2012 Olympic Team Trials

Leyva, Orozco Named to U.S. Olympic Team

Leyva, Orozco Named to U.S. Olympic Team

Jun 30, 2012 by Danny Sierra
Leyva, Orozco Named to U.S. Olympic Team



Two members of the 2012 U.S. Olympic men's gymnastics team were announced Saturday, as Danell Leyva and John Orozco were named to the London squad at the conclusion of the men's competition.  Leyva was the Trials winner for the men, posting a final score of 368.35.

Both men achieved "lock" status, by placing 1-2 in the all around and also in the top three on three events.  Leyva landed in the top three on pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar, while Orozco secured his spot on pommel horse, still rings, parallel bars and high bar.

Leyva opened and closed the competition with a bang, hitting a dreamlike high bar set in the first rotation (16.3) and securing the win on parallel bars, sticking his dismount for a 15.85.  

Orozco closed Leyva's night one gap, emerging as the leader heading into the last rotation.  A cramped hand and several miscues on p-bars resulted in a dismal 14.35, allowing Leyva to finish on top, 368.35-367.4.

The high scorer after night one, Sam Mikulak, competed only pommel horse after injuring his ankle on vault during Thursday's meet.  In his final bid for London, Mikulak scored 14.4.  His fate now lies with the selection committee.  

In Mikulak's absence, Jonathan Horton took over third, well behind the leaders at 361.5.  Horton didn't help his chances at a second Olympics, giving away crucial mistakes late in the meet.  

On high bar, Horton again counted a mistake, swinging the wrong way out of a Tak full (14.95).  He came back with a second mistake on floor exercise, putting his hand down after a tumbling line (14.6).  At the end of the meet, Horton's scores were top three on both still rings and parallel bars.

Jake Dalton and Chris Brooks tied for fourth (358.35) and ended with positive momentum and strong performances on night two.  Dalton nearly stuck his Kasamatsu double full vault (16.35) and drilled almost every pass on floor exercise, scoring 16.0 en route to another consistent day.

Brooks came back strong after several mistakes on night one, landing his piked double front vault with only a small hop (16.3).  He rallied through his final events, scoring 15.6 on p-bars, 15.75 on high bar and 15.3 in his final floor routine, giving the selection committee something to consider.

Illinois teammates Paul Ruggeri and C.J. Maestas finished in sixth and seventh, each with standout routines on their strongest events.  Ruggeri was brilliant on floor (15.45) and high bar (15.9), while Maestas showed promising routines on pommel horse (14.35) and rings (15.2).  

Steve Legendre stumbled out of his Dragulescu vault (15.5), but enjoyed a stellar closing performance on the floor exercise (16.2, 9.3 E score).  

Specialists Alex Naddour and Brandon Wynn both hit their key events, but not as strongly as night one.  Naddour scored 14.8 on pommels, while Wynn showed impressive strength for a 15.3 on rings.

The remaining three members of the team and alternates will be announced during the women's finals on Sunday at 9 p.m. EST.


For full results, click HERE.

For videos and interviews from the Trials, click HERE.