Women's Field Announced for 2012 Secret U.S. Classic

By Elizabeth Grimsley

Defending National and World Champion Jordyn Wieber, as well as 2008 Olympic All Around Champion Nastia Liukin highlight the field for the 2012 Secret U.S. Classic that will be held May 26 in Chicago, IL.  Wieber and Liukin will be joined by seven other current or former World Champions including the 2011 gold medal winning worlds team—Gabrielle Douglas, Anna Li, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Sabrina Vega.

2005 & 2009 World All Around Champions Chellsie Memmel and Bridget Sloan are also slated to compete, along with six-time world medalist Rebecca Bross. This will also be the first time Liukin is competing since the 2009 Visa Championships where she competed only on balance beam.

First-year seniors Kyla Ross and Sarah Finnegan are also expected to compete. Both Ross and Finnegan are legitimate contenders for the 2012 Olympic team. The complete senior women’s field is listed below.

The 2012 Secret U.S. Classic serves as a qualifier for those gymnasts not yet qualified to the 2012 Visa Championships, as well as a tune-up event. 24 senior women and 26 juniors represent the field of competitors. Notable juniors include 2011 National Champion Katelyn Ohashi along with fellow 2012 Pacific Rim team members Amelia Hundley and Lexie Priessman. Fellow junior national team members Madison Desch and Balie Key are also slated to compete.

There may be a lot of notable talent on display at the 2012 Secret U.S. Classic, but there are still some key names missing: 2008 Olympian Shawn Johnson, who is attempting a comeback after tearing her ACL. She has said she expects to compete at the Visa Championships in St. Louis June 7-11. However, if Johnson fails to compete there, she will not be eligible to make the 2012 Olympic team. Nine-time world medalist Alicia Sacramone will also be absent from Classics. Sacramone is still recovering from a torn Achilles tendon she suffered last year at the 2011 World championships. Other national team members missing from the roster include Bridgette and Mackenzie Caquatto.

Senior Women’s field for the 2012 Secret U.S. Classic

Courtesy of USAG

Listed by event according to the competition draw, competitors subject to change.

Vault

Abigail Milliet

Jordyn Wieber

Sabrina Vega

Mackenzie Wofford

McKayla Maroney

Brandie Jay

Bars

Anna Li

Brenna Dowell

Kennedy Baker

Sarah Finnegan

Gabrielle Douglas

MyKayla Skinner

Beam

Kyla Ross

Chellsie Memmel

Grace McLaughlin

Rebecca Bross

Casey Jo Magee

Nastia Liukin

Floor

Mackenzie Brannan

Amanda Jetter

Bridget Sloan

Brianna Brown

Aly Raisman

Elizabeth Price

Inside Gymnastics will be on the scene in Chicago bringing you action and updates from this critical evaluation point along the road to London. Be sure to follow us on Twitter: @insidegym & Facebook: www.facebook.com/insidegymnastics. JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION as Inside Gymnastics celebrates its 10^th Anniversary with a special Commemorative Issue in June of 2012. Make sure you receive yours at www.subscribeig.com.

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