Skills and routines you won't want to miss at Nationals (Juniors)

Below are some of the skills and routines you don't want to miss from the junior session at the 2013 P & G National Championships!

Rotation 1

• Nica Hults and Bailie Key on beam: Beam has always been a high scoring event for Nica and Bailie thanks to the fact that they have some of the highest start values on beam in the junior division. (16.2 and 16.3) Both Bailie and Nica have clean and precise movements and manage to make everything look effortless. You won't want to miss these two potentially top scoring routines! 
• Sydney Johnson Scarpf on floor:  This routine is a fan favorite that you won't want to miss simply because of the sass that Sydney shows while performing. Although Sydney's routine is not the most difficult, it's still worth the watch. 
• Nia Dennis on floor: This routine is huge! Nia has an impressive 16.2 start value which is the most difficult routine being done in the junior field and it ties the start value of seniors Lexie Priessman and Simone Biles. Her passes include a double layout, a 1.5 through to arabian double front, front layout through to double back and a double pike. She also has a super difficult double turn with the leg at horizontal connected into another double turn. I remember watching this routine live at Classics and I know Nia definitely made some jaws drop. Even Laurie Hernandez was watching in awe. 

Rotation 2

• Norah Flatley on beam: Norah has a really impressive beam routine that starts at a 16.4 (which is the highest start vault for a junior on beam) Norah has a really impressive combination that makes her scoring potential much higher if she hits it. (front aerial+front aerial+ side aerial+ switch leap+ back pike) Norah really is the perfect package that a coach is looking for in a gymnast, she's clean, precise, can dance, and of course has the difficulty. 
• Laurie Hernandez on floor: Without a doubt one of my favorite routines. Laurie is such a performer and just take my word for it, you won't want to miss this routine. (Especially if you are going to the meet and will be watching live.)

Rotation 3

• Ragan Smith on floor: This routine is a must watch simply because of how cute it is. 
• Ari Agrapides on vault: Although she is a first year elite and only 12 years old, Ariana has a pretty impressive and clean double twisting yurchenko. In our latest interview with Ari and her teammates, (you can read it here) I couldn't help but notice that she lists Maroney as her idol and says if she could have the career of any gymnast it would be Alicia Sacramone. (Both some of the best vaulters the U.S. has had.) Ari also says her dream skill to compete is a yurchenko double back, which is something that has never been done before. So far in her elite career, Ari has scored a 14.9, 15.1 and a 15.150 on vault, which proves that she is right up there with the best on this event. Ari won a silver medal on vault at Classics and is the 2013 American Classic all around champion. Although she is not eligible for the 2016 Olympics, I think she has a lot of potential, especially on vault. 
• Nia Dennis on bars: Be on the watch for Nia and her sky high release moves! Nia really gets some air on her piked tkatchev and I can't help but think of Gabby with the way she swings bars
• Lexy Ramler on bars: Despite not having the best form or much difficulty, Lexy is the only elite gymnast in the U.S. to currently compete a bhardwaj transition. Lexy is the 2013 JO National Champion on bars and once she adds more difficulty she could possibly land herself on the podium in the elite ranks. 

  Rotation 4

• Amelia Hundley on floor: Amelia is always a joy to watch on floor! Her routine is upbeat and fun, not to mention she has some difficult tumbling passes making it all worth the watch!
• Emily Gaskins on floor: Emily is so beautiful and polished on floor, I give her props for putting effort into the artistry component of the sport. I also love her memmel turn at the beginning of the routine. Emily placed 2nd on floor at the 2013 JO National Championships and 5th at the US Classic. 
• Nia Dennis on beam: Nia has another impressive routine here on the beam! She does a double turn in tuck stand and a standing arabian that is incredibly high. If you haven't noticed yet, Nia is a force to be reckoned with. 
• Christina Desiderio on beam: Christina is very clean and an excellent beam worker. I love her back handspring layout series and full turn in tuck stand! I see a lot of potential in Christina! 

Click here for routines to watch from the senior session of the P&G Championships!