It's that time of the year annually, which I love... the WOGA Classic. Sounds weird I know, but for every year imaginable I get to see those gymnasts who are on the cusp or in the middle of creating their stories in this tough world of gymnastics. In the last eight editions WOGA-ites have won the senior elite title five times, Christa Tanella took out two of the five titles (2008 and 2009) with Carly Patterson in 2003, Hollie Vise in 2004 and Nastia Liukin in 2005. The other champions have been the great Oksana Chusovitina who was representing Uzbekistan in 2002, Jenna Kerbis of Brandon Eagles Gymnastics Centre in Manitoba in 2006, and Byers Gymnastics representive Katelyn Mohr took the honours in 2007. This year the competition is being held today (the 13th) and tomorrow the 14th at the Dr Pepper Arena at the Frisco Conference Center. Participating will be:

SENIOR INTERNATIONAL ELITE:

• Bianca Dancos-Giambattisto (CAN)
• Cynthia Lemieux-Guillemette (CAN)
• Dominique Pegg (CAN)
• Emily Bigras (CAN)
• Gabrielle May (CAN)
• Kristin Klarenbach (CAN)
• Laurie Eve Pepin-Gagne (CAN)
• Luisa Leal (COL)
• Momoko Ozawa (JPN)
• Sachiko Maeda (JPN)
• Brianna Mitchell (NZL)
• Jordan Rae (NZL)
  
• Alona Kaydalova (UKR)
• Angeline Kysla (UKR)
• Kayla Williams (USA)
• Ivana Hong (WOGA)
• Lily Hardin (WOGA)
  
• Mitzi Sosa (MEX - Trains at WOGA)
• Rebecca Bross (WOGA)
• Sophia Lee (WOGA)

JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL ELITE:

• Anna Gamelo (CAN)
• Emily Lennon (CAN)
• Kaitlyn Hofland (CAN)
• Paige Blaney (CAN)
• Rochelle Hurt (CAN)
• Ruby Cole (CAN)
• Asuka Teramoto (JPN)
• Mina Sugimura (JPN)
• Brittany Robertson (NZL)
• Anastasia Grishina (RUS)
• Anna Rodionova (RUS)
• Kristina Sydorova (RUS)
• Krystyna Sankova (UKR)
• Abigail Millet (USA)
• Carinne Gale (USA)
• Raven Helland (USA)
• Grace McLaughlin (WOGA)
• Lizzy LeDuc (WOGA)
• Madison Kocian (WOGA)

The Russians participation is still uncertain as the weather conditions have kept them from travelling to Texas.

I would also like to wish the two Australian competitors who will be in action this weekend good luck from myself and Mielieta who is set to make her blogging debut this week and all you gym fans. Jets Gymnastics representatives Isis Lowery and Madeline Green will be competing at this competition where you can read an account of their journey at the travel blog. It sounds like they are all having a great time so far.
Isis Lowery at the 2009 Australian National Championships with her coach

Maddie Green and coach at the 2009 Australian National Championships in Perth. Both images courtesy Jets Gymnastics Website.