Thoughts on the 2012 American Cup

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

The 2011 World Champion does it again! Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Michigan has won her 3rd American Cup title. (Tying her with Mary Lou Retton as the only gymnasts to win this 3 times!) Jordyn started the meet on vault where she did one of the best amanar vaults we have ever seen her do! On bars, she almost fell over the bar on a handstand but muscled her way back up and finished strong. She was a little shaky on beam, but showed some new upgrades. (She added 4 tenths to her start value since Worlds) She missed a lot of her connections but still finished with a decent score. On her final event; the floor exercise, Jordyn came back with a nearly stuck double double that was HUGE! In her dance she appeared to be a little tired, and made a few changes to the choreography. It certainly wasn't as dynamic as her performance from worlds.  Now what you have to remember is that this is the first major meet of the season and we can expect a much more prepared Jordyn Wieber by Nationals. Up next is the Pacific Rim in 2 weeks, and she will most likely be competing the same routines we saw at this meet. Hopefully, she can get some rest and come back even stronger!

(Photo Credit: Greg Long)

Gabby Douglas certainly impressed many people this weekend. What surprises us the most is how the "underdog" was able to come through as the alternate and "beat" the World Champion by 2 tenths. If her scores would have counted, she not only would have won this meet but with her All Around total of 61.299, Douglas would have won the 2009, 2010, and 2011 World All Around Championships. If you would have come up to me in 2010 and said that Gabby Douglas would be on the 2012 Olympic Team, I would have laughed in your face! But from the recent training camps, podium training, and results from the final competition, Gabby has certainly changed many people's minds. She is beginning to look like a threat in the all around final for the Olympic Games. She is now doing an amanar vault, and is fantastic on the uneven bars, where team USA is lacking. She has looked super consistent throughout this entire weekend and Martha should be very happy. Chow has done wonders for this kid!

(Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics)

Aly Raisman looked rock solid as usual this weekend. She has finally nailed her amanar vault, and continues to prove that she is a strong all arounder. Aly looks in great shape, and is competing like a veteran. She had a pretty clean meet, minus a few bobbles on beam and a major form break on bars. She nailed her floor routine and really looked relaxed and confident out there.

Other notable competitors was the little Romanian, Larissa Iordache who made her senior debut and wound up 3rd all around. She is Romanians greatest hope for an all around medal at the Olympics. Canada's Victoria Moors placed 4th all around with a strong meet and showed everyone that she (and the rest of the Canadian team!) is serious about putting up a strong performance at the games. She was on the team that helped Canada qualify to the Olympics at the Test Event earlier this year.

The Final Results

         1. Jordyn Wieber (61.032)

                 2. Alexandra Raisman (60.832)

            3. Larissa Iordache (59.332)

          4. Victoria Moors (56.365)

         5. Diana Chelaru (56.100)

6. Lisa Hill (55.599)

             7. Georgia Simpson (54.566)

            8. Rebecca Tunney (52.132)

            (Unofficial winner: Gabrielle Douglas- 61.299)