Bailie Key and Kyla Ross are arguably the most shocking names missing from the 2015 World Championships nominative roster. They have both been known for their clean and consistent gymnastics, and have proven themselves over the years as valuable members of Team USA—especially in international competition. It is not out of the question for them to still make the Worlds team, but less likely without being named to this early roster.

 

So why didn’t they make the cut?

While we don’t know the exact reasoning behind the nominative roster decisions, we can take a few main components into consideration, such as the athletes’ D-scores and where they would best contribute to Team USA.

 

For Key, consistency is her claim to fame, as she is a strong all-arounder with solid D-scores and overall nice execution. However, with top all-around athletes like Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and Gabby Douglas in the mix, Key has a big hurdle to jump. Biles is a two-time World Champion, and Raisman and Douglas are former Olympians with incredible international experience. Key has never been to Worlds before, and is in her very first year as a senior, so her lack of big-stage experience could be a contributing factor.

 

Better to be a specialist?

For a gymnast like Key, being a solid all-arounder, but not at the very top, is possibly hindering her chances at Worlds. Key hasn’t performed an Amanar on vault in competition yet, but is capable of the skill, so that will be an important upgrade for her to be a vault contender. On bars, she has a strong 6.2 D-score, but other gymnasts like Douglas, Madison Kocian, and Brenna Dowell have huge bar routines to offer the U.S. team as well. Key has been working on a Downie release, but hasn’t put it into a competitive routine yet. On beam, Key is beautiful and confident, but again, doesn’t have as high of a D-score (6.1) as her main competition—Biles, Douglas, and Raisman. On floor, Key recently added a big double layout, and shows great expression in her new routine, but could use a few more upgrades to put her on the map for a floor spot. Because Key doesn’t have a particular stand-out event, and with former Olympians and World Champions in the mix with strong all-around abilities, she is faced with a big challenge to make that team. But if anyone can do it, it's Bailie Key.

 

Is clean and consistent no longer enough for Kyla Ross?

Experience is surely not an issue for Ross, as she was a member of the 2012 Olympic Team. She was selected to represent the U.S. in London because of her impeccable performances on bars and beam. Ross has always had lovely execution and consistent routines, so why is that no longer enough? Like Key, without an Amanar on vault, she is not currently one of the strongest contenders on that event. Ross has struggled on her bar dismount this year, and bars is a place where the U.S. could really use her difficulty and precise form. She showed off one of the most lovely beam routines of the entire P&G Championships during day two, but with many other solid beam workers, Ross needs to provide more than that. She has a nice floor routine, however with big tumblers like Biles and Raisman, she wouldn’t likely contribute there. Adding difficulty and improving consistency on bars and beam are areas where Ross would benefit most.

 

So…What about Rio??

 

Key continues to prove time and time again that she is able to show up when it matters. She has increased her difficulty over the years, while maintaining a high level of execution. For Key, adding an Amanar on vault as well as her new Downie release on bars would greatly improve her D-scores. These upgrades, along with continued consistency and focus on artistry, may allow her to break through and be a stronger contender for Rio. 

 

Unlike the other 2012 Olympians, Ross never stopped training after London. With the level of intensity at which gymnasts train, it surely takes a toll on the body and mind. It is possible that a little time off at some point in the last quad would have benefitted Ross. So, while missing the Worlds team seems like a catastrophe for her Rio chances, perhaps it would allow her an opportunity to rest and refresh.

Key and Ross are undeniable forces for the U.S. team and have had tremendous success, so whether they make the Worlds team or not, they will continue to be contenders for the 2016 Olympic Team. Do these two deserve a ticket to Glasgow?


Related:
Beyond the Routine: Bailie Key 
Beyond the Routine: Kyla Ross 
USA Releases Nominative Roster For Worlds
Full Nominative Roster For 2015 World Championships