2018 GK U.S. Classic

Leanne Wong Wins Junior Gold All-Around At GK U.S. Classic

Leanne Wong Wins Junior Gold All-Around At GK U.S. Classic

Jul 28, 2018 by Becca Reed
Leanne Wong Wins Junior Gold All-Around At GK U.S. Classic

Leanne Wong of Great American Gymnastics Express took all-around gold with a 55.35 in the junior division at the 2018 GK U.S. Classic competition in Columbus, OH. Kayla DiCello from Hill's finished second with a 54.0 and Jordan Bowers of Solid Rock took third with a 53.85.

Tori Tatum from Twin City Twisters took the early lead with a strong yurchenko double full to score a 14.4. DiCello showed an aggressive bar set with a stuck landing to earn a 14.3. Jordan Bowers of Solid Rock hit her Yurchenko double full but landed with a low chest to post a 13.95. 

Other highlights from the first rotation include very first up Konnor McClain who hit a great bar routine. Wong and Aleah Finnegan, both from GAGE, started on beam where they displayed gorgeous work and precise skills. Wong posted a 13.7 and Finnegan a 13.3.

Bowers took the lead at the halfway point after an incredible bar routine that included a new one and a half pirouette to a piked Jaeger. Tatum moved to second after a strong bar routine and Skye Blakely of WOGA shot up to third after a huge vault that scored a 14.5

Sydney Morris of First State was also impressive in the second rotation with a great bar routine that included a piked Jaeger and full in dismount. Wong was also a highlight with her always lovely floor work and massive tumbling starting with her Arabian double front and following with her triple full.

Bowers kept her leading in the third rotation with a strong beam set. She completed two acro series--a back handspring layout layout and a front handspring front tuck. Wong earned a 14.65 for a huge, stuck Yurchenko double full, moving her to second while Tatum stayed steady in third.

Aleah Finnegan was fourth heading into the final rotation while Skye Blakely was fifth.

With a beautiful bar routine, Wong secured her all-around gold. She displayed beautiful lines and technique along with strong skills--Shaposh variations, a piked Jaeger, and a double layout dismount. She won with a 55.35. 

DiCello finished with a Yurchenko double full on vault for a 14.6 to push her to second with a 54.0, despite a fall on beam in the second rotation.

Bowers had a gorgeous floor routine but landed extremely short on her third pass, falling to her hands. She still had enough difficulty to earn an 11.95 and take bronze all-around with a 53.85.

National team member Sunisa Lee watered down a couple skills but still had a strong overall performance, finishing fifth all-around with a 53.25.