Leotard Panel: CLOSED

Five people contacted me for the leotard panel so I'm cutting it off there. I think six, with myself included, is a good number. I'm really excited that people expressed interest and I can't wait to get it posted (hopefully by early next week).

Stay tuned!

World's Wrap Up

Simone wins beam and floor! Is anyone surprised? Yeah, me neither.

All in all, it was a World's of highs and lows and they seemed to balance each other out.

High: Simone wins her 3rd world title!
Low: Gabby is put in the AA over Maggie and by default and overscoring, gets silver
High: Maggie shows that she's a solid competitor and earns floor bronze
Low: Aly doesn't make AA or EF
High: Brenna finally gets the front pike named for her
Low: She seals her fate by falling twice during a disastrous bar routine
High: Larisa comes back in AA with a great day of hit events
Low: Gabby unfairly outscores her (see above)
High: The Chinese finally get a little love when Fan Yilin comes in first on UB
Low: There is a very strange and very fishy four way tie for gold on said event
High: Netherlands qualifies into the team AA and to Rio
Low: Romania does not
High: USA has some lovely patriotic leotards for EF's
Low: But also a but ugly purple pink thing and the heinous qualification leos

Ok and speaking of leotards, I am going to be doing a World's leotard panel sometimes later in the week. I've had some people express interest in being a part of the panel and I would love to have 4-5 other people commenting other than just myself and my sisters! So, e-mail me if you want in and I'll get back to you ASAP so we can figure out how to go about things, I'm not sure if I should e-mail out the exact pictures I'm going to be using or just reference to them so people can just look them up. We shall see!

Anyway, e-mail me at: glovestowrite@gmail.com by Friday!

Women, All Around

This is how it is in my heart.

Of course, there was general overscoring going on for a certain someone and although she had a good competition for her, Lordache had better. End of story.

Hurray for Simoone though, girl is making history indeed.

I am pretty sure I'll live blog EF's tomorrow, so tune if if you can. I think it should actually be a pretty close competition on VT and UB.

AA Prediction

I'm not going to be around to watch the competition today but I will keep up with live updates as best as I can from work. The way I see it, the outcome is pretty clear.

Simone will win.
Gabby will take silver unless she falls.
Third will be between Larissa and Gulia think.

Ideally....I want Larissa to take silver and Gulia to take bronze and Gabby to come in fourth of fifth because that's where she belongs with her low difficulty and crappy floor routine.

But I know the judges will over score her and probably low ball someone else. Sad but true.

And I also want some nice leotards for the USA for once. But I'm betting they'll be a terrible variation for purple or pink. Gag me.

Team Finals Y'all

Surprise surprise, USA takes the gold. Who else was on the edge of their seats with this one? No one, yeah me neither. I'm of course happy that we won and all that jazz but dang, it's boring having no real competition.

Here are my thoughts:

• Maggie Nichols not being allowed to do AA in quals is so freaking ridiculous that I fumed the entire time she was competing today because she KILLED it and would have EASILY placed ahead of Gabby. The wrong person is in the AA, that is all. 
• Speaking of Douglas, what the heck with those inflated scores. I'm beginning to think that there is on way she doesn't get silver in the AA. The judges will make sure of that ugh. 
• Viktoria Komova had her issues on bars and beam but man, I'm happy to see her back because her gymnastics is so nice to watch. I see her as a lot more mature now but I still wish she would have fought a little harder to stay on beam. At any rate, I can't wait to see what she'll do in EF and I so wish she had her FX ready now to challenge for the AA. All in good time. 
• The Netherlands FX, so lovely. I didn't even mind that they only had two tumbling passes because holy lovely dance. And the musicality was just spot on. USA girls take note because we are LACKING in that area and it's sad. 
• The Chinese on bars, lovely as usual. Shang's arms are TOOTHPICKS but she puts together such a nice set and her lines and form is just fabulous. I really like her a lot. 
• Brenna and even Mykayla not being allowed on the floor is beyond sad BUT I'm wondering if it was a general rule that only the girls competing could be down there. It seemed that there was limited space STILL, it sucked that she couldn't be right with them to cheer them on. Thank God they got to come down for medals and pictures. 
• Ok, so Great Britain getting bronze was so triumphant and emotional. I'm a sad sap and I teared up a little but those VT scores...let's just say the judges knew who they wanted on the podium. Still, Russia edging them out with numerous falls would have been annoying but fair is fair right...? I don't know. 
• Simone pretty much killed it on beam but her score, what? I don't get it. And I don't get Gabby beating Maddie K on bars, not at all. 
• Ok so leotards, I will do a post on them later but I have to say, I wasn't impressed with the US. Happy that they were red but I feel like they think they're being all classy with their solid colored and bejeweled leos but to me, it's just a bit pretentious. That might be a reach...but we have two other colors in our flag and we have stars and stripes. There is SO much we can do with that and every year it's just a plain red variation. Like they're saying we're so fancy that we don't do anything else. Though Russia had ill fitting leos (it was so baggy on Vika!), at least they had all of their colors and a new and interesting design. At least China had nice gold detailing and though GB's were sort of cheap looking, they always sneak their flag in on the back. 

That's all I got for now. I'm going to be working during AA finals and following along via my iphone in the privacy of the break room. All I have to say is, bring it on Simone, Larissa, Ellie and Gulia. 

I Can't Even...

That was...terrible.

Brenna's bar meltdown, Aly's fall and underscoring on beam. Gabby's fall and still makes the AA. I'm dying inside. Dying.

Poor Maggie Nichols is all I have to say. SHE should be in the AA and rightfully so. Poor Mykayla Skinner too! As much as I love Brenna, she should have been alternate because that bar routine is such a hit or miss and today it was a big giant Rebecca Bross trials miss. And poor Bailie Key too, sitting at home for no reason at all when she would have competed a heck of a lot more solid than some of these girls.

I blame nerve for Aly's issues She started off with some problems on floor and then let it get to her on vault and bars but she hit beam and I really thought it would put in her in the AA. No such luck, Mihai, fill an inquiry please.

As for Gabby, I was giving her the credit she deserves after nice landings that horrid floor routine (the choreo...smh). And then she hit a nice vault and a decent bars and I thought, hey the best competitor on this very day gets the spot so it's only fair. But then she melts down on beam, big time, and somehow still gets the spot. I'm not pleased. Nichols or Raisman should be the second AAer, and that's all I'm going to say about that.

Bright spots were Maggie's floor, Brenna getting the front pike named for her, Simone's vault and Maggie on beam. To be honest thought, we didn't look too hot in general. I'm sure we'll pull it out for team comp but still. This has got to be the worst qualifications in a looooong time for the US. And it's the worst for me too.

Because of all of the screwing over.

USA World Team: Background and Expectations

Simone Biles

Background: Simone has literally been queen of the sport for the past two years. Winning Worlds in 2013 and 2014, Nationals 2013, 2014 and 2015, and earning countless EF medals. With 9 World medals altogether, Simone is two away from beating out Alicia Sacremone for record-holding spot. Unless something very strange occurs in Glasgow, it will happen.

Expectations: Simone has this Worlds in the bag once again, unless she falls a few times. Barring a fluke, she's expected to nab a third AA title (maker her the first to do in a loooooong time), lead the team to gold and possibly end up on the podium in both VT, FX and maybe even BB! Go Simone!

Gabrielle Douglas 

Background: Unless you lived under a rock in 2012, you'd know Gabby. She's the London AA champion and after time off and a gym switch she's back for more. Gabby was a part of the 2011 World champion team and obviously the Fierce Five but other than the AA she's had little individual success outside of the US.

Expectations: You know, I'm not sure. She's not at the top of the pack anymore and has a relatively low D-score on her best event, UB and with the likes of Kocian and Dowell, she won't be able to break into the top ranks. She will however, likely try for the AA but Simone easily has her beat and Aly too if she's in contention.

Brenna Dowell

Background: Brenna was alternate for both 2013 and 2014 Worlds, She retired from elite last year, slayed in NCAA and then decided she'd comeback for another go. She fought her way from not making the national team after P&G's to making the World's team just a month and a half later.

Expectations: We all want Brenna to compete in Glasgow and not be made alternate again...but it is a very real possibility. However, if my prays were to come true and Brenna get's to finally have a go at it, she can absolutely go for an EF medal on bars. She can also be used in qualification (and possibly TF) on both VT and floor. We're rooting for you Brenna!

Madison Kocian

Background: Madison made last years world team with the hope that she and Ashton Locklear would both be in contention for EF medals on bars. Sadly, an error in qualification took her out of the running. Since then, she's battled injuries but managed to come back this summer in good shape and won bars at P&G's. Though she did compete AA at nationals for the first time in 2 years, her part on the world team depends on her bars.

Expectations: Kocian is another athlete possibly to be named alternate. If that doesn't happen she'll most likely only compete bars in qualification and team final. If she nails her routine, she has a change of an EF medal as well.

Maggie Nichols 

Background: So, yeah, it seems a little weird to call Maggie a rookie since she's a 3rd year senior and been around awhile. But, she's the only one on the team not to have been apart of a World's team in some way so that does make her the new kid in some way. Maggie probably would have made last years team if it weren't for an injury at Pan Ams but she battled back stronger than ever and came in 2nd at this years nationals.

Expectations: Though I personally can't see it happening, people are speculating that perhaps Maggie will be the one named alternate in Glasgow. If not (and I hope not), she is dependable and can be put up on any event during quals or TF. I don't see them putting her in the AA with Aly, Gabby and Simone around but who knows.

Aly Raisman 

Background: At age 21, Aly is absolutely the veteran of the bunch after having been a part of two successful world teams and the Fierce Five. After time off, Aly has been back in the gym for over two years and back in competition just since the spring.

Expectations: If Aly does the AA, she can compete for silver or bronze. As far as EF, she could potentially medal on FX and go up on beam. She's only won an individual bronze at a Worlds before.

Mykayla Skinner 

Background: Mykayla made it onto last years World's team and earned herself a bronze on VT. This year, she had some difficulties at Classics and Nationals but was still named to the national team. I have to be honest that I didn't want her on the Worlds team as I'm not a fan of her gymnastics but girl is a fighter and earned her spot so good for her.

Expectations: Mykayla could possibly be named alternate but now I think it's unlikely that she has her Amanar back. She can contend for an EF medal on VT for sure but with Aly on the team, FX will be more difficult for her.

I hope you enjoyed this post! Comment down below if you have other suggestions for future topics :)

Here it is!

With Key and Bauman as non-travelling alternates. Not exactly the team I expected but pretty close! No Key is the shock for me but I'm psyched for Brenna!

I'll write more about this later, college calls :).

Whoa, look at Simone and Maggie's arm becoming one! I didn't mean to do that but it's pretty awesome.

The Final Countdown!!

Well, tonight is the nigh folks!! The World's team announcement is drawing ever near and I can't wait to finally find out who will go to Glasgow. The picture above is from yesterday's first night of camp competition. Everyone looks pretty happy, what could this mean?? 

As far as final predictions go, I suppose I'm going to stick to my initial one. Perhaps because I think it's most likely or perhaps because I don't like to go back on my word! Here it is: Biles, Douglas, Key, Nichols, Raisman, Kocian Alt. Skinner.. 

Now, in a perfect world I'd replace Douglas with Dowell but I just don't see that happening. 

We will know soon enough!

No Glasgow for Kyla Ross

Being realistic, I don't think Kyla would have made the team. She would have had to have an absolutely stellar performance at selection camp and we all know this has been a really rough year for her. Still, I feel sad that she won't be on this team.

USA Gymnastics announcement was pretty vague, there was no mention of injury or upcoming plans for Kyla, in a way it almost sounded like they were bidding her farewell. I don't want Kyla to be done, what I want is for her to get some rest. And then when her body is back to 100%, I want her to work her upgrades until she is completely comfortable with them and return to kick some butt this spring. Of course, it's easy for me to say this while sitting on my butt and typing.

I want to know what you think about all this, so vote below:

Kyla is...

The "Nominative" List

Skinner, Kocian, Dowell, Biles, Raisman, Douglas, Nichols.

No Key, no Ross.

I guess no Kyla is sort of expected because she hasn't really hit in a long time. But Key is sort of a shock and I'm sort of suspecting that she'll be added on after October camp.

Actually, the whole darn list could change if Marta wants it to!

As it is now, there could be EF medals galore! Simone and Skinner for VT if Skinner get's her Amanar back. Dowell and Kocian for UB if they both hit. Biles for BB possibly. And Biles and Riasman for FX.

I'm super psyched to see Brenna on this list, even if she doesn't get to Glasgow it still means that she's in the game right now and that's great. Skinner, I didn't quite expect but you know? Girl's been pretty solid so even if I dislike her gymnastics I have to give her props.

I wish selection camp can just happen already because I'm getting impatient, I want to know who will be on this team so I can seriously start thinking about the logistics and not hypotheticals.

October 9th, hurry up already!

World's Team Prediction UPDATED

You heard it here folks! My world team predictions for the good 'ole US of A!

Let's see if I end up being right, because last year I was a clueless sap who thought the team was made up of only 5 people! Imagine!

I digress...

Simone Biles
Aly Raisman
Maggie Nichols
Bailie Key
Gabrielle Douglas
Kyla Ross OR Madison Kocian (this part remains to be seen)

Alt: Kyla (if not named), Maddie K (if not named), Mykayla Skinner, Nia Dennis

The lineup for Quals if Ross makes the team (fingers crossed!)

VT: Ross, Key, Raisman, Nichols, Biles
UB: Raisman, Biles, Douglas,  Key, Ross
BB: Key, Nichols, Raisman, Ross, Biles
FX: Ross, Nichols, Key, Raisman, Biles

What do you think???