McMurtry wins Nastia Liukin Cup in third attempt

Worcester, Massachusetts - Alex McMurtry of Midlothian, Va./Richmond Olympiad Gymnastics, won the all-around title at the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup Friday night at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass. McMurtry, competing in her third-straight Nastia Liukin Cup, proved the third time is the charm and posted a 38.450 to capture the overall crown. Aja-Monet Sims of Clermont, Fla./Brandy Johnson's, 38.175, and Samantha Partyka of Katy, Texas/Champions Gymnastics Academy, 38.075, finished second and third respectively.

Proceeds from the event go to the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.

"I'm really excited. I knew I had a good chance since this is my third year back," McMurtry said, "I was second last year at the Nastia Liukin Cup, so moving up one spot feels really good."

McMurtry came from behind in dramatic fashion to take the all-around title. After starting with an 8.925 on the uneven bars, she performed nearly flawlessly on the last three events. On the balance beam, where she dismounted with a nearly stuck two-and-a-half twist, McMurtry earned a 9.750. Earning a 9.800 on floor exercise, McMurtry received one of the loudest ovations of the night from the crowd of more than 1,300. Her tumbling was sky-high, performing a tuck full-twisting double back and triple full. In the final rotation, McMurtry was almost perfect, scoring 9.975 for her double twisting Yurchenko.

McMurtry had the highest scores of the competition on vault, beam and floor.

Sims earned her highest score of the night, 9.675, on the balance beam, where she executed a front aerial, a back handspring to layout stepout series and double back dismount. Sims also scored 9.600, vault; 9.350, bars; and 9.550, floor.

Posting scores of 9.825, vault; 9.325, bars; 9.300, balance beam; and 9.625, floor exercise, Partyka earned the bronze medal in the all-around.

Ashton Locklear of Huntersville, N.C./Everest Gymnastics, earned the highest score of the night on the uneven bars, a 9.475.

Each of the 34 gymnasts in the field qualified through one of the designated invitationals that comprised the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. A selected number of gymnasts from each invitational advanced to the Nastia Liukin Cup.

The Nastia Liukin Cup participants received a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the AT&T American Cup; and both met and had their photo taken with Liukin. For more information, go to www.nastialiukincup.com.

About Nastia Liukin
At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin's total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games, held by Mary Lou Retton (1984) and Shannon Miller (1992). Liukin's Olympic medals are: gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. Liukin was the third of four U.S. women to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including "Gossip Girl," "Make It or Break it," and the feature film, "Stick It." She was also chosen as one of 2009's most influential women by MSN Lifestyle. Liukin is now attending college in New York City. Last fall, she was a member of the creative team and a cast member for the Kellogg's Tour of Olympic Champions, a national, 40-city tour that followed the 2012 Olympic Games. Liukin was coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988 including two gold.