USA’s best gymnasts are heading to Boston’s TD Garden for the 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 14, 2018 – Boston’s TD Garden is the destination for the country’s top male and female gymnasts for the 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the national championships for men’s and women’s gymnastics. Scheduled for August 16-19, 2018, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, part of the Team USA Summer Champions Series, presented by Xfinity, determines the men’s and women’s U.S. champions and U.S. National Team for the junior and senior elite levels. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of their success at the 2008 Olympic Games, the men’s and women’s 2008 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team and alternates will be recognized following the women’s competition on Sunday, Aug. 19, prior to the medal ceremonies.
2016 Olympic all-around champion Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, who just won the all-around at the 2018 GK U.S. Classic, joins reigning World all-around champion Morgan Hurd of Middletown, Del./First State Gymnastics, 2017 U.S. all-around champion and 2016 Olympic alternate Ragan Smith of Lewisville, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics, and 2017 World vault and floor exercise silver-medalist Jade Carey of Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona Sunrays, in the women’s field of 48 seniors and juniors.
2017 U.S. all-around and two-time American Cup champion Yul Moldauer of Arvada, Colorado/University of Oklahoma; two-time Olympian and four-time U.S. all-around champion Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, Calif./U.S. Olympic Training Center; and 2016 U.S. Olympic team alternates Akash Modi of Morganville, New Jersey/Stanford University,and Donnell Whittenburg of Baltimore, Md./U.S. Olympic Training Center, are among the 78 senior and junior gymnasts who will compete in the men’s competition.
The championships serve as part of the selection process for the U.S. Team for the 2018 World Championships, and the gymnast who will compete in men’s gymnastics at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will be determined in Boston.
2018 women’s field
Along with Biles, Carey, Hurd, and Smith, other members of the U.S. National Team competing as seniors in Boston are: Jordan Chiles of Vancouver, Washington/Naydenov; Audrey Davis of Frisco, Texas/WOGA; Kara Eaker of Grain Valley, Missouri/GAGE; Margzetta Frazier of Sicklerville, New Jersey/UCLA; Adeline Kenlin of Iowa City, Iowa/IGN; Emma Malabuyo of Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams; Grace McCallum of Isanti, Minnesota/Twin City Twisters; Riley McCusker of Brielle, N.J./MG Elite; and Trinity Thomas of York, Pennsylvania/Prestige. Maile O’Keefe of Las Vegas, Nevada/Salcianu Elite, withdrew from the championships because she is recovering from an injury.
For the juniors, Leanne Wong of Overland Park, Kansas/Great American Gymnastics Express, Kayla DiCello of Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, and Jordan Bowers of Lincoln, Neb./Solid Rock Gymnastics, took the top three spots, respectively, at the GK U.S. Classic. Wong is also the only junior woman hoping to defend her 2017 U.S. junior title (vault). The junior field also features four additional National Team members: Sydney Barros of Lewisville, Texas/Texas Dreams; Sunisa Lee of St. Paul, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center; JaFree Scott of Independence, Missouri/GAGE; and Tori Tatum of Chanhassen, Minnesota/Twin City Twisters.
Click here for the complete women’s field.
2018 men’s field
Two gymnasts are hoping to defend their senior 2017 U.S. titles: Modi, parallel bars; and Moldauer, all-around and floor exercise. The U.S. Senior National Team members expected to compete are: Donothan Bailey of Mission Viejo, California/U.S. Olympic Training Center; Allan Bower of Chandler, Arizona/University of Oklahoma; Kimble; Sean Melton of Orlando, Florida/Ohio State University; Mikulak; Modi; Moldauer; Whittenburg; Shane Wiskus of Spring Park, Minnesota/University of Minnesota; and Alec Yoder of Indianapolis /Ohio State University. Marvin Kimble of Milwaukee, Wisconsin/Salto Gymnastics, withdrew because he is still recovering from an injury.
The men’s junior field includes four 2018 junior elite champions: Brandon Briones of Gilbert, Arizona/Aspire Kids Sports Center, all-around, still rings, parallel bars and horizontal bar (17-18); John Chou of Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics, all-around and pommel horse (15-16); Vitaliy Guimaraes of Arvada, Colorado/University of Oklahoma, floor exercise (17-18); and Riley Loos of El Dorado Hills, California/Technique Gymnastics, floor exercise, pommel horse and vault (17-18). Members of the U.S. Junior National Team entered to compete in Boston are: Justin Ah Chow of Miami /Universal Gymnastics; Briones; Chou; Guimaraes; Bennet Huang of Palo Alto, California/University of Iowa; Paul Juda of Deerfield, Illinois/Buffalo Grove Gymnastics; Loos; Kevin Penev of Penfield, New York/University of Michigan; Colt Walker of Cedar Park, Texas/AcroTex Gymnastics; and Dylan Young of Burbank, California/Wallers GymJam Academy.
The men who are eligible to represent the USA at the Youth Olympic Games are: Ah Chow; Jeremy Bischoff of Canyon Country, Calif./Waller’s GymJam; Crew Bold of Delray Beach, Fla./TAG USA Gymnastics; Briones; Taylor Burkhart of Morrison, Colo./5280 Gymnastics; Chou; Matthew Cormier of Milton, Mass./Massachusetts Elite Gymnastics Academy; Isaiah Drake of Van Nuys, Calif./Gymnastics Olympica; Michael Jaroh of Northville, Mich./Michigan Elite Gymnastics Academy; Juda; Nicolas Kuebler of Seattle, Wash./Metropolitan Gymnastics; Walker.
Click here for the complete men’s field.
In-venue activities
The following is a quick overview of the fan activities available on the concourse on competition days. For the most up-to-date and complete information, go to usgymchampionships.com.
- GK selfie station. Fans will have the opportunity to take photos in GK’s selfie station
- GK autograph sessions. The daily autograph schedule, which is subject to change, will be listed on usgymchampionships.com. Approximately 300 individuals will have the opportunity for an autograph during the allotted time for each opportunity.
- Aug. 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m. 2016 Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles.
- Aug. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Two-time Olympian and four-time U.S. all-around champion Sam Mikulak.
- Merchandise. Fans can purchase everything gymnastics, including event-specific tees, GK leotards, other apparel, and more at the merchandise booth.
Thirteen of the 16 2008 Olympians and alternates will be in Boston: women – Shawn Johnson East, Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, Bridget Sloan and alternates Jana Bieger and Ivana Hong; and men – Raj Bhavsar, Joey Hagerty, Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring, Kevin Tan and David Durante, alternate. Alexander Artemev, Corrie Lothrop and Alicia Sacramone Quinn were unable to attend the August 19 recognition.
2018 marks the 10th anniversary of the 2008 team’s 10-medal performance at the Olympic Games, which at that time was the USA’s most medals since the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles and at a non-boycotted Olympic Games. The medal tally of 10 included two gold, six silver and two bronze.
The women and men won the silver and bronze team medals, respectively. The individual medalists were: Liukin – all-around gold, uneven bars and balance beam silver and floor exercise bronze; Johnson East – balance beam gold and all-around and floor exercise silver; and Horton – horizontal bar silver.
2008 is the only time the United States has won team medals at consecutive Olympic Games for both the men and women. Liukin and Johnson became the first U.S. women to go one-two in the all-around. The U.S. women won eight total medals (two gold, five silver and one bronze), topping China’s six. Liukin tied the U.S. gymnastics record of five Olympic medals at one Olympics set by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and matched by Shannon Miller (1996) and later by Simone Biles (2016).
Event information
The four-day competition schedule, which is subject to change, is outlined below. All times are Eastern.
- Thursday, August 16: Men’s gymnastics – 1:30 p.m., juniors, and 7:30 p.m., seniors
- Friday, August 17: Women’s gymnastics – 1:30 p.m., juniors, and 7:30 p.m., seniors
- Saturday, August 18: Men’s gymnastics – 10:30 a.m., juniors, and 3:30 p.m., seniors
- Sunday, August 19: Women’s gymnastics – 1:30 p.m., juniors, and 7:30 p.m., seniors
The championships determines the men’s and women’s U.S. champions and U.S. National Teams for the junior and senior elite levels. The championships also will serve as part of the selection process for the U.S. Team for the 2018 World Championships.
Single-session, multi-session and all-session ticket packages are still available. All prices are per ticket or ticket package and vary in price due to location and session.
- Single-session tickets, Aug. 16-19: Single-session tickets range in price from $29-$300.
- Women’s Gymnastics Day One Package, Aug. 17: both junior and senior sessions, $89-$159.
- Women’s Gymnastics Final Day Package, Aug. 19: both junior and senior sessions, $99-$169.
- Men’s Gymnastics Package, Aug. 16 and 18: all men’s junior and senior sessions, $89-$139.
- Senior Finals Package, Aug. 18-19: senior men’s and senior women’s sessions, $109-$149.
- All-session Package, Aug. 16-19: includes every competitive session with prices ranging from $225 to $725. The platinum all-session package includes VIP seating, an Olympian meet-and-greet, and a commemorative gift.
Tickets maybe be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 800-745-3000 or at TD Garden’s Box Office. Group tickets are currently available through TD Garden’s Group Sales Department by calling (617) 624-1805. Discounted tickets are available through local gymnastics clubs that are participating in the gym club ticket program.
The 2018 U.S. Gymnastics Championships is part of the 2018 Team USA Summer Champions Series, presented by Xfinity. The champions series showcases numerous Olympic sports throughout the season, highlighting the year-round quest of Team USA athletes to compete at the Olympic Games.
Ways to follow the action
The Olympic Channel, NBC Sports and NBCSN are carrying live coverage of the four days of senior competition. All eight competitive sessions, as well as podium training, will have livestream coverage. All times are subject to change.
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Television
- Aug. 15 – podium training, usgymchampionships.com/live: 9 a.m., junior men; 11:30 a.m., senior men; 2:30 p.m., junior women; and 5 p.m., senior women.
- Aug. 16 – junior men, 1:30 p.m., usgymchampionships.com/live
- Aug. 16 – senior men, 8 p.m., NBCSports.com/Live
- Aug. 17 – junior women, 1:30 p.m., usgymchampionships.com/live
- Aug. 17 – senior women, 8 p.m., NBCSports.com/Live
- Aug. 18 – junior men, 10:30 a.m., usgymchampionships.com/live
- Aug. 18 – senior men, 3:30 p.m., NBCSports.com/Live
- Aug. 19 – junior women, 1:30 p.m., usgymchampionships.com/live
- Aug. 19 – senior women, 8 p.m., NBCSports.com/Live
Aug. 16 – Men’s gymnastics, 7:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN – LIVE
Aug. 17 – Women’s gymnastics, 8 p.m. ET, Olympic Channel – LIVE
Aug. 17 – Women’s gymnastics, 11 p.m. ET, NBCSN – delayed
Aug. 18 – Men’s gymnastics, 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET, Olympic Channel – LIVE
Aug. 18 – Men’s gymnastics, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC – LIVE
Aug. 19 – Women’s gymnastics, 8 p.m. ET, NBC – LIVE
Webcasts
USA Gymnastics hosts livestreams of four podium training sessions on Wednesday, Aug. 15, and the four junior sessions live at usgymchampionships.com/live. Fans can catch all the senior division action via NBC Sports online at NBCSports.com/Live, or through the NBC Sports app which is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play, Windows Store, Roku Channel Store, Apple TV and Amazon Fire. All times are Eastern and subject to change. All times are Eastern and subject to change.
All media information (results, historical information, start lists, etc.) will be provided on our website, usgymchampionships.com, during competition week. Live scoring will be available at myusagym.com.
History
Smith and Moldauer won the women’s and men’s 2017 U.S. all-around titles, respectively. The roster of former U.S. all-around champions is a veritable who’s who of gymnastics, including: women – Simone Biles, Jordyn Wieber, Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Carly Patterson, Courtney Kupets, Shannon Miller, Dominique Dawes, Kim Zmeskal and Mary Lou Retton; and men – Sam Mikulak, Jonathan Horton, Paul Hamm, Blaine Wilson, John Roethlisberger, Tim Daggett, Mitch Gaylord, Peter Vidmar and Bart Conner.
While Boston played host to the 2008 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Championships, 2018 marks the event’s debut at the TD Garden and the first time Boston has staged the national championships for both men’s and women’s gymnastics. In addition, Boston was the site for the 1996 and 2000 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team Trials and several post-Olympic gymnastics tour events.
The U.S. Gymnastics Championships traces its history back to 1897 for the men and 1931 for the women.
Background
- TD Garden. TD Garden, owned and operated by Delaware North, first opened its doors to the public on September 30, 1995. In the 20-plus years since, the venue has generated more than $365 million in direct economic impact to the Greater Boston region from its major national events alone, not including its high-profile Bruins and Celtics tenants. The arena has played host to countless marquee events, including the Democratic National Convention, NHL All-Star Game, NCAA Frozen Fours, NCAA Women’s Final Four, U.S. Olympic Trials – Gymnastics, U.S. Figure Skating Championships and ISU World Figure Skating Championships among others. Delaware North, owner and operator of TD Garden, is one of the largest privately-held hospitality and food service companies in the world. Founded in 1915 and owned by the Jacobs family for more than 100 years, Delaware North has global operations at high-profile places such as sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos.
- Team USA Champions Series. The Team USA Champions Series, presented by Xfinity, is composed of both a summer and winter season, showcasing elite U.S. athletes year-round through broadcasts on NBC, NBCSN, and the Olympic Channel: Home of Team USA. America’s elite athletes are always in season. The champions series was created to help showcase their year-round quest to make Team USA and compete at the Olympic Games.
- USA Gymnastics. Based in Indianapolis, USA Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The organization is committed to creating a culture that empowers and supports its athletes and focuses on its highest priority, the safety and well-being of the athletes. USA Gymnastics has already taken specific, concrete steps to strengthen its safe sport policies and procedures. The organization’s disciplines include men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, acrobatic gymnastics and gymnastics for all (formerly known as group gymnastics). For more complete information, log on to usagym.org.