3 future Red Rocks shine under Huntsman lights at USA Gymnastics’ American Classic


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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah’s Jon M. Huntsman Center is used to hosting one of the country’s top collegiate gymnastics teams. However, this weekend it was home to USA Gymnastics’ junior and senior elite gymnasts.

Some of the country’s top talents in the sport competed in a two-part competition known as the American Classic, split between junior and senior elite athletes, on Saturday. The goal: qualify for the U.S. championships, which take place Aug. 16 in Boston.

Among those competing was a trio of senior elites — Grace McCallum, Deanne Soza and Jaylene Gilstrap — who have verbally committed to Utah. Soza and Gilstrap are slated to join the team for the 2020-21 season, while McCallum will join a year later. Saturday marked their first time competing under the Huntsman lights, performing well with future college coach Tom Farden and teammates MaKenna Merrell-Giles, Shannon McNatt, Alexia Burch and others watching from the stands.

Twenty-two gymnasts advanced from the American Classic to nationals. Former elite and current NCAA All-American MyKayla Skinner handed out medals to those who qualified and earned top event scores. Those who didn’t make the cut will have one more chance to punch their ticket at the U.S. Classic in Columbus, Ohio, later this month.

McCallum prequalified for the U.S. championships as a current U.S. National Team member and having met international requirements (winning the all-around at the 2018 Pacific Rim championship).

The American Classic was great practice in soon-to-be familiar territory leading up to nationals for McCallum as she competed on bars and beam. She earned 14.05 on bars, swinging her way to a silver medal. Her 12.40 beam effort, which included a fall, resulted in a ninth-place finish.

> Grace McCallum posted a 14.050 for her bars tonight at the [\#AmClassic2018](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AmClassic2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw)! [pic.twitter.com/SrDyvHsOyV](https://t.co/SrDyvHsOyV) > > — USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) [July 8, 2018](https://twitter.com/USAGym/status/1015776833474707457?ref_src=twsrc^tfw)

The meet was a lot more meaningful for Gilstrap and Soza, who needed to meet the score requirements to advance. Unfortunately, Gilstrap (39.35 three-event score) and Soza (39.15 three-event score) just missed the qualification requirement of 39.75. Gilstrap placed fourth on beam (12.95) and tied for fifth on vault (13.40) and floor (13.0). Soza’s 13.45 on vault earned her fourth on the event while she finished eighth on bars (13.20) and beam (12.50), also succumbing to a fall on the latter event.

Senior elite qualifiers to the U.S. championships in Boston are Shilese Jones (53.90 all-around), Shania Adams (53.25), Maddie Johnston (53.15), Kara Eaker (52.90), Madelyn Williams (40.40 three-event score), Audrey Davis (27.0 two-event score) and Riley McCusker (27.50 two-event score). Along with McCallum, Jade Carey, Alyona Shchennikova and Tori Tatum prequalified for nationals.

Junior elites who qualified, required to score 51.0 in the all-around to advance, include Kayla Di Cello (55.40) — who won the all-around, but was prequalified — Konnor McClain (53.95), Skye Blakely (53.40), Olivia Greaves (53.30), Ui Soma (52.50), Aleah Finnegan (52.25), Levi Jung-Ruivivar (52.0), Sydney Morris (51.90), Ciena Alipio (51.30), Karis German (51.20) and Zoe Gravier (51.0).

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