Trials Euphoria

Guys, my tickets to Olympic Trials came in the mail this past week. I'm pretty sure I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to meet Olympians (as they are having that giant reunion, I'm sure I'll stumble upon some!), go to the chalk talk, the parade and of course, see the competition!

The fact that my mom and I will be in that arena when the team is announced is just mind boggling. I keep thinking of when I watched the trials in 2012 and the confetti came down and it was just SO exciting and unforgettable. I'm pretty certain I'm gong to have the time of my life.

In related news...

I'm bummed that Flatley is out for Nationals and of course, Rio. I've been a fan of hers for years and it sucks that injury is putting her out of the running. I think she's extremely talented and had loads of untapped potential so I hope she'll stick around.

With Norah out, I'm basically just rooting for Bailie Key. Ok, it's not as though she's the only one I like and want on the team. I like Simone of course, and I want Aly and Maggie is fine too but Bailie is someone whose gymnastics I really appreciate and enjoy. Plus, the girl has been majorly screwed over in the past and who wouldn't love a little redemption. Gosh, I would just love it if she totally killed it at Nationals and trials. She deserves a spot far more than some others.

We shall see.

200 Days!

Today marks 200 days until the opening ceremony in Rio and last week marked 6 months until USA names their team at trials!

I for one, am pretty stoked for the coming months. All of the competitions leading up to the trials and then of course, those themselves should be very intense but very awesome.

Six months...a lot can happen in that time so take this prediction with a grain of salt but I will hereby make a guess as to who will be on our team for Rio based on past performances and future upgrades.

Drumroll....

Simone Biles!!! (Duh)

Aly Raisman!!! (Lest she falls apart a la Worlds again)

Maggie Nichols!!! (Unless she gets Hollie Vise'd which is actually very possible)

Bailie Key!! (Leaving her off the Glasgow team was a terrible headgame but I still thinks Marta likes her)

and...

...last of all

 my girl Norah Flatley!!! (She has to be there, or I'll storm the floor mat at Trials!)

Alternates: Kyla/Gabby/Laurie

I'm sure I'm wrong but I this is more the team I *hope* is named. I actually hope for Kyla to be on there too, I guess she'd replace Norah or Bailie. Now that I look at it, this team is set just about everywhere but maybe weak on bars, though Norah will probably come out with many upgrades. I just don't know...there are a lot of different combos that could happen.

We shall see. 

Underrated

I decided to put together a list of underrated routines by women in the US right now. Be it by judges or fans, these are sets that I think need more recognition or higher scores.

1. Nica Hults: Balance Beam

Nica is so clean on this event. She has a nice steady rhythm and great execution. I don't know why she doesn't score higher but she should.

2. Kyla Roos: Floor

Ok so I might be in the vast minority but I actually love Kyla on this event. I know her movements have a slight robotic quality to them and not everyone is partial to her dramatic music but all of that works for me in some strange way. I like the way her choreography looks and I like how she executes it.

3. Brenna Dowell: Vault

Brenna's best event is vars for sure but I always thought she had great potential on vault as well. She's fairly clean in the air so with a neater landing, she could score even better. If she were to gain a second vault even, that would help her quest to Rio.

4. Norah Flatley: Bars

Again, this is not the event Norah is most known for but she does a great job. I love her easy swing and clean lines and that layout dismount-wow! The inbar work is fabulous and with some cleaning up and upgrades she'll really be a contender.

5. Maggie Nichols: Floor Exercise

I like that Maggie has fun with this and that her choreography seems to really match her personality. I'll be interested to see if she has a new routine this year, I think she does? Anyway, I hope she sticks with something fun because I think it's what she's best suited for.

What do YOU think are some underrated routines?