I have been slacking so much with this blog. I meant to post after Classics, then after Nationals, then after Pan Am Champs ... and nothing. I'm really going to try and be better about it! So I am SUPER EXCITED for Team USA competing in Nanning, China for the next two weeks at the World Championships!! I am most excited because I was right about everyone who made the team (with the exception of Maggie for Alyssa because she got injured), and my favorite gymnast Madison Kocian made the team!! I am also excited to see this team DOMINATE everyone else!
Meet Team USA
Simone Biles - World Champions
Simone's resume is quickly beginning to grow. She is last year's World AA Champion and also brought home a gold on Floor, a silver on Vault, and a bronze on Beam. Her most recent accomplishment was being crowned back-to-back National Champion at the P&Gs in August. If Simone hits, she will win the AA by a significant margin. I also expect her to win Vault and FX gold in the individual EFs.
Kyla Ross - Gym Max
Kyla Ross is still as elegant and beautiful as ever on the gym floor, however, she has some injuries going on and definitely hasn't been at the top of her game. She has not upgraded on any event going in (unless she pulls her whip to double arabian on floor) so it should be interesting to see where she places in QFs. I think even though the US has 4 All Arounders she still should make the AA final, but stranger things have happened -- she will have to be totally on her game. With Kocian and Locklear in the Bars line up, there is a real chance of Kyla not making the bars final if both of the other two girls hit. I still think she will make the beam final, and has a good shot at a medal there.
MyKayla Skinner - Desert Lights
MyKayla has had a really good season, fresh off her AA and Vault title at the Pan Am Championships about a month ago. I'm really happy for her that she is starting to become more consistent with her big skills and get noticed more. If Kyla falters or falls on any event, MyKayla could definitely sneak into the AA. Actually, even if Kyla hits but MyKayla hits everything and gets decent E scores she could still make the All Around. I also expect/hope to see her in the Vault and Floor final, hoping her and Simone will go 1-2 in both of those finals.
Madison Kocian - WOGA
I have been waiting for this gymnast's return since she injured her ankle at Nationals last year and had to withdraw. I am so proud of her for everything she has gone through and I am so happy for her that she made the team. She took silver on bars at Classics and Nationals, and has a real shot to make the event finals on bars. She also has a gorgeous beam routine. She will be doing all around for QFs and I couldn't be more excited about that.
Alyssa Baumann - WOGA
I'm so happy that Alyssa was able to come back from her injury at Nationals to compete on the World team. She is a brilliant All Around gymnast, however, she will be off of the bars due to I'm assuming the injury to her elbow. She will compete all the other 3 events in qualifying. I especially love her Floor.
Ashton Locklear - Everest
Ashton is primarily a bars specialist. She did also warm up beam during PT today, however, she fell, and I think that she will just be used on bars. With that being said, she is awesome on the bars and has the potential to make the bars final and also win a medal. She was UB champion at Classics, Nationals, and Pan Am Champs.
Maddie Desch (Alternate)
Maddie had a shaky competition at the Pan Am Champs last month, however, she was named the alternate to the World's team. She did warm up every event today, I'm sure just in case so that she'd be ready to go. I have to say if worse came to worse and someone got injured I think that she could fill in anywhere.
Team USA's Line Up for Prelims (I think per PT today):
Vault: Kocian, Baumann, Ross, Skinner, Biles
Bars: Skinner, Biles, Ross, Kocian, Locklear
Beam: Skinner, Kocian, Baumann, Biles, Ross
Floor: Kocian, Baumann, Ross, Skinner, Biles
My guess for Team Final lineup:
Vault: Ross, Skinner, Biles
Bars: Ross, Kocian, Locklear
Beam: Kocian/Baumann, Biles, Ross
Floor: Ross, Skinner, Biles
Happy Worlds Week everyone!!
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