Who to watch for during the 2013 elite season

Usually the year after an Olympic Games is the least exciting time of the entire quad with a lot of gymnasts retiring or unsure of their future. But with so much depth in the USA right now, 2013 looks like it will be a very interesting year with a competitive field even stronger then it was in 2012.

In the senior division we have a lot of girls who were stars in their junior years, ready to step onto the senior stage. We also have 2 returning Olympians, as well as an Olympic alternate. In the junior division we have some fresh faces ready to make an impact, along with those who have been juniors for several years and are eagerly waiting their time to prove themselves. With only 4 girls making the Worlds Team this year and such a big group of talented gymnasts, the 2013 elite season is going to be an interesting one! Below are some of the names that we think you should watch out for this season.

Seniors

Katelyn Ohashi

Photo Credit: Scott and Emer Hults

A standout in the junior ranks for quite some time, 16 year old Katelyn Ohashi has finally made the leap to senior competition. Katelyn started her senior career out with a bang, taking the American Cup title earlier this year. Shortly after, she had surgery on her shoulder and was sidelined from attending two international assignments. (City of Jesolo and a tri-meet between USA, Romanian, and Germany) Katelyn has since returned to training and is expected to have a great showing at Nationals and possibly World's later this year. I'm going to take a wild guess and say that she hasn't made any major upgrades to her routines (considering she hasn't attended any camps recently and we really haven't heard much about her progress since surgery) but if she preforms like how she did at American Cup, I would certainly consider her a contender for the All Around national title, and maybe even a lock on the 4 member USA World team. Katelyn is most valuable to team USA on bars and beam, although I think she has what it takes to challenge some of the world's best all arounders too!

Where She's Valuable: Bars, Beam, & AA

Possible Obstacles: Coming back strong after surgery

Upgrades For 2013: Not aware of any at this time. 

    

Simone Biles

Photo Credit: Gymnastike

Simone made a splash on the senior stage earlier this year at the American Cup (which was also her first international meet) where she placed 2nd all around. She then went on to win 5 gold medals at the Jesolo Trophy meet...the team, all around, vault, beam, and floor gold! Talk about a picture perfect start to your senior career! Simone first caught my attention last summer when she exploded (literally!) onto the radar with her HUGE amanar vault and sky high tumbling on floor. She also showed phenomenal all around potential for someone who's only been an elite gymnast for 2 years! Luckily, she hasn't had to deal with any major injuries thus far, and *fingers crossed* it will stay that way because this kid truly is a force to be reckoned with. I'm super excited to see what she can do. In Antwerp, her best bet for gold will clearly be on vault and floor, but Simone has made it evident that the all around is her main goal.  I would certainty say she is in the mix of US gymnasts fighting for that AA spot. Simone has all the difficulty needed to succeed, and if she hits...she's going to be tough to beat!

Where She's Valuable: Vault, Floor, & AA

Possible Obstacles: Sometimes Simone has too much power, which can sometimes hurt her on events like floor and bars. 

Upgrades For 2013: 
Beam: Standing arabian
Floor: Piked double arabian, laid out full in

Watch Simone causally nail a (warmup vault) 

Elizabeth Price

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Although we haven't seen Ebee since December when she won 2 World Cup titles, Price has been back in the gym and will definitely be one to watch in the next few years. Ebee is great on vault and floor, but has vastly improved in the all around. She had a stellar 2012 season, placing 5th all around at Classics and Nationals and placing 4th at the Olympic trials where she was named an alternate to the 2012 Olympic team. She ended the year on a high note, winning the World Cup meets in Stuttgart and Glasgow. What stands out  the most about Ebee is not only her power on events like vault and floor, but also how well she is able to control herself.  Have you seen this girls double double on floor? I don't think I've ever seen her do it anything less than perfect. Every. Single. Time.  Now THAT is something Marta should definitely take note of if she hasn't already! I'm really looking forward to seeing what Ebee has up her sleeve for this summer, considering she is in the mix of girls vying for one of the 4 spots on the US World Team!

Where She's Valuable: Vault, Floor, & AA

Possible Obstacle: Proving that she deserves a spot over someone with more experience. 

Upgrades For 2013: 
Vault: 2nd vault- Mustafina
Floor: Replacing double layout with full twisting-double layout, new choreography

Mckayla Maroney

Photo Credit: Unknown

One of the most anticipated comebacks of this season is the return of Fierce 5 member and the 2011 World Champion on vault- Mckayla Maroney. Mckayla has been training at full strength since January and I feel like she can really make a statement in the all around this quad if that's what her goal is. Because she is training all events right now, I think it's likely that she will be competing all around at Nationals... Antwerp however, is a different story. I don't think it's fair for me to count Mckayla out of the all around just yet considering she hasn't even competed. But being realistic, I think she has a LOT to prove at Classics and Nationals if she wants to be one of the two all arounders selected for World's. With the depth of team US at this moment, Mckayla's best bet at making the team will be for vault and possibly floor. But based off the training videos released by USA Gymnastics, I don't doubt Maroney's ability to preform well at Nationals and World's this year. I'm extremely impressed with what she's been able to do in such a short amount of time.

Where She's Valuable: Vault & Floor
Possible Obstacle: If she doesn't hit at Classics and Nationals, she won't be needed considering there are other top vault and floor workers in the US currently.
Upgrades For 2013: All upgrades in (this video), possibly a triple twisting yurchenko

           

Kyla Ross

Photo Credit: The Couch Gymnast

Yes, another member of the Fierce 5 is making an attempt for Worlds this year!  Kyla Ross never slowed down after London and has already competed in a few international meets this year. Kyla placed 2nd all around at Jesolo and won the all around title at a tri meet against Germany and Romania shortly after. I think 2013 is Kyla's year. She's FINALLY starting to put in the upgrades necessary for her to be a real threat in the all around and I'm thrilled about that because she's always had what it takes to be the best. Kyla has always been overshadowed and I see great things coming her way now that she's taking on the role of a veteran. I feel like her confidence has sky rocketed and it's showing in her gymnastics!

Where She's Valuable: Bars, Beam, & AA
Possible Obstacle: Not being strong enough on vault and floor to qualify as an all arounder to Worlds.
Upgrades For 2013: All upgrades in (this video)

                              

Lexie Priessman

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

As the reigning junior national champion, Lexie Priessman has a lot to live up to this year. Lexie was one of those kids that really had a standout junior career and then sort of crumbled a little bit as a first year senior (at least thus far). Obviously the all around potential for Priessman is there. She has what it takes and that's why I never want to count her out. Based off everything she was able to accomplish last year as a junior, the girl has mad talent. I think she just has to find a way to deal with the pressure and expectations that naturally come with the kind of success she experienced as a junior and put it all together. I hoping we will see a more polished, confident, and healthy Priessman at Classics and Nationals this summer. I personally, don't feel like top 3 at Nationals is a reasonable goal for Priessman this year. I am aware that this is her goal but I just feel like with all the incredible all around gymnasts the US currently has, top 3 is a pretty lofty goal. I hope she can prove me wrong though!

Where She's Valuable: Vault, Floor, & AA

Possible Obstacle: Showing consistency, placing among the top all arounders. 

Upgrades For 2013: 

Bars: Shaposh half, piked tkachev, and a stalder piked hecht.  

Beam: Front pike, bhs-bhs-laid out full-back handspring. 

Floor: Laid out full in, 1 1/2 to full in.

               

Mykayla Skinner

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

Known for throwing all the big tricks, Skinner could easily factor into the medal stand this season if she hits her routines. Although she lacks international experience, Skinner has an impressive repertoire of skills that are much upgraded from last year. Mykayla has gained a lot of popularity over the internet when she debuted her laid out double double on floor earlier this season. However, if Skinner wants to get the laid out double double named after her, she has to do well at Classics and Nationals this summer so she has a shot of making the World team. That will be a tall order for Skinner to fill considering she has close to no international experience, and the USA has a boat load of excellent vault and floor workers (with more experience) fighting for one of four spots on the US World team. Only time will tell if Skinner really has what it takes.

Where She's Valuable: Vault & Floor
Possible Obstacle: Showing consistency, making the team over girls with more experience.
Upgrades For 2013:

Vault: 2nd vault- Cheng, has done a half on double full into a pit

Bars: Ray-bail, shaposh half

Beam: Back handspring layout full, full in dismount

Floor: Laidout double double, 1 1/2 through to 2 1/2

               

Abigail Milliet

Photo Credit: Unknown

A name that's a little less common amongst the gymnastics world...Abigail Milliet could possibly be flying under the radar! Milliet has won a few of the smaller elite meets including the 2013 WOGA Classic and the 2011 American Classic. Milliet also placed 2nd all around at the Nadia Invite in 2011 and 2012. Abigail has done the amanar vault in training and has a pretty impressive beam set. With such a strong field of competitors, Milliet may be a long shot for Worlds this year, but she is definitely worth mentioning as one to watch for at Classics, Nationals, and many years to come!

Where She's Valuable: Bars & Beam

Possible Obstacle: Not enough experience

Upgrades For 2013:

Vault: Amanar

Bars: Stalder full-toe on-tcatchev, pac salto, shaposh, bail, stalder-double front dismount
Beam: Watch below

      

Other Notable Seniors:
Brenna Dowell
Madison Desch
Sabrina Vega
Peyton Ernst


Juniors

Although one might think the junior session wouldn't be as intense as the senior competition, I can guarantee you that the field of juniors making a run at the US National title is stronger than ever! Even though a world team spot is not a stake, what happens this year can play a huge role in the future of some of these kids!

Laurie Hernandez

Photo Credit: Unknown

Always a fan favorite in the junior division, Laurie is much improved from last year. Impressively, Laurie has upgraded on all 4 events for this year. Some of her upgrades are as followed:

Vault: Double twisting yurchenko

Bars: Shaposh, stalder hect, geinger

Floor: Triple Twist, 2 1/2 front full, punch front-double front

 Laurie placed 1st all around at the national team camp in April and 2nd all around at the WOGA Classic earlier this year. I think Laurie has a great shot of getting on the podium at Classics and Nationals this year and hopefully she can make National Team, if all goes as planned!

Where To Watch: Floor 

Reason To Watch: Laurie is beautiful to watch on floor because she's so expressive. She is a natural born dancer who has incredible stage presence for someone so young! We can't wait to see her new floor routine for this season! 

Read our interview with Laurie here






Bailie Key

Photo Credit: Unknown

The latest protege of Kim Zmeskal, 14 year old Bailie Key is poised to dominate the scene at this years junior National championships. After claiming the all around title at both the Jesolo and Tri meet earlier this year, Bailie has been on a roll with no intentions of stopping soon! I fell in love with Bailie last year at championships, because I feel like she has the total package. She's clean, precise, consistent, and not to mention adorable! I think at this point, the all around title is her's to lose. She just has to do what she always does and she should be fine. Bailie has mentioned a few upgrades that we could possibly see this season. They are as followed:

Vault: Amanar

Bars: Church, Downie, 

Where To Watch: Beam, Floor, & AA

What To Watch: Bailie is fabulous on every event. Her precision and mental toughness is what sets her apart from the rest of the field. She makes everything look easy! 

Amelia Hundley

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

One of my all time favorite juniors, Amelia Hundley is ready to end her junior career on a high note. After a rough start to her season at the Jesolo meet, I'm expecting Amelia to bounce back pretty well. She's always been a pretty sturdy gymnast and she's certainty more experienced than any other junior out on the floor (elite since 2010) . I think she can use that to her advantage this year! Amelia doesn't really have a standout event, although I would say bars and floor are were she brings in the highest scores. If Amelia can avoid injury, I think she's capable of placing top 3 at Classics and Nationals!

Where To Watch: Bars, Floor, & AA

What To Watch: On floor, Amelia has incredible presentation and she always puts on a show for the audience! On bars, she's much improved and does a fantastic job of hitting her handstands! 

Nica Hults

Photo Credit: Unknown

Another star gymnast from Texas Dreams, Nica Hults is a force to be reckoned with this season! Even though she has no international experience, she shows tremendous all around potential, along with clean and precise movements that captivate the audience! Nica's best event is beam, however I think she's really stepped it up in the all around! With a good performance at Classics or Nationals, top 3 is doable for this little one! 

Where To Watch: Beam

What To Watch: Like her teammate, Nica has the polish of a senior competitor! Her elegance on every event is something to watch for! 

Nia Dennis

Photo Credit: Unknown

Nia is the newest member of the junior national team, being added after a spectacular camp where she placed 1st All Around! It's safe to say that Nia has come a long way since last year. She is a fantastic bar worker and resembles Oympic champ Gabby Douglas on that event. Below are some of the upgrades she's made since last year. 

Vault: Amanar

Bars: Shaposh, piked tkachev, full in dismount

Floor: Double layout

I think Nia is going to impress a lot of people this year and I'm definitely adding her to my list as one to watch. Nia has all the goods to be a STAR in this sport and I am so excited to see what she will do. As of right now, I think she has a great shot of placing top 3 this year at Nationals!

Where To Watch: Bars & AA
What To Watch: Nia is absolutely gorgeous on every event. However, bars sticks out to me because of her sky high release moves!

            

Vanasia Bradley

Photo Credit: Brittany Smith

A new face on the elite scene, Vanasia comes from Splitz Gymnastics in Canton, Michigan. Vanasia first caught my eye after I watched some training videos of her doing some pretty crazy skills! (A triple twisting double!) Although she will probably play it safe at Classics this year, Vanasia is capable of throwing all the big skills! It's incredible for someone who's a first year elite! In training, Vanasia has done the following:

Vault: Double twisting yurchenko 

Bars: Stalder half-jaeger, stalder full-tkatchev, pac salto, shaposh half, full in dismount

Beam: Back handspring layout step out-layout step out, front aerial-sheep jump, 2 1/2 twist dismount

Floor: Double double, 2 1/2 front full, triple twist, triple twisting doubles in the pit

Read our interview with Vanasia here

Where To Watch: Vault & Floor
What To Watch: Vanasia has the rare combination of grace and power! Look for her beautiful toe point on bars, and powerful tumbling on floor.

             

Norah Flatley 

Photo Credit: Gymnastike ?

Perhaps the next big thing from Chows gym, Norah Flatley is technically not even an elite yet but has been a favorite among the gymternet for quite some time. Norah, like most of the Chow's gymnasts is known for her exquisite beam work. Norah is trying to qualify elite this weekend at the Parkette's Elite Qualifier and will certainly be a force for USA Gymnastics in years to come!

Where To Watch: Beam

What To Watch: Norah has a jam packed beam set, with the precision and consistency to back it up! A great combination! 

Sydney Johnson Sharpf

Photo Credit: John Cheng

The daughter of Olympian Brandy Johnson, Sydney caught the eye of many people when she emerged onto the elite stage at the 2013 Nastia Cup, displaying great skills and a fun floor routine. Sydney is one of my favorite up and coming juniors because she has a phenomenal personality that she really shows in her floor performances! Sydney recently qualified to Classics at the June developmental camp and shows huge potential for the future. 

Where To Watch: Floor

What To Watch: Sydney is super fierce and knows how to put on a show! Her best event is floor where she can perform like no other. The way she presents herself at the age of 12 is unreal. 

Read our interview with Sydney here





Jordan Chiles 

Photo Credit: Team Photo

Although she is not eligible for the 2016 Olympics, Jordan already has the gymterent buzzing with some of her crazy skills and unique combinations at the age of 12. In training, she has done the following:

Vault: Yurchenko double

Bars: Geinger, tkatchev

Beam: Watch video below, triple twist dismount 

Floor: Double layout, arabian double front, 1 1/2 through to triple, front triple-punch front, (on tramp) 3 1/2 twist (on tramp)

Even though she won't turn senior until 2017, miss Chiles will be a force among the junior ranks for many years to come!

Read our interview with Jordan here

                            

Other notable juniors:

Polina Shchennikova

Lauren Farley 

Ragan Smith