Pictured: Peyton Ernst

The 2014 P&G Championships roster was released a couple days ago and we are excited about these storylines: 

 

Seniors vs. Juniors

 

Like the Secret U.S. Classic, the juniors field is much bigger than the seniors field. The roster lists 16 seniors and 37 juniors. While it is exciting to see the depth of juniors in this country, it is also a little concerning to see so few healthy seniors. 

 

At the U.S. Classic, there were 16 seniors but only nine competed all four events. The roster for Championships is the same as Classics minus Melissa Reinstadtler and Sam Ogden, and with the addition of Peyton Ernst and Emily Schild. How many will compete all-around? It often depends more on health than on preparation for these senior athletes. 

 

More senior all-around competitors need to prove themselves because the U.S. will be filling two separate international teams, for Senior Pan Ams and World Championships, based on the results from Championships as Martha Karolyi explained in this interview. The Senior Pan Ams team will likely leave for Toronto directly from Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, the girls chosen for the Worlds selection camp will head to the Ranch, where the final Worlds team will be selected.

 

The large number of junior competitors is a great sign for this point mid-quad. It shows the depth of the up and coming elites in our country will contribute to the field of gymnasts to choose from for Rio 2016.

 

Pictured: Bailie Key
 

Back from Injury

 

Bailie Key will be back from injury and as long as she is at full health, she should have no problem defending her national title. She has dominated the juniors field this past 12 months including at last year’s Championships where she finished with a 118.55, two points ahead of second place and five points ahead of third. Her score would have placed third all-around in the seniors division behind Kyla Ross and Simone Biles. Key has also had success in 2014, winning the all-around at both the Jesolo Trophy and Pac Rims. 

 

Peyton Ernst is back from injury and on the roster to compete but it is unclear if she will compete all-around. She had a fracture in one of her feet (which she competed on at Pac Rims) and had to sit out for weeks while it healed. Ernst is a strong and consistent all-around gymnast who is definitely in the running for the Worlds team. She placed second at the 2014 Jesolo Trophy behind Ross.

 

Ariana Agrapides and Emily Schild were both last-minute scratches from Classics and are both on the roster for the Championships. Alexis Vasquez only competed vault and bars at Classics due to a hip injury but is hoping to compete all-around at Championships.

 

Pictued: Rachel Gowey
 

On the Rise

 

There were many impressive performances at the U.S. Classic and a few that were unexpected but good surprises. 

 

Rachel Gowey was known to have been training upgrades from a national team training camp video and she debuted three big skills at the Classic. She competed a triple full dismount on beam, a three-and-a-half twist on floor, and an Amanar on vault. All three skills are impressive, and Gowey said she was glad to have had the experience competing them. She ended up landing short and putting her hand down on her Amanar but even Martha Karolyi agreed that Gowey should have no problem making it next time.

 

Ashton Locklear was another pleasant surprise at the U.S. Classic. She only competed bars and beam but made a big statement with her winning 15.7 bar routine. She was also beautiful on beam, where she scored a 14.55 for fourth place. Her performance surely caught Martha Karolyi’s eye, especially on bars where the U.S. team is known to be weak.

 

Jordan Chiles had an impressive performance at the U.S. Classic, and with Bailie Key out she swooped in to take the gold. She won vault with a double twisting Yurchenko, which she completed with ease. Chiles also competed internationally for the first time at the 2014 Jesolo Trophy where she placed sixth all-around. While she is definitely an up and coming gymnast, it will be hard for her to beat Key if Key hits.

Related:
See the full P&G Championships roster here