Press release via USA Gymnastics

Six athletes qualified for the 2018 Nastia Liukin Cup, scheduled for March 2 at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., based on performances this past weekend at the Classic Spectacular in Minneapolis, Minn.; Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas; and the Atlanta Centennial Classic in Atlanta, Ga. The Nastia Liukin Cup Series continues this weekend with Chris Waller's Heart of a Champion in Pasadena, Calif., and the Pikes Peak Cup in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Faith Torrez-Foster of Kenosha, Wis./Legacy Elite Gymnastics, posted a 38.350 at the Classic Spectacular to qualify as a junior, while Alexa Al-Hameed of Ames, Iowa/Triad, tallied a 38.650 to earn her a place in the Nastia Liukin Cup senior competition. Kaylen Morgan of Huntersville, N.C./Everest, junior, and Chae Campbell of Carrollton, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, senior, qualified to the Cup at the Metroplex Challenge with scores of 38.300 and 39.025, respectively. Kate Greene of Durham, N.C./Bull City Gymnastics, and Gabryel Wilson of Ypsilanti, Mich./Olympia Gymnastics Academy, topped the all-around standings at the Atlanta Centennial Classic to seal junior and senior spots, respectively, at the Cup. Greene posted a 38.050 to clinch the junior berth, while Wilson earned a 38.475, which secured her third trip to the Nastia Liukin Cup.

The Sears Centre Arena will host both the Nastia Liukin Cup and, on the following day, the American Cup, the USA’s most prestigious international invitational and part of the International Gymnastics Federation’s all-around World Cup series. 2017 World all-around champion Morgan Hurd of Middletown, Del./First State Gymnastics, and 2017 American Cup champion and World bronze-medalist Yul Moldauer of Arvada, Colo./University of Oklahoma, will represent the United States at the 2018 American Cup. The international field will be announced in the near future, along with a second U.S. male and female athlete. The Elite Team Cup, a team event with many of the USA’s top junior men, wraps up the weekend’s events on Saturday evening.

The 36 participants in the Nastia Liukin Cup are selected through the Nastia Liukin Cup Series, which features 18 of the country’s top gymnastics invitationals held throughout the United States. A total of 18 junior and 18 senior gymnasts will advance to the Nastia Liukin Cup with one junior and one senior gymnast qualifying at each invitational. Senior athletes must be 16 years of age or older, and junior athletes must be 15 or younger. The age determination date is Dec. 31, 2018. The last Nastia Liukin Cup qualifiers will be determined at two invitationals held just two weeks before the Nastia Liukin Cup. The remaining invitationals participating in the Cup Series are listed below.

• Chris Waller's Heart of a Champion, Pasadena, Calif., Feb. 2-4
• Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 2-4
• Salcianu and Brestyan’s Invitational, Las Vegas, Nev., Feb. 8-11
• Arizona Sunrays Classic Rock Invitational, Phoenix, Ariz., Feb. 9-11
• Denver Winterfest Classic, Denver, Colo., Feb. 9-11
• Greensboro Gymnastics Invitational, Greensboro, N.C., Feb. 9-11
• Magical Classic, Orlando, Fla., Feb. 16-17
• WOGA Classic, Frisco, Texas, Feb. 16-19

Gymnasts who compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the Nastia Liukin Cup; and the opportunity to meet Liukin and participate in a team photo.

Single-session tickets range in price from $29 to $79, plus applicable fees, and can be purchased by clicking here. All-session ticket packages range in price from $89-$149, plus applicable fees, and include tickets to all three of the weekend’s events (American Cup, Nastia Liukin Cup and Elite Team Cup). Ticket prices vary according to competition session and seat location. To purchase tickets, visit www.SearsCentre.com, call 1-888-SEARS-TIX, or visit the Wintrust Box Office at the Sears Centre Arena. For more information on tickets, please go nastialiukincup.com.

Past sites for the Nastia Liukin Cup are: 2016-17, Newark, N.J.; 2015, Arlington, Texas; 2014, Greensboro, N.C.; 2013 and 2010, Worcester, Mass.; 2012, New York City; and 2011, Jacksonville, Fla.