By Melissa Carwin
For the first time in the history of the WAG program, USAG decided to livestream the world selection competition which was a favorable decision allowing for transparency and accountability among the selection committee judges this year. Named to the team: Riley McCusker AA:57.25, Grace McCallum AA:55:40, Simone Biles AA:59.70, Kara Eaker AA: 55.00, Ragan Smith AA:55.050, Morgan Hurd AA:55:250.
The competition began with a beautiful routine by Riley McCusker on bars who scored the highest on the event for the day with a solid 14.950. Her bars are fluid with beautiful lines. Biles hit her set with a score of 14.750 just two tenths behind McCusker. Third was Schennikova with a really nice routine and hit dismount scoring a 14.60. Unfortunately for her, this wasn’t enough to be named to the team this year.
Up next was Kara Eaker’s absolutely stellar beam routine. Scoring the highest on this event of the day with a well deserved 15.15. She almost floats across the beam. McCusker displayed her usual elegance and long lines for a score of 14.10. Rounding out third place was Smith with a 13.95 where she is coming back from injury and is sure to improve on one of her highest scoring events as she reaches closer to competition at Worlds.
Floor was well performed by all athletes at camp. Top three were Biles scoring a huge 15.10 even with an out of bounds. Her tumbling is outrageous in a good way. McCallum was second with a 14.30 and McCusker was third with a 13.85. McCusker upgraded to a piked full-in which was great to see today. Smith wasn’t far behind with a 13.65 with two OOB deductions which she can easily correct by worlds competition.
Vault solicited the major Jaw-Drop of the day. Simone Biles scored a 16.0 with a round off onto the board and a half turn onto the table with an extra half twist for a total of two twists so she lands facing away from the vault. If Biles competes this vault and takes it to her feet at Worlds 2018, it will be officially named after her, the Biles. Second and third spots were taken by Jones 14.75 and Chiles 14.70. Unfortunately again, USA is so deep that neither of these women was named to the team this year.
A bit surprising was Morgan Hurd’s showing on this day. As the reigning World Champion 2017, the bar is set high for her. Her performance was consistent but relatively lackluster. She clearly made the team and will look to peak as practices for Worlds 2018 continue. Her AA score placed her 4th just barely above Smith and Eaker, respectively.
An alternate has not yet been named as all six women will travel to Doha together, practice together, and wait together, until the day of competition to learn which 5 women will be performing for USA WAG Worlds 2018.
Photo: USA Gymnastics
