Highs and Lows of the 2014 Secret U.S. Classic

Aug 5, 2014 by Becca Reed

Highs

1. Simone Biles’ Comeback

Simone Biles competed for the first time since the 2013 World Championships and she made a huge statement scoring an impressive 61.7. There was question if she would be ready for this meet after entering and then withdrawing from both the American Cup and the Pacific Rim Challenge. Coach Aimee Boorman and Martha Karolyi held Simone out until she was completely ready and it ended up being a good decision. Simone dominated the competition and finished more than a point and a half higher than the second place finisher and more than three points ahead of the third place finisher.

Pictured: Jordan Chiles

2. Jordan Chiles’ Underdog Win

While Jordan Chiles is on the junior national team and competed internationally this year at the Jesolo Trophy, I still consider her an underdog because she is so new and so young. She is not even age eligible for Rio and didn’t get moved to the senior session like many of the top juniors did. However, she didn’t let that stop her and she went out focused and confident and ended up on top.

Jordan is a naturally powerful gymnast but she also has the elegant and artistic look. As she matures and adds difficulty, that combination is going to make her a force to reckon with. Naydenov gymnasts always have graceful and elegant dance and it’s clear that head coach Erika Bakacs puts an emphasis on this aspect.

3. Ashton Locklear’s Bars

Few knew about Ashton Locklear before this weekend, but now she is the buzz around the gymnastics world! She had a gorgeous bar routine and scored a 15.7, placing first. W atch that routine with impressive release combos here. She qualified for Classics and Championships last year but didn’t compete due to a back injury. Watch her meet the elite video here.

4. Consistency is Key

Consistency is a crucial factor in gymnastics that is not to be overlooked. Kyla Ross and Maggie Nichols are two very consistent gymnasts that are strong all around. Their solid performances on all four events (along with difficulty and good execution) earned them spots on the all-around podium stand (Ross in second and Nichols in third). Consistency is important and will be crucial in choosing the Worlds team.

Pictured: Rachel Gowey

5. Rachel Gowey’s Upgrades

Rachel Gowey performed some big upgrades this weekend including a triple twist off beam, a three and a half twist on floor, and an Amanar on vault. Rachel is proving that she not only has the beautiful form and elegant style, but she now has the difficulty to content with the top gymnasts in the world.

Lows

1. Lexie Priessman’s Injury

Many were excited to see Lexie Priessman compete after her break with CGA and Mary Lee Tracy as well as her recovery from injury. She looked great in podium training and in an interview said she was very happy with where she was. Then, in podium training the night before the competition, she landed a beam dismount wrong a injured her ankle. Her coaches initially said it was a high ankle sprain but it was later discovered she would need surgery.

Pictured: Brenna Dowell

2. Brenna Dowell’s Bars

Brenna Dowell has one of the most impressive bar routines in elite gymnastics and it is her best event. I was disappointed when I saw she was only competing bars, but excited to see her routine that had the potential to win. However, because of her injury, she did not compete a dismount, and the rest of her routine did not go so well. She pulled in a little on her straddle back half and ended up bending her knees to avoid the high bar then hitting them on the ground on her kip. She did the same thing on her pak and also broke up a couple connections. It’s often hard to compete on just one event because it puts all of the pressure on that one routine. I’m hoping this was just a fluke routine and that she has gotten it out of her system.

3. Key and Ernst’s Absences

Reigning junior national champion Bailie Key withdrew from competition due to a “minor arm procedure.” Peyton Ernst withdrew likely due to her recovery from her foot fracture. Both of these Texas Dreams gymnasts have beautiful gymnastics and are on the rise. If Bailie Key was healthy, she would have dominated the junior results and if Peyton Ernst competed, she would have contented for an all-around podium spot.

Pictured: Mykayla Skinner

3. Mykayla Skinner’s Floor

Mykayla Skinner has the potential to have the highest difficulty score in the world with her lay out double double, tuck double double, 1 1/2 to triple full, and full in. She was also debuting a new floor routine choreographed by Dominic Zito. Her floor dance is definitely an improvement from her last routine and it matches her well. It’s obvious and she knows that she isn’t the most graceful or balletic gymnast and this routine doesn’t try to make her dance like that. However, in her competition routine she was noticably exhausted and didn’t show off her dance like in practice. Her exhaustion also showed in her tumbling and she downgraded to just a 1 1/2 to double full and then fell on her full in. This routine clearly has potential and I’m hoping she can show that at P&G Championships!

5. Rachel Gowey’s Amanar

Rachel rocked her Amanar multiple times in podium training and looked ready for the meet. However, in competition she rushed and told us she knew right away and put her hand down. However, she also stated she was glad she competed it and I believe she’s gotten her nerves out for next time. Even Martha Karolyi agreed and in this interview, Karolyi expressed her confidence in Rachel saying she knows she will make it next time.