RANKINGS: Top Gymnasts Going Into P&Gs

Aug 3, 2015 by Rebecca Johnson

With just under two weeks until P&G National Championships, it is time to gear up for arguably the most important competition for the Worlds team hopefuls. This meet will play a huge part in determining the athletes who have the confidence, difficulty, and poise to be able to best represent Team USA in international competition. Below, we rank the top gymnasts going into P&Gs based on various components such as recent competition results, overall scoring potential, general execution level and the ability to handle pressure on a big stage.

1. Simone Biles

The undeniably dominant leader of the senior field is Simone Biles—reigning two-time National Champion who combines incredible difficulty with precise execution and form. Biles added two new skills on beam at the Secret Classic—a from tuck half and a punch front pike—upping her difficulty score to a 6.7, which is the highest of all the competitors. Her floor tumbling—possibly belonging to a different galaxy—sets her apart and gives her a start value of 16.90 on the event, which is four tenths higher than any other competitor. She also continues to impress with her amazing Amanar on vault and hopes to debut her new second vault of a Cheng at Championships. Biles truly is the full package and has proven herself to be able to handle pressure on a big stage over the last three years. She has not lost an all-around competition since 2013, making her a two-time World Champion and obvious contender for this year’s Worlds team.

2. Aly Raisman

Raisman’s potential reaches far beyond her fifth place finish at the Secret Classic. She faltered on floor, taking a fall on her brand new second tumbling pass of an Arabian double pike punch front tuck. However, her goal was to gain practice competing her upgrades before Championships, and that she did. The difficulty she displays on floor is phenomenal, and she also successfully competed her first Amanar on vault since the 2012 Olympics. Raisman’s difficulty score on beam is a 6.6 and her execution is generally very solid, including a huge Patterson dismount that separates her from the pack. If Raisman can put it all together at Championships, she will surely vie for a top spot on the podium.

3. Gabby Douglas

Another comeback kid, showing she is still a true competitor three years post-Olympics, Douglas finished with the silver medal at the Secret Classic. She has strong difficulty across all four events and handles pressure well, which has been a key to her past success and continues to make her a standout. Her difficulty score on bars of a 6.4 mixed with her long clean lines make for a beautiful looking routine. Douglas said her true focus is on being consistent in both the gym and competition, which is a critical component in proving she belongs on the Worlds team.

4. Maggie Nichols

Nichols has blossomed into a top-notch competitor over the last year—exuding confidence on each event. She debuted a stunning Amanar and a double double on floor at the Secret Classic, with no sign that it was her first time performing them. These big upgrades put Nichols on a whole new level when it comes to difficulty and not only prove she is willing to take risks, but that she can deliver when it counts. At Championships, she also plans to compete a full twisting double layout dismount on bars and a full in dismount on beam, which will give her even more of an edge in the senior field.

5. Kyla Ross

Ross is a seasoned competitor with truly elegant, long lines that make her lovely to watch. She had a small foot injury before the Secret Classic, causing her to only compete bars and beam, but she plans to do the all-around at P&Gs. Although she had a mishap on her new bars upgrade of a Pak 1/1, she is usually one of the most consistent and calm competitors and has potential to be a strong all-around performer. If she hits her bar routine and performs the other events up to her full potential, Ross will serve as one of the most polished U.S. competitors.

6. Bailie Key

Bailie Key has been a solid performer in the junior field over the last few years, increasing difficulty and coming into her own with style and poise. She was the 2013 junior U.S. all-around champion and is expected to make her senior debut at this year's P&G Championships. At the Secret Classic, Key debuted a double layout in her new floor routine, and is looking to add an Arabian on beam as well as a new Downie release on bars. With her clean form and overall consistency, Key is definitely one to watch.

7. Amelia Hundley

Hundley can put up very solid sets on all four events and will make an impact through her big elements done with clean form and a mature style. She took fourth in the all-around at Pan Am Games, even with a fall on bars. She will surely add excitement to the competition.

8. Madison Desch

Desch exudes elegance in all her routines and proved that she is a strong all-around contender, coming in second place at the Pan Am Games. With some time since that competition to clean up form and landings, she should be ready to bring her A game.

9. MyKayla Skinner

Boasting huge difficulty scores on each event, Skinner has huge scoring potential, but needs to clean up her execution in order to make her mark at Championships. She is one to watch, displaying incredible skills such as a double twisting double layout on floor. On vault, she currently holds the highest difficulty score of the whole senior field with a 12.30 total between her two vaults. If Skinner hits her routines, especially her beam set including her series of a back handspring tuck 1/1, she will be up there with the top competitors.

10. Rachel Gowey

Although she is widely known for her beautiful bars work, earning gold on the event at the Pan Am Games, Gowey also has great all-around potential and will be looking to prove herself at this meet.

11. Nia Dennis

Dennis is a dynamic athlete that has big potential on every event, especially vault and floor.

12. Alyssa Baumann

Baumann has great artistry and is lovely to watch. With a bit more confidence and precision in her skills, she will have a very successful showing.

13. Megan Skaggs
Coming off a nice Pan Ams performance, Skaggs has had some time to focus on training and making small adjustments, so she should be fresh and ready for a great competition.

14. Madison Kocian

Kocian excels on bars among the other events, taking the bars title at this year's Secret Classic. However, if she hits all of her routines, she will become an overall strong force for Team USA.

15. Emily Schild

Shild has made huge strides in the last year, making her mark on the senior field and earning a trip to the Pan Am Games where she contributed on vault and floor. She is a small but mighty competitor and should bring solid routines to P&G Championships.