covergirl classic.

very exciting competition tomorrow! not only is it kicking off the elite season in the year before the olympics but there are some very exciting things to look out there for this weekend:

first are the comebacks of all around world champions and olympians shawn johnson and chellsie memmel! although chellsie has already competed once this season, she was certainly not in top shape. updates from gymnastike.org, the couch gymnast (on facebook), and the gymnastics examiner say they are looking good and in top shape

next is the other 2008 olympian competing, alicia sacramone. not only has she not competed and had an injury since the world championships (where she one gold and silver medals), but she is expected to compete floor for the first time since the olympics (she was the 2005 world champion of floor). she has also mentioned the need for upgrades on vault and a recent training video shows her working the very difficult handspring double twist, though it is doubtful she'll have it ready.


also competing will be jordyn wieber, who defeted reigning world champ aliya mustafina earlier in the year. if she competes all around and hits i doubt there is anyone that can challenge her.


looking to do so, however, will be reigning national champion rebecca bross. rumors of upgrades have been surfacing as well as a new floor routine (which has been much criticized in the past)


also competing will be senior standouts aly raisman (who may throw an amanar on vault), mackenzie caquatto (who has recently returned from college, not sure how much difficulty she will have), teamate of bridgette caquatto and macko anna li (ncaa standout who has a HUGE bar routine with endless potential), and amanda jetter (who placed 2nd at this meet last year)


many juniors have moved up to the senior ranks this year and are looking strong, including macko's younger sister bridgette caquatto (who has looked fantastic in recent training videos), grace mclaughlin (a WOGA star who looked great last year until sidelined with an injury), mckayla maroney (who defeated jordyn wieber earlier in the year), sabrina vega (who won this competition for the juniors last year), jessica howe (WOGA standout and j.o. national champion), and gabrielle douglas (who has added major difficulty since moving to shawn johnson's gym)


lastly are the young juniors looking to prove themselves: kyla ross (2-time defending junior national champion), cga elites brianna brown, lexie priessman, and amelia hundley (who have all increased difficulty and are looking strong), mackenzie brannan (who shows great potential on bars and floor), nica hults (the youtube sensation who keeps steadily improving), katelyn ohashi (one of the most difficult beam routines and has a new double double off bars), and jordan stavrou (finally able to compete, great artistry, flexibility, and difficulty)


senior competition will be broadcast live on universal sports and universalsports.com at 8 pm EST on saturday