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SAN JOSE, Calif. — Adrenaline is high when competing in front of 17,000 fans, but it’s through the roof when it’s the last chance to secure one of five spots on the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team.
Sunday concluded the two-night U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials. After an exciting night of competition at the SAP Center, five gymnasts were named to the team by the Selection Committee.
Future Ute MyKayla Skinner anxiously waited 30 minutes after the meet as the Selection Committee configured the roster. But despite her strong fourth-place finish at the trials, Skinner was left off the five-woman team and instead named an alternate.
Named to the roster were three-time world gymnastics champion Simone Biles, Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas, three-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez and Madison Kocian. Ashton Locklear and Ragan Smith join Skinner as alternates.
Biles, who hasn’t lost in more than three years, punched an automatic ticket to Rio after winning the two-day all-around competition, scoring 123.250. Hernandez (121.150) finished second overall, followed by Raisman (119.750) and Skinner (118.600). Douglas (117.450) and Kocian (117.050) finished seventh and eighth.
Skinner placed second on vault (30.950), fifth on floor (29.600) and balance beam (29.350) and 12th on uneven bars (28.700).
Biles’ bid to Rio was expected months ago. Who would join the decorated gymnast became clearer throughout the trials. Hernandez and Raisman were favorites going to Rio following their stellar two-night performances. Douglas’ future was uncertain after a shaky night that included falling off the beam, but an improved second night with a strong 15.250 bars routine helped her case.
The Selection Committee — composed of women’s national team coordinator Martha Karolyi, brevet judge Tatiana Perskaia and athlete representative Terin Humphrey — needed a fifth athlete who consistently competes strong on uneven bars, the team’s weakest event. Future UCLA gymnast Kocian placed first on bars (31.650), giving her an edge over Skinner, whose strongest events — vault and floor — match those who were already likely to make Team USA.
Up next for the gold medal favorite is a 10-day training camp before heading to Rio. Skinner will join the Utah gymnastics team in August as a freshman.
