Team USA- Who Will It Be?

With so many injuries, the United States has one of the smallest selection fields in years. However, they are still capable of sending a very strong team to Nanning for the World Championships. Check out our picks for the World Championship team below.

Simone Biles
Obviously. The only thing that can stop Simone from making this team and totally dominating at the World Championships is a serious injury. Simone will likely be used on vault, beam, and floor during the team competition and can easily make all four event finals if she hits during qualifications. Simone does difficult gymnastics and more importantly she does it well day in and day out- that's why she's the best gymnast in the world. Because she is so strong in comparison to the rest of the world, I could realistically see her walking away with five medals- team, all around, vault, beam, and floor. How many of those will be gold? We'll just have to wait and see!

Kyla Ross
Kyla may not have the most difficult routines, but she's clean, consistent, and will get the job done. One thing that Kyla has that many of the other girls don't is experience. She has been around for several years and has competed on the World and Olympic stage, so she is the perfect leader for the team. Kyla will definitely be used in the bar and beam lineup during the team competition and she could also potentially be used on vault. Kyla is the United States second best shot for an all around medal behind Simone, and she could medal on bars and beam in the event finals as well.

Mykayla Skinner 
Mykayla has come quite a ways since last year. She may not be the cleanest, but thanks to her high difficulty and her strong performances at the P&G Championships and Pan Ams, it's safe to assume Skinner is a lock for the team. At the beginning of the year, not many people would have predicted Mykayla to be on the Worlds team, but she's done enough to secure her spot this year. She will likely only be used on vault and floor in the team competition and if she hits she could easily medal on those events in the event finals too.

Ashton Locklear
Perhaps the most unexpected contender for the World team this year, Ashton has really done herself a solid by nailing her bar routines and proving that she's currently the top bar worker in the United States. Ashton will definitely be used on bars and could also potentially be used on beam in the team competition if needed. Her bar routine has a high scoring potential (16.6) and could easily secure her an individual medal. US Classic Champion, National Champion, Pan Ams Champion....is World Champion next?

Madison Kocian
Kocian may be fragile, but her bar routine is too consistent to pass up. Originally I thought it would be Locklear OR Kocian, but now I'm looking for them both to make it. Kocian could definitely be used on bars and she is also good on beam. (Depending on who does better in qualifications and in the practices, I think Locklear or Kocian will make the beam lineup.) When Kocian steps up, you know she's going to hit, so I think she would make the perfect lead off on bars during team finals.

Brenna Dowell
For the sixth and final spot, it comes down to Dowell and Baumann. Both who have recently had some minor injuries (Dowell- sprained ankle and Baumann- hyperextended elbow) but are expected to be back in time for the Worlds selection camp. Originally I had Maggie Nichols down for the last spot, since I thought she proved her case in the last few meets with her consistency. Now that she is out with a knee injury, I think Brenna Dowell would be the next best bet. Brenna only did bars at Classics and Nationals and only hit one out of three routines. However she is suppose to be back doing all four events by the selection camp and will hopefully show Marta that she can at least be used on vault and floor. Brenna is awesome on bars as well, but with the consistent trio of Kocian, Ross, and Locklear, she may not be needed. However it's good to have her on the team because she will be a strong back up and can step in anywhere.


 
The World Selection camp is September 15-17. According to USA Gymnastics, all P&G Championships qualifiers are invited to the selection camp. We can expect to hear the official team announcement on the 17th via USA Gymnastics.