2016 Women's Olympic TrialsJul 9, 2016 by Becca Reed
Highs and Lows from Olympic Trials Day 1
Highs and Lows from Olympic Trials Day 1
Simone Biles leads the all-around field after an exciting first day of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials in San Jose, California. Laurie Herna
Simone Biles leads the all-around field after an exciting first day of the 2016 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials in San Jose, California. Laurie Hernandez finished the day in second place, one point behind Biles, and Aly Raisman finished in third. See the full results here.
There were dozens of great performances from the night along with some struggles and disappointments. Below are some of the highs and lows from the competition.
Highs
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Biles is so dominant that she can have a sub-par performance and still finish a full point above everyone else in the competition. While she was not at her best tonight, her dominance was proven yet again. If she has another solid day on Sunday and stays in the lead, she will earn the automatic spot on the Olympic Team.
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Hernandez continues to prove she deserves a spot on the Rio team after a strong performance and finishing second in the all-around with a big 60.85. While she had a mistake on bars- falling over on the wrong side on a pirouette, she was able to work out of it and finish strong, still posting a 14.9. She had the highest beam score of the night with a 15.5 for her nearly flawless set that she performs with confidence and ease. While Hernandez is only a first year senior, she looks like a veteran out there with the best.
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Raisman’s gymnastics looks better than it’s ever been. She not only has the skills and consistency, but she shows a calmness and maturity like never before. She posted another strong all-around score of a 59.95. Her 15.45 on floor was the second highest floor score and her 15.25 ranked her third on vault. Raisman, Biles, and Hernandez are the only three gymnasts to be in the top three on more than one event.
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Skinner finished fourth all-around after a stellar night one, posting a 59.45, six spots higher than her finish at P&G Championships just a couple weeks ago. She started off her competition with a huge floor set and continued her momentum through the rest of the night.
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Douglas had another off night, falling on beam and making other minor mistakes throughout her competition. She struggled at P&G Championships and placed fourth all-around. She finished night one of trials in seventh place all-around with a 58.55. However, she still posted a 15.1 on both vault and bars and had the third highest bars score of the night.
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nichols competed all-around for the first time since February and while she looked strong, she doesn’t look as strong as before her knee injury. She fell on beam but also did not look as sharp as usual on every event. While she has most of her skills back, she could have used just a few more weeks to get back to her previous form and confidence. With some extra training days, she also might have been able to bring back her Amanar to competition.
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Locklear had another incredible bar set tonight posting a 15.75. But she had a fall on beam, her only other event. It looks to have come down to Locklear and Madison Kocian for one of the spots on the Olympic team, and Martha Karolyi has stated that since they are neck and neck on bars, the selection committee will likely be looking at what they can contribute on the other events. Kocian also scored a 15.75 on bars and hit her other three events.
The second and final day of competition will certainly be a determining factor in the final team decision. Follow our live updates for day two here. The Olympic team will be announced following the conclusion of the competition.
Related:
Full Results from Olympic Trials Day 1
Archived Live Updates from Olympic Trials Day 1
Poll: Pick the Olympic Team after Trials Day 1
There were dozens of great performances from the night along with some struggles and disappointments. Below are some of the highs and lows from the competition.
Highs
Simone Biles Stays on Top
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Biles is so dominant that she can have a sub-par performance and still finish a full point above everyone else in the competition. While she was not at her best tonight, her dominance was proven yet again. If she has another solid day on Sunday and stays in the lead, she will earn the automatic spot on the Olympic Team.
Laurie Hernandez Fuels the Fire
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Hernandez continues to prove she deserves a spot on the Rio team after a strong performance and finishing second in the all-around with a big 60.85. While she had a mistake on bars- falling over on the wrong side on a pirouette, she was able to work out of it and finish strong, still posting a 14.9. She had the highest beam score of the night with a 15.5 for her nearly flawless set that she performs with confidence and ease. While Hernandez is only a first year senior, she looks like a veteran out there with the best.
Aly Raisman Rock Solid
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Raisman’s gymnastics looks better than it’s ever been. She not only has the skills and consistency, but she shows a calmness and maturity like never before. She posted another strong all-around score of a 59.95. Her 15.45 on floor was the second highest floor score and her 15.25 ranked her third on vault. Raisman, Biles, and Hernandez are the only three gymnasts to be in the top three on more than one event.
MyKayla Skinner Climbs the Ranks
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Skinner finished fourth all-around after a stellar night one, posting a 59.45, six spots higher than her finish at P&G Championships just a couple weeks ago. She started off her competition with a huge floor set and continued her momentum through the rest of the night.
Lows
Gabby Douglas Struggles Again
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Douglas had another off night, falling on beam and making other minor mistakes throughout her competition. She struggled at P&G Championships and placed fourth all-around. She finished night one of trials in seventh place all-around with a 58.55. However, she still posted a 15.1 on both vault and bars and had the third highest bars score of the night.
Maggie Nichols Needs More Time
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Nichols competed all-around for the first time since February and while she looked strong, she doesn’t look as strong as before her knee injury. She fell on beam but also did not look as sharp as usual on every event. While she has most of her skills back, she could have used just a few more weeks to get back to her previous form and confidence. With some extra training days, she also might have been able to bring back her Amanar to competition.
Ashton Locklear Falls on Beam
Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Locklear had another incredible bar set tonight posting a 15.75. But she had a fall on beam, her only other event. It looks to have come down to Locklear and Madison Kocian for one of the spots on the Olympic team, and Martha Karolyi has stated that since they are neck and neck on bars, the selection committee will likely be looking at what they can contribute on the other events. Kocian also scored a 15.75 on bars and hit her other three events.
The second and final day of competition will certainly be a determining factor in the final team decision. Follow our live updates for day two here. The Olympic team will be announced following the conclusion of the competition.
Related:
Full Results from Olympic Trials Day 1
Archived Live Updates from Olympic Trials Day 1
Poll: Pick the Olympic Team after Trials Day 1