Johnson Wins Junior All-Around Title at U.S. Classic
7/29/2006
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Less than a point separated the top three juniors at the 2006 U.S. Classic in Kansas City, Mo., July 29, showing the depth of the junior women’s program. Shawn Johnson, 14, from Chow’s Gymnastics in Des Moines, Iowa, won the junior all-around title with 60.65 points. Samantha Peszek of McCordsville, Ind., and DeVeau’s School of Gymnastics took second with a score of 60.500. Bianca Flohr of Creston, Ohio, and Cincinnati Gymnastics took third with a 59.95.
Johnson said, “It feels amazing to win my first U.S. Classic. I came in here just wanting to hit my routines as a warm-up for Visa Championships. To win, it’s incredible!”
Johnson finished second on vault (15.30) and the floor exercise (14.85), third on the uneven bars (15.25) and tied for third on the balance beam (15.25).
In addition, Peszek, 14, won both vault (15.35) and floor (14.95) titles and placed second on beam (15.30) and fourth on bars (14.90).
“Placing second is a great confidence builder for me,” said Peszek. “I know there are a couple of spots where I can improve. I know I can clean those up before Visa Championships.”
Fifteen-year-old Flohr, the 2005 junior national bar champion, won bars, scoring 15.850. She was also third on vault (14.90) and tied for third on beam (15.250).
GAGE’s Sarah DeMeo of Overland Park, Kan., 14, won the balance beam event (15.350) and finished seventh in the all-around.
Based on performances at the U.S. Classic, 11 gymnasts who were not already qualified will earn the right to compete at Visa Championships where a total of 36 junior women gymnasts will compete. The 2006 VISA CHAMPIONSHIPS are Aug. 16-19 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn., where the national champions for artistic and rhythmic gymnastics will be determined.
