Nastia Liukin Cup 2024: 5 Athletes To Look Out for at the Tournament

Organized by Beijing Olympics all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin, the 2024 Nastia Liukin Cup is back this year. Nastia is the daughter of famous gymnasts Valeri Liukin and Anna Kotchneva, who left the Soviet Union and moved to the United States. Initially called the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup, only 36 gymnasts participated in its debut on March 5, 2010, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Since then, it has served as a national competitive debut for athletes judged to be pre-elite and acts as a qualifying stage for young Olympic gymnasts. A sequence of invitational events determines who is eligible to compete in the Nastia Liukin Cup. Beginning on February 25th, the 2024 event will take place in tandem with the Winter Cup 2024.

Here are the top five athletes to watch out for at Nastia Liukin Cup 2024

Nina Ballou

Nina Ballou was raised in Miami, Florida, and has been a Tiger since she was nine when she attended her first LSU gymnastics camp. Ballou, a star in the class of 2025, is a formidable presence on the bars and floor and has medaled in the all-around at the previous three national championships. Ballou is a top recruit and a fan favorite, with career highs of 9.900 or better in three events. Her routines are a sight to behold.

Achievement highlight:

Nina’s best result showed at the 2023 Women’s Development Program National Championships, where she placed first in floor exercise, second in the all-around, and third in uneven bars. Nina placed sixth in the floor exercise and eighth all-around in the 2022 Nastia Liukin Cup in Frisco, Texas. In the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup in Indianapolis, Indiana, she stood third in the uneven bars and floor exercise, fourth in the all-around, and fifth on the balancing beam.

Allison Cucci

Allison Cucci, a five-star recruit and emerging star at the senior level, demonstrated her skill by winning her Nastia Cup qualifying. Cucci, well-known for her remarkable 10.000 on vault, proved how dedicated she was to get to the Nastia Liukin Cup from a little gym in Rochester. With career highs of 9.975 on vault and 9.925 on bars in 2023, she achieved her breakout year and cemented her place as one of the best gymnasts to watch.

Achievement highlight:

Allison swept the 2024 Ozone Invitational and Nastia Liukin Qualifier, taking first place in the uneven bars, vault, floor exercise, balancing beam, and overall. At the 2023 Women’s Development Program National Championships, placing first in the vault, third in the uneven bars, and fourth in the floor exercise and all-around. Cucci placed first on the balance beam and third overall in the 2022 Tampa Bay Turners Invitational and Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier, respectively.                                                             

Mackenzie Estep

The idea of a “national curse” was refuted by Mackenzie Estep, who overcame obstacles to become a five-star prospect who committed to Oklahoma. Estep had some early setbacks at the championships, but her talent has constantly made her a formidable opponent.

Achievement highlight:

.  2023 Women’s Development Program National Championships, Estep took first place in the vault, floor exercise, and balance beam and second in the uneven bars.
. At the 2022 Nastia Liukin Cup in Frisco, Texas, Estep took second place in vault, shared fifth in balance beam and all-around, and sixth in the uneven bars and floor exercise.
. 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup in Indianapolis, Indiana, in the junior division, she placed fifth place on the balance beam and sixth all-around.

READ MORE Nastia Liukin Cup 2024: Discover When, Where, and How to Experience the Iconic Gymnastics Event!

Ella Kate Parker

Nothing short of astounding describes Ella Kate’s transformation from a mommy-and-me class to a two-time junior Winter Cup stages champion. Ella Kate capitalized on her successful start to 2022, including Winter Cup victories. She’s a gymnast to watch, determined to represent the US National Team in the Olympics.

Achievements highlight:

.A few of Ella Kate’s accomplishments include that she competed in the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California, and the 2023 Core Hydration Classic in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where she placed fourth in the junior division on the balancing beam and eighth overall.
. At the 2023 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, she placed fifth in the Junior Division’s balance beam event and is a two-time Junior Winter Cup stage champion.

Gabby Van Frayen

At age five, Gabriella Van Frayen’s gymnastics path took her to many competitions and secured her a berth on the Junior U.S. National Team. Gabby is a bars expert who has shown her skill regularly and is prepared to head to the Nastia Liukin Cup. Gabby’s future in gymnastics is bright, as she intends to compete for the University of Kentucky in 2025.

Achievements highlight:

. Gabby’s accomplishments include placing first in uneven bars and sixth in balancing beam in the Junior Division and earning the bars title at the 2023 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky.
. In the 2021 Nastia Liukin Cup in Indianapolis, Indiana, placing third overall, fifth in vault and uneven bars, sixth in floor exercises, and seventh in balance beam in the junior division.
. 2022 Winter Cup in Frisco, Texas, she won first place in the Junior Division’s uneven bars and sixth on the balance beam.

For the top spots in the national championship, 44 athletes—all artistic gymnasts at Level 10—will participate. It would be interesting to see how many gymnasts enhance their already impressive profiles with the coveted event podium result.

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