2016 Women's Artistic Gymnastics Olympic Team!

[Aero]

Oh! I forgot to mention another favorite moment of tonight was when Mama Aly started crying after Laurie's routine because she was so proud of all of them. Awwwwwwwwww.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

I think we just watched 2 nights of competition that had no effect on the who made this team whatsoever.

The only thing that would of changed anything would of been an injury.

 

[Flyaway]

And why is she even worthy of an interview in the middle of the trials to begin with? - cause she's a reality TV star?

Blech. Exactly.

 

[Dahlia]

Oh! I forgot to mention another favorite moment of tonight was when Mama Aly started crying after Laurie's routine because she was so proud of all of them. Awwwwwwwwww.

I love Aly. She is such a team player. Assuming she retires after the Olympics, I hope she goes on to coach eventually.

 

[wandrewsjr]

I am so happy for Madison. I've really liked her for a very long time, standing out to me as a great bar technician, but also really enjoying her artistry. Over the years of watching her, it's amazing to see her make the Olympic team. Seeing her face out there on the floor, so happy.

The highlight of the trials for me was seeing the battle between Madison and Ashton and how close it was. Insane! Also, I really loved seeing Laurie make the team, too. I live in New Jersey, and I had the opportunity to meet her at her gym not too long ago, and was able to talk to her for about 20 minutes. She had just finished working birthday parties, and I spoke with her and her mom. It was awesome. Now I can say I met an Olympian, and I have a Jersey girl to route for!!!

Bless you Aero...can always count on you to focus on the positive! Agree about Madison and Ashton, they are in a class by themselves right now for USA on UB.

 

[MILgymFAM]

We were pretty disappointed. That Maggie wasn't even an alternate. That Ashton isn't the bars specialist to go. That Gabby is on the team at all. That the alternates were announced at the same time and shared the team's moment. It felt almost anti-climactic since it clearly didn't matter what we watched all weekend. Kind of disenchanting to be honest. My ODD was able to meet a lot of elites and former Olympians and get pics/autographs, and everyone was amazingly nice and helpful to my injured DD, so I guess I can't complain any more.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

We love Maggie

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

We were pretty disappointed. That Maggie wasn't even an alternate. That Ashton isn't the bars specialist to go. That Gabby is on the team at all.

Maggie was not top three on anything (all the other alternates were top 3 on something) and has just came back from injury and does not look to be 100%, I am disappointed for her but for those reasons the decision makes sense, she needed more time, 2015 Maggie should have been on the team, but not 2016 Maggie . Ashton only does two events and could not step in elsewhere if an injury occurred after the competition started, that leaves the team having to put up less than ideal routines. Gabby is there because of bars her D score is similar to Ashton and she score well internationally. In the past Ashton has not got the scores she gets at home on bars in international competition. Gabby can also put up a decent vault and has a floor routine good enough for prelims.
I assume Marta will be locking the girls away at the ranch away from distraction and Gabby will straighten out without all the external influences currently dragging her gym down( I sure hope so). The team was chosen off national's as well, Gabby is a debatable choice but not ridiculous, its a team competition primarily and the team is chose based on what they can do for the team, not being the 4th or 5th best kid who is only useful for prelims on all events. I am not team Gabby (especially can't stand the family and their influence) and would rather see another gymnast who appeared to care a little more make the team, but I do not disagree with her selection.

The sad part about Gabby's selection is that it will potentially mean Aly is out of the AA as she is the weakest link on bars and may not compete in prelims on that event. I am not an Aly fan, but she has worked hard and done well for herself, it seems a shame that she may not get to fight for that spot with Simone, Laurie and Gabby (depending on their events) during prelims.

 

[profmom]

I agree with most of what you've said, Pineapple_Lump, but I can't see putting Gabby in as an all arounder over Aly. Surely Raisman earned that spot by going four for four both nights of nationals and trials. And I see no reason not to have three all arounders, so the logical choices look to be Biles, Raisman, and Hernandez.

I have been Team Locklear all the way but with Douglas on the team, I think the choice between Kocian and Locklear is irretrievably tipped in Kocian's favor as the fourth beam routine for prelims. I wish both could have been on the team though!

 

[coachmolly]

Nothing unexpected, except maybe Maggie not being an alternate. But she just isn't far enough along in her recovery, I cringed every time she landed. I hope she now gets the time to rest and fully recover so she can jump right in at Oklahoma and have a standout career there!

 

[cadybearsmommy]

The announcement kind of made me wonder why they even bothered to have a trials? . Maybe for the meet revenue? Haha.

So we're gonna take our 7th place AA girl over our 4, 5 and 6th place girls - cause she's good at bars, but then our second best bars girl (by .2) isn't on the team (maybe cause she fell on beam, but probably more because she never had a shot to begin with since she's not an AA-er (because Madison and Gabby also fell on beam and still made the team)).

Then Mikalya has an amazing night both nights but she's not on the team either - I'd personally feel a little "led on" if I was her. Maybe to a certain extent if I was Ashton too, but perhaps she knew all along that she was only there to earn the alternate spot. Who knows.

So happy for Laurie - I hope she gets to do AA in qualifications so she can get that 2nd US spot in the AA finals.

How many get to do AA in qualifications? I really hope Laurie is in it too, she proved herself this weekend, and unless something happens she deserves a chance to compete in that AA!

 

[IreneKa]

I agree with most of what you've said, Pineapple_Lump, but I can't see putting Gabby in as an all arounder over Aly. Surely Raisman earned that spot by going four for four both nights of nationals and trials. And I see no reason not to have three all arounders, so the logical choices look to be Biles, Raisman, and Hernandez.

She didn't mean Gabby would compete AA over Aly. But because only 4 are allowed to compete on each event in prelims, and we already have two - Madison and Gaby, then only 2 out of the remaining 3 will be able to do bars, thus AA. Simone is in of course, so only one more either Aly or Laurie will be able to do AA.
I don't necessarily agree that it will be decided based on bars performance though. Only 2 can qualify for event finals, and we already have two. So the last spot will be decided based on who has a better chance to do well at AA. And with this being Olympics, more pressure and all, I think Aly has more experience, so should be able to handle the pressure better. I like Laurie too, but I think they will go with Aly for AA.

 

[cadybearsmommy]

Maggie was not top three on anything (all the other alternates were top 3 on something) and has just came back from injury and does not look to be 100%, I am disappointed for her but for those reasons the decision makes sense, she needed more time, 2015 Maggie should have been on the team, but not 2016 Maggie . Ashton only does two events and could not step in elsewhere if an injury occurred after the competition started, that leaves the team having to put up less than ideal routines. Gabby is there because of bars her D score is similar to Ashton and she score well internationally. In the past Ashton has not got the scores she gets at home on bars in international competition. Gabby can also put up a decent vault and has a floor routine good enough for prelims.
I assume Marta will be locking the girls away at the ranch away from distraction and Gabby will straighten out without all the external influences currently dragging her gym down( I sure hope so). The team was chosen off national's as well, Gabby is a debatable choice but not ridiculous, its a team competition primarily and the team is chose based on what they can do for the team, not being the 4th or 5th best kid who is only useful for prelims on all events. I am not team Gabby (especially can't stand the family and their influence) and would rather see another gymnast who appeared to care a little more make the team, but I do not disagree with her selection.

The sad part about Gabby's selection is that it will potentially mean Aly is out of the AA as she is the weakest link on bars and may not compete in prelims on that event. I am not an Aly fan, but she has worked hard and done well for herself, it seems a shame that she may not get to fight for that spot with Simone, Laurie and Gabby (depending on their events) during prelims.

I didn't even think of that! I would be so sad to not see Aly compete AA! I would like to see Simone, Laurie and Aly for AA personally, it seems to me like they have earned it. Only two can qualify for AA finals though right? So essentially it would be up to the judges after that.

 

[wandrewsjr]

The performances at trials didn't change the choices for the team because every gymnast hit the events they needed to hit, their events that put them on the team. The top 3 AA going in hit well enough to still finish top 3. Gabby and Madison hit bars. Skinner hit vault. Reagan hit beam. Ashton hit bars. Every gymnast who finished top 3 on an event was chosen for the team or alternate. The trials didn't change the choices because everyone hit the events they needed to hit, and no one new put up a top 3 performance on anything that would put their name back into the discussion mix.

 

[munchkin3]

I am so happy for Madison. I've really liked her for a very long time, standing out to me as a great bar technician, but also really enjoying her artistry. Over the years of watching her, it's amazing to see her make the Olympic team. Seeing her face out there on the floor, so happy.

The highlight of the trials for me was seeing the battle between Madison and Ashton and how close it was. Insane! Also, I really loved seeing Laurie make the team, too. I live in New Jersey, and I had the opportunity to meet her at her gym not too long ago, and was able to talk to her for about 20 minutes. She had just finished working birthday parties, and I spoke with her and her mom. It was awesome. Now I can say I met an Olympian, and I have a Jersey girl to route for!!!

Yes, Madison did a great job and I think her floor is really beautiful....I'm so glad NBC let me watch it!
Maybe her difficulty isn't as high as some of the other girls but she is beautiful to watch........sometimes these girls get very flappy with their wings.....like they are trying to fly.

 

[Empowered]

They don't need to use Gabby on bars in team qualifying. They can use the three strongest AA plus the bar specialist most likely to qualify to finals (Madison).

That way the 2 AA spots are earned, not ordained by Martha. Then you use Gabby in team final on bars with Madi and Laurie.

Martha could also give the third AA spot to Gabby and bump Laurie (not Aly). I don't believe Gabby has earned a right to vie for the AA, but if Martha wants her to, she will.

After all it's Martha's world and we all just live in it

 

[profmom]

I see no reason not to go with three AA in qualifying and then put up the strongest bar sets in finals. It makes total sense to hedge one's bets in case someone has an uncharacteristically tough day in prelims; with three AAers, the US is almost certainly guaranteed two athletes in the AA final. Swap in Douglas for Raisman or even Biles in team finals if you think Biles needs the rest.

Speaking of which, I agree with earlier folks who've expressed concern about nine days of camp prior to the Olympics. I hope Martha will be judicious in whom she pushes and whom she rests.

Curious to see people's lineups. Here are mine, based on the assumption that the team remains the same:

QUALIFYING
Floor
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Douglas

Vault
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Douglas

Bars
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Kocian

Beam
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Kocian

TEAM FINALS
Vault
Biles, Raisman, Douglas

Bars
Douglas, Hernandez, Kocian

Beam
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman

Floor
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman

 

[profmom]

Oops, sorry, Empowered! Just to be clear -- I added my lineups on edit, so don't take this as an endorsement of my highly brilliant coaching strategy.

 

[coachmolly]

Depending on how things work out during training and who's looking best, Kocian could also do FX in prelims. On a good day her D-score is only around .1 lower than Gabby's and their E scores are pretty similar. So added flexibility for this particular line-up.

 

[wandrewsjr]

I see no reason not to go with three AA in qualifying and then put up the strongest bar sets in finals. It makes total sense to hedge one's bets in case someone has an uncharacteristically tough day in prelims; with three AAers, the US is almost certainly guaranteed two athletes in the AA final. Swap in Douglas for Raisman or even Biles in team finals if you think Biles needs the rest.

Speaking of which, I agree with earlier folks who've expressed concern about nine days of camp prior to the Olympics. I hope Martha will be judicious in whom she pushes and whom she rests.

Curious to see people's lineups. Here are mine, based on the assumption that the team remains the same:

QUALIFYING
Floor
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Douglas

Vault
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Douglas

Bars
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Kocian

Beam
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman, Kocian

TEAM FINALS
Vault
Biles, Raisman, Douglas

Bars
Douglas, Hernandez, Kocian

Beam
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman

Floor
Biles, Hernandez, Raisman

Because they take 24 gymnasts, and because of the 2 per country rule, the AA final is fairly easy to qualify for. Q score is usually in the 55ish range, which every USA girl at trials can do. Simone, Laurie or Aly could have several falls in qualifying and still make it, so no need to really hedge bets to make sure 2 get in the top 24, whoever went out of those 3 would be in top 24. Event finals are much harder to qualify for since only top 8 go, so Gabby and Madison are the only realistic chance at finals and medals on UB, the rest of the world is looking pretty strong on bars right now.

Really going to be a tough choice. Marta will not consider who deserves it more. Now that this is the team, it will be about what lineup of this team can bring home the most medals.