FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 6, 2018
Contact: Whitney Williams
Telephone: 919.622.0132
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LOCAL GYMNASTS HALEIGH BRYANT AND KAYLEN MORGAN
PLACE AT NASTIA LIUKIN CUP
Charlotte-area gymnasts win big at the highly-competitive qualifying meet
Hunterville’s Everest Gymnastics was proud to have two qualifying gymnasts for the 9th annual Nastia Liukin Cup (NLC), which aired on NBC last Friday, March 2. Haleigh Bryant participated in the senior age division, while Kaylen Morgan competed in the junior age division.
The NLC brings together some of the best level 10 gymnasts in the country in both the junior and senior fields. The competition provides gymnasts with an opportunity to compete on podium and in front of TV cameras. Past competitors include Olympians like Gabby Douglas, world champions like Morgan Hurd, and NCAA all stars like Lexie Priessman.
Bryant qualified for the NLCat the Atlanta Crown Meet on January 4with a score of 39.00. She was one of the first four athletes to earn their spots in the Cup after winning the Senior All-Around competition. At this year’s NLC, she won the senior all-around titlewith a 38.700 total. She vaulted a big front-handspring, front pike half out to score a 9.875. On the uneven bars, Bryant performed a double front dismount for a 9.650. She scored a 9.525 on the balance beam and finished the competition on the floor exercise with a 9.650. The 16-year-old verbally committed to LSU in the 8th grade for a full athletic scholarship.
“It feels amazing to win the Cup, and I've had a blast,” said Bryant, who is competing in her second Nastia Liukin Cup. “I've been training really hard for this, and my hard work finally paid off. Winning this has boosted my confidence for state, regionals and nationals.”
“Haleigh is a natural gymnast who has a heart for the sport and it shows. Her dedication and skill have already lead her to become the NC State All-Around Champion, qualifier for the Junior Olympic Nationals, and qualifier for the 2016 Region 8 All-Star Team,” said Head Coach and Owner, Qi Han. “We are so very proud of the hard work she’s put in to become the 2018 winner of the NLC senior all-around title!”
Morgan, who is 13 years old, qualified with a score of 38.30 at the Metroplex Challenge on January 24. During her first visit to NLC, she won gold in the uneven bars for the junior age division with a score of 9.650.
“Kaylen has been training with us for three years, and in those three years, we’ve seen her grow in to an amazing gymnast,” said Head Coach and Owner, Yiwen Chen. “She’s got a great attitude and is dedicated to perfecting her skills across the board. She’s already won a gold medal and we can’t wait to see where she goes next.”
Haleigh and Kaylen both received a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite, and both met and had their photo taken with Liukin.
About Everest Gymnastics
Qi Han and Yiwen Chen opened the first Everest Gymnastics Training Center, Inc. in Huntersville in 2004. The second location will open in early 2018 in Cornelius. Named after the highest mountain in the world, Everest and Everest North hopes to share that there is no mountain you can’t conquer with heart, hard work and dedication. As of 2015, both Everest Gymnastics Training Centers are the only U.S. National Team Training Facilities in North Carolina. They host a variety of programs including recreational gymnastics, competitive teams, trampoline and tumbling, afterschool programs and even skill clinics. For more information visit Everest-gym.com.
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