Nastia Liukin Cup

Congratulation to the 2010 Buckeye Classic Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup Qualifiers
Megan Walker Southern Tier Gymnastics Little Meadows, PA	Lauren Beers Southern Tier Gymnastics Warren Center, PA
Coached by: Albert Drodowski / Dale Van Patton

Buckeye Classic Qualifying: One Jr (15 and under) and one Sr (16 & over) will qualify from 10/open division.

USA Gymnastics and Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, the 2008 Olympic all-around champion, have joined forces to provide a competitive opportunity for the country's top Junior Olympic gymnasts, the Nastia Liukin Cup. Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup will go into the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.

"USA Gymnastics is honored to partner with Nastia in creating this unique opportunity for young gymnasts," said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. "Nastia's gymnastics accomplishments are incredible. She is known and respected for her integrity, sportsmanship and sense of fair play. Her interest in helping others and dedication to gymnastics led to the creation of the Nastia Liukin Cup and Nastia Liukin Fund."

"I love gymnastics, and it has given me the opportunity to achieve my dreams and goals," said Liukin, who has a total of nine world and five Olympic medals to her credit. "Gymnastics has given me so much, and now I want to give back to the community that has supported me for my entire career. I am excited about the development of the Cup, which will give athletes an elite competitive opportunity, and the creation of the Nastia Liukin Fund that will enable me to help others through scholarships or charitable support."

The inaugural Nastia Liukin Cup is scheduled for March 5, 2010, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. The Nastia Liukin Cup will be held the evening prior to the prestigious Tyson American Cup and use the event's podium.

Gymnasts will be chosen to participate in the Cup from a series of invitationals known as the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. The Series will be promoted throughout the competitive season with individual meets each selecting a minimum of two athletes to compete in the Cup from their respective fields. The events already committed to participate in the NLCS are listed below.

Web site for Nastia Liukin Cup info:
http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/events/2010/nastialiukincup/