Kyla Ross on bars at the 2013 Secret US Classic. Photo by Melissa Perenson.

Competition at the 2013 Secret US Classic concluded moments ago in the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, IL. Kyla Ross captures this year's All Around Senior Title.

Highlighting the first event was Kyla Ross taking to the balance beam. Ross performed a confident routine packed with skills including a front aerial- sheep jump, a front tuck, a side somi, and a switch leap- back tuck. Ross closed with a round-off double back taking a small hop on the landing. Ross received a 14.65 for her efforts. The bars presented some troubles in the first rotation. Both Simone Biles and MyKayla Skinner missed releases, a straddle tkachev for Biles and a shaposh half for Skinner. Brenna Dowell also missed her tkachev half to straddle back connection requiring an extra swing before falling back into the rhythym of the routine. Peyton Ernst impressed on the vault sticking a double twisting yurchenko solid earning her a 14.7.

After the first event, Peyton Ernst led with a 14.7 on the vault, followed by Kyla Ross with a 14.65 on the beam, and in third sits Kennedy Baker with a 14.55 from the vault.

The second event marked the return of McKayla Maroney to the elite scene. Maroney competed on the floor debuting some new passes alongside her new routine. Maroney competed a double layout, a 2 1/2 to a punch layout, a double arabian, and a double pike to close. Maroney stepped out of bounds on her opening pass, but overall a solid routine earning her a 14.35. Maroney's London teammate Kyla Ross also took to the floor showing off her new floor routine and combinations. Ross opened with a double arabian to a stag jump and went on to complete a nice full-in. On Ross's final pass, a double pike, she landed short forcing her to put her hands down. The judges awarded Ross a 13.4. Over on the beam, troubles continued for Simone Biles who started her routine with a 1 1/2 turn in a wolf position, but a balance check caused Biles to grab the beam to steady herself. No doubt a difficult routine flaunting Biles's power with a back handspring- back handspring- layout two foot, a front tuck, and dismouting with a handpsring- handspring- full in, but wobbles plagued the routine resulting in an overall score of 13.95 for Biles. Another powerhouse taking to the beam was MyKayla Skinner who performed unique combinations of a back handspring- arabian and a back handspring- tuck full. Skinner took a 13.55 for the event. Brenna Dowell also included an interesting beam combinating linking a full twisting back handspring to a back handspring- layout. While Dowell may not receive credit for the connection, it stands as a strong possibility in future competitions.

On the second event, Peyton Ernst leads with a 29.05. Madison Kocian finishes second with a 28.9, followed by Abigail Milliet with a 28.6.



McKayla Maroney kicked off the third event on her signature apparatus: the vault. Maroney performed two vaults the first being the Amanar that demonstrated amazing amplitude as has become custom for this athlete. Maroney performed a Mustafina for her second vault which she landed easily taking a small hop forward. Maroney earned a 15.6 on the first vault and a 15.25 on the second. The second MyKayla of the night also impressed when MyKayla Skinner performed the double twisting double layout. Skinner stepped out of bounds on the pass. Skinner demonstrated a high level of difficulty competing a double aradian to stag and a double- double, but was unable to complete her last tumbling pass, a 1 1/2 through to at least a double twist. Skinner received a 13.05 on the floor with a difficulty score of 6.3. Lexie Priessman who did not perform on the beam, competed well on the floor with a double twisting double back and a full twisting double layout among her four passes. Priessman earned a 14.8 on the event. Peyton Ernst looked solid on her favorite event, the balance beam. Ernst barely moved in her routine competing a handspring- handspring- layout two foot and a switch leap back pike among her many combinations. Ernst grabbed a 14.7. Kyla Ross completed a nice yurchenko double twist to take a 15.2. Biles wrapped up the third rotation on the floor. Biles competed a huge double- double and a double layout half. Biles closed with a full-in that just did not have enough gas to get around causing her to place both hands on the floor taking a 13.7 for the exercise.


Going into the final rotation, the leader board stood with Peyton Ernst in first with a 43.75, Kyla Ross in second with a 43.25, and Abigail Milliet in third with a 42.6. 

video by USA Gymnastics

Brenna Dowell debuted her Amanar vault in the fourth rotation. Dowell exceuted the skill cleanly for a 15.55. Kyla Ross performed a poised bar routine complete with both high-flying releases--a shaposh and shaposh half included-- and excellent lines in her handstands and pirouetting element. Ross earned a 15.4 on the event. MyKayla Skinner competed two vaults. Skinner stuck her first vault, the Cheng, and took a small step back on her yurchenko double twist to earn a 15.25 and 14.5 respectively. Simone Biles scratched the final rotation. 

Kyla Ross won the All Around Title with a 58.65. Peyton Ernst finished with the silver with a 58.25, and Brenna Dowell takes the bronze with a 57.2.

For event titles, McKayla Maroney dominates with a 15.6, Kyla Ross earns the bar title with a score of 15.4, Peyton Ernst takes the beam title with a 14.7, and Lexie Priessman takes floor with a 14.85.

Update: GAGE gymnasts Maddi Desch will compete at P&G Championships. Desch is coming back from a meniscus injury and successfully petitioned to compete in Hartford.

For full results from the Senior session click here.

For the recap of the Junior session that took place earlier today click here.


Top 10 All Around Results


Vault Results (for athletes performing 2 vaults only)


Top 10 on Uneven Bars:


Top 10 on Balance Beam:


Top 10 on Floor: