Can Danell Leyva bounce back?

The 2012 Olympic all-around bronze medalist Danell Leyva had a less-than-ideal P&G Championships earlier this month—he finished 14th in the all-around and placed in the top 10 on only two events. Leyva especially struggled on day two of the Championships with two scores in the 13 range and only two in the 15 range.

Leyva’s strengths—parallel bars and high bars—are where he did best at the Championships. But other all-around gymnasts finished better than Leyva on those events and in the all-around. To make the Olympic team, Leyva must show that his routines and scores are high enough and can’t be found in another gymnast.

Chris Brooks aims to overcome alternate status

Four years ago, Chris Brooks was close to becoming an Olympian, but fell short and was named an alternate to the London team. Now, he sits in a different position, and has a better chance of sporting the red, white and blue on the Olympic stage.

After great performances at the P&G Championships earlier this month, Brooks finished second in the all-around, and just 1.65 points behind four-time national champion Sam Mikulak. Brooks concluded his national championships with four top-10 finishes: eighth on still rings, 10th on vault, first on parallel bars and second on high bar.

With strong all-around performances and by placing on two events, Brooks showcased his potential for the Olympic selection committee. He can contribute a solid score on each event and could even make a few event finals. If Brooks replicates or improves these results at the Trials, it will be difficult to leave one of Team USA’s top all-around gymnasts at home instead of Rio.

The rise of Eddie Penev

In 2012, Stanford alumnus Eddie Penev didn’t even compete at Olympic Trials, and had no international experience representing the U.S. (Penev formerly represented Bulgaria).

Penev has come a long way since then. He’s currently in the running for Rio, and has represented Team USA in six international competitions―five of which he won medals from, including five individual golds.

In four years, Penev has become one of Team USA’s best vaulters and floor workers, even after a torn ACL. At Team USA’s most recent international competition, the 2016 Pacific Rim Championships, he helped bring home the team gold in addition to winning vault and placing second on floor. Prior to Pac Rims, Penev won three golds: team, floor and vault. He was even named to the 2013 World Championship team as an alternate.

After coming back from a serious injury and moving his training from Stanford to the Olympic Training Center, Penev’s gymnastics seem to be getting better and better.

Is it finally Paul Ruggeri’s time?

If anyone knows what it’s like being an alternate or replacement athlete, it’s Paul Ruggeri.

In 2010, he was an alternate for the world team. Three years later in 2013, he was an alternate for the world team that would only compete in individual competition. In 2014, he was once again named an alternate.

In 2015, that finally changed when Ruggeri was named to the 2015 World Championships team. While he posted solid scores on floor, vault and parallel bars in qualifications, he scored in the 11 range on pommel horse and high bar—a surprise, considering it’s one of his best events. Fortunately, Ruggeri hit his high bar routine in team finals, and scored a 15.466—the second-best score from Team USA.

Ruggeri has shown he can compete internationally, and earned seven international medals this year alone. The Illinois alumnus excels on floor and vault and finished eighth in the all-around at the Championships; ahead of 2012 Olympians John Orozco and Danell Leyva. With one of Team USA's best high bar routines (Ruggeri scored a huge 16.0 on day two of the P&G Championships this year and won the event), he’s definitely an Olympic contender.


Related:
U.S. Men’s Olympic Team to be Named This Weekend