Girls in Limbo

There are several girls in the USA that seem to have been in injury-limbo for quite some time. Being so close to the Olympics...I have to think that they'll either come back to competition this summer (Secret Classic, Nationals) or choose to retire. Or I guess they could continue to string along in hopes of making some sort of massive comeback in 2016. The third option is unlikely and not very realistic.

So, Peyton Ernst, Nica Hults, Mckayla Maroney and Sabrina Vega...what's it gonna be? I know Peyton had some sort of arm injury (elbow, shoulder?), Nica had hand surgery earlier this year and Mckayla had her knee issues and other health problems. I'm not really sure what's up with Vega, she was back at camp in December and maybe January but that was it. Did she give up? Or get hurt? At any rate, I want to know what the deal is. Truthfully, I think Mckayla is the only one who would have a real shot at making it to Rio and only if she arrives on the scene with a TTY. The others...I don't know. I love Nica's beam set but she's grossly underscored here in the US so I don't know how that wold work out internationally. And we have enough beamers.

I guess only time will tell.

Team Brenna

I'm a fan of Brenna Dowell. I wasn't always...in fact I remember bashing her a little bit to my younger sister when I was watching some meet. But that was before I really knew much about her. Upon further research I came to appreciate her unique, innovative bar routine that was amazing-when she hit. Of course, that is the most important point. If you can't hit in competition, it's pretty much all for nothing. And Brenna, she wasn't always the most consistent (usually due to injury). But, I saw past that and focused on her potential. I even sent her a "fan letter" and she wrote me back the nicest response.

Furthermore, I was angry when she was screwed over at the 2013 worlds, I was biting my nails for her during last years disastrous Secret Classic performance and I was bummed when she announced her retirement from elite in favor of college.

After a great first NCAA season, Brenna is now going elite again in hopes of making it Rio or at least this years Worlds. I'm hugely excited about this but sadly, I don't think she has much of a chance. Al Fong has never been exactly in Marta's good graces and then there is that consistency issue. If Brenna can get herself a new coach (Gym-Max?) and stay healthy, I think she at least has a shot at some more international assignments.

Either way, Brenna if you are reading this, I'm rooting for you!

Going to The Secret Classic! Again!

Yay! In a last minute twist of events, I am headed back to Chicago at the end of July to attend SC's and I'm pumped. I literally had the time of my life last year! Among other things, our seats were super close, I got to meet Mckayala Maroney (was #299/300 in line!) and got a bunch of autographs. It was my first live viewing of a meet and they are so much better in person. This time, my whole family will be coming too (as opposed to it just being my mom and I last year) because apparently, no one can stand to miss out on the fun. And, my best friend goes to school in Chicago so I will get to see her too. All in all, it should be a pretty good trip! Oh and I'm hoping to NOT forget my camera again and get some good pictures as opposed to the grainy ones snapped from my iphone.

The Pan Am squad won't be competing (I don't think) but the big Rio frontrunners will be there and it will be Aly and Gabby's bit debut since London. I'm hoping to meet more athletes and get some more autographs to expand my collection which I will be posting very soon.

Oh and I did a guest blog book review over at Gym Truth Teller, check it out!