a third year junior elite gymnast who trains at Parkettes National Gymnastics Center. Taylor is 14 years old and coached by Heather Moroz along with Bill and Donna Strauss. In 2012 Taylor qualified to junior international elite and competed at the Secret U.S. Classic in Chicago, Illinois. At the 2012 American Classic Taylor placed 3rd on floor, 4th on bars and 9th all-around. In 2013, Taylor finished 4th all-around at the Maryland Classic. She competed on bars at the Parkette Elite Qualifier, finishing 3rd. Taylor trains alongside junior elite gymnasts Molly Frack, Margzetta Frazier and Megan Freed. Taylor will look to use her experience at the elite level to her advantage as she strives to qualify for the 2014 P&G Championships. 
 

 

Another junior elite gymnast competing at this year’s American Classic is Marissa Oakley of Phenom Gymnastics. Marissa “O” is the first gymnast from Phenom to qualify as an elite gymnast! Marissa is coached by Jessica Holtz who is also the owner of Phenom Gymnastics. Her coach states that she has a very strong work ethic and a great attitude. Marissa has plans to compete the same routines she did at qualifier with making improving on execution. She is also working hard on upgrades to add to her routines at Championships. Upgrades include a yurchenko double full on vault, and a full in and triple full on floor. On bars she has lots of upgrades including a shaposh, full pirouette to higgins (in front of jaeger), and a toe handstand full to pak salto. These upgrades will help increase her start value and also make the routine shorter with the possible start value of a 6.40. 

Watch her feature in the latest Workout Wednesday here. 

Pictured: Vanasia Bradley

Vanasia Bradley is a junior elite gymnast who trains at Splitz Gymnastics in Canton, Michigan. Vanasia is the first elite to come from Splitz Gymnastics. She is coached by Eileen Spicher and Justin Laury. Eileen is also the owner of Splitz. In 2013, Vanasia qualified junior international elite at the City of Lights Invitational. Vanasia dreams of traveling the world as an elite gymnast and representing the United States at the Olympic Games. Bradley has verbally committed to the University of Florida starting in the fall of 2017. 

 

Pictured: Rachel Flam 
 

Rachael Flam is a first year junior elite gymnast who trains at Stars Gymnastics in Houston under coaches Dan and Ashly Baker. Flam won the 2014 Nastia Liukin Cup in the junior division. Rachael placed 1st on bars at the 2014 Level 10 National Championships. Rachel’s favorite event is bars because it comes very natural to her and she loves flying high on release moves. Rachael is looking for a strong performance at this year’s Classics to help her qualify for the 2014 P&G Championships.