THE SUMMARY
As expected, two time World AA Champion Simone Biles, of Spring, Tex., proved to be the team leader, and served as the team's anchor on the vault, beam and floor events -- advancing to individual finals in all those events, as well as the all-around final.
Oklahoma Sooners gymnast Brenna Dowell, of Odessa, Mo., witnessed controversy of her own during the event — as her floor music wasn't responsive and didn't play. Not succumbing to adversity, Dowell simply carried on with her routine as usual, and tallied a 13.966 respectively. After a tough opening event, Dowell calmed both her's and her teams nerves when she opened the U.S.'s vault rotation with a strong DTY — to score a handsome 15.100. Handed the anchor spot in the bars line-up, Dowell was eager to finish her first Worlds campaign on a high — however, two rouge mistakes left the 19-year old with a sub-par performance. Fifth member and Oklahoma commit Margaret Nichols, of Little Canada, Minn., turned in a surpring floor routine in the opening rotation — advancing to the individual floor final. She returned strong with a huge amanar vault, scoring 15.666 — and rounded out her competition with a competent beam routine as well. Although she wasn't an all-arounder, Nichols could be made great use of in the Team Final competition. The final member of the team was WOGA standout Madison Kocian, of Dallas, Tex., who was used on both bars and beam events. A competent performer, Kocian was able to post USA's highest bars score of the competition, a 15.233 — which would seal her a place in the bars event final. Additionally, the 18-year old provided a solid beam set, scoring 14.000 exactly.
THE BOX SCORE
VAULT (ROT. 2) | BARS (ROT. 3) | BEAM (ROT. 4) |
FLOOR (ROT. 1)
B. Dowell - 13.966 (5.8)
M. Nichols - 14.700 (6.2)
A. Raisman - 14.533 (6.6)
S. Biles - 15.966 (6.9)
EVENT TOTAL: 59.599 (1)
RUNNING TOTAL: 59.599
THE ANALYSIS
However, it was a bittersweet competition for many gymnastics fans. Our biggest disappointment was Aly Raisman — who we expected to be a definite floor and all-around final lock. It is a huge loss to not have the 21-year old in the floor final, but she already possesses an Olympic title, and two World Championship finals in her resume. Hopefully, Raisman will come back strong for the Team Final; contributing to the team on floor! Another very unfortunate casualty of the day was fan favorite Brenna Dowell — who encountered a tough bars campaign; consisting of two unfortunate falls. Dowell has had an extremely busy program this year, having finished competing weekly for the Oklahoma Sooners gymnastics program in the NCAA in mid-April. After this, Dowell was able to come back for the USA Gymnastics elite season in mid-Summer and grab a National Team spot — as well as a Worlds spot — in outstanding fashion! Although she had a challenging day, there is no way that anyone can steal the outstanding credentials and bragging rights she has; just for making it to
this stage.
Another critcism the collective gymternet seemed to air was the fact that U.S. Team Co-ordinator, Marta Karolyi, wouldn't substitute Raisman for Maggie Nichols on the uneven bars — thus giving Nichols a chance at the all-around. Theoretically, Nichols would've only needed a 13.000 on bars to surpass Douglas' all-around arsenal (57.516) — certainly well within her reach! Although it is a shame that Nichols wasn't put into the bars line-up, Karolyi definitely put Raisman up with good intentions and we shouldn't besmirch Raisman on bars; despite the fall.
THE NEXT STEP
To follow the event, I suggest visting USA Gym Worlds (hosted by USA Gymnastics) — as they can inform you on all the latest in the U.S. camp at Worlds. In the mean time, why not participate in our poll below — asking whether you'd of subbed Raisman for Nichols on bars! (I love to play Devil's Advocate)