LOUISVILLE, Kentucky – There’s extra to gymnastics than the Olympics, and Elle Mueller (Twin Metropolis Twisters) and Ella Kate Parker (Cincinnati) each proved that once they received the 2024 Nastia Liukin Cup on Sunday.
Positive, in some unspecified time in the future, each gymnast most likely had or has a dream of being an Olympian, however there’s a lot extra to gymnastics than the Olympics. There’s successful state or regional or nationwide titles as a membership gymnast. There’s incomes a school scholarship and competing in school. And in Mueller and Parker’s instances, there’s the status of successful the Nastia Cup – held by the 2008 Olympic all-around champion herself – after stepping again from elite gymnastics.
Mueller received the senior title with a 39.175 all-around title, tying for first on vault (9.875), successful bars outright (9.800), tying for second on ground (9.825), and tying for fourth on beam (9.675).
Avery Neff (Olympus/Utah commit) was second with a 38.900, bolstered by a 9.900 to win the ground title, and Ella Murphy (WOGA/Oklahoma commit), rounded out the rostrum with a 38.750, highlighted by 9.700s on bars and beam and a 9.800 on ground. Kamila Pawlak (Metroplex) received beam with a 9.750, and Jahzara Swaby-Ranger tied with Mueller on vault (9.875).
“I’m feeling ecstatic,” Mueller stated after the meet. “It doesn’t even really feel actual proper now, however I’m so excited. Simply pays off – all of the work.”
The Oklahoma commit stated that she’s “tremendous joyful” along with her resolution to drop right down to Degree 10 after competing elite since 2021 and representing the U.S. internationally on three events.
“It’s simply a number of elements that went into it,” Mueller stated of her resolution. “However I’m lastly discovering my spark once more, and that’s what it’s all about.”
Parker received the junior division with a 38.075, together with first on beam (9.775), which she stated she was most happy with as a result of she was coping with a “little bit” of a muscle pull in her glute. She additionally tied for third on vault (9.500), scored a 9.550 on ground and a 9.250 on bars.
Ella High-quality (Excessive Level) was second with a 37.600, together with second on ground (9.675), and Morgan Reihl (Royal) was third with a 37.575, highlighted by second on beam (9.575). Keria Cameron (JamJev) received vault (9.750), Imani White (Brandy Johnson’s) received bars (9.650), and Emerson Gaa (Empire) received ground (9.750).
Parker had immense success in her junior elite profession, successful back-to-back Winter Cup titles in 2021 and 2022 and competing on the DTB Pokal in 2022 as nicely.
“I wouldn’t be the place I’m with out elite gymnastics,” Parker stated. “I simply felt prefer it was the suitable resolution [to step down from elite] for me on this second in time and this yr, and I’m very excited with my resolution. I simply really feel like I really like what I did [in elite], however I’m additionally excited for this new chapter in my life.”
Full outcomes from the 2024 Nastia Liukin Cup might be discovered right here: Senior Outcomes | Junior Outcomes. Relive the meet with our play-by-play right here.
