The junior meet showcased many elite debuts, most notably Norah Flatley of Chow's Gymnastics and Dance, who has since been dubbed "one to watch" after snatching the beam title from all around champ Bailie Key (2nd BB) and finishing 4th all around, just 3 tenths behind 3rd year junior Veronica Hults. Other standout first-time elites for me were Christina Desiderio of Parkettes (10th AA) and Sydney Johnson-Scharpf of Brandy Johnson's. (Tied for 18th AA). Christina's beam routine was one of my favourite routines of the day. Her execution was beautiful and I struggled to find any deductions at all, apart from a tiny hop on her dismount (two back handsprings, one and a half twist) and what appeared to be a tiny hesitation upon landing her switch leap half. Highlights of the routine included a confidently landed double backhandspring to a two foot layout, and the 180 degree split (sometimes more!) that she displayed on all her leaps and jumps. Desiderio's execution score of 9.000 was the highest of all the beam competitors in both the junior and senior competitions. I believe that with a small difficulty increase she could easily be in the medals very soon. (She placed 4th on beam).

 

Sydney Johnson - Scharpf, who is becoming known for her exuberant floor performances, delivered another energetic and confident routine, which drew in the crowd. Not only did she land her difficult tumbling passes well, but she showed her ability to really "perform" the routine, with her sassy choreography, and even a smile! Sydney finished 8th on floor, scoring an impressive 13.900. Junior floor champ Laurie Hernandez cannot go unmentioned. She competed four tumbling passes which included an excellent double tucked arabian to a stag leap, and a full twisting double pike, split up by some refreshingly unique choreography which was just as well performed. Laurie scored 14.650 to take the title. 

 

My favourite bar routine of the day came from Fierce Five member and Olympic gold medalist Kyla Ross. Kyla hit every handstand with ease and showed gorgeous form throughout the routine. Highlights for me were her effortlessly caught straddled jaeger and her sky-high double layout dismount, landed with just a small step. She took first on bars easily with a score of 15.400. This routine, along with her other three that earned her the all around gold, proved that her standard of gymnastics has far from slipped since she helped the USA to team gold in London.
 

Veronica Hults of Texas Dreams also performed a great routine to take the junior bar title. Her stuck full twisting double tuck dismount was super impressive!

 

It goes without saying, the eagerly anticipated vault performance of Olympic vault silver medalist McKayla Maroney, was one of my favourites. Maroney competed two vaults to take first, one of which - her signature amanar, which didn't disappoint. Although it didn't quite have the perfect stuck landing that we saw in the team final in London, it had the same perfect form and ENORMOUS air time that we're used to. 
 

In the junior division, Deanne Soza of Arete, Emily Schild of Everest and Ariana Agrapides of MG Elite, performed beautiful vaults, all posting execution scores above 9.000.

 

I would like to finish by congratulating every gymnast who took part. Performing under that sort of pressure is no mean feat - no matter where you place!

 

Thanks for reading, I'd love to know your favourite routines, and who you think are "ones to watch" for championships! Please comment!

 

Lucy
15 years old,  gymnast