NCAA 2019 Preview: UCLA

Coming off of a fantastic 2018 season, and the NCAA title, UCLA is under pressure to repeat their success in 2019. While the likes of Oklahoma and Florida won’t make it easy for them, the talent is there, manifested in strong veterans and talented incoming freshmen. UCLA is only without Peng Peng Lee and Janay Honest this year, so while two bars holes will need filled, UCLA´s lineups should remain otherwise untouched. Today, I´ll go over the key contributors for the team, lineup options, my lineups, and vice versa. Enjoy!

Seniors: 

Katelyn Ohashi; Senior: 2018 Weekly contributor on BB, FX lock for the FX and BB lineup can contend for VT, maybe UB

Brielle Nguyen: 2018 weekly beamer, lock for BB.

Stella Savvidou: Made UB in 2017, can contend for UB lineup

Macy Toronjo: Has not competed since 2017, can contend for UB and FX

Juniors: 

Kyla Ross: Olympic gold medalist, competed AA regularly in 2018 -Finally upgraded to a Y 1.5 on vault- Lock for UB, BB, and VT, has a chance at FX, too

Madison Kocian: Olympic gold medalist, out for much of 2018 season, lock for UB, probably FX as well, can contend for BB

Gracie Kramer: Inconsistent Y1.5, made floor lineup in 2018 -Can contend for VT and FX

Felicia Hano: Y1.5, DLO on floor, 2018 weekly contributor on VT and FX, can contend for BB as well.

Anna Glenn: Weekly contributor on VT, UB in 2018. Should contend for UB, BB, maybe VT??

Grace Glenn: 2018 weekly beamer, likely candidate for BB, can fight for UB as well.

Sophomores: 

Nia Dennis: Competed VT and UB regularly in 2018, Y1.5 on vault, lock for vault.

Pauline Tratz: Weekly FX and VT contributor, lock for both lineups.

Savannah Kooyman: Contender for BB, FX

Freshmen: 

Marz Frazier: 2017 USA national team member, DTY, lock for VT, UB, FX, can contend for BB.

Norah Flatley: The one who was a gr8 junior, Chow’s gymnastics, new Peng Peng Lee..?, please?, lock for UB, BB, and contender for FX as well.

Sekai Wright: DLO, Y1.5, lock for VT and FX?

Lineups: 

Vault: Lineup locks: Felicia Hano, Nia Dennis, Sekai Wright, Kyla Ross, Marz Frazier, Pauline Tratz

Lineup options: Gracie Kramer, Anna Glenn, Madison Kocian, Katelyn Ohashi

Things are looking better for the Bruins on vault this year. The introduction of both Sekai  Wright and Marz Frazier, both of whom bring 10.0 start value vaults, along with Kyla Ross showing a Y1.5 at Meet the Bruins, lend themselves to the fact that vault is improving for UCLA. Beyond them, Hano has a great 1.5, and Pauline Tratz has shown a handspring pike 1/2 in training before, but even if she doesn’t show it, her full is by far the best available for UCLA, so she is a lock. Gracie Kramer also has a tucked Y1.5 that can be used if she shows consistency (a big IF). Nia Dennis casually stuck her Y1.5 at M.T.B, and will be a staple in the vault lineup as well.

Uneven Bars: Lineup locks: Kyla Ross, Madison Kocian, Marz Frazier, Anna Glenn

Lineup options: Norah Flatley, Nia Dennis, Grace Glenn, Katelyn Ohashi, Macy Toronjo, Stella Savvidou

Bars have taken a dip following Peng´s retirement. That said, bars is still a solid event for UCLA this year, with Kyla Ross anchoring their efforts. We can expect to consistently see Madison Kocian in this lineup, as well as Marz Frazier, who showed a legs-together shap 1/2 and a big DLO at M.TB and looks to be a 9.9 ready bars worker if she can perfect the handstand positions. Beyond the core three, Anna Glenn made a great case for herself at M.T.B, with lovely toes, handstands, and a gorgeous straddle jaeger, all of which make a great case for a spot in the lineup. UCLA will really want Norah Flatley in the lineup this season, and while she certainly has the goods to make it happen (her jaeger is hypnotic), her bars routine at M.T.B was… not worthy of the lineup, and she will have to clean up tremendously in order to be the bars worker we know she can be. Nia Dennis is very clean and could be a good leadoff again this season, and if not her, Ohashi or Toronjo can swoop in for a 9.8.

 

Balance Beam: Lineup locks: Kyla Ross, Katelyn Ohashi, Brielle Nguyen, Grace Glenn, Norah Flatley

Lineup Options: Anna Glenn, Marz Frazier, Madison Kocian, Felicia Hano,

Beam is by far the best event for UCLA, with a tremendous amount of depth, combined with starpower from Ohashi and Ross, the Bruins are set to obliterate every other team on beam. Kyla and Katelyn are the stars of the lineup, along with Grace Glenn and those pretty toes and Brielle Nguyen with her fluid connections and solidity. The other gymnast who is set to rock the beam lineup is Norah Flatley. As a junior elite, beam was always Norah´s standout event due to her pristine execution, her beautiful extension, and her fabulous and fluid combinations. Flatley should be a star on beam for UCLA and can legitimately fill the hole that Peng has left behind.

I could see UCLA putting Madison Kocian in the last spot, but she has proven inconsistent on the event, so I´m not yet sold. Anna Glenn is an option, as is Marz Frazier, Savannah Kooyman, or Felicia Hano.

 

Floor Exercise:  Lineup Locks: Katelyn Ohashi, Felicia Hano, Marz Frazier, Nia Dennis, Pauline Tratz

Lineup Options: Gracie Kramer, Sekai Wright, Norah Flatley, Madison Kocian, Macy Toronjo, Brielle Nguyen.

UCLA´s Floor has a ton of depth this year. Senior Katelyn Ohashi, the national champion on floor, will anchor the Bruins lineup this year with some assistance from her trusty cohorts, Felicia Hano, and Marz Frazier. We can also expect to see Pauline Tratz regularly, as well as Nia Dennis and her piked full in. Beyond the fived just listed, Sekai Wright has a massive DLO that could contend for the last spot, and all of Madison Kocian, Gracie Kramer, and Norah Flatley have front 2/1 routines that can also have a look at the lineup, and expect to make cameos.

 

 

 

 

Worlds Preview: France

After winning the European team silver, the French have managed to put together a massively talented team this year. After losing vaulter Coline Devillard, expectations for a repeat team medal should be tampered. That said, they could snatch the bronze if things fall exactly right.

Team Members: 

Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos: 2017 European all around bronze medalist, world 2017 5th all around, 2018 European floor champion, the team´s ace, very legit all around contender, will do all four in TF

Marine Boyer: 2016 Olympic beam fourth place, 2016 European beam silver medalist, 2018 European beam bronze medalist, potential DTY and layout full on beam

Juliette Bossu: 2016 Olympian, 2018 European bars finalist, just doing bars I think, but her floor would be of use to the French team

Lorette Charpy: 2018 European bars finalist, will be expected to do everything but vault in TF

Louise Vanhille: 2016 Olympian, filling in for Charpy, probably will just do a Y-full in TFs

France has the goods on bars, beam, and floor to challenge for a medal. Their bars rotation is world class, and they have fantastic beam workers who will keep them near the top on that event as well. Floor is strong enough to tread water with a hit routine from Melanie, the European champion. Without Charpy and her Rudi, vault is the thorn in their side, where they only have one assured DTY. If Marine Boyer, who used to have a DTY, can bring hers back, France is just a stone throw and a China fall away from a medal. That said, if she can´t, the French will need some help to get a medal out of this.

Projected Lineups: 

VT: (Charpy) Vanhille, Boyer, DJDS

UB: (Boyer) Charpy, DJDS, Bossu

BB: (Vanhille) Charpy, DJDS, Boyer

FX: (Vanhille?) Charpy, Boyer, DJDS

The floor lineup is subject to change because of Bossu, who was a very good floor worker for France in 2016. If she´s competing it in Doha, she would probably take Boyer/Charpy´s spot.

All Around: 

Melanie DJDS is a very formidable all around gymnast these days, with every event of hers equally strong. Her evenness across the four pieces, combined with the big scores she can get on all of them, means that a hit day would very likely lead to an all around medal. She´ll likely be dueling for the bronze/silver medal with Melnikova, Murakami, and American #2 .

Lorette Charpy is likely to be the second all arounder, and while she´s passable enough, she doesn’t have the goods anywhere, except bars, to factor into the medal conversation.

If Marine Boyer is all arounder #2, see above, except switch bars for beam.

Event Final Prospects: 

VT: Without Coline Devillard, France won´t be looking to place anyone in the vault final.

UB: Bossu and DJDS can both make the final, but neither is very likely to medal without help. Charpy could also make the final, but she´d need help from one of her teammates to avoid the two-per rule.

BB: Boyer and DJDS placed third and fourth on beam at Euros, respectively. Both are contenders for medals here, but they aren’t as likely to medal as, say, Biles or Eaker or Chen or Wevers. Basically, they’ve got a lot of people to pass, but they can pull it off.

FX: France will hope for a medal from Melanie here, which is a possibility. Melanie is the European champion on this event, but when asked to go against Biles, Murakami, Moors, Saraiva, Melnikova, Fidelis and friends, it’s a tough fight. She can pull it off, though, it´ll just be harder than Euros.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Worlds Preview: China

China is spectacular this year… on beam. Don´t worry, I’m kinda kidding. China can medal as a team this year, but they MUST hit beam. They´re experiencing a drought on the power events (mainly due to the retirement of Wang Yan), and while their bars rotation is good, they can be passed by the Americans, the Russians, the Germans, and the British. Beam is the only event that they can win. Beam is their weapon and their ride to the podium. I can’t overstress the importance of beam for the Chinese. Did I mention that beam is really important for this team?

Team Members: 

Chen Yili: Asian all around champion, potential DTY, TF bars set, BEAM BEAM BEAM, the new one that gives China hope for the future

Luo Huan: Asian all around silver medalist, 2017 world bars finalist, Asian bars silver medalist, also pretty good on BEAM when she hits

Liu Jinru: The new Wang Yan, Rudi and Kas full on vault, DLO+punch front on floor, keeping China afloat on the power events, crucial to China´s TF success

Liu Tingting: 2018 Asian bars champion, 2017 world beam finalist, used to have a DTY, damn good at bars and BEAM, the team’s best combination of both.

Zhang Jin: 2018 Stuttgart world cup winner, Kas full on vault, whip+ 3/1 on floor, damn good BEAM worker

Du Siyu: The one who is taking Fan Yilin´s role, the new bars-a-tron, 6.4 d score, Downie, was injured most of the year, is still new to me

Projected Lineups: 

I know, who is the alternate? Let’s see…

With China, their biggest issue is their underpowered floor (and vault, but to a lesser degree) lineup. With that issue, anyone who looks like a TF floor worker is immediately on the team. So Liu Jinru, Chen, and Zhang are all safe.

The remaining three of Liu Tingting, Du Siyu, and Luo Huan are all UB/BEAM type gymnasts. Of said three, Liu Tingting can provide TF/medal worthy scores on both, so she should make the team along with the power gymnasts. Out of the remaining two, both have similar arguments (primarily centered around bars) for making the team. Du can claim that she can produce an untouchable score on bars, and Luo can claim that she can add to both the bars and the beam lineups. Sadly for Luo, her argument is rendered useless, as the beam lineup is already full with Zhang, Liu TT, and Chen, and while she can put up a good score on bars, she is inconsistent there, and Du will almost undoubtedly beat her there with a hit routine. Luo is the likely alternate, sadly for her.

So,

VT: Chen, Zhang, Liu J

UB: Chen, Liu TT, Du

BEAM: Zhang, Liu TT, Chen

FX: Chen, Zhang, Liu J

Not bad at all, especially if Chen has her DTY by worlds. And, as I said, THAT BEAM THOUGH.

All Around: 

Chen, the Asian all around champ, is a very legitimate all around contender. She must hit bars and BEAM spectacularly, though, to make up for a (potential) FTY and a weak-ish floor routine.

As for China’s second all arounder, Zhang Jin is a fantastic gymnast on three pieces, but her bars routine keeps her from being a true contender in the all around.

Event Final Prospects: 

VT: Being the new Wang Yan, Liu Jinru is expected to make the vault final. Her difficulty keeps her in the conversation for a medal, but she has to hit both of her vaults well if she wants to beat Olsen, Devai, Melnikova etc.

UB: China can realistically expect two bars finalists. Liu Tingting is the Asian champion on bars, so with a hit, she can make the final with relative ease. China’s newest (and most realistic) bars medal hope is Du Siyu, who has the start value to challenge anyone (6.4 D puts her right up there with Derwael and Downie). What hinders her is both her consistency and how little we know about her. She just came back from injury, so who knows what she looks like right now? With that said, she´s a medal favorite with a hit.

BEAM: BEAM is China’s place to go 1-2. I´d expect Chen to have a good shot at #1 with a hit, and Liu Tingting can also challenge for a medal with a good one. Zhang Jin can also make the final, but she’ll need a teammate to falter if she wants in.

Though China has a SPECTACULAR beam team this year, they aren´t without competition on the event. Biles, Sanne Wevers, and Kara Eaker all pose threat to the Chinese two. I´m actually SO excited for the beam final.

Floor: Don´t. Just hit it in the TF. Please. The start values just aren’t there for this one, without Wang Yan.

 

 

Worlds Preview: Russia

After winning Euros this year, the Russian team will look for a silver medal in the team final. Though they do face pressure from the Chinese, the Japanese, and the French, as long as they hit beam (HAHA, kidding, 2/3 hit beam routines would be fine), they should be cruising to a silver medal, and a team berth to the Olympics.

Team Members: 

Angelina Melnikova: European vault silver and bars bronze, the glue that holds the team together, needs to do all four pieces in the team final, just unveiled a Cheng, can contend for an all around medal

Aliya Mustafina: Gave birth five minutes ago, casual seven-time Olympic medalist, just doing bars and beam here, should be the team’s top scorer on both

Angelina Simakova: The other Angelina, Rudi on vault, clean floor tumbling, the perfect counterbalance to;

Irina Alexeeva: Former American Elite, solid on beam, pretty bars routine that Russia can use in the TF, also has a backup floor routine

Lillia Akhaimova: The one that I´m newly obsessed with, Rudi, HUGE floor tumbling, DLO, DBA+punch front, piked DBA, full in

Daria Spiridonova: 2015 bars world champion, apparently has her inbars back, the likely alternate for the team

Projected Lineups: 

VT: (Alexeeva) Simakova, Akhaimova, Melnikova

UB: (Simakova) Alexeeva, Mustafina, Melnikova

BB: (Simakova) Alexeeva, Melnikova, Mustafina

FX: (Alexeeva) Simakova, Akhaimova, Melnikova

This Russian team was chosen with the intention of maximizing their scoring potential on the power events, as evidenced by their Rudi, Rudi, Cheng vault rotation. Their floor lineup, while inconsistent, should rival the top with hit routines. Their bars rotation, while strong, isn’t historically as RUSSIA as it could have been. Russia will miss the bars score they could have had from say, Komova, or Ilyankova. Alexeeva is a good enough replacement, but I don´t understand why Komova didn’t get the spot. Komova beats her on bars, and can outscore her on beam with a hit. In addition, Komova has a worthwhile-ish DTY. Oh well, the difference will be minimal.

All Around:
Melnikova is a very legitimate all around medal contender. Melnikova has the goods on all four pieces to trump the likes of DJDS, Murakami, Black, Chen, and co to win the bronze behind Biles and American #2. For her, it comes down to whether or not she can hit beam. If she can, she’s got a very good case for a medal.

Russia´s second all arounder will presumably be the other Angelina, Angelina Simakova. Simakova also has the goods to join the fight for the bronze, but her hit rate on beam is discouragingly low. She can contend if she hits to the best of her ability, but realistically, she’ll want to make the top eight.

Event Final Prospects: 

Russia will be hoping for medals on every event, but they won’t be expecting very many of them.

Vault: Melnikova will be able to fight for vault bronze, and Akhaimova can also make the final if she hits.

Bars: Without Ilyankova on the team, a bars medal is a tough ask. Of course, Mustafina and Melnikova are contenders, but Mustafina doesn’t have the difficulty right now, and Melnikova´s execution can get shoddy at times. That said, both can still fight for a bronze.

Beam: Don’t expect much here. You never know what Mustafina will put together, so its possible for her, but her eternal flight series battle will likely hinder her.

Floor: Russia can hope to make a dent here. Melnikova can absolutely pull off a medal here with a clean hit, and Akhaimova and Simakova can also make the final, and medal if mistakes are made by others.

 

USA Worlds Preview

After a full summer of gymnastics, the US team for the world championships has been chosen. I apologize for missing the US Classic, the US GYmnastics Championships, and the US Worlds Selection Camp. I worked this summer, which caused me to slack on my blogging. I will try to be better.

The USA team consists of Simone Biles, Riley Mccusker, Morgan Hurd, Kara Eaker, Grace Mccallum, and Ragan Smith, with Smith the likely alternate. Enjoy!

Simone Biles: After coming back at the US classic in July, Simone has shown us that she is still far-and-away the best gymnast in the world. Simone swept nationals (the first woman to do that since Dominique Dawes) and won the all around at selection camp, despite falling on her beam dismount. In addition, she unveiled the Cheng-half at selection camp (6.4 D) and scored an astronomical 16.0.

At worlds, Simone will be expected to win the All-around, vault, floor, and has been looking like a good bet for a beam gold as well (despite facing competition from Kara Eaker and Sanne Wevers, among others). She can also contend for the bars final, mainly due to her Van Leeuwen and Fabrichnova dismount (double-double off of bars) upgrades. Simone is certainly the leader of the team, and will likely be the top scorer on three out of four events (4/4 is possible, but unlikely). Though she’s a superstar, saying that she carries this team, or that her teammates would fail without her is insulting and untrue. Her teammates are a star-studded group of athletes, which includes:

Riley Mccusker: After coming back from a season-ending injury last year, I had tampered expectations for Riley this year. However, she blew my expectations out of the water, placing second in the all-around at the US Classic (behind Biles, and ahead of Morgan Hurd), and following that up with a third place all around finish at the US Championships. Mccusker has shown tremendous improvements, mainly on vault and bars, re-upgrading to a DTY on vault and adding a Ricna+Pak+Chow 1/2 combo on bars. Mccusker is looking like a likely bet for one of the all-around spots after finishing second at the selection camp, but will likely be relegated to bars and beam in the team final.

Morgan Hurd: After winning the world championships last year, Hurd seemed like a different gymnast, with such confidence, evidenced by her American Cup performance and the fact that she hit eight out of eight routines at nationals for the first time. Hurd placed third at the US Classic after falling on beam, second at nationals after hitting eight out of eight, and third at the selection camp, after hitting all of her routines, but making sizable errors on floor and beam. Hurd was put on this team with the intention of being the third all around gymnast, but her most recent performance has left some people questioning her status. Grace Mccallum beat Hurd (even with a fall on bars) at camp, so Morgan will have to show that she is still the #2-#3 all arounder when worlds roll around. In the team final, the only event Hurd will undoubtedly perform is bars, where she has been the consistent third-best on the team. If she can pull it together, she´ll also be expected to do floor and vault, where she can provide strong leadoff routines for team USA.

Kara Eaker: Eaker was put on this team for her spectacular beam routine. Despite a rocky start to her season, falling at the US Classic, Eaker has shown tremendous confidence and precision on the event, slowly climbing the rankings. Eaker placed second to Biles on the event at nationals, and then went on to win the Pan American Championship title on beam, solidifying her place as a contender for the team.

Eaker peaked when she needed to, placing first on beam at the selection camp with a MASSIVE 15.150. Though her routine is connection-heavy, and some are worried about her ring position being devalued, Kara has shown that she can aggressively hit her tricky connections, and is a true gold medal contender on beam if she hits. In the team final, Kara will be expected to anchor her specialty event, and I could see them putting her on floor if Hurd can’t pull it together (Eaker won bronze on floor at pan ams).

Ragan Smith: After a rough start to 2018, placing ninth in the all around at nationals, and consistently falling on bars, Ragan Smith rebounded at the selection camp. She managed to place third on beam, fourth on floor, and fifth in the all around, good enough to make the team, even if she is likely to take the alternate spot.
It is possible for her to sneak onto the main team. Her best shot will be to consistently outscore Kara Eaker on beam, which is a big ask, but it can happen, if Eaker opens the door. She could also take the spot currently held by Grace Mccallum, by outscoring her in the all around and on floor.

Grace Mccallum: This year, Grace Mccallum has been the little engine that could, winning the all around at Pacific Rims and Pan Ams, and following it up with a fourth place finish at nationals. At selection camp, Mccallum solidified her spot by finishing third with a fall on bars (a truly terrifying fall on the catch of her Van Leeuwen). When Jade Carey was in the picture, Mccallum seemed likely to take the traveling alternate role for the team. Without her, though, Grace provides a good DTY and a TF worthy floor routine, so she´s basically slipped into the role Jade Carey would play for the team. Though she should be one of the five, it is possible for Smith to pass her if she seems to be more prepared on floor, or if she is beating her in the all around.

Now,

Where is Jade?: 

Notably absent from this team is World vault and floor silver medalist, Jade Carey. Carey showed up to nationals with an upgraded, and HUGE floor set, along with a DTY/Amanar and Lopez combo on vault. Jade won both of her events at pan ams, and was invited to the selection camp. Jade declined invitation to the selection camp and seems to be eyeing an individual spot at the Olympics for vault and floor. The Balance Beam Situation does a fantastic job of explaining the qualification procedure for the individuals, and why this is a good idea for Jade, but not so good for Team USA, so check them out!

Projected Lineups: 

VT: (Riley) Morgan, Grace, Simone

UB: (Grace) Morgan, Simone, Riley

BB: (Morgan) Riley, Simone, Kara

FX: (Riley) Morgan?, Grace, Simone

But what if Eaker is the alternate? 

VT: (Riley) Morgan, Grace, Simone

UB: (Grace?) Morgan, Simone, Kara

BB: (Morgan) Riley, Ragan, Simone

FX: (Riley) Morgan, Grace, Simone

But what if Mccallum is the alternate? 

VT: (Riley) Ragan, Morgan, Simone

UB: (Ragan) Morgan, Simone, Riley

BB: (Morgan/Riley) Ragan, Simone, Kara

FX: (Riley) Kara/Ragan, Morgan, Simone

For fun: Team #2: Shilese Jones, Jordan Chiles, Alyona Shchennikova, Audrey Davis, Trinity Thomas
VT: (Trinity) Audrey, Shilese, Jordan

UB: (Shilese) Trinity, Audrey, Alyona

BB (Alyona/Audrey) Shilese, Jordan, Trinity

FX: (Alyona?) Jordan, Shilese, Trinity

 

 

So, how did Euros go?

Well, Euros are finished! Time to go home now!

… Obviously not. Euros are a practice worlds for European countries. Though they’ll save their best for real worlds in October, every country wants to have a good showing here to prove that they matter at worlds! Who had successful showing? Who had a terrible showing? Stay with me, I’ll let you know!

Russia: Due to whatever witchcraft that led to 12/12 hit routines, the Russians achieved their primary goal of team gold. The Russians showed a shocking level of solidity and consistency that allowed them to overtake the favored French.
In addition to team gold, Melnikova picked up vault silver and bars gold, in addition to placing fourth on floor. They were certainly hoping for more on floor and vault, as their team was chosen with the hopes of maximizing their potential on the power events. Either one of Akhaimova or Simakova could have easily medaled on both, but neither made the floor final, and while Akhaimova made the vault final and hit both of her vaults, she gave away too much on her execution and placed fifth. Russia also wanted another bars medal from Alexeeva/Perebisnova. Perebisnova managed to make the final, but she had a wonky beginning of her routine and placed fifth. I personally had no expectation for beam medals for any Russian. They saved their beam magic for when it counted, team finals. Though they fell short individually, they banded together for team finals and had their best showing in quite some time.

France: Coming in, the French were definitely the favorites for the team gold. With their consistency, their big scores across the events, and several injuries to the Russian team, it seemed that the stars were aligned for the French team. Sadly, they were forced to count three falls from Lorette Charpy, which simply killed them when combined with the Russians having a fantastic day. They still grabbed the silver medal, a historic finish for the French, but they were surely disappointed, as they had the capability to reach the gold medal. On the individual side, Coline Devillard had some serious competition for he vault title after Boglarka Devai unveiled a Cheng. She hit her Rudi, but with the added pressure from Devai, she upgraded to a rather uncomfortable DTY that she fell on, bumping her out of the medals. On bars, both Juliette Bossu and Lorette Charpy made the final. Bossu had a few small execution deductions that bumped her to seventh, and though Charpy hit a great routine, she didn’t have the difficulty to challenge the top bars workers. On beam, both Melanie De Jesus Dos Santos and Marine Boyer made the final and placed third and fourth, respectively. Melanie had the cleaner routine overall, but Marine beat her out with difficulty, despite having a very wobbly routine. Luckily for Melanie, she managed to win the floor final after a clean routine with good difficulty. She started with a great full twisting double layout and followed it up with clean landings on the rest of her passes, along with beautiful dance elements. France would have loved to have won the team gold, as well as a vault medal from Devillard and a bars medal from someone, but by winning the historic silver, they showed that they’re on the right path, and that they’ll be a force to be reckoned with when they hit.

The Netherlands: The Dutch women should be THRILLED with their performance here. After losing their star, Eythora Thorsdottir, I had written them out of the team medals. Luckily, they proved me wrong, and used their absolutely stunning execution to outpace the British team and win the team bronze medal. In addition to their team medal, Tisha Volleman made the vault final, Celine Van Gerner placed fourth in the floor final (after performing a fabulous cat inspired routine), and Sanne Wevers pulled out a win in the beam final! She had a great side aerial to back handspring combo, in addition to her lovely triple turn, double L turn, and leap combos. Wevers was easily the cleanest in the final, but she also had a large amount of difficulty due to her great combinations. Without Eythora, I tampered expectations for the Dutch women’s medal count, as she likely would have contended for medals in the all around, as well as on the balance beam and the floor exercise. While losing their best gymnast was certainly a bummer, the Dutch showed that they aren’t overly reliant on Eythora, and that they’re a talented, capable bunch. Considering the circumstances, Euros went phenomenally for The Netherlands, and if they can get Eythora back by worlds, they’ll be in an even better spot to challenge for the team final, and individual medals.

Great Britain: After being cursed with a billion injuries to their top gymnasts, the clouds parted slightly for Great Britain when Becky Downie returned to competition. Frustratingly, whatever evil spirit had cursed Great Britain decided that it wasn’t done with them, and it then proceeded to re-injure Becky, devastating both the team’s chances for a medal, and my heart. They placed a respectable fourth, but they had several falls on the balance beam that killed their score. Without Downie, their best chance for an individual medal was probably Georgia Mae Fenton on bars. Sadly, she fell in qualifications and missed the final. Even without Downie, the British saw success in the form of event finals. Kelly Simm managed to make the bars final, and Georgia Mae Fenton made the floor final. Euros were never going to be a smashing success for the British ladies, but nonetheless, they’re undoubtedly disappointed. Their goal will be to regroup for worlds, and to have a better showing there.

Belgium: Belgium started Euros on a grim note by losing Rune Hermans, cutting their team to four members. Despite starting out rough, Euros actually went exceptionally well for Belgium. After qualification, they were ranked third as a team, a great result, especially considering their missing member. Though they pulled out of the final to prevent more injuries, placing in the top three was certainly promising to the young gymnastics program. Belgium’s primary goal was to have Nina Derwael defend her uneven bars title from last year, a goal which they accomplished. Derwael has a massive start value of 6.4, some huge skills such as a Nabieva and an eponymous stalder tkatchev 1/2, and to top it off, her routine is performed with beautiful form and lines. Nina had a huge score of 14.733 in the final and she won by nearly half a point. In addition to bars gold, Nina unexpectedly won beam silver, while Maellyse Brassart accompanied her in the final and placed seventh. Axelle Klinckaert, the team’s resident floor worker, hit in the floor final and placed third. Klinckaert has great tumbling such as a double layout and a full in, and along with that, she performs SUPER well, enchanting and charming the crowd. While many of their successes came with disappointments, the Belgians should be absolutely thrilled with their showing at Euros. Winning three medals and showing that they can score with the top teams was completely unexpected, but a very happy surprise for Belgium, and they must be very relieved.

Romania: Romania came into this meet with the potential to make the team final, as they had veteran Anamaria Ocolisan along with talented new senior, Denisa Golgota on their team.  Ridiculously, Anamaria got injured in podium training, just as she did three years ago in the exact same arena. Losing Ocolisan was a huge blow to the team, but with hit routines, they could still manage to make the team final. They started on vault, and everything went perfectly fine. They then went to uneven bars and proceeded to jump into a volcano, having a fall from every athlete in their lineup, Denisa Golgota, Carmen Ghiciuc, and Laura Iacob. They had one fall on both beam and floor, and at the end of the day, they were nowhere close to the final. Though the team had a dismal performance, Denisa Golgota made the vault and the floor final, and managed to medal on both. She had a clean DTY and Tsuk full to take the bronze on vault, and she had clean landings on her tumbling and nice execution on her dance elements to take the silver on floor. While the team still has a long way to go, Denisa Golgota showed a ton of potential and gave the Romanians hope for the future.

Hungary: Before the meet, the Hungarians lost their star, Zsofia Kovacs, sapping their chances for several individual medals. Despite the disappointing loss of their best gymnast, the Hungarians battled back and managed to make the team final, a huge win, considering they did so without Kovacs. In addition to the team final, they also came away with the vault gold medal from Boglarka Devai! Devai had a difficult, if a bit untidy, Cheng vault that helped her seal the gold. She also had a decent DTY that she paired with her Cheng. Devai wasn’t the cleanest vaulter in the final, but she had a massive difficulty advantage that allowed her to win her first European gold medal. Considering their Euros were without Zsofia Kovacs, the Hungarians should be very pleased with themselves and their showing.

Ukraine: Euros were both good and bad for the Ukranian team. Euros were good in the sense that they made the team final for quite some time, and that they managed to place fifth in said final, showing that after years of falling off the map as a team, they’re finally on the right track and have some strong talent among the ranks. While Euros were good for the team, they weren’t so good as individuals. Ukraine’s strongest gymnast at the moment is undoubtedly Diana Varinska, who made the uneven bars final at worlds last year, and who also has fabulous skills and potential on both beam and floor. Sadly, Varinska had a mediocre bars routine in qualification and ended up being the reserve for the final. Though they may have fallen short in terms of medal count, Euros provided the Ukrainian team with a tremendous amount of encouragement and hope, and if they keep improving themselves, who knows, maybe they can get back to their old glory days and be a world power once again.

Germany: After getting Sophie Scheder back and shortly thereafter, losing her to a hand injury, the Germans had tampered expectations for Euros. They had a lousy performance in qualifications and did not make the team final. They have some success as individuals and had three event finalists, Sarah Voss on vault, Kim Bui on bars, and Pauline Schafer on beam. Voss performed well with her DTY and Lopez vaults and managed to place fourth. For the second year in a row, Kim Bui had a beautiful routine, but was simply overpowered by the top bars workers and placed fourth. Pauline Schafer, the reigning world champion on beam, came in as a favorite and a contender for the title, but she fell on her eponymous side somi 1/2. Euros were a huge disappointment for the Germans and they’ll hope to do much better come worlds.

Italy: Italy does not have the best senior squad at the moment, and Euros was an accurate representation of that. They were capable of the team final, even though they lost Sofia Busato last minute, but they panicked in qualification and ended up reserves for the final. Without Sofia Busato and her vaults, Italy’s only real medal hope was Giada Grisetti on bars and beam, and she crushingly failed to make either final. Italy’s Euros couldn’t have been worse. Thankfully, Italy’s junior team had a FABULOUS showing, winning the team gold medal over Russia, along with picking up five individual medals on top of that. I haven’t ever really gone in depth about this, but next year, Italy will rise like a phoenix due to the strength of their juniors. Giorgia Villa is a fabulous bars worker with great connections, a good vaulter with a nice DTY, and she proved here how good she is on her weak(er) events, beam and floor. In addition to winning the silver medal on vault, Villa won the balance beam title as well as picking up silver on floor. Her evenness across the four events will make her a serious all around threat when she turns senior. In addition to Giorgia Villa, Italy also has Asia D’Amato, a phenomenal vaulter with a powerful DTY and Lopez combo (she’s also been shown training an Amanar), Elisa Iorio, Italy’s best bars and beam worker who also has a DTY sometimes, and Alice D’Amato, who has the potential to be an amazing bars and beam gymnast as well. Asia won the vault, and Elisa Iorio picked up the bronze on beam. If these gymnasts transition from junior to senior successfully, Italy’s program will experience a much-needed rejuvenation.

That should do it for the major teams, but…

Also: Jonna Adlerteg of Sweden won silver on bars with a FAB routine. She has such great combinations, such as a Hindorff to Pak and a Maloney to Bhardwaj, and she capped her routine off with a clean double layout dismount, she absolutely deserved her medal and I couldn’t be happier for her.

Just For Fun: I’ll list my favorite routine on each event!

Vault: Umm, I generally think vault is boring, so nothing stands out to me. I guess I’ll choose Boglarka Devai’s Cheng, simply because she worked so hard for that vault, and subsequently, her European vault title.

Bars: DUH, Nina Derwael. I wasn’t even a fan of hers last year, but her routine is just too fabulous to not root for. UGH, too much to rave over, you get it, watch her routine! http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=ipNina+derwael+bars+2018+european+championships&&view=detail&mid=77D24E85EC500F10F60377D24E85EC500F10F603&&FORM=VRDGAR

Beam: Sanne.Wevers.All.The.Way. Her routine is just tooooo unique and perfect, she slays my life.

Floor: I’d have to choose Denisa Golgota! I love the way she sells her routine, she has great tumbling, and she exemplifies the Romanian fighting spirit. I also happen to be a huge fan of hers, so there’s also that.

Ok! Please enjoy this article that took me three days to write! Next I’ll preview US championships, which start on the 16th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Classic Preview+Key Routines

The US Classic is set to take place on July 28th, with podium training happening on the 27th. Classic is always tricky to preview, because we have no idea who will do the all around, and who will show up to do one or two events. Obviously, those who want to qualify to nationals as an all arounder will plan to compete all four, but the big names/national team members can afford to show a few events, and save the all around for nationals. Here, I’ll go through the roster for classics, name the competitors, and list their key routines/what they’re trying to accomplish at this meet. So, let’s get started with a little someone named…

Simone Biles: Simone was originally planning to compete bars and beam here, but then revealed via Twitter that she’s too good for the rest of the world and will show all four events at Classic. Obviously, she could show up, do a split jump on the beam, and immediately be handed five Olympic gold medals, but our Simone has much more in store than that. If you’ve watched the Biles.Is.Back video on YouTube, you’ve seen the plethora of potential upgrades that USAG teased us with. We were shown a Moors on floor, a TTY on vault, a double double off of beam, all of which are exciting, but the real show stopper was bars. Simone has always been a good, consistent bars workers, never not scoring in the 14.8-15.0 range, but we’ve always known she was capable of more. After picking up the Landi’s as coaches, she’s shown a Piked Jaeger (E), Van Leeuwen (E), and a Fabrichnova (F), a total of 1.2 new points in start value, not counting the potential CV. While the rest of her events have exciting upgrade potential, I’m most excited to see her bars composition. She revealed in an interview that she’s planning on competing the Van Leeuwen and the Fabrichnova, as well as a Maloney to Tkatchev combo. Simone will be expected to win the all around, along with VT, BB, and FX for sure. She also has a chance to win bars with Gabby Perea skipping this meet. If she can handle the nerves, she’s on the fast track to the win here, as well as the worlds team later this year.

Morgan Hurd: After winning the world all around title last year, Hurd showed up to American Cup looking even stronger, as well as showing several upgrades that will help keep her ahead of the all around pack, trying to dethrone her as the #2 all arounder behind Simone. While we’re unsure of the events she plans to compete, Hurd’s goal will be a podium finish in the all around (provided she competes it), as well as placing in the top three on bars and beam. Though very much an all around gymnast, Hurd’s most competitive single event has been bars, where she boasts a high start value of 6.1, as well as some lovely form and lines. Beam is the most stacked event in the US right now, but Hurd has the potential to be the #3 beamer behind Kara Eaker and Simone Biles. Hurd has great form on beam, as well as good difficulty with her back tuck full and piked full in dismount. A successful classic for Hurd would look something like a podium finish on bars, as well as a top-five beam routine, both of which are distinctly possible.

Ragan Smith: After winning nationals last year, Smith made the worlds team, was favored to win the all around, and was injured in the warmups just before the competition started. Despite her bad luck, Smith showed up at Jesolo and looked good, if not her usual best, downgrading her vault to a full and struggling with her floor tumbling. Luckily, she looked good on bars and beam, medaling on both events, keeping her afloat in team conversations. The goal for Ragan will be to outscore Morgan Hurd on both bars and beam, proving she still has the potential to be the #2 all arounder. Achieving this (along with podium finishes on the events she competes) would be considered a successful classic for Ragan.

Emma Malabuyo: Emma was the breakout star at Jesolo, winning the all around, as well as beam and floor. Though she’s usable on all events, the ones where she’ll make an impact would be beam and floor. Unluckily for Malabuyo, beam is the most stacked event for the US right now, and floor is mostly covered, with Biles and Carey taking up two spots. It’s critical that Malabuyo defeat Carey on floor, as well as place in the top three on beam, otherwise. A successful classic for Emma would include top three finishes on both beam and floor, as well as the all around, should she choose to compete it.

Jade Carey: Carey came out of nowhere to medal on both vault and floor at worlds last year, and has since been adding skills on bars to compete as an all arounder. Though Simone possess’s a similar skill set, Jade is still very much in play to beef up the vault and floor lineups at worlds. That said, her spot is far from guaranteed. Her Amanar landing is what cost her the vault gold medal at worlds last year, and if she hasn’t cleaned it up, she’s susceptible to being passed by Jordan Chiles’s Amanar. While she has gigantic tumbling on floor, she lacks the artistry that all of Smith, Hurd, and Malabuyo possess. In order to retain the #2 spot on floor, she has to hit her floor routine with good landings, but adding some more difficult dance elements would also serve her well (she counted a B at worlds last year). Carey must consistently place second on both vault and floor if she wants to make the worlds team. A good Classic for Jade would look something like… Top five all around and second on vault and floor?

Kara Eaker: Eaker has shown up this year to become the unprecedented beam queen among the US. Kara seems to be eyeing an Alyssa Batman type spot on the team this year, and while that’s a tougher ask on a five person team, if she consistently wins beam this summer, how could you say no to that? Obviously, beam will be the key event for Eaker, but her next objective will be to show a second usable event to prove that she isn’t a one trick pony. She has the GAGE lines on bars, as well as some decent tumbling on floor, so we’ll see how she stacks up on those events. Placing first on beam is the goal for Eaker, and achieving that would be considered a successful US classic.

Jordan Chiles: Considering she lives two towns away from me, I’m a HUGE fan of Jordan’s. After placing second at nationals, Chiles went to the Stuttgart World Cup and placed third in the all around after falling on her newly upgraded bars and beam routines. While she has tremendous potential on all four events, the one she can use to standout is vault, where she has a great Amanar. She needs to hit the vault, as well as floor, where she has a good combo of artistry and tumbling. Jordan’s  best move to make the worlds team would be to steal Jade Carey’s spot by somehow outscoring her on both vault and floor. If she can accomplish that, she should make the team. However, her goal at classics will be to hit whichever events she competes, and prove that she’s a viable backup on bars and beam.

Riley Mccusker: After an untimely injury following nationals last year, Mccusker returned at the American Classic, placing second on beam with a 14.0 and scoring a 13.5 on bars after falling on her Van Leeuwen. Despite being injury prone, Mccusker is still in play for worlds this year, due to her prowess on uneven bars. The goal for classic will be to qualify to the all around at nationals (she’s qualified on UB and BB) as well as to win bars and place in the top three on beam. Achieving this would make it a successful classic for Riley.

Olivia Dunne: Olivia Dunne is an absolutely gorgeous gymnast with a TON of potential for the future. She isn’t going to factor into the worlds team, but an alternate position is possible. The goal for Olivia is to qualify to the all around at nationals, which she can do as long as she hits.

Grace Mccallum: Grace Mccallum has twice been able to capitalize on Morgan Hurd’s mistakes, defeating her at both Pac Rims and the April verification camp. Mccallum is a FABULOUS all arounder, with no true weak event. Her best chance to make the worlds team would be to do so as an all arounder. While that’s a tough ask with Biles, Hurd, Smith, and Malabuyo all likely to defeat her, she’s a consistent gymnast and could capitalize on others mistakes. The classics goal for Mccallum would be to place second in the all around, granted she competes it, along with placing in the top three-five on bars, floor, and vault.

Alyona Schennikova: Schennikova is the defending champion at this event, and while it’s nearly impossible to defend her title, she’ll be looking for a podium finish on bars, her best event.

Audrey Davis: Audrey Davis needs to qualify to nationals as an all arounder. She’s qualified on vault (where she has a DTY) and bars (where she’s channeled her inner WOGA with a Healy to layout Jaeger combo!), but she’s talented enough to make it as an all a rounder. A top five finish on bars would be nice for her, but her main goal will be qualifying.

Shilese Jones: Jones showed up at the American Classic and won both vault and floor, the latter of which where she has gigantic tumbling such as a double double and a double Arabian. A successful classic for Jones would look like top five finishes on both vault and floor.

Adeline Kenlin: Kenlin placed seventh in the all around at Jesolo this year and looked great while doing so, with great front tumbling on floor, as well as aggressive bars and beam work. Sadly, she’s since been injured, relegating her to just bars here. She’s great on the event, with an inbar to stalder full to tkatchev combo, along with a double front half out dismount, and a top five finish would be a successful showing.

 

 

 

European Championships Preview

Hello my long lost friends! I’m sorry about my inconsistency in posting. Ever since school got out, I haven’t had a reliable computer to write with. I’ve missed a bajillion meets in Europe, which is a shame since the European Championships in Glasgow begin on the second of August. Instead of reviewing all of the missed meets, I’ll just go over the teams of each country, give some juicy gossip (If compatable with said team), and then preview each event for the championships, all in one convienent article!

Russia: Angelina Melnikova, Angelina Simakova, Irina Alexeeva, Lillia Akhaimova, Uliana Perebisnova

VT: Akhaimova, Melnikova, Simakova UB: Alexeeva, Perebisnova, Melnikova BB: Alexeeva, Simakova, Melnikova FX: Akhaimova, Simakova, Melnikova

The Russian team raised a few eyebrows for several reasons, the most obvious of which being the absence of Viktoria Komova. Komova returned at the Voronin cup in December and has since looked very good. Her bars have looked lovely, (though her set is a #Butherinbars routine), she has her DTY on vault, as well as some big tumbling on floor with her DLO and DBA. Her beam is clean and beautiful as usual, but she has been the normal amount of fallsy for a Russian. Valentina Rodionenko has claimed she left Komova off of the team for back pain, and though Komova has called her bluff on that, the real reason she’s not on the team is because she’s landed herself a spot Val’s hate list. Another surprising absence is Anastasia Ilyankova, who placed second AA at Russian Cup and recorded a massive 15.350 on bars.

I truly think V-Rod got this one wrong. Yes, both Komova and Ilyankova are both very Russian, but hey, no more so than Perebisnova. Alexeeva likely showed up with her American consistency and instantly grabbed Valentina’s heart, so I understand how she earned her spot. That said, Perebisnova is 4 for 8 with her bar routine (which consistently scores lower than Komova and Ilyankova), plus, Komova and Ilyankova could both contribute at least one more event, while Perebisnova is limited to just bars. This team selection is puzzling, but Russia is a force at these Euros nonetheless.

France: Melanie DJDS, Marine Boyer, Coline Devillard, Juliette Bossu, Lorette Charpy

VT: DJDS, Boyer, Devillard UB: Bossu, Charpy, DJDS BB: Charpy, DJDS, Boyer FX: Charpy/Bossu, Boyer, DJDS

This is the best French team in recent memory, as they can challenge for the team title and many individual medals as well. The key for them will be staying consistent, as they can’t afford to give any precious points to the Russians. Also key is keeping Melanie healthy, as the team is built entirely on top of her AA prowess.

Great Britain: Alice Kinsella, Kelly Simm, Becky Downie, Lucy Stanhope, Georgia Mae Fenton

VT: Simm, Kinsella, Stanhope UB: Simm, Fenton, Downie BB: Fenton, Downie, Kinsella FX: Fenton/Stanhope, Simm, Kinsella

Though missing all Ellie Downie, Claudia Fragapane, GB has a fair amount of depth with both Simm and Kinsella stepping up to the plate as all arounders. Great Britain’s secret weapon and key for a team medal will be bars, with hit routines from both Downie and Fenton, GB will challenge Russia for the top bars score. With Downie, Fragapane, and Tinkler missing, floor will be (Relatively) weak, as well as their normal Achilles heel on the beam.

The Netherlands: Sanne Wevers, Eythora Thorsdottir, Tisha Volleman, Vera Van Pol, Celine Van Gerner

VT: Van Pol, Volleman, Thorsdottir UB: Thorsdottir, Wevers, Van Gerner BB: Van Gerner, Thorsdottir, Wevers FX: Volleman, Van Pol, Thorsdottir

The Netherlands have a brilliant team with no real weakness, and the ability to challenge for medals/finals nearly everywhere. That said, Thorsdottir was not at her best at Dutch nationals, vaulting a full and downgrading her floor tumbling. I’m sure she’ll pull it together by Euros, but should she not, the Dutch will cry themselves to sleep, literally.

Romania: Denisa Golgota, Ana Maria Ocolisan, Carmen Ghihuic, Nica Ivanus, Laura Iacob

VT: Ghihuic, Ocolisan, Golgota UB: Ocolisan, Ghihuic, Golgota BB: Iacob, Ghihuic, Golgota FX: Ivanus, Ocolisan, Golgota

The Romanians are certainly missing Larisa Iordache and Catalina Ponor. That said, they have a new star in Denisa Golgota, who should make vault and floor finals, as well as lift the Romanian team to the team final. Some people are skeptical of this team’s chances, claiming that bars will be their Achilles heel (as usual) and that their other events aren’t strong enough to pick up the slack. That claim, however, is false. Both Golgota and Ocolisan have DTYs, their beam is steady and consistent, and their floor has some great tumbling from Golgota, who has really become the Iordache of this team. If they hit, they should place somewhere between fifth through eighth.

Germany: Pauline Schafer, Kim Bui, Sarah Voss, Leah Griesser, Emma Hoefele

VT: Bui, Schafer, Voss UB: Hoefele, Griesser, Bui BB: Hoefele/Griesser, Voss, Schafer FX: Bui, Voss, Schafer

When Schafer and Scheder returned at German nationals, the entire program breathed a collective sigh of relief. Unfortunately, the program then collectively gaped in horror as Sophie Scheder injured her finger, taking her out for Euros. AT their peak, Germany would be a medal contending team, and while they should still make the team finals, there’s now a lot of pressure on Schafer and Bui to hit.

Italy: Lara Mori, Giada Grisetti, Elisa Meneghini, Martina Basille, Martina Maggio

VT: Basille, Maggio, Meneghini UB: Grisetti, Mori, Maggio BB: Grisetti, Mori, Meneghini FX: Maggio, Meneghini, Mori

Italy is currently experiencing senior depletion, and if they could allow their juniors to compete, they’d likely win the team gold medal. Sadly for them, they’re stuck with their seniors while also missing Vanessa Ferrari and Erika Fasana. This team is good on beam and floor and respectable on vault, which will carry them to TF, assuming they don’t implode, but their bars score is reliant upon Grisetti hitting, and even then can be low enough to discourage medal potential.

Belgium: Nina Derwael, Axelle Klinckaert, Maelysse Brassart, Julie Meyers, Rune Hermans

VT: Derwael, Klinckaert, Brassart UB: Hermans, Klinckaert, Derwael BB: Derwael, Hermans, Klinckaert FX: Brassart, Derwael, Klinckaert

The Belgians are an extremely talented bunch, if not underpowered on vault and floor. The team is slightly over reliant on Derwael, but should make TFs just the same.

Also not to be missed:

Diana Varinska: See if she can carry Ukraine to the TF

Team Hungary: After losing Zsofia Kovacs, their chances have fallen dramatically. That said, they’re not completely out of the picture

Vasilliki Milliousi: Potentially a good Beamer, never hits though

Teja Belak+Tjassa Kysselef : Slovenian vaulting sisters, can contend for medals

Jonna Adlerteg: KILLER bars routine

Ana Perez and Spain: Outside TF contender

Now,

Event Previews:

Vault: With Steingruber and Kovacs out, the medals are WIDE open to be snatched. Favorite: Coline Devillard could easily defend her title with a hit, but… how probable is that? Contenders: Melnikova is in a similar boat, as is Boglarka Devai. Basically anyone with two vaults can make the final, and if Devillard falls, the gold will be wide open.

Uneven Bars:

Favorite: The obvious favorite is Nina Derwael, who has been getting consistent 15’s this year. Assuming she hits, she should win with no trouble.

Contenders: Angelina Melnikova has also been incredibly consistent this season and should challenge for a medal. Georgia Mae Fenton is the Commonwealth champion on bars and could medal with a hit, as could Becky Downie. The French should qualify two in Melanie DJDS and Juliette Bossu, the latter of which has a silver/bronze worthy routine. Diana Varinska is another possibility.

Outskirters: Irina Alexeeva, Uliana Perebisnova, Jonna Adlerteg, and Kim Bui can make it in with good hits and mistakes from others.

Balance Beam: 

Favorite: Sanne Wevers looked great at Dutch Nationals just a few weeks ago and could spin her way to the title with a similar routine.
I would put Pauline Schafer just behind Sanne, she just has to hit her eponymous side somi half.

Contenders: Angelina Melnikova has looked fairly solid on beam and can contend with a hit. Eythora Thorsdottir looked great on this particular event at Dutch Championships and is the reigning silver medalist. Both Melanie DJDS and Marine Boyer are incredible beam workers and medal contenders here. Though inconsistent, Diana Varinska is a beautiful beamer as well.

Outskirters: Vassiliki Milliousi is never not an outside contender for the beam final who falls on her dismount. Italy would like to field one of Elisa Meneghini or Giada Grisetti, and Romania would love to sneak Golgota or Ghihuic into the final, all of which can happen with a little luck.

Floor Excercise:

Favorite: Is there one? I would say Melnikova, but she’s been kinda injured and watery with her tumbling, so I have no clue…

Contenders: Melnikova can contend to defend, and the glorious swan that is Lillia Akhaimova can put pressure on her. Sadly/Happily for Russia, Simakova is also a legitimate contender that can spoil it for either Russian. MDJDS can contend, as can Lara Mori. Reigning bronze medalist, Eythora Thorsdottir, can contend if she’s somewhere near full strength.

Outskirters: My heart would sing if either of Pauline Schafer or Axelle Klinckaert could wiggle it into the final. Denisa Golgota also has a fairly solid argument for the final as well.

Hope you enjoyed!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Making Sense of the Russian Team

Before I begin, I’d like to apologize for my extended absence from this blog. I have missed several important meets and I will attempt to write short recaps of them in the coming weeks. Now, let’s begin recapping the Russian Cup and piecing the Russian Worlds/Euros team.

At the beginning of this year, I concluded that the Russians were the clear front runners for the European team gold and the Worlds team silver medal. While I still feel that they should easily win the European team gold, it’s mainly due to the relative weakness of the European field (when the French team is the second best team, you know the field will be weak). As for worlds, the Russians are likely the second best team, but the usual consistency issues combined with injuries taking out top contenders, Aliya Mustafina and Irina Alexeeva, the Russian team is susceptible to being passed by the Chinese and the Japanese.

With Mustafina and Alexeeva both out, Russia is going to have to rely on some inexperienced and/or inconsistent gymnasts. The one lock for this team is Olympic Silver Medalist, Angelina Melnikova. Melnikova won the All Around competition despite downgrading her floor tumbling and struggling on her DTY. Melnikova was the clear standout on both bars and beam, the latter due to her improved routine composition, where she removed the layout that has plagued her consistency. Melnikova ties the Russian team together due to her ability to contribute all four events at a high level, and should something happen to her, the Russians will tumble down the rankings, as they have nobody close to Melnikova’s level.

Despite placing fourth in the All Around, Angelina Simakova is also nearly a lock for the team due to her prowess on both vault and floor. She has been inconsistent with her Rudi vault, but when she hits it, she has an undeniable Paseka-esque score that the Russians will lean on. Her floor is adorable and useful, with a cute doll-themed routine paired with powerful tumbling, she’s the clear second best to Melnikova on this event. She has been incredibly inconsistent on beam, but she’s not much more fallsie than the other Russians, and she could very possibly be tapped to compete the event in the team final. Viktoria Komova has also made an impressive comeback, placing third in the All Around at both the Russian Nationals and the Russian Cup. She has a good, usable DTY that will likely be the leadoff vault in the team final, and a  FABULOUS bar routine, with a toe 1/1 to Maloney to Pak to Van Leeuwen combo. She fell on beam in the all around, but she still has the beautiful execution and a big skill in her standing Arabian. She also fell on floor, but she has retained her DLO and her DBA, along with some beautiful dance elements. Komova could potentially contribute four events in the team final and is an asset to the team.

Despite being known as a bars specialist, Anastasia Ilyankova placed second in the All Around at the Russian Cup, solidifying her spot on the team. Though she struggled with her Ezhova transition, she has a top three bars score as well as usable beam and floor sets.

With Melnikova, Simakova, Komova, and Ilyankova on the team, the lineups would look something like this….

VT: Komova, Melnikova, Simakova (Ilyankova)
UB: Komova, Melnikova, Ilyankova (Simakova)
BB: Ilyankova, ?, Melnikova (Simakova)
FX: Komova, Simakova, Melnikova (Ilyankova)

With this set of gymnasts, the only glaring hole is one spot on beam. The beam champion was Daria Elizarova, but she could only contribute one event, and is susceptible to being passed by the likes of Komova and Simakova, both of whom should definitely make the team. One name who could potentially pop up is Maria Kharenkova. Kharenkova did compete here, but she fell on both of her events, beam and floor. She popped off of the beam on her layout, crashed her DLO, and sat the punch front on her 2 1/2 to punch front on floor. If she could get her life together on these events, she would be a lock for the team. Unfortunately, she has proven time and time again that she is unreliable. That said, if she can pull it together by the time worlds roll around, I wouldn’t count her out.

Another option would be Tatiana Nabieva. Nabieva’s peak in the sport was in 2011, when she medaled on bars at worlds and possessed an Amanar. Tatiana has been hanging around the Russian gymnastics program since then, and managed to make the worlds team in 2014, winning a bronze medal with the Russian team. Nabieva placed FIFTH in the all around, with a good DTY (she received the highest vault score in the competition after Simakova fell) and a usable bars set, Nabs impressed me to no end. Sadly, her strengths happen to be where Russia is strongest, so a team spot is unlikely. That said, Nabieva should definitely receive an alternate spot, and if an injury occurs, she could definitely make the team.

Wrapping up, Angelina Melnikova, Angelina Simakova, Viktoria Komova, and Anastasia Ilyankova should definitely make the team, and the last spot could be snatched by any of Maria Kharenkova, Daria Elizarova, or Tatiana Nabieva. If healthy, either of Aliya Mustafina or Irina Alexeeva could grab it as well. Russia misses Elena Eremina and will hope for a strong return from her next year. If they stay consistent, they should be on the fast track to a team medal at Euros, and later, worlds.

 

Canadian Team Permutations

After winning the CWG team title, Canada is in striking position for a team medal this year at worlds. The team will be led by their first world medalist, Ellie Black, who won a silver medal in the AA at worlds in Montreal. Black had a great showing at these championships, despite some troubles with her vaulting. Her floor routine and her bars routine both look very good, along with her usual lovely beam routine. She did take out her punch fronts on beam, but her D score remains competitive nonetheless at a 5.8.

VT: Black, ?, ?

UB: Black, ?, ?

BB: Black, ?, ?

FX: Black, ?, ?

The other gymnast who nearly solidified her status here is Shallon Olsen. Olsen showed a gorgeous DTY along with a Cheng on vault, a combo difficult enough to guarantee her an event final at worlds, and to challenge for a medal. She also showed some great tumbling on floor, with a double double, piked full in, triple full, and double tuck. With Black and Olsen on the team, the lineups would look like,

VT: Black, ?, Olsen,

UB: Black, ?, ?

BB: Black, ?, ?

FX: Olsen, ?, Black

With these two, there are some glaring holes on bars and beam. After this meet, a person who seems suited to fill these holes is Isabela Onyshko. Onyshko had some troubles on both bars and beam at this meet, but she showed great scoring potential, as well as placing third in the AA.

VT: Black, ?, Olsen

UB: Onyshko, Black, ?

BB: ?, Onyshko, Black

FX: Olsen, ?, Black

Now, with this team, there seems to be one spot left on each event. The most potent duo for these roles would be Brooklyn Moors and Brittany Rogers. Moors placed fourth in the AA here, and struggled on bars, vault, and floor, but aggressively hit her beam routine, which includes a front aerial to front tuck series. She also hit her floor routine in qualifications, and it was a beautiful routine. She has difficult tumbling, such as a front layout to double front combo, a Podkopayeva ( double front ½ out), and a 2 ½ to a front full. She also has beautiful dance and expression, which makes for a great routine. She has a handspring 1/1 vault, but it has been incredibly inconsistent, and she downgraded it to a layout ½ in finals. Brittany Rogers didn’t compete here (reportedly to save herself for team selection time), but she has the best Canadian bars routine, along with a DTY vault that she pairs with a Mustafina (RO ½ on 1/1 off). With Moors and Rogers on the team, it would look something like,

VT: Black, Rogers, Olsen (Moors)

UB: Onyshko, Black, Rogers (Moors)

BB: Onyshko, Moors, Black (Rogers)

FX: Olsen, Black, Moors (Onyshko)

This is a very balanced team that doesn’t have any true weak event. The one wrench that will be thrown into the team selection will be Ana Padurariu. Padurariu, a new senior this year, injured her foot at Elite Canada earlier this year. She did compete here, but she was limited to bars only, and while her routine was fabulous, with an inbar piked tkatchev, one event specialists will have a hard time making teams. When at full strength, she also has a gorgeous beam routine, with a side aerial loso loso combo, and a pretty floor routine. If she were competing the AA, she would likely have placed second to Black. If Padurariu can get her beam routine back by worlds, she’ll likely go to worlds in place of Isabela Onyshko.

VT: Black, Rogers, Olsen (Moors)

UB: Black, Padurariu, Rogers (Moors)

BB: Padurariu, Moors, Black (Rogers)

FX: Olsen, Black, Moors (Rogers?)

Though the ideal team for Canada includes Ana Padurariu, they’re still very capable without her. They can contend for a number of individual medals as well as a team medal, should the top teams falter.

Hope you enjoyed!