The FIG has released the complete list of nominative rosters for the 2015 World Championships. The meet is set for October in Scotland.
Many countries have named 7 athletes, with the reserve to be named later.
The US women's squad includes Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Brenna Dowell (OU), Madison Kocian (UCLA signee), Maggie Nichols (OU Commit), Aly Raisman, Mykayla Skinner (Utah signee). However, because the US has not completed their selection camp, this is not yet final. The selection camp is in two weeks.
The US men's squad includes Sam Mikulak (ex Mich), Alex Naddour (ex OU), Paul Ruggeri (ex IL), Dannell Leyva, Donnell Whittenburg, and Brandon Wynn (ex Ohio State). Chris Brooks (former OU) is the alternate.
Also nominated were UCLA's Danusia Francis (Jamaica), UGA's Brittany Rogers (Canada), and Cal's Toni Ann Williams (Jamaica). In addition, signee Victoria Woo (Canada, Ohio State) and commits Madison Copiak (Canada, Washington), Rubu Harrold (UK, LSU), Courtney McGregor (New Zealand, Boise State) and Charlotte Sullivan (New Zealand, Iowa) are on the list. Former DU stars Jessica Lopez Arocha will represent Venezuela while Simona Castro will represent Colombia. Armenia's roster includes former Iowa standout Houry Gebashian. (Note: Canada has confirmed their team but not named which is the alternate)
Current PSU senior Alexis Torres (Puerto Rico) will represent the PSU men. He'll be joined by former PSU standouts Tommy Ramos, Tristian Perez Rivera, and Nestor Rodriguez. Current Cal athlete Ryan Patterson will represent South Africa, while Bear teammate Yordan Aleksandrov will represent Bulgaria. Former Ohio State Buckeye Mikhail Koudinov will represent New Zealand, while former Iowa standout Javier Balboa will compete for Mexico.
Link: Rosters
Stephanie Stoicovy Worrell, a former George Washington gymnast, joins the GWU Staff.
On September 11th, 2001, Mari-Rae Sopper was on her way to California, ready to start her job as Head Coach of the women's team at UC Santa Barbara. Sopper, a former standout at Iowa State, was known as "ISUFan" on the College Gymnastics Board. She had given up her job as a Navy JAG Corp lawyer to pursue her dream, and to help save the program at UCSB. She lost her life during the events of that fateful day as the plane she was on was deliberately crashed into the Pentagon. We pause to remember her spirit and dedication to the sport, and her inspiring effort to pursue her dreams.
This year, a book has been published about her life and dreams: "Within Her Grasp". Both print and e-book versions are available. Amazon Prime subscribers can borrow it for free.
Our original tribute page: Link
Kirsten Strausbaugh, a former UPenn gymnast, has landed a staff position with the team.
Gym club owner and long time coach Neal Gallant joins Stanford's staff.
USA Gymnastics has added several gymnasts to the training squad for World's. In addition to the previously named Senior National Team members, Bama commit Madison Desch, OU's Brenna Dowell, Florida commit Rachel Gowey, Florida commit Amelia Hundley, and Ashton Locklear have been added to the finalists. Desch and Hundley scratched from Day 2 of the Championships with injuries but competed at the Pan Am Games for the US. The other three excel on the UB, which is a focus event for the US.
Link: USA Gymnastics
USA Gymnastics has named the seven men that will represent the United States at the World Championships this fall. Former Michigan star and NCAA champ Sam Mikulak leads the squad, as expected. He'll be joined by Donnell Whittenburg, Danell Leyva, Alex Naddour (ex OU), Paul Ruggeri (ex Illinois), Brandon Wynn (ex Ohio State), and first alternate Chris Brooks (ex OU). Marvin Kimble is the 2nd alternate.
The US also named the Senior National team, adding several gymnasts to the team announced previously: Donothan Bailey (ex Cal), Jake Dalton (ex OU, injury), Jonathan Horton (ex OU), Steven Legendre (ex OU), CJ Maestas (ex Illinois), John Orozco (injured), Ennie Penev (ex Stanford). Some are surprised by the lack of the inclusion of Dalton, who had bypassed Nationals to work on his comeback from injury.
With many of the leading gymnasts having similar strengths, the key to making the Rio team could be consistent excellence on PH and Rings.
Link: USA Gymnastics Release
The final day of the P&G Championships brought the men's AA final. Former Michigan star and NCAA Champ Sam Mikulak won his third straight US Title in dominating fashion.
Donnell Whittenburg was a solid and consistent 2nd, scoring the same tally both days. But, after that, the standings shuffled considerably on Day 2, as a number of men significantly improved the second day. Sorting that out and selecting a World Championships will be challenging.
Chris Brooks, a former OU standout, was a solid third. However, only 1.05 points separated 4th place Alex Naddour (a great day for the former Sooner, moving beyond his days as the PH specialist) and 9th place Jonathan Horton (another former Sooner Olympian). Marvin Kimble, Danell Leyva, Steven Legendre, and Paul Ruggeri slotted between those two.
The US National Team will include Brooks, Horton, Kimble, Legendre, Leyva, Mikulak, Naddour, Ruggeri and former Cal standout Donothan Bailey, who finished 10th AA and 2nd on PH.
Five more team members are yet to be selected. Former OU standout Jake Dalton sat out the meet but is eligible to be selected for the team.
Link: USA Gymnastics
Two-time World Champ Simone Biles won her third straight US title at the P&G Championships. She did with a personal record score in the AA, eliminating the issues she faced on Day 1.
In second was OU commit Maggie Nichols, followed by Olympian Aly Raisman. Florida commit Bailie Key as fourth, and Olympic Champ Gabby Douglas was fifth.
Completing the US National team are UCLA commit Madison Kocian, Florida commit Alyssa Baumann, Utah commit McKayla Skinner, and UCLA commits Nia Dennis and Kyla Ross.
Lauren Hernandez won the junior title, edging clubmate and fellow future Gator Jazmyn Foberg.
Link: USA Gymnastics
Former Michigan star and NCAA Champ Sam Mikulak posted a big 92.0 to lead the Men's senior division on Day 1. Donnell Whittenburg is 2.35 points in 2nd and former Illini Paul Ruggeri is 3rd, just a head of a large pack of contenders. Former OU star Jonathan Horton showed his progress back from injury and was 4th, while Olympic bronze medalist Danell Leyva was fifth.
After Mikulak, the Men's field is tightly bunch and its not clear which combination of Men will make up the best team of six for the Glasgow World Championships. Many of the contenders are weak on PH, and this could be a key event for the US.
Link: USA Gymnastics
World Champion Simone Biles leads the field after day 1 at the P&G (US) Championships. She posted a total of a 61.1 after suffering a rare miscue on the FX (fall on full-in dismount).
OU commit Maggie Nichols was 2nd, ahead of Olympic Champion Gabby Douglas. Olympian Aly Raisman was 4th. Florida commit Bailie Key was 5th, ahead of another future Gator, Alyssa Baumann, in 6th. Current OU star Brenna Dowell was a strong 7th, while Utah signee McKalya Skinner was 8th. Florida commit Amelia Hundley was 9th, while UCLA commit Nia Dennis was 10th. UCLA commit Madison Kocian with 11th, with the top score of the day on UB. Olympian Kyla Ross was 12th at 56.9, as the Top 11 all scored over 57.
Biles was the top vaulter, Baumann the tops on BB and Raisman the best on FX.
In the Junior competition, 2014 junior national champ Jazmin Foberg led the way, with future Gator teammate Lauren Hernandez in 2nd. Ragan Smith was 3rd and Jordan Chiles was 4th.
Link: USA Gymnastics
UNH has hired former Ohio State standout Sarah Miller as an assistant. She replaces Ali Carr, who is pursuing other educational opportunities.
Link: UNH Release
OU men's team has added one of their former gymnasts, Taqiy Abdullah-Simmons, to the staff as assistant coach.
Rutgers has hired former UNC gymnast Teri Diamond as an assistant. Since graduation from UNC, the former Hill's athlete has been coaching at the Unique Sports Academy in Maryland.
Link: Rutgers Release