HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT – MAY 18: First place Simone Biles poses on the podium after the 2024 Core … More
The U.S. Classic returns to Hoffman Estates, Illinois, July 18–19. With the 2024 Paris Olympics in the rearview, a new wave of stars is set to shine. Meet the top contenders chasing titles in Chicago.
Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera headlines a competitive field that includes 2024 Olympic alternates Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson. With national championship berths at stake and a World Championships team to build, the U.S. Classic promises breakout performances from key contenders.
As one of the few premier meets of the U.S. elite gymnastics season, the U.S. Classic has long been a key meet for athletes to test their readiness and build experience heading into August’s Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The ‘Classic’ also serves as a key qualifier for athletes seeking berths to the championships.
Simone Biles has long dominated the U.S. Classic, winning five all-around titles in the past six years (2022 missed due to a career hiatus). However, the 2025 field features a plethora of newcomers, with the majority of the 2024 Olympic team remaining undecided on returning ot elite competition.
Meet the top athletes seeking titles in Chicago:
Hezly Rivera
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 28: Hezly Rivera of Team United States competes on the balance beam during the … More
The Olympic rookie turned de facto veteran is the only “Golden Girls” team member to return to elite competition in 2025. Rivera was the youngest athlete on the U.S. Olympic delegation in Paris and won a gold medal in the team competition.
Selected for the Olympic team due to her prowess on bars and beam, the 17-year-old from New Jersey heads to Chicago as arguably the biggest name in the field, despite her relative inexperience. Rivera will likely challenge in the all-around, looking to improve her bronze medal finish at June’s Pan American Championships.
Trained by Valeri and Anna Liukin, parents of 2008 Olympic Champion Nastia Liukin, Rivera enters the elite season as a frontrunner for the 2025 World Championship team.
Leanne Wong
ANTWERP, BELGIUM – October 04: Leanne Wong of the United States performs her floor routine during … More
It’s hard to picture a U.S. Classic without two-time Olympic alternate Leanne Wong. Thankfully, fans won’t have to in 2025. Wong has been a staple in U.S. gymnastics for years. Barring the 2020 Covid-19 season, Wong has not missed an elite cycle for USA Gymnastics, making the senior elite U.S. National team every year since 2019.
A four-time World medalist and World and NCAA Champion, Wong is arguably the most experienced athlete in Chicago. In 2021, she was the second-best gymnast on the planet, so expect her to challenge for the all-around title. Fans anxiously await her return to the elite stage after a final stellar NCAA season with the Gators.
Joscelyn Roberson
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JUNE 30: Joscelyn Roberson competes on the balance beam on Day Four of the … More
2024 Olympic alternate Joscelyn Roberson also heads to Chicago fresh off an impressive NCAA gymnastics season. The now-sophomore set countless records for the Arkansas Razorbacks in her rookie year, culminating in a historic solo trip to the NCAA Championships in Fort Worth, Texas.
Revered for her immense power and resemblance to Olympic great Shawn Johnson, Roberson is expected to bring big, show-stopping gymnastics to Hoffman Estates. Look for the 2023 World Team Champion to challenge for titles on every event but bars.
Jayla Hang
HARTFORD, CT – MAY 18: Jayla Hang competes on the balance beam during the 2024 Core Hydration … More
You may not know her name yet, but you should. In June, 17-year-old Jayla Hang put the gymnastics world on notice with a dominant performance at the Pan American Championships.
Hang claimed gold in the all-around in Panama and surged to medals on all four events. Perhaps more impressively, Hang’s all-around score marked the highest total at a continental championships this year. Look for the rising star and Florida Gator commit to challenge for every title in Chicago, including the all-around crown.
Claire Pease
Claire Pease of the United States competes during the women’s floor exercise final at the FIG … More
Claire Pease is another rising star on my radar. The 2024 Junior U.S. National Champion completed an undefeated domestic season in 2024, winning all-around gold at the junior editions of Winter Cup, U.S. Classic, and the U.S. National Championships.
Pease has already collected medals in 2025, winning gold on balance beam at the Winter Cup and again at the Antalya World Cup. At the 2025 City of Jesolo Trophy, she finished second in the all-around behind two-time Olympic medalist and European All-Around Champion Manila Esposito (ITA). Look for Hezly Rivera’s club teammate to contend in the all-around, as well as on the bars and balance beam.
Ashlee Sullivan
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT: MAY 18: Ashlee Sullivan reacts as she is introduced to the spectators during … More
Ashlee Sullivan opened the 2025 elite season with a major win. Sullivan impressed fans and judges at the Winter Cup, where the UCLA Gymnastics commit claimed gold in the all-around, silver on floor, and bronze on balance beam.
With steady gymnastics and immense potential, Sullivan could contend for top marks. She has already delivered internationally, helping Team USA to silver and claiming bronze in the all-around, vault, and on beam at the 2025 Jesolo Trophy.
Gabrielle Hardie
Gymnastics darkhorse Gabrielle Hardie impressed fans at June’s 2025 Pan American Championships, coming away with two gold medals and one bronze, including an individual title on uneven bars.
Hardie claimed silver at the 2024 Junior U.S. Championships and appears ready to ascend to success within the senior ranks. Can she upset the incoming favorites? With clean and elegant gymnastics, Hardie is one to watch.
Dulcy Caylor
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 28: Dulcy Caylor on Day Two of the 2024 U.S.Olympic Team Gymnastics Trials at … More
17-year-old Dulcy Caylor is another top name in the mix in Chicago. Caylor helped Team USA to gold at June’s Pan American Championships, impressing with her nailed vault in the qualification round.
A 2024 Olympic Trials finalist, Caylor trained alongside Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles at World Champions Center in Texas and comes to Chicago with a plethora of intricate skills in her arsenal.
Nola Matthews
UCLA commit Nola Matthews returns to the elite stage in Chicago. Though the 18-year-old is world-renowned for her artistry on floor exercise, Matthews is also a powerhouse on uneven bars.
At the 2025 Varna World Cup, Matthews claimed gold on both signature events, indicating her international potential. Earlier that year, she also clinched floor gold at the Winter Cup. Expect the fan-favorite to contend for titles on both events (and don’t count her out of the all-around race).
How To Watch:
All athletes referenced above will appear in session two of the senior women’s competition,* with Hopes Championships athletes, junior elite athletes, and additional senior athletes competing in earlier sessions as follows:
Friday, July 18, at 3:00 p.m. ET – Hopes Championships | FlipNow.tv
Friday, July 18 at 8:00 p.m. ET – Junior Women: USAG YouTube
Saturday, July 19 at 3:00 p.m. ET – Senior Women – Session 1 | USAG YouTube
*Saturday, July 19 at 8:00 p.m. ET – Senior Women – Session 2 | Peacock & USAG YouTube (International feed)
