2017 AT&T American CupMar 2, 2017 by Lauren Green
Preview: Ragan Smith, Riley McCusker Ready To Break Out At American Cup
Preview: Ragan Smith, Riley McCusker Ready To Break Out At American Cup
Americans Ragan Smith and Riley McCusker headline the women's field at the 2017 AT&T American Cup at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday.
The 2017 AT&T American Cup field is packed with a mix of Olympians and up-and-coming talent for Saturday's competition at the Prudential Center, in Newark, New Jersey. Three members of the nine-gymnast field were on their respective country's Olympic team in Rio, while four of the gymnasts are first- or second-year seniors.
Ragan Smith and Riley McCusker will represent the U.S. women. Smith was an alternate on last year's Olympic team, and McCusker is competing in her first senior international meet. She finished second at last year's junior national championships.
The biggest question, at least for the two Americans, is who will emerge this year as the next top U.S. star? All five members of the Olympic team are taking time off. Olympic alternate MyKayla Skinner and world team member Maggie Nichols are both competing collegiately, though only Nichols has retired from elite competition.
VIEW THE START LISTS
*replaced Elsabeth Black (Canada)
**replaced Rebecca Tunney
***replaced Mara Titarsolej, who replaced Eythora Thorsdottir
(Video via USA Gymnastics)
With all five members of the Final Five taking some time off, this could be a breakout moment for Smith ahead of the summer's national championships.
Riley McCusker: McCusker will compete in her first senior international meet after winning the wildcard spot at the end of February camp. She comes from the same gym that produced two of the last three junior national champions, MG Elite. McCusker has gorgeous lines and great execution that will serve her well on the international stage.
(Video via USA Gymnastics)
The year after an Olympic Games is always intriguing as new faces emerge. After all, Simone Biles competed at the American Cup one year after the London Olympics. Could this be the breakthrough for the next American star?
Amy Tinkler: Tinkler was the youngest member of Team Great Britain at last summer's Olympic Games in Rio. She won a bronze medal on floor exercise behind Americans Biles and Aly Raisman. She is also just the second female British gymnast to win an Olympic medal.
(Video via Elena Lang)
Tinkler replaced teammate Rebecca Tunney but is no stranger to the American Cup, as she finished just off the podium in fourth at the 2016 American Cup.
She only competed on the uneven bars at the Australian nationals last year, so it will be interesting to see what Whitehead competes this season. She replaces injured Canadian Elsabeth Black.
Asuka Teramoto: Teramoto was eighth in the all-around at the Olympics last summer, which was an improvement on an 11th-place finish at the 2012 Olympics in London. Teramoto has a lightness on floor and balance beam.
She also has plenty of international experience -- she competed at the American Cup in 2013, where she finished seventh.
PODIUM TRAINING PHOTO GALLERY:
[album albumId="450576"]
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2017 AT&T American Cup Podium Training Videos
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Ragan Smith and Riley McCusker will represent the U.S. women. Smith was an alternate on last year's Olympic team, and McCusker is competing in her first senior international meet. She finished second at last year's junior national championships.
The biggest question, at least for the two Americans, is who will emerge this year as the next top U.S. star? All five members of the Olympic team are taking time off. Olympic alternate MyKayla Skinner and world team member Maggie Nichols are both competing collegiately, though only Nichols has retired from elite competition.
The field:
Emily Whitehead (Australia)*, Xie Yufen (China), Melanie De Jesus dos Santos (France), Amy Tinkler (Great Britain)**, Kim Bui (Germany), Asuka Teramoto (Japan), Tisha Volleman*** (Netherlands), Ragan Smith (USA), Riley McCusker (USA)VIEW THE START LISTS
*replaced Elsabeth Black (Canada)
**replaced Rebecca Tunney
***replaced Mara Titarsolej, who replaced Eythora Thorsdottir
Gymnasts to Watch:
Ragan Smith: Smith burst onto the senior scene at last year's Jesolo Trophy and Pacific Rim Championships to get her name in the running for Rio. Balance beam kept her in the conversation as the Olympics neared. Her fun, Addams Family floor routine is back this year and expect the crowd to get into it. She brings great difficulty on balance beam as well.(Video via USA Gymnastics)
With all five members of the Final Five taking some time off, this could be a breakout moment for Smith ahead of the summer's national championships.
Riley McCusker: McCusker will compete in her first senior international meet after winning the wildcard spot at the end of February camp. She comes from the same gym that produced two of the last three junior national champions, MG Elite. McCusker has gorgeous lines and great execution that will serve her well on the international stage.
(Video via USA Gymnastics)
The year after an Olympic Games is always intriguing as new faces emerge. After all, Simone Biles competed at the American Cup one year after the London Olympics. Could this be the breakthrough for the next American star?
Amy Tinkler: Tinkler was the youngest member of Team Great Britain at last summer's Olympic Games in Rio. She won a bronze medal on floor exercise behind Americans Biles and Aly Raisman. She is also just the second female British gymnast to win an Olympic medal.
(Video via Elena Lang)
Tinkler replaced teammate Rebecca Tunney but is no stranger to the American Cup, as she finished just off the podium in fourth at the 2016 American Cup.
Dark Horses:
Emily Whitehead: Whitehead was one of Australia's new seniors in 2016, but an injury prevented her from participating in the test event in Rio. With the Aussies unable to qualify a full team to go to Rio, 2017 could be a breakout year for Whitehead.She only competed on the uneven bars at the Australian nationals last year, so it will be interesting to see what Whitehead competes this season. She replaces injured Canadian Elsabeth Black.
Asuka Teramoto: Teramoto was eighth in the all-around at the Olympics last summer, which was an improvement on an 11th-place finish at the 2012 Olympics in London. Teramoto has a lightness on floor and balance beam.
She also has plenty of international experience -- she competed at the American Cup in 2013, where she finished seventh.
Can't Miss This:
Ragan Smith--Floor Exercise:
(Video via USA Gymnastics)Asuka Teramoto--Floor Exericse:
(Video via Elena Lang)Riley McCusker--Uneven Bars:
(Video via USA Gymnastics)How To Watch:
- There will be a live stream of the competition from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. ET on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel.
- Live coverage of the AT&T American Cup will air on NBC Sports beginning at 1 p.m. ET on March 7.
- Live stream via NBC Live Extra, which is available online at NBCSports.com/live or for iOS and Android mobile devices. Coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET. The first 90 minutes of competition will not require authentication.
PODIUM TRAINING PHOTO GALLERY:
[album albumId="450576"]
Related:
2017 AT&T American Cup Podium Training Videos
Start Lists: 2017 AT&T American Cup
Riley McCusker Selected As USA's Wildcard For 2017 AT&T American Cup
Top 5 Gymnasts To Watch At The Nastia Liukin Cup
Women's Spring International Assignments Announced