Highlights from the 2012 National Championships

The 2012 Visa National Championships have come to an end. We are now one step closer to the London Games! Here's a look at some of the highlights from the senior and junior competition.

Jordyn Wieber becomes national champion for the 2nd time in a row. She and her coach John Geddert also became athlete and coach of the year! I'd say that's well deserved. 

Gabby Douglas finished just 2 tenths behind Jordyn and that was with a fall! All I can say is, Jordyn better watch out, because she's not the only one anymore!

Sarah Finnegan came second on beam and really showed everyone that she is a contender for one of those 5 spots that will travel to London in July. 

The 2012-2013 senior national team was named as well as the 12 girls that will compete at the trials. They are: Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross, Elizabeth Price, Sarah Finnegan, Sabrina Vega, Kennedy Baker, Brenna Dowell, Bridget Sloan, Mckayla Maroney, Alica Sacramone, Rebecca Bross, Anna Li, and Nastia Liukin. Many people are upset about Nastia being taken to trials after she struggled to perform a bar routine on both days of competition. Not to mention she fell on beam day 2. Honestly, I respect Nastia and everything she has done. But it's not fair she she advances to trials, but Chellsie Memmel couldn't advance to nationals. 

Lexie Priessman of CGA won the junior division. This is her last nationals as a junior and she definitely ended on a good note!   

Laurie Hernandez is my new favorite junior. She was 11 years old on day 1 and was 12 years old by day 2. For being so young, Laurie really does have a lot of talent. She is also a phenomenal dancer with a lot of emotion and expression. We'll have an interview with her coming out soon!

           

Valeri Liukin is stupid for letting Rebecca Bross continue the patterson dismount and he is stupid for letting Katelyn train the amanar vault. Watch how scary similar her vault from day 2 looked to Rebecca Bross's almost career ending injury. The only difference is, Katelyn was able to walk away. 

Only the top 6 finishers from the junior division made the national team. A few of these girls will turn senior next year, so we can assume more girls will be added later. Not to mention, most "teams" are comprised of 6 members. Which means if this team went to a meet, there would be no alternates. So it's safe to assume more girls will be added. 

Moments before the competition began, Mckayla Maroney fell on her back during warm ups. She was taken to the hospital and it was announced that she suffered from a concussion and broke her nose. Towards the end of the meet she tweeted this picture, of course looking fabulous. Her petition to the Olympic trials was accepted. 

Trials are now in 2 weeks. All I can say is...let the games begin!