Strap on your seat belts and keep your hands & feet inside the bandwagon at all times.
I pre-apologize for any and all innacuracies, discrepancies and lackadasical remarks.
This is my attempt to recap an entire quadrennium of gymnastics. Some things will be brushed over while with other things that I personally care about will be disexcted in excruciating detail. Like the title of the blog says, this is SOMEWHAT relevant.
The 2009 American Cup
(SCAMerican Cup. Some athletes are scammed in favor of American Athletes. SCAMerica and America rhyme. It's cute) was the first major international event of 2009 and the biggest on American soil. With the 2009 edition of the SCAMerican Cup, brought the the sr. debut of Ms. Jordyn Wieber. Jordyn won the American Cup as a Junior, in a major international Senior competition at just 13 years old. She wasn't even old enough to compete but she did. Because she's a baller. Although she's a junior, I don't think that anyone was kind enough to tell her that. Jordyn competed with spark, flare and poise of a seasoned competitor.
(Why yes, that is Jo and Fabian Hambuchen of Germany.<333333333333333333333)
At the 2009 National Championship, first year Senior Rebecca Bross was the favorite to take the title, but untimately it was won by 2008 Olympian Bridget Sloan. I was happy to see Bridget do well because she was the most inexperienced member of the Beijing team and still had fire left in her. Rebecca was third All Around behing Ivana Hong and CHAMPION Bridget Sloan. On the Men's side, Jonathan Horton took his first national title. <3333333333
The team was composed of Bridget Sloan, Becca Bross, Ivana Hong and Kayla Williams. After the Al Fong situation, Ivana Hong switch gyms, to WOGA.
In all honesty, the World title was Becca's to win or lose. Despite a few mistakes from everyone, it looked as if Becca would be the World Champ. On her last event, (FX) she underrotated a pass and fell. This wasn't a disaster, but was also a disaster. Becca. Bross. had just conceeded a world title. What? Bridget Sloan was the new All Around World Champion, with Rebecca taking the Silver, with an additional bronze on the uneven bars. This marked the SECOND time that Becca lost an AA title to Bridget. Although happy for BSLOAN, I was still a little bite surprised. Ivana won bronze on the balance beam and Kayla Williams took the 1st ever American Vault GOLD medal. (: It was a successful trip.
I feel no need to get into the Men's championship. Except for Kohei Uchimura of Japan. Kohei took Silver in the All Around in the 2008 Olympics and won his first AA gold Medal in London. He's a machine. He does the kind of gymnastics that makes you sit up, pay attention and say "That shit cray." It's also executed with such presicion, that there's not much to critisize. Anyone with eyes can appreciate Uchi.
2010
Scam Cup. Worcester, Mass.
The American's represented at the 2010 SCAMerican Cup were Rebecca Bross and little 15 year old Aly Raisman. Aly Raisman is from Needham and trains with Alicia Sacramone at Brestyan's American Gymnastics. Apparently the Scam Cup is the American Sr. International coming out party because Aly cameout, she partied and she slayed. Aly's debut as a senior was SHOCKING because she had little experience at all. Her mental edge put her at the level of some of the most mature bosses in the gymnastics game. Remarkabley, Aly STUCK her Arabian double front dismount from the Balance Beam. This dismount is called a Patterson, named after 2004 Olympic Champion Carly Patterson, from the US of A. Raisman does it just as well, if not better than Carly. Becca, who ALSO does a Patterson, (well kinda. it's more like an arabian double squat. or an arabian double leg lock) is responsible for scariest thing I've seen in my life. But Aly's Patterson was- simply put- badass. ^^^^^^^^ (See above)The 2010 Covergirl Classic, a national qualifying meet wasn't much, except for the fact that it was AWESOME.
ASAC was bizack.
Alicia Sacramone came out of retirement after falling twice at the Olympic games. Oh and she was incredible. As always. I don't know about YA'LL, but I've forgiven her for the whole China thing.
Also, Mattie Larson was back too! She was only 16 in 2008, and competed at the trials. She did have a legit (although small) chance at making the team, but a broken bone in her foot prevented her from going balls out at the selection camp. Thus inhibiting the Olympics for Miss Mattie. </3 But that's okay. She came out with the fierce floor routine and a double layout to SLAY.
2010 nationals were won by Becca Bross and Jonathan Horton.
2010 Worlds in Rotterdam.
The women's took team silver, to Russia, and the men came in fourth.Rebecca Bross could have won the entire competiton, but a fall from the beaon looked as if it would prohibit her from winning anything.
Please IGNORE the horrid commentary in the background and appreciate her champion effort to save the mistake.
When I tell you Becca gave the competition a swift kick to the jaw, I mean it in the most sickening way possible. My girl Becca battled back to win the All Around bronze medal with the performance of a LIFETIME. Not to this day, have I seen Rebecca Bross perform with so much passion.The AA gold went to Russia's Aliya Mustafina (Ah-lee-ah Moo-STA-finn-ah) in a dominate and field slaying manor. I can't even imagine her inner reaction when Becca fell. Even if Rebecca didn't fall, Aliya probably would have won anyway.
Oh and when I said ASAC was BACK, I meant it and so did she. Alicia. Sacramone.
Girl.
Won the second EVER American Vault GOLD.
Now... Jonathan Horton won the All Around Bronze- behind Philip Boy of Germany and Kohei Uhimura of Japan. Kohei was the class of the field and no one else really had a chance. But that's irrelevant. 2 Consecutive World Titles are IRRELEVANT. (Actually they're not. But ANYWAY) JON HORTON. I exploded for a couple of minutes. Just laying down on the ground crying and screaming. NBD. He deserved it for all of his hard work first of all...but it was heart warming seeing him all proud and stuff after being ROBBED of a gold on high bar at the Olympics.
2011 Scamerican Cup
Well well well what have we here? The match up of the Century? Jordyn Wieber v. Mustafina?????????? I'M. ALL. IN.Jordyn won. As simple as that. Jo fell. Musty fell- the Wiebs prevailed. Sorrynotsorry. Jordyn's amanar>Musty's amanar. Musty's bars > Jordyn's bars. Jordyn's beam> Musty's beam. Jordyn's floor> Musty's floor.
My girl Aly Raisman won the 2011 Covergirl Classic.
Done.
Jordyn Wieber won the 2011 National Championship by like 4 points.
Done.
McKayla Maroney second and ALY RAISMAN third.
Done.
Alicia Sacramone still a straight baller.
Done.
Rebecca Bross, however, had a rocky first night of competition. The second night, she had a scary beam dismount. On her vault rotation, only moments later, she got virtually no block from the table, and twisted into the ground on her landing. Rebecca dislocated her knee cap. Please just note her COACH Valeri Liukin, standing there for 3-4 seconds while she continues to scream with pain. She wasn't ready for the double twisting yurchenko, and everyone knew it. It was on that day, my dear friends, that I lost respect for Valeri Liukin.
Danell Leyva won the national championship ahead of Jon Horton. I can't say that I'm disapointed because Dany clearly deserved to win, but alas, Jon finally found his succeeder.
WORLDS IN TOYKO.
PODIUM TRAINING Aly Raisman twisted her ankle and was like freaking out.
Not 10 minutes later did ASAC tear her achilles on floor.It was a BAD day for Brestyan's 'Merican Gymnastics. Well a bad 10 minutes. Aly was fine the next day, but ASAC had to hobble back to the United States for surgery.
Oh.
Snap.
Alicia was the emotional leader of this team, and huge contributor on 3 events, but who stepped up? None other than Ms. Aly, herself. Some of that Alicia magic obviously rubs off on you over 8 years of training
BECAUSE
This world championship was simply an embarrassment of riches for the United States.
Women's team gold, Men's team Bronze
Jordyn. Wieber. Wins. All. Around. Gold.
Aly Raisman 4th All Around even after a major mistake on bars.
Jordyn Wieber Balance Beam Bronze.
Aly Raisman Floor Bronze.
McKayla Maroney Vault GOLD. (THREE PEAT)
Danell Leyva Pbars GOLD.
I just... I can't even.
ALSO, KOHEI UCHIMURA ran away with the competition, and could have fallen 3 times and still won. An HISTORIC third all around world championship title in his home country no less. (GET IT KOHEI.) One more AA title to go before... oops I can't say it or it won't happen.
2012-
Jordyn and Danell won the SCAMerican Cup.Aly Raisman second.
John Orozco 5th.
That's about it... But wait. This SCAMerican cup isn't as it may seem.
Oh?
......................NOPE.
Since the SCAMerican Cup is a SCAMerican event, the United States of SCAMerica has the opportunity to add an extra athlete as exhibition, to gain valuable international experience. The men's alternate was Chris Brooks <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
The Women's alternate was Ms. Gabrielle Douglas, also on the World Championship GOLD medal winning team. Gabby had some shakey performances in the past, but the 2012 SCAMerican Cup truely was her coming out party. That's four, count em', FOUR coming out BASHES for the SCAMericas. Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber again and then Gabby Douglas. The alternates are scored by the exact same judges and standard as the official competitors, but their scores are not counted. Lady Douglas topped Jordyn Wieber by .3 of a point, in an OLYMPIC YEAR. It's a superstision/fact that the winner of the SCAMerican Cup in an Olympic year will go on to be the Olympic Champion.
Nadia Comenci, in the Inagural edition in 1976
Mary Lou Retton in 1984
Carly Patteron in 2004
Nastia Liukin in 2008.
These all became the SCAMerican Cup champions in an Olympic year, in Madison Square Garden.
One could argue for Gabby, and one could argue for Jordyn. Jordyn WON the SCAM cup, but Gabby had the highest score. It's not like you can just count Gabby's score after the competiton is over. Gabby had absolutely no pressure on her, and was only there to chill and have fun. This is an EXACT quote from ME that I put on the "Should gabrielle douglas have won american cup" video. It's also the top comment. HOLLER.
"As an alternate, Gabby's goal was to get more experience and score as high as she possibly could. Jordan Wieber won fair and square. It wouldn't have been ethical to count Gabby's scores as opposed to say Aly Raisman's scores after the American cup was over. In my opinion, Gabby did EXACTLY as she was supposed to do. She came, she scored the highest and she put her name in contention for the Olympics."
Aly Raisman won the Covergirl Classic for the second time in a row. I would be lying to you if I said that I didn't cry tears of joy.
And please get into the girl on the botton right Kennedy Baker. Ms. Baker's never gotten .1 seconds of airtime EVER, even though she placed third. It's a damn shame because Kennedy Baker is my shit.
The Secret (WEIRD...Covergirl and now Secret? Covergirl was only an acceptable sponsorship name because it kind of flowed but Secret Classic? It was livestreamed so nice try...it wasn't a Secret) Classic also brought the comeback of Ms. Hotpink.
That's right bitches.
Nastia Liukin.
Nastia only competed one event, the balance beam, and it was actually very good. It was her comeback, and she legit came back. In my mind the Olympic team was going to be Jordyn, Aly, Gabby, McKayla Maroney and if Nastia could get her shit together on bars, she'd be Ms. #5. If not, Kyla Ross.
Now...the Chellsie Memmel debackle... ya'll can jut google because I am visibly more than upset even thinking about it. Bye.
2012 Nationals-
Jordyn won AGAIN (TEAM WIEBER) .1 of a point ahead of the Lady Douglas. While I love Gabby D--- more than you could ever understand, Jordyn does a spectacular job showing who's boss. After tying with Gabby night one, Jordyn prevailed at #1 by the end of competition. That's 2 in a row.
Shawn Johnson bowed out of Nats Paul&Morgan Hamm style (a few days before the competiton) and announced her gymnastics retirement. Ily even though at this point, I agree with a lot of people that you're a tad media hungry.
Nasita Liukin-
Is it bad that I laughed?(Cute layout flyaway.) In all honestly, she shouldn't have gone to trials if Chellsie couldn't go to nationals, just on principle. But, alas, I hoped that she would grab this politically fueled opportunity by the horns and do well at trials. It was just depressing to see the Olympic All Around Champion being held to a LOWER standard that everyone else.
Day two training for Nationals, McKayla Maroney overrotated her 3.5 twist on floor and backplanted, causing a concussion- her hand came down on her face as she fell, fracturing her nose. On the way to the hospital, her parents sent in a petition for the national team which was granted, so Mackaroney was on the national team and going to the Olympic trials, if able to compete.
Also- Aly Raisman won the NATIONAL title on Beam and Floor. WHAT.
Men's nationals were exciting a drama filled too though, don't worry. John Orozco edged out Danell Leyva by .05. BUT the real story is Sam Mikulak. Other than the fact that he's a California King GOD, he's also sickening at gymnastics. Basically what I'm trying to say that while he's probably among the most good looking people in the entire country, no lie, but I'd still love him if he were ugly. Even though he's not.
I had loved Sam since the come up days in the jr. rankings. He and Orozco competed at Sr nats, when they were juniors at like 16 or 17 and I was just too happy for words. Sam won the NCAA AA title for Michigan as a freshman in 2011. Last year, he was poised to make the World Team, until the Puerto Rico Cup. Sam broke both of his ankles on his first event and KEPT COMPETING. But, couldn't compete at 2011 nationals or go to Worlds. He came back in 2012 to place second at the Big 10 conference champions and win the NCAA title on high bar along with second in the AA, behing Jake Dalton. At 2012 Nationals, Sam placed third. I WAS SO HAPPY. HE was the gymnast that the USA had needed for the longest time. GREAT All Arounder and good on Pommel Horse. (with a slight weakness on rings. Leyva's not immaculate on rings either.) After placing 3rd at Visas, in my opinion he'd all but made the team. Unless he died or something (knocking on wood so hard that it breaks) they wouldn't leave him off of the team.
Following nationals, the team in my head was Danell, John Orozco, Sam Mikulak, John Horton and Jake Dalton. Alternates being Steve Legendre, Chris Brooks and Pommel Horse specialist Alex Naddour. Steve had a rough 2 days and brought the same things to the table as JD. Well kind of. Steve is great on floor and vault, and high bar as well, but had mistakes everywhere. JD (Jake Dalton of course) is team final worthy on Vault, High Bar, P-Bars, Floor and Rings. And event final material on Floor and Vault.
Chris Brooks trains with Jon at Cypress Academy in Houston Texas, was a little bit rocky, and his strengths were covered. If for some reason Jon couldn't compete, in comes Brooksie. Alex Naddour is great on Pommel horse but not so great AA. 1st in the country on the horse, why yes, but that's about it. He could probably make a 6 member, vs 5 member team and did (2011 Worlds). 5 members, it's just not happening. Uncle Tim Talks Men's Gym pointed out http://uncletimtalksmensgym.blogspot.com/2012/07/choosing-team-usa.html (get into his blog) that the US is actually not as weak on the Phorse. I guess I didn't realize that Leyva, Orozo and Mikuak are 2-3-4 in the country on that event.
After the Nasti-asco, my WAG team was Jo, Aly, Dougieeee, Kyla Ross and Mack Maroney, if she was healthy. My alternates were Alicia Sacramone, Bridget Sloan and Sarah Finnegan.
Olympic Trials In San Jose
Well Dany topped Orozco but both locked in their positions for London after the final day of competition. Woo hoo. the Remaining three members were to be decided by a point system/selection committee. The standings after day one were Leyva, Orozco, Mikulak, Dalton, Horton. (#DreamTeam). Sam Mikulak actually topped trials night one but scores were carried over from nationals and then added to trials scores, so he was chilling in third, comfortably.
Day. 2.
Now since I follow the "gymternet," I knew EXACTLY what was going on. Only, 11 year old girls everywhere were confused on baffled by the lack of Sam Mikulak. WHERE WAS THE GOLDEN GOD OF GYM (GGG or G TIMES THREE)? He was just chilling. LITERALLY sitting on chair. Sam sprained his ankle on vault night one so only competed on the pommel horse. It really was a smart move on his/his coaches/his parent's part to play it safe by competing on one event, where he'd obviously be used, and where we lack, that wouldn't do any damage to hit ankles. My hats off to Sam. But, while I knew what was going on, I still didn't appreciate that the trio over at NBC sat up their omitted Mikulak in the broadcast until the 5th of 6th roations. He performed well despite sitting through 5 rotations making himself nervous and not being warmed up at all. If you can hit a Pommel Horse routine cold turkey- resspeeeeccccttt.
My friends, it was on Sunday July 1st, at 1pm Eastern I GOT MY LIFE. The team was flawless first of all.
This is how I wanted the team to look: Leyva, Orozco, Mikulak, Horton, Dalton. Alternates Steve Legendre, Brooks and Naddour
This is how the team actually looked: Leyva, Orozco, Mikulak, Horton, Dalton. Alternates Steve Legendre, Brooks and Naddour
It's kind of amazing to think that Jon, Chris, Steve, Jake and Alex all went/go to Oklahoma (BOOMER SOONER)- obvious speaking volumes to the strength of the Oklahoma program. More remarkable is that 6/8 of the men are apart of the NCAA athletic program. Although Sam is the lone Wolverine, from Michigan (mascot joke), it's still an amazing feat. Full time college students can ALSO be Olympians.
femalez.
BRIDGET SLOOOAAAN. BSloan was the first cookie to crumble.During podium training Bridget sprained her elbow when she fell off bars. This ended her elite career, unfortunately, but Bridget is about to do some SERIOUS work at the University of Florida with the Gators gymnastics program. (CHOMP)
Gabby won trials and secured and automatic bid to the games after playing cat and mouse with JoWiebs.
Now- you see--- an automatic bid to the games doesn't mean much. It's GREAT because it means that she won Olympic Trials and is an Olympian, also an AA favorite along with Jo. But, Gabby was an Olympian anyway and would have been officially announced as such not even 6 minutes later- had she not won. I'd be saying the same thing, had Jordyn won. It really only works if there is A.) A selection camp- like in 2008 and 2004. This year, the competitions started end of July so there was no time for a Selection Camp. It'd just be nice to know that all you need to do is perfect yourself, no prove youself AGAIN. Or B.) Someone goes all David Sender and places 1st at a competition out of nowhere.
The team was obvious, besides the McKayla Maroney situation. Would they take Mackaroney, or EBEE (Elizabeth...but EBEE) Price, who placed 5th at Nationals but NBC didn't give 2 craps about EBEE then. Oh, now trials, EBEE shut it down and made her coaches cry. NBC was ALL over Bill Strauss' aging tearful face. The girl placed 4th. She's hella good on vault and amazingly powerful on floor. Solid beam and solid bars. Mackattack had 2 otherworldly vaults, a great floor routine and some struggles on bars and beam. Although usable on all events, McKayla's inconsistencies were kind of a problem. But folks, she had a CONCUSSION. Even a recently nonconcussed Mack could still hit a gold medal worthy Mustafina and Amanar vaults and a fierce as hell Floor. She could be used on every event in a clutch but other than that- her beam and bar scores were irrelevant.
Oh now...Nastia Liukin.
Rumor had it from NBC commentator/musketeer Elfi Shlegal that she'd seen the infamous Liukin's bar routine start to finish. I won't even talk about beam because her beam routines were good. I'm only getting into bars.
Liukin came out the first night of competition and almost did a very nice job. I saw almost, because at the end of her routine came disastahhh. Bandwagon gym fans everywhere crapped their pants when the Olympic All Around Champion fell flat on her back doing not even a double front half out (planned dismount), but only a double front. Although she does have an intricate and tiring routine, falling on 1/2 of your routines in unacceptable unless you're McKayla Maroney. Mack was coming off a concussion and is a lock (KNOCK ON WOOD) for vault gold. I don't blame her for being tired and falling after only training bars for like a MONTH. I blame her for training bars for like a MONTH.
My team remained the same as at Nationals.
Yet, Nastia was the second cookie to crumble.
Becca. Bross.
Rebecca shouldn't have been at trials. Actually, she's never competed at 100%, I don't think. She's always been injured. Bars the girl had 3 falls- Her first fall, was bad. Her second fall was SCARY. Beckey landed right on her knee and the third fall was just sad, and then she scratched the rest of her routine. Three. falls. But kudos to Valeri for doing barely anything.
So by the end of trials, even though Alicia did what no other thought she could do, she wasn't on my team as an alternate. She just didn't fit in and wasn't needed. (FOR. GYMNASTICS. Her leadership is unmatched and only person that's lead the girls like she has is Aly.) Sarah Finnegan was a locked alternate, even though I love her, and her floor and beam are both amazing. People were sitting up there talking about Finney over Kyla Ross but it's comparing ... apples to apples but like a pink lady to a granny smith. Both are good, but differ from one another. Kyla is a beam and bars girl, who did AA, who matched up to Nastia, if she could hit well- and Finney was best on Beam and Floor. This matches her up the closest with Aly Raisman. No one was leaving Aly off of the team. Finney didn't have the difficultly, or the experience, but had the ability, the talent and could be used on any event if needed. Hence- alternate. The last alternate position went to Anna Li, in my opinion. Her bars are sickening.
CASE DISMISSED
It's kind of incredible that the team is Jordyn, Aly, Kyla, Mack and Gabby with the alternates being EBEE, Sarah and Anna. There was also talk that ASAC may have been asked to be an alternate, but declined. I'd buy that, because it's probably true
A message to all of you little Twitter trolls and bandwagon fans out there- Shawn and Nastia =/= gymnastics. Shawn and Nastia=/= Team Gold. Shawn and Nastia = Great Gymnasts in American and International gymnastics history. If I hear/read even one more "USA is DOOMED without Shawn and Nastia." the perpetrator sitting on top of the THROWN of lies will be swiftly roundhouse kicked in the skull. USA Gymnastics would have been incredibly stupid to not have taken them 4 years ago, or if they were at their peak today, but neither are at Olympic level. ALSO GUESS WHAT TEAM MEDAL THEY HAVE? SILVER. Shawn bowed out before the games even started. THAT WAS HER CHOICE. Nastia was no where near Olympic level due to crunch time training. She trained for only a few months. ALSO HER CHOICE. People sit up in their computers saying that USA gymnastics will never prosper and Shawn was the only AA hope and they make me SMH uncontrollably. RIDDLE ME THIS---
Were Shawn and Nastia a part of the Mag7 in 1996? Did they win gold in Atlanta? HMM? Were they apart of the 2003 gold medal winning world team in Anaheim? NOPE. They did, however, contribute to the team gold in 2007, and Shawn was also the AA champ. Also contributed in Beijing. BUT OH. LOL who's the AA champ right now?
It's Jordyn. Marie. Wieber. And WHO contributed to the success of the team in Tokyo? That would be Jordyn, McKayla, Sabrina, Aly, Alicia, Anna and Gabby. As much as Nastia would like to make you believe that her pep talks= team gold, it's just not a thing.
Now if Shawn and Nastia WERE in fact part of the MAG7, SHOW ME THAT CAR FAX and I will respectfully sit down. Although, they would have been ineligable for the games due to FIG age restrictions, so their gold medals would be null and void. COURT DISMISSED BRING IN THE DANCIN LOBSTAHS bye.
All photos+videos+ belong to the owners, and not be. No copyright infrigement intended. (:
USA's sending two STRONG teams, about to do some serious work and hopefully collect a medal here or there. Also, in my book, Olympic alternates ARE actual Olympians. They may not be competing but trained just as hard as everyone else. It's so nice to see that this quad, the alternates are being appreciated for the accomplishments they've made.
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