Leyva, Orozco, Horton

Danell and John are confirmed as Olympians. The rest of the team to be announced Sunday 9pm ET just prior to the Women’s Day 2 Olympic Trial.

@USAGym:

Orozco and Leyva have locked their spots to the 2012 Olympic Games in London with top 2 AA finishes, and 3 top 3 event finishes!

Congratulations.

FINAL RANKINGS!
1 Danell Leyva 368.350
2 John Orozco 367.400
3 Jonathan Horton 361.500
4 Jacob Dalton 358.350
4 Chris Brooks 358.350

6 Paul Ruggeri 352.800
7 C.J. Maestas 351.750
8 Steven Legendre 351.100
9 Brandon Wynn 348.800
9 Glen Ishino 348.800
11 Alexander Naddour 348.100
12 Alex Buscaglia 347.500
13 Joshua Dixon 345.350
14 David Sender 342.450
15 Sam Mikulak 289.050

My takeaways from the competition:

• USA has depth

• many of the best guys are young, and still improving

• Uchimura can sleep soundly. Leyva and Orzoco have some weaknesses that will, ultimately, prevent them from challenging him for the Olympic AA. Both are too young for serious Ring strength. Danell’s Vault is very, very average. John’s tumbling still very weak after his injury. John has the style and form to challenge Kohei. I’m not quite as impressed with Danell. Both could challenge him, perhaps the greatest ever, in a “stick” competition.

John’s Vault tonight was stuck right on the centre line.

• with Leyva, Orozco, Horton in the 3-up, 3-count Team Final, USA does not have all that many holes to fill.

What about Naddour for Pommels (Horton) and even Rings (Leyva, Orozco) if anything were to go wrong with the top 3?

Finally, the most consistent AA. Dalton, I assume.

If not, Dalton and Brooks. And take your chances on Pommels.

Many will argue for Sam Mikulak as the alternate. His ankle injury, however, might push him to alternate alternate. Sam competed only Pommel Horse — HIT, but with that weird Scissor combo.

They could go with almost any of the proposed line-ups and be the favourite for Bronze. Challenge China for Silver.

• Horton used to terrify me. As a College gymnast I’d assume he’d miss in competition. Despite problems over the last few meets, I continue to be impressed with his patience. his maturity. USA has to pick him next.

• the judges should be embarrassed. Scores were way high, especially on Rings and Pommels. Sometimes 1.0 higher than the same routine would score in London.

Why is USAG doing this?

As usual, there’s not much range between a GREAT routine and … the rest. Not much reward for doing GREAT gymnastics. It rewards those gymnasts who do the easiest, cheapest value parts to get to a high start scores.

• competitors tried to do the AA. Why? … It was not good to see some of the specialists on their weak apparatus.

• one of my favourite American gymnasts all-time had a sad end to his career. Too little, too late for David Sender. That’s a shame.

• Paul Hamm was very warmly received by the knowledgeable audience. Mary Lou looked great. She could compete right now.

• the infamous reputation for poor American toe point is exacerbated by white socks and coloured longs. Perhaps team USA should go back to retro white.

• John Macready was in fine form tonight. Very entertaining.

• Vault is very strong for the USA. But not Horton or Leyva. A good argument to take Brooks & Dalton, not a Pommels or Rings specialist.

Leave a comment if you feel obliged to disabuse me. 🙂