Junior Pan American Games gold medalist Chio among this week's Nastia Liukin Cup qualifiers

INDIANAPOLIS (February 13, 2023) - More than half of the 2023 Nastia Liukin Cup field is locked in after eight gymnasts, including 2021 Junior Pan American Games team and floor exercise champion Kailin Chio, secured their spots across four qualifying invitationals over the weekend. In total, 20 junior and 20 senior gymnasts will vie for their division's all-around title February 24 at Louisville's Freedom Hall within the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Last week's qualifiers are listed alphabetically below by invitational.

• Brestyan's Las Vegas Invitational in Las Vegas, Nev.: Kailin Chio, Las Vegas, Nev./Gymcats Gymnastics, senior; Oaklie Deputy, South Jordan, Utah/Olympus Gymnastics, junior
• Metroplex Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas: Julia Nehmer, McKinney, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, junior; Kamila Pawlak, Melissa, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics, senior
• Dragon Invitational in Blue Springs, Mo.: Lavi Crain, Blue Springs, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, junior; Haley Mustari, Edmond, Okla./Dynamo Gymnastics, senior
• Legacy Elite Classic in Willowbrook, Ill.: Taylor DeVries, Roscoe, Ill./Legacy Elite, senior; Maddie Stewart, Chicago, Ill./Legacy Elite, junior

Chio and Pawlak have previously competed at the Nastia Liukin Cup.

The remaining 16 competitors will be decided next weekend, as the Nastia Liukin Cup Series comes to a close with the BIG Classic in Romeoville, Ill., Charity Choice Invitational in Tacoma, Wash., Excalibur Cup in Virginia Beach, Va., Fiesta Bowl in Chandler Ariz., Jaycie Phelps Midwest Showdown in French Lick, Ind., Presidential Classic in Reunion, Fla., Rochester Classic in Rochester, N.Y., and WOGA Classic in Frisco, Texas.

The Nastia Liukin Cup was founded in 2010 by 14-time Olympic and World medalist Nastia Liukin. This year's competition is once again being held in conjunction with the annual Winter Cup and Elite Team Cup and will stream live on USA Gymnastics' YouTube channel. More information about these events, including who will be competing and how to purchase tickets, is available at WinterCup.com and NastiaLiukinCup.com.