The Chiles and Biles Show (Plus highlights from the Secret Classic)

Now that the 2014 Secret Classic has come to a close, it's time to look back at some of the most memorable performances. First we take a look at the champions, Biles and Chiles, who easily sole the show here in Chicago.

Simone Biles took the title in a dominating fashion in her first competition since becoming the World Champion last October. Her score of 61.7 is easily the highest all around score of the quad so far and it will likely stay that way considering not many people can top a score like that. (Besides for Simone!)  Simone continues to be a super human and not only throw all the big tricks, but do them well too, making it almost impossible to beat her. For me, the highlight of Simone's night was definitely her floor routine. Not only was the new choreography great but her tumbling was outrageous. Simone has been working hard to stick those landings and it showed!



In the junior division, Jordan Chiles took the title with a score of 57.350. That score would have been good enough for 4th place if she was competing amongst the seniors.  At the age of thirteen and in only her second year at the elite level, I'm very impressed with how confident and mature Jordan is as a competitor. In may ways, Chiles resembles Biles. Both are natural born athletes who are powerful yet clean. Their best events are easily vault and floor, but they are also great on beam and decent on bars. If anyone can follow in the footsteps of Simone, it's Chiles! Jordan has also been seen throwing some big skills in training (like an amanar vault) and like Simone it's done very well. Although she won't be eligible for the 2016 Olympics, she will definitely be one to keep our eyes on for 2020.



Jazmyn Foberg was very impressive this weekend. Last year she placed 26th at the US Classic and didn't even qualify to the P&G Championships. But this year has been a whole different ball game. After having several strong showings at the national team camps and winning the all around title at the American Classic, Jazzy was selected as one of nine juniors to compete during the senior session of the meet. (What a great opportunity for her!) Jazmyn managed to keep it together on all four events and finished 5th overall and 3rd on vault. Since last year she has made big strides, not only with upgraded routines, but she looks more polished and confident then she was last year! I look forward to seeing how she does at Nationals.



In the senior division, Maggie Nichols finally made it onto the all around medal stand. She took home the bronze in the all around and on floor! Maggie is one of those girls who is great and is willing to work hard, but doesn't typically have the results to back up her case for making the worlds team. However her performance at Classics should definitely catch Marta's attention.



Mykayla Skinner has been known as the one who chucks all the big skills lets her form and execution suffer, however I can see big improvements already. I have to say I'm impressed with her! She still has a ways to go if she wants to maintain her spot on the US team, but she is heading in the right direction. She managed to finish 5th all around, which was good given her performance. She scored a 15.000 on vault and a 14.250 on beam which is not bad for her. Again she has lots of room to improve, so it will be interesting to see what she will do in the next two years.



Some other quick highlights of the meet were Amelia Hundley who made her long awaited senior debut! She rocked her new floor routine and proved once again that she's a solid all around gymnast. Felicia Hano, another first year senior, also nailed a beautiful yurchenko double and debuted a double layout as her opening floor pass.



In unexpected news, Deanne Soza tied with Norah Flatley for 3rd all around in the junior division. Deanne also placed 2nd on bars and 3rd on vault. In the senior division Ashton Locklear took the title on bars with a huge score of 15.700 and also placed 4th on beam. While I'm very impressed with her performance, I would like to see more of her before I start predicting her for any world team spots. Ashton is a second year elite, however she missed last season due to injury. If Ashton can hit at Nationals she could definitely be in contention for a spot on the Worlds team this fall.