Wieber Tops Junior Standings
June 05, 2008U.S. Classic champ Jordyn Wieber (Gedderts) leads the junior U.S. Championships standings after the first day of competition at the Agganis Arena in Boston.
Wieber, who got top marks on vault and beam, leads Samantha Shapiro (All Olympians) by one tenth in the standings (59.95 to 59.85), with both gymnasts more than two points ahead of third place Cassie Whitcomb (Cincinnati, 57.45).
“Bars was one of my best routines,” Wieber said of her prelim performance. “Every handstand right on top.”
Shapiro, who has been in a bevy of international competitions this season, including competing with the seniors at the Pacific Rim Championships, says her experience has helped her. “It definitely helped boost my confidence—just getting more competition experience,” Shapiro noted of her breakout season.
“I’m happy with what I did,” she added of her day one performance. “I made some mistakes, but I’m happy.”
Like Wieber, Shapiro had the top total on two events, beam and floor, earning the highest score (15.75) of the day, with her beam performance.
“My goal is to hit all four routines,” Shapiro said of her Saturday strategy.
“Definitely to win,” Wieber said of her goals for finals. “I really do think I can improve on every event. … Just go four-for-four and get better on every event, especially beam.”
The reigning junior national champ, Rebecca Bross (WOGA), was forced to withdraw due to a broken foot. Bross expects to be back in the gym within three weeks, according to coach Valeri Liukin.
Today’s totals will be combined with Saturday’s finals to determine the U.S. junior National Team. The junior finals will start at 10:30 AM on Saturday, while the senior competition kicks off tonight at 7 PM.
