Olympic Alternates Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear Headline Worlds Team

Just a few days ago, the United States named their team for this year's World Championships,  taking place in just over a week in Montreal, Canada. This team includes 2016 Olympic alternates Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear,  first-year senior Morgan Hurd, and first-year elite, Jade Carey, with first-year senior Jordan Chiles as the non-traveling alternate.

One of the two gymnasts who wasn't a surprise is veteran Ragan Smith, whose first year as a senior was last year, where she had a successful year, falling just short of making the Rio Team. Now many don't see alternate as a success, but with a team that had basically been set in stone since late 2015, it was a huge accomplishment for the young gymnast. Ragan had several international assignments over the first half of 2017, winning the American Cup, as well as snagging this year's National All-Around title. Ragan has been on everyone's radar, and it was no surprise when she was announced as part of this year's World Championship team and will be competing all-around in Montreal.

  

   The other gymnast who wasn't really that big of a surprise was the first year elite, Jade Carey. Jade made her elite debut at Classics this year. Many were shocked when they heard that Carey went from Level 10 to make her first Worlds team in a span of six months. Something that was basically unheard of since Kayla Williams did it in 2009, where she went from Level 10 to becoming the 2009 World  Champion on vault. Jade vaults an Amanar and a Tsukahara double. This gives Jade one of the highest difficulty in the world on the event, at a combined difficulty at 11.4. This puts Jade in contention for the title, this would be the first time a US gymnast has won the world title since McKayla Maroney in 2013. Jade's floor is impressive as well, coming in at a 5.8 D-Score, and if all things go as planned, she would be in contention for a medal in that event as well.  Unlike vault, she would have to rely on others to have a few mistakes, like a few out-of-bounds, and then she'll have to hit the routine of her life since there are others that have higher D-scores than her. But you will never know what will happen on such a huge stage. I for one, am excited to see what she can do.

   The next gymnast is one that people thought would not make the Worlds team because of her shaky performance at Nationals. But, the gymternet is collectively glad that she did, because, in addition to being on the gymternet herself, this gymnast is one that everyone has watched grown up in the sport, and that is Morgan Hurd. Now, there are not that many gymnasts who are universally adored by the gymternet, but somehow, Morgan is one of them. If you have followed her since her debut at the 2014 Nastia Liukin Cup, it is hard not to fall in love with her. Well, let's be realistic, if you've seen any of her routines, or have started following her at any point, it's hard not to love Morgan. She has that combination of power and elegance that is nearly impossible to achieve. Everyone and their brother were in tears when Morgan struggled at Nationals, and they wondered if the gem of the gymternet would even get invited to camp, but after she did, Morgan came into that selection camp with a vengeance. And that was to hit. Luckily, she did, and she was named to the team, making the gymternet collectively cry tears of joy for Morgiboo. She is the second and final gymnast doing the all-around for the U.S., and everyone is praying that she will do well.

  The final gymnast on the Worlds Team is a gymnast who not a lot of people on the gymternet are
a fan of and that is the Rio Olympic alternate, Ashton Locklear. Ashton has never really been a favorite of the gymternet. But in my opinion, the disliking of this gymnast really sparked last year when she hashtagged a tweet supporting a political candidate in the 2016 Presidential Election, and then liked some questionable tweets concerning the composition of the Rio Olympic Team. Ever since then, the hate surrounding Locklear has grown. So, you could imagine the reactions when Locklear made the team. Many argued that her difficulty score on bars was lower than many of the other bars workers, and that was why they were upset that Locklear got on the team. Ashton has struggled with a shoulder injury, and that is why she took out her inbars, which would take her difficulty from somewhere around the 6.0+ range, to a 5.5. So, why take a gymnast with a 5.5 D-Score rather than someone like Alyona Shchennikova, a first-year senior and the 2017 U.S. Classic All-Around Champion, who boasts a 6.1 D-Score? Now I can't exactly know what was going on in the mind of Valeri Liukin and the rest of the selection committee, but if I were to guess, I would say that it was because of consistency. Despite how gorgeous Schennikova can look when she hits all of her connections and her routine as a whole, she has struggled with consistency. Ashton has been cleaner in the past and was able to hit her sets. Even though her dismount, the full twisting double back has been an issue at certain times, Locklear can still hit, and making event finals is about hitting your routines. While her lower D-score might be an issue in a fairly stacked field if she hits cleanly and other frontrunners make mistakes, she could be not only looking at a spot in the EF but can also be looking at a medal. Sure,  she would have to rely on mistakes from others or add her inbars back in, but by now, we have discovered anything is possible in the world of gymnastics. Another reason why Ashton isn't a favorite is because of who she "beat out" for the spot, Jordan Chiles. But, realistically, Jordan was never in contention for Ashton's spot, as she has been historically weaker on bars. If Jordan was in contention for anyone's spot, it would have been Jade Carey's VT/FX spot, or Morgan Hurd's spot in the all-around.

  Perhaps one of the most controversial things to happen at this year's World Selection camp was the fact Jordan Chiles didn't make the team. She had appeared to become a frontrunner in many's eyes at the P&G Championships in Anaheim, California just a few weeks ago. Despite the disappointing finish to Chiles' year, I doubt that this will be the last time we see the young gymnast. After all, this is only her first year as a senior. We have seen many gymnasts struggle as their first year entering the senior ranks. With over two years left until Tokyo 2020, Jordan still has time to grow. As a matter of fact, she might just have made the Worlds team this year if it was in a team format, where there would be 5 gymnasts instead of just 4. Jordan is strong and has a ton of potential. She just needs to up her consistency. If she is able to do this, and learn from her disappointment of just missing the worlds team, she will most likely be better next year and make the 2018 Worlds Team and have success with the US Team, as well as some possible individual success.

Hopefully, all four of these gymnasts will prove their worth at the World Championships taking place in Montreal,  Canada, in just over a week. 

Breaking News: USA Natives Alaina Kwan and Kylie Dickson Making the Move To Represent Belarus At Worlds

 It was announced recently that USA gymnasts Alaina Kwan and Kylie Dickson, who both train at McKayla Maroney's gym, All-Olympia, are getting the gears in motion to represent Belarus at Worlds. Now as a blogger, I feel compelled to share my thoughts on this subject. 

  From what I gathered on social media, the reason the girls are representing Belarus out of all the other countries is because their coaches have ties there, as well as Nellie Kim. To be perfectly honest this whole situation rubs me the wrong way. I have one question for the girls: Why run away to Belarus after your not famous after 5 minutes in the USA? I believe if the girls didnt go right away to represent Belarus, they would have had a strong chance next quad. These girls have good gymnastics, and are trained by world-class coaches. I think they should have stayed and tried to climb up the ladder in the United States. I also firmly believe that its unfair towards the Native Belarusians, because of the fact Dickson and Kwan have resources that they dont, such as better coaching and finer equipment. it gives them quite an advantage over the Native Belarusian girls. That means girls that are ACTUALLY BELARUSIAN, are robbed of their chances to go to Worlds. And what peeved me the most was how the girls came across in their interview. They acted like Belarus had no gymnasts at all!!!!!!! They do! They said that they would be their freaking saviors. You know girls, there was a point in time where the Belarusians were ahead of the Americans (This coming from me, an American) In the age of the beautiful Belarusian Swan, Svetlana Boginskaya. And they act like the Belarusian program needs saving. True, Belarus isnt as good as it used to be, but its really rude to act like the program is non-existent, and that the girls there dont work hard. But irregardless, I wish the girls luck at Worlds. 

  

Olympic Team Predictions!!!!!

So for the longest of times, I've been putting this subject off. But now, with Rio in roughly 10 months (HOLY CRAP RIGHT?!) I decided that I should pounce onto this subject right now. So without further ado, I present my dream team for Rio 2016!

Simone Biles

Everyone has Simone Biles on their team predictions. The only way Simone will not make this team is if she has an injury. She has been peaking beautifully. Thanks to her coach, Aimeee Boorman. Simone has won everything she has entered in the last two years. Classics, Nationals, Worlds, and is fully expected to win the Olympics. Simone  will be on that team! And will probably win everything except bars.

Aly Raisman

Aly Raisman is looking insanely strong! And, shes really smart. She proved it when she changed her routine around after she fell on her layout to split jump on night one of nationals. Aly will take the team captain role like she did in London, if she makes this team. And if Marta was truly smart, she would add her because she is epicly consistent and can gather the troops going into the last rotation, after all, she was trained by one of the best to do so: teammate Alicia Sacramone. 

Maggie Nichols

Before Nationals, Maggie wasnt really on my radar. But she came right out and was leading for Simone for the first three rotations of the competition. Thats when it really clicked to  me that she is a forced to be wreckoned with.

Kyla Ross

I know that people are saying Kyla's done, but I dont believe them. If she puts the double lay back into the bar routine instead of that double front, shes gonna be the best bar worker team USA has. Her beam was off the charts Day 2 and I personally believe that she can do it again! Kyla's consistency can be through the roof, and even though she may not get into the second all around slot, she will be there in team and individual event finals 

Ashton Locklear

Even though I said Kyla would a good bar worker, she wouldn't be considered as a specialist since she will probably vie for an AA spot in Qualifs. But Ashton is the definition of the specialist. She hones her focus on bars and excells at them. Im so excited because together on bars, Ashton and Kyla will bring in huge scores.

Gymnasts That Impressed Me at Nationals

I had the huge honor of witnessing the P&G Nationals in person this year. I loved seeing all the leotards sparkle under the lights this year, seeing double tucks and double layouts being done right in front of me. It was amazing. Some of the gymnasts stood out though.

1. Simone Biles- You guys should've been expecting this. Simone ALWAYS stands out. The thing that amazed me is that she won by 5+ points even after she fell on her floor on Night #1. This truly proves that Simone can come back like that. She proceeded to stick all four vaults she performed at P&Gs, leaving co-competitor MyKayla Skinner, in the dust. Simone was on fire after that mistake, she wasn't going to let one measly fall shake her game

2. Laurie Hernandez- Laurie was out last year with an injury, and watched from the stands as her teammate Jazzy Foberg won the 2014 Junior Championships. She was happy for her teammate, of course. But she wanted to win the next one, and she did with attitude on floor, huge vaults, high flying releases on bars, and technical precision on beam. Now I had met Laurie, and she is perhaps the sweetest girl ever. Not to mention her leo. GORGEOUSNESS.

3. Aly Raisman- Aly was amazing at Nationals. She did fall on her layout to split leap series on beam, but she recovered on the rest of the events and ended up winning the floor title because of Simone's fall. But, she deserved it because of her consistency on the event during both nights, and I couldn't have been a prouder Superfan.

4. Grace Quinn- We all know that Classics was rocky, but for this particular girl, all four events were. SHE struggled whether it be an out of bounds on floor or a fall off the beam. She did not have the best meet. But Grace didnt let it defeat her. She marched into the gym the very next day, trained for all of the 3 weeks she had and didnt have a fall. She had bobbles, but no falls this time. I was so proud of Grace because she didnt let a bad competition get the best of her. GO GRACE.

5. Maggie Nichols- This girl wasnt on my radar till Nationals. But I had a front row seat to her awesomeness. She amazed me when she led the way AHEAD OF SIMONE for the first three rotations of the competition. She then proceeded to take second place, it was true amazingness!!!!!! 

6. Abigail Walker- This little girl is new to the scene and she is ADORABLE. Although she isnt eligible for Rio this upcoming year, shes definitely a force for Tokyo in 2020. She is adorable. And fun fact: shes 14. Which, if you've seen this girl in action, you wouldn't believe that she is over 9! 

7. MyKayla Skinner- MyKayla Skinner has been getting a ton of hate on the Gymternet, unjustified hate!!! They're saying her form is god-awful, well people if you were doing a double twisting double layout, would your legs be pencil straight?! Anyway, MyKayla had a good meet, her bars were better than they usually are. She worked hard to have good form! Her form really is improving, but unfortunately, a haters gotta hate. I'm just sad it has to be on this amazing gymnast.

8. Deanne Soza- Any gym fan knows that Deanne recently had a rare and bad eye infection. This kept her from doing gymnastics and competing at major competitions. This was heartbreaking because Deanne was a truly good gymnast!! She was sidelined. But her eye got better and she was then back in the gym! She competed at Nationals, making it her second meet back. Even though she had some iffyness, I was proud of Deanne because she got back up there and performed to the best of her abiities. And who just comes back perfect from an injury/setback? I think Deanne did just fine.

9. Kyla Ross- Kyla had a rough championships, she didnt place in the all around top ten, unfortunately. But Marta's unrelenting faith in her got her onto the National Team. Kyla did fall on her double front dismount off bars (After a beautifully hit Bhardwaj). The whole audience gasped. But she made up for it on the beam with a perfect routine, this made the audience gasp even louder than when she fell! We all knew Kyla was consistent and could hit it out of the ballpark, but she came back after a major fall and amazed us all, including, the selection panel, proving to them "Hey, I'm still in the mix, dont count me out just yet"

10.  Jazzy Foberg- Unless you either arent  a gym fan, or have been under a rock for the last year. Jazzy Foberg won the National Championships last year. She had the pressures of having her teammate back this year. Nevertheless, Jazzy had a remarkable performance and was racing neck and neck with her teammate, Laurie Hernandez. But after stepping out of bounds three times, which proved to be costly, the title went to Laurie, with Jazzy nipping at her heels in second. Which meant that MG Elite went one and two!!!

11. Lauren Navarro- Lauren Navarro impressed me at Nationals, she wasnt one of the frontrunners, but she had very nice routines with a lot of attitude

12.  Ragan Smith- Ragan has been in the junior scenes since she became a junior! She is known to be a little firecracker on the floor! She dances, leaps, and tumbles across the floor like a firecracker! Her tumbling is high difficulty, and the whole Gymternet, even the Russian stans, love her. Some are saying that she isnt ready for Rio because she turns senior the year of the Games, but Kyla Ross turned senior the year of London and she rocked it like a Superstar! But I do agree with them on some level, if Ragan doesn't make the 2016 team, she will be there in 2020 as a team captain! 

13. Sydney Johnson Scarpf- Sydney, most known for her floor and considered to be a specialist proved she could do AA and do it well. She did have a mistake, but she got right back up and finished. And her floor, as per use, was brilliant. 

14. Bailie Key- Bailie won the junior title in 2013, but 2014, just like her runner up, Laurie Hernandez, was injured last year. But when she was all healed, she was a senior gymnast! At her first Nationals, Bailie came out in a unique leotard and showed us that she was still here. I was proud of Bailie, she certainly came back strong!

15. Morgan Hurd- Morgan has always been a favorite of mine. She has a lot of style on all of the events and makes me happy to be a fan! I fully expect her to make the 2020 team!!!!!!

So those are the 15 gymansts who impressed me at Nationals and who I hope to see in years to come!

    

Countries That Were Bigger In Gymnastics Earlier Than They Are Now

We all know that there are the countries we know about like USA, Russia, Great Britain or Romania. But what about those countries we never talk about like Ukraine? Well, let me tell you something fans, once upon a time, they were a big name in the 1990s. I have been watching gymnastics from the 1990s-2000s, and there are some countries in that era that we dont talk about that were big back then. 

Ukraine- As you have read this, you are probably like: Ukraine has a gymnastics program? And let me respond, yes they do. They do have a gymnastics program. They were SUPER big in the years leading up to the 96 Games, they were actually in the big four. Thats right, they were in a group that is practically unbreakable in this era of gymnastics. They even contended for the gold medals in the team competitions. You always saw them fighting for a podium spot in every aspect. Team, All-Around, Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor you name it. Ukraine was there. Their peak came in 1996 when a younggirl  named Lilia Podkeyeva made the Ukrainian Olympic team. Lilia was known by then, she had won her fair share of titles, including the 1995 World Championships in the all around and vault. Lilia was a true all arounder. She did not have a weak event. She was good everywhere, from the power events like vault and floor, to the grace and artistry events like bars and beam. She coupled the grace and artistry with the power. What made Lilia so unique, and still does to this day, is that she did no back tumbling, it was all front. And she did it so well. In addition for winning the 1996 Olympic All-Around for her country, she won the floor finals. Lilia was amazing, and was one of my FAVORITE gymnasts.

France- We have seen France at the Olympics in 2012, but only in qualifying. But back in the 2004 Games, and well before that, France was a power. In 2004, Emilie Le Pennec won the uneven bars, and France made the team finals. I was fascinated by Le Pennec when she debuted her bars set and made history for her country. But unfortunately, just like Ukraine, France has lost its spark and power in the last couple of years.

Spain- Spain was also up there. Believe it or not, they once beat the USA, of course this was before the USA became what it is now, but I was still shocked as I watched the tri meet competition. I then realized that Spain, once upon a time, was a significant force.

Even though there are more less known countries, these were the most surprising I could find. As I go back in the years of gymanstics, I will modify this post. But for now, here is my first post for awhile!!!!

Judging Her Gymnastics: Aliya Mustafina

    So, as we have a study hall in 1st period, and I have no homework or anything, I have decided to do a Judging Her Gymnasts on Russian Diva, Aliya Mustafina

Vault:

Even though Mustafina only competes a Yurchenko Double, she does it beautifully. She can absolutely nail it. Even though the twisting form is not perfect, its getting better. Aliya can stick that vault 98% of the time (She did not in the Nanning Team Competition or The 2014 AA) But, my point is, that this, despite having an easier vault, is a good event. Its not her strongest, but its good.

Bars:

Aliya is the Olympic Champion on htis event, that should say it all. But in case it doesn't, let me break down the bar set for you: Perfect handstands, perfect releases, perfect transitions (Especially that Pak Salto). Team Russia can always count on Aliya to compete for them on the uneven bars.

Beam:

Aliya is the 2013 World Champion in this event. Just like bars, she can do brilliant connections and hard series. But, since 2013, Aliya has kind of declined on the event, wobbling on the easier skils on her routine like a side aerial.

Floor:

This is where Aliya can express her diva-ness. As we saw in London, her floor routine was full of expressive choreo to highight her attitude. And as of 2013, that choreography changed into a mature style to show off Aliya's maturity. 

   So here, are Aliya Mustafina's events.

Gymnast of the Day: Simone Biles

As I wait nervously for my English teacher to take a look at my rough draft of my research paper, I decided to calm myself by writing about what I love, gymnastics. So, lets do a Gymnast of the Day on 2x World All-Around Champion, Simone Biles. It is also important to note that Simone and her coach Aimee Boorman left Bannons Gymnastix in pursuit to  open their own gym, World Championship Centre. And, it was a great move for Simone, because thats how she won all her golds, and became known as $imoney.

   Simone Biles was raised by her grandparents, Nellie and Ronald. She has a few siblings, one of which is also a gymnast, Adria. Simone began her career in 2011, as a junior. At the American Classic, Simone placed third in the all around, and won vault and beam, she also placed 4th on the vault and the Uneven Bars. Now, she wasn't as lucky at the U.S Junior Classics, where she placed fifth on the balance beam and floor exercise. Simone then ended her season by tying for seventh place on the vault at Nationals. Even though she didn't look like it in 2011, later on, Simone would start becoming the girl we know her as now.

   Once again, the first meet of Simone's season, was the American Classic. She did much better at the 2012 American Classic than at the one in 2011. Here, she won the all-around for the junior session, she also won vault. She then tied second for floor, placed third on balance beam, and placed fourth on vault, meaning that she got two golds, one silver, and one bronze, in addition to placing on her worst event. This means, that Simone is truly on the rise. The next meet that our girl, Simone would compete at would be, once again, the Junior U.S Classics. But once again, she did better at that meet in 2012 then she did in 2011. She won the all around competition, and the vault. She placed second on floor, and unfortunately, 6th on the beam. After the buzz of her wins at the Classics, we saw Simone return to Visas. Here, she finished in the bronze medal position in the all-around, won vault, and finished 6th on all the remaining events. But she did make the Junior National Team

   Biles' senior debut came in 2013. Her first meet as a senior was with teammate Katelyn Ohashi at the American Cup. She and Katelyn were the replacements for Elizabeth Price and 2012 Olympian, Kyla Ross. Simone was looking good for the first two rotations, she was expected to win, but on beam, she fell on her back handspring back handspring layout series, and when Katelyn had a hit beam routine, it was looking bleak. But not impossible. But it became so when she stumbled back on her landing, ultimately giving the title to her teammate, Katelyn Ohashi. After her second place finish at the American Cup. Simone went on to compete at the Jesolo Trophy, where she won the vault, beam, floor, and all around competitions, also contributing towards the team's first place finish. After this, Simone went to Germany to compete in a tri meet with USA, Germany, and Romania. Once again, the U.S won the team gold, and Simone swept the titles on vault,, balance beam, and floor. But she tied for second in the all around behind Kyla Ross due to a fall on the bars. Next, Biles competed at the 2013 US Classic, where she performed poorly. She fell several times, and scratched vault after hurting her ankle on floor. Next, was the Nationals. Simone won the all-around here, as we are all aware. She also won silver on vault, bars, beam, and floor. Simone of course, made the World Team for USA. She qualified into first for the all-around final, second for the vault,  sixth for the uneven bars finals, fifth to the balance beam finals, and first to the floor. Yes people, thats right, she made all five finals, becoming the first woman to do so since Svetlana Khorkina, and the first American woman since Shannon Miller. She won the gold medal in the all-around, finishing nearly a point ahead of her teammate and silver medalist, Kyla Ross. Next was vault, where she came in second place, behind teammate and world-renowned vaulter, McKayla Maroney. Next was bars, and the only event Simone didn't medal in, but came in fourth. In beam, she won bronze behind World Champion, Aliya Mustafina, and her teammate Kyla Ross, and finally, she picked up another gold medal on floor, making her final medal count, two golds, one silver, one bronze. Lets just assume that Simone left those World Championships VERY happy. 

   People had thought Simone had had all the success one could have in 2013. But that is not true! Simone was supposed to  compete at the 2014 American Cup, on account of wanting to rest up a shoulder injury. So, Simone skipped that one. After missing out on the American Cup, Simone went to the Pac RIms with the US team, but that pesky shoulder injury stopped her from competing there as well. So, the first few weeks of the competitive season weren't going so well for Simone. Her first competition back was the US Classic (Finally!!!) She ended up defeating 2013 US Classic Champion, Kyla Ross, and by a large margin.  She also won vault, beam (Tied with Kyla) and floor. After Classics, it was  Nationals for Simone, where she won the all-around title once again, defending her title from the year before, she won it by nearly four points over silver medalist, Kyla Ross. She also won titles on vault and floor, tied with Alyssa Bauuman for the silver medal on beam, and placed fourth on bars. 

 

 Next was the 2014 World Championship. Simone qualified into every event final but the uneven bars. First was the alll-around, where she won. Even though her performance was great in Nanning, as expected, what was even greater was when Simone was chased off the medal podium by a bee! Simone was proudly accepting her medal and boquet, but when she picked up the boquet, there was a bee!! Simone started running around the podium, and dropped her flowers! Teammate and bronze medalist in the all-around, Kyla Ross, joined in. And Larisa Iordache, the silver medalist from Romania, didn't even flinch. Many are still watching it today, 5 months later. Anyway, next for Simone,was the team competition, where she did every event but bars. Then,  was the vault, where she won the silver behind North Korea's Hong Un Jong (Even though many thought Jong didn't deserve it), and ahead of teammate MyKayla Skinner, who took the bronze. Next, was the beam. After watching her teammate Ashton Locklear compete in the bars finals, Simone was eager to get out there. Simone competed a stunning set, grabbing the gold medal, with China's Bai Yawen and Russia's Aliya Mustafina behind her. And finally for Simone, was the floor finals, where she defended her title from the year before, just like she did with the World All-Around Title.  So, Simone had even a better 2014, than 2013. And that is crazy

 Even though the 2015 season has barely started, I wanted to note that Simone dominated at the AT&T American Cup, winning by nearly 5 points ahead of copatriot MyKayla Skinner. She not only won the all-around, but won everything. Yes, that means she won the all-around, the vault, the bars, the beamm, and hte floor competitions. BAM! THERE IS NO BETTER WAY FOR SIMONE TO START HER 2015 SEASON. NO BETTER WAY! Seriously, I think the last 2 years have panned out well for Simone. 

   So, with Rio only a year away, things are looking good for Simone. I really want to see her winning golds in Rio. Good luck Simone, you're amazing!