2021 US Women Gymnastics Post-Nationals 4th OLY Team Member Spot Poll

[haribobo]

This is certainly an interesting debate...

 

[just tuned in]

Can we wait until after Trials to decide? ;-)

Based on this meet, Shilese, I guess, would be the 4th team member because she has strong bars.

Alternates would be Emma and Leanne. Send Riley as a specialist for bars, or Grace as a specialist for beam.

 

[ilovesalchows]

What is the format for qualifying for the four member team? If all four don't get to do AA in quals, then it depends on who we are going with for AA. If Sunisa isn't doing AA then I'd take DiCello for floor. If Chiles isn't doing AA I'm not sure who we'd put up in prelims ahead of her anywhere. It doesn't really matter who they take, they could slot in anyone so might as well go with whichever of Wong/Malabuyo/McCallum looks the healthiest and most consistent.

 

[danafan]

Team qualifications will be 4-4-3. Every team member may compete on each event. Team finals will be 3 up 3 count.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

My first time ever coming to this section of the website. I have a question ... a couple years ago I was really loving Riley McCusker. She has fantastic lines. Then she seem to disappear at one event behind a curtain with her coach and never returned. Over the weekend I finally saw her again and she was competing uneven bars and looked fabulous. I know she’s in Arizona training with Jade Carey ....where has she been the past few years did I miss something?

Second question, the world championships where Morgan hurd won Ragan Smith injured herself at warm-ups. Then I never seem to ever see her ever again. She seemed to be the next big thing in gymnastics. Did that injury at the warm-ups at the worlds take her out of competition forever?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Also I despise this four member team. It’s so discouraging to be an athlete if you ask me. They used to have seven member team, now we’re just about a half of that. But I did hear at the next Olympics we’re going back to five. Correct?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

What is the format for qualifying for the four member team? If all four don't get to do AA in quals, then it depends on who we are going with for AA. If Sunisa isn't doing AA then I'd take DiCello for floor. If Chiles isn't doing AA I'm not sure who we'd put up in prelims ahead of her anywhere. It doesn't really matter who they take, they could slot in anyone so might as well go with whichever of Wong/Malabuyo/McCallum looks the healthiest and most consistent.

McCallum did not have a good nationals, do you expect her to be better at the trials?

I guess from the knowledge that I have and what I’ve seen. I would think the four member team would be Simone, Jordan, Suni and either Wong or McCallum.

I am curious to see what’s a fully loaded jade Carey floor routine will score though..

Dicello Does not seem impressive at the moment. Do you think Riley could make the other spot with Jade?

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

And how dang cool to see Mama competing. Her kids are adorable as well as her husband!

 

[ilovesalchows]

Ok, well in that case I'd choose Wong based on US champs. I like her style, not that it matters.

 

[skipaway]

Second question, the world championships where Morgan hurd won Ragan Smith injured herself at warm-ups. Then I never seem to ever see her ever again. She seemed to be the next big thing in gymnastics. Did that injury at the warm-ups at the worlds take her out of competition forever?

Ragan Smith is a collegiate gymnast at University of Oklahoma.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

So weird that this article puts the wording as “self-centeredness of Jade Carey” Or any other athlete. I mean if it was me yeah I want to be part of the Olympic team not going to compete on one thing.

If you ask me Jade Carey is not taking away an Olympic dream of anyone else ...it is the IOC or FIG gymnastics or whoever decided on a four member team

Kind of like in figure skating, get rid of the compulsory dance, then shorten the short program, then shorten the long program. Now only eight pairs in Grand Prix series, now Pairs is almost decimated at championship series. Pretty soon we’re gonna be left with a two member team and everything will be videotaped and sent in lol

Opinion: One spot has potential to cause big mess for US women's gymnastics team for Tokyo

Gymnast Jade Carey has clinched a spot for the Tokyo Olympics, but she's competing for a spot on the four-woman team, which has potential for chaos.

amp.usatoday.com

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ragan Smith is a collegiate gymnast at University of Oklahoma.

Yeah but what happened to her after she entered those worlds? was it in Belgium? Or Sweden? Where she got injured on the first day of training/practice and Morgan hurd ended up winning. She left that day in crutches and then I don’t think I ever saw her ever again at non college events ... I always wondered

 

[Coco]

Montreal

 

[Rob]

Second question, the world championships where Morgan hurd won Ragan Smith injured herself at warm-ups. Then I never seem to ever see her ever again. She seemed to be the next big thing in gymnastics. Did that injury at the warm-ups at the worlds take her out of competition forever?

Ragan was the traveling alternate at 2018 Worlds, then decided in 2019 to head to college and NCAAs at Oklahoma instead of deferring a year until after the 2020 Olympics. In hindsight, the deferral would have become 2 years and her body was not holding up so she seems to have made a good move.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ragan was the traveling alternate at 2018 Worlds, then decided in 2019 to head to college and NCAAs at Oklahoma instead of deferring a year until after the 2020 Olympics. In hindsight, the deferral would have become 2 years and her body was not holding up so she seems to have made a good move.

Thank you. So at the 2017 worlds where morgan won Ragan was the favorite until she injured herself on arrival, correct?

I just feel like I remember her at the16 Nats and Rio trials, and then I feel like it was going to be Ragans turn to shine the next year but she got sidelined with injuries?

And what about Riley? I feel like she was rising about 3 years ago too but then I didnt see her in recent years? Thanks.

 

[Rob]

Since Morgan won't get the 4th spot, I voted for Grace since she has experience and can stay on the apparatus. That is all we need.

Yes Ragan was the National Champion and favorite in 2017, placed 1st at Worlds prelims, hurt herself warming up for AA finals I believe. That injury lingered. I think Morgan made the team because she did well at camp and Valery Liukin liked her artistry. People questioned it because she was 6th at Nationals but the decision paid off. IRC, Riley was on the nominative roster for 2017 Worlds, but got injured before camp and had to withdraw - that put Ashton Locklear on the team. I don't recall which injury it was. She had various injuries, rhabdomyolysis (kept her off the 2019 World team), Maggie Haney trauma, stomach issues until she moved to Jade's dad. She still seems to be injury prone, but still delivered on bars. Since I would like to see someone bring the pretty, I would vote for her for the specialist spot.

 

[Aceon6]

For team balance alone, I’d pick Grace in the specialist spot. She and Jade train together and would be just fine left on their own for their roles.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

On Her Turf

Stay updated with the latest news, live coverage, and highlights in women's sports all in one place on NBC Sports.

onherturf.nbcsports.com

At the moment I agree with the article. I just don’t know who will take the fourth spot ....

Individuals I pick of course Jade Carey if she doesn’t make up the four member team and I’m gonna go with Riley McCusker on uneven bars.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

For team balance alone, I’d pick Grace in the specialist spot. She and Jade train together and would be just fine left on their own for their roles.

I have to see if Grace can improve by the trials otherwise I don’t think a spot is certain at all

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Since Morgan won't get the 4th spot, I voted for Grace since she has experience and can stay on the apparatus. That is all we need.

Yes Ragan was the National Champion and favorite in 2017, placed 1st at Worlds prelims, hurt herself warming up for AA finals I believe. That injury lingered. I think Morgan made the team because she did well at camp and Valery Liukin liked her artistry. People questioned it because she was 6th at Nationals but the decision paid off. IRC, Riley was on the nominative roster for 2017 Worlds, but got injured before camp and had to withdraw - that put Ashton Locklear on the team. I don't recall which injury it was. She had various injuries, rhabdomyolysis (kept her off the 2019 World team), Maggie Haney trauma, stomach issues until she moved to Jade's dad. She still seems to be injury prone, but still delivered on bars. Since I would like to see someone bring the pretty, I would vote for her for the specialist spot.

Oh yeah, whatever happened to Ashton. Man if you don’t follow women’s gymnastics on a monthly basis you miss out. Lol

 

[OlieRow]

McCallum did not have a good nationals, do you expect her to be better at the trials?

She's coming off surgery and looked improved from Classics to Championships. I'd think she's got more potential to improve between Championships and Trials than someone who hasn't had training hampered by surgery. I know everyone is probably dealing with nagging things but she had a pretty major setback.

Ok, well in that case I'd choose Wong based on US champs. I like her style, not that it matters.

I could watch her and Kara Eaker all day... They put the artistic in WAG.

So weird that this article puts the wording as “self-centeredness of Jade Carey” Or any other athlete. I mean if it was me yeah I want to be part of the Olympic team not going to compete on one thing.

If you ask me Jade Carey is not taking away an Olympic dream of anyone else ...it is the IOC or FIG gymnastics or whoever decided on a four member team

Kind of like in figure skating, get rid of the compulsory dance, then shorten the short program, then shorten the long program. Now only eight pairs in Grand Prix series, now Pairs is almost decimated at championship series. Pretty soon we’re gonna be left with a two member team and everything will be videotaped and sent in lol

Opinion: One spot has potential to cause big mess for US women's gymnastics team for Tokyo

Gymnast Jade Carey has clinched a spot for the Tokyo Olympics, but she's competing for a spot on the four-woman team, which has potential for chaos.

amp.usatoday.com

So if Jade hadn't gone the individual route, someone else from Team USA could have. Or USAG could have gotten a non-nominative spot at Pan Ams like they did with the men. By securing her spot this way, she prevented someone else/USAG from the opportunity to do the same. So yes, she would be taking away someone else's Olympic spot/dream.

 

[her grace]

I think Morgan made the [2017] team because she did well at camp and Valery Liukin liked her artistry. People questioned it because she was 6th at Nationals but the decision paid off.

Ironically, that decision contributes to Chiles now being the least experienced favorite for an Olympic team spot. She's never been on a world team even after finishing 2nd at 2017 nationals, and hasn't competed internationally since 2018.

I hope McCusker gets the specialist spot, and I'm rooting for McCallum at OT. I'd be fine with Wong, Malabuyo, or Jones, too. I don't really want Skinner to make it.

 

[alexikeguchi]

I hope McCusker gets the specialist spot, and I'm rooting for McCallum at OT. I'd be fine with Wong, Malabuyo, or Jones, too. I don't really want Skinner to make it.

I was really impressed with Shilese Jones's presence while attending the US Championships first night. She had more mistakes when I saw her than the second night, but she still had such a natural elegance in her carriage and movement. I would love for her to make the four person team, and then she could get her really cool 1.5 twisting double tuck named for her.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

She's coming off surgery and looked improved from Classics to Championships. I'd think she's got more potential to improve between Championships and Trials than someone who hasn't had training hampered by surgery. I know everyone is probably dealing with nagging things but she had a pretty major setback.




I could watch her and Kara Eaker all day... They put the artistic in WAG.




So if Jade hadn't gone the individual route, someone else from Team USA could have. Or USAG could have gotten a non-nominative spot at Pan Ams like they did with the men. By securing her spot this way, she prevented someone else/USAG from the opportunity to do the same. So yes, she would be taking away someone else's Olympic spot/dream.

But I don’t agree it’s because of the self-centeredness of anybody. I blame the higher ups for creating and cultivating these rules.

What most humans fail to understand in business and in life is if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You can tweak it but major overhauls are rarely ever needed if you ask me. But that’s my opinion.

And since only four people make the team which is beyond ridiculous heck yes I’m gonna secure the individual spot first then the team spot or whatever I can do. odds of making it to Tokyo are low, You work day in and day out, your entire life for this moment and I think the majority of people will try to secure whatever they can because you don’t know where the cards will fall in the end. Again I don’t blame any athlete.

 

[my little pony]

I am over this vote for skinner

 

[OlieRow]

But I don’t agree it’s because of the self-centeredness of anybody. I blame the higher ups for creating and cultivating these rules.

What most humans fail to understand in business and in life is if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. You can tweak it but major overhauls are rarely ever needed if you ask me. But that’s my opinion.

And since only four people make the team which is beyond ridiculous heck yes I’m gonna secure the individual spot first then the team spot or whatever I can do. odds of making it to Tokyo are low, You work day in and day out, your entire life for this moment and I think the majority of people will try to secure whatever they can because you don’t know where the cards will fall in the end. Again I don’t blame any athlete.

I didn't say she or her father were self centered but you can't have your cake and eat it too. I definitely blame the higher ups. They 100% should have made it clear that if you get a +1 nominative spot, you're out of the running for the 4 person team. I think the new rules were confusing and they came about when USAG had bigger things to worry about with Nassar and now we have the situation at hand.

I am over this vote for skinner

I know I'm biased as her form and personality offend me but she'd get 2 per country-d out of both the VT and FX EF's so a specialist spot is a waste. I don't think she adds anything in a team situation since she's not usable on UB/BB and with a 4 person team, I think some flexibility is beneficial. She's competing with Jade for a spot and that spot isn't up for grabs.

 

[Aceon6]

The whole thing screams ”media looking for clicks”. It’s Jade’s spot, period. If Jade does well on bars and/or beam at trials and the other gymnasts falter, yes, it potentially could shake up deliberations.

 

[Coco]

Another Shilese Jones fan here. LOL, my phone knows how to spell her name already.

 

[semillon27]

My first time ever coming to this section of the website. I have a question ... a couple years ago I was really loving Riley McCusker. She has fantastic lines. Then she seem to disappear at one event behind a curtain with her coach and never returned. Over the weekend I finally saw her again and she was competing uneven bars and looked fabulous. I know she’s in Arizona training with Jade Carey ....where has she been the past few years did I miss something?

At 2019 nationals Riley withdrew mid-competition and it came out that she had a "mild" case of rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscle breakdown and is attributed to overtraining. This article from around that time summarizes it pretty well.

Gymnast Riley McCusker to miss World Championships due to muscle ailment

McCusker, one of America’s top gymnasts, will miss the World Championships next month because of a muscle ailment frequently linked to overtraining.

www.ocregister.com

Sometime in late 2019 or early 2020, Riley moved to Arizona to train at Jade Carey's gym (at Jade's invitation). This was also around the time her former coach, Maggie Haney, was suspended for emotionally and verbally abusing gymnasts. Riley has since sued Haney and another coach from her former gym, Victoria Levine, for negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault.

Riley has since been thriving in Arizona but had an unfortunate injury to her ankle on vault at US Classic, so was limited to bars at nationals. She looked amazing on bars though. I think she has a good case to be the other +1 but I doubt she'll make the main team unless she's capable of the all-around at trials.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

At 2019 nationals Riley withdrew mid-competition and it came out that she had a "mild" case of rhabdomyolysis, which causes muscle breakdown and is attributed to overtraining. This article from around that time summarizes it pretty well.

Gymnast Riley McCusker to miss World Championships due to muscle ailment

McCusker, one of America’s top gymnasts, will miss the World Championships next month because of a muscle ailment frequently linked to overtraining.

www.ocregister.com

Sometime in late 2019 or early 2020, Riley moved to Arizona to train at Jade Carey's gym (at Jade's invitation). This was also around the time her former coach, Maggie Haney, was suspended for emotionally and verbally abusing gymnasts. Riley has since sued Haney and another coach from her former gym, Victoria Levine, for negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and assault.

Riley has since been thriving in Arizona but had an unfortunate injury to her ankle on vault at US Classic, so was limited to bars at nationals. She looked amazing on bars though. I think she has a good case to be the other +1 but I doubt she'll make the main team unless she's capable of the all-around at trials.

Holy Moly

Thank you for getting me back up to date and with such detailed information. Yes I remember her coach and I remember her on TV for like a five year period. But I have not seen her on TV anymore. So she was suspended? For verbal abuse? Oh my gosh I tell you if I unplug in gymnastics or figure skating for even one month I get so behind