2015 Junior US Classics Recap

While watching the Junior division of the 2015 Secret US Classic, one thought kept popping into my head; "I would hate to be in Marta Karolyi's shoes next year."  With more depth in both the senior and junior ranks, figuring out who will be in Rio next summer appears to be an impossible task.  In addition to those born in 2000 who will be vying for a spot for the Olympic Team next year, those whose turn does not come for 5 years are already looking strong.  I've highlighted some athletes who impressed me in Chicago.  Watching the juniors compete, it became clear to me that the United States dominance will continue pass Rio.

Laurie Hernandez

USA Gymnastics

The Secret Classic All Around Champion impressed me tremendously.  In her first competition in a year and a half after a string of injuries.  I was really impressed with her bars, where her intricate combinations and high flying releases lead the field.  While she has always been strong on bars (as has teammate Jazmyn Foberg), you can tell there was a lot of time spent on this event while her knee healed.  While this year's floor routine was not my favorite, it goes with the music well, and Laurie performs it so well, as is the Laurie Hernandez trademark.  Look for Laurie to continue upgrading as she makes a push towards next summer's Olympics.





Ragan Smith
It is no secret that I have been a fan of Ragan's for a while, and I think she put on a strong showing in

Lloyd Smith

Chicago.  Her vault is dynamic and powerful, and an Amanar is not impossible for next year.  Her beam came with some wobbles, which probably cost Ragan the gold, but her beam has potential to be amazing and room for upgrades.  Her floor, however, blew me away.  Her tumbling was huge, the choreography matched the music, and you could tell she loved performing it.  I'm excited to see the plan Kim Zmeskal-Burdette has for Ragan in the next year.

Deanne Soza

Inside Gymnastics

I had never paid to much attention to Deanne in the past year, she was always the gymnast with an Ezhova to me, but this year I made sure to pay attention to her, and I've completely changed my attitude!  Even coming off missed training time due to an illness that almost left her blind, Deanne's bars are easily one of my favorite pieces of gymnastics in the entire competition.  If she can control her catch on the Ezhova she will be raking in the gold medals on uneven bars soon!  Her beam is elegant and I can see her factoring in as a two event specialist next quad, especially with the 4+2 rule going into effect.




Maile O'Keefe

Gymnastics Wiki

Maile O'Keefe, who doesn't become a senior until 2018, really impressed me on beam.  Despite a fall on her side aerial- layout stepout combination (which will be awesome when she can hit it!), she looked confident, had fluid movement, and great routine composition.  I'm excited to see Maile grow even more in the next 3 years.

Storylines at the 2015 Secret Classic

With the 2015 Secret Classic just a week away, most gym fans are excited for the start of the 2015 elite season.  This year's field is the strongest group of senior competitors this quadrennium, making the road to the Olympics next year all the more exciting.  Headlined by 9 time World Medallist, Simone Biles, the remainder of the field does not disappoint.

While who will be competing All Around and who won't be is still undetermined, it is known that Simone Biles will.  In addition to debuting her new floor routine next weekend, Biles is looking to retain her All Around title from a year ago.  If Biles is on, like she is more often than not these days, it will be very hard for anyone to beat her.  Biles looks to keep her 2 year All Around Gold Medal Streak alive, which dates back to the 2013 P&G's National Championships, next weekend in Chicago.

After a strong first showing at the Jesolo Trophy in April, placing third and fourth respectively, Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas will be making their long awaited domestic debut since coming off of a combined 5 medal showing at the 2012 Olympic Games.  Both had impressive returns in Italy, and both are looking to make a splash on this year's World team.

Also returning is 2011 World Championships Gold Medalist Sabrina Vega.  After not making the 2012 Olympic Team, a gym change, and 3 years of injuries, Vega is competing for the first time since the 2012 Olympic Trials.  Her most recent injury required surgery this spring, knocking her out of the All Around in Chicago.  Nonetheless, many gym fans are excited to see her return to competition.

USA Today

5 of the 6 members of the Gold Medal winning team from the 2014 World Championships will be in attendance.  In addition Biles, Alyssa Baumann, Madison Kocian, Ashton Locklear, and Mykayla Skinner are making the first step towards making their second World Championship Team.  The only team member missing is Maddie Desch, who just finished cleaning up at the Pan American Championships.  Not much is known about any of these four, as Locklear had surgery in the spring, and Kocian is reported as having an injury.  It will be interesting to see these five rotate next weekend in Chicago.

Another athlete to keep an eye on is Maggie Nichols, who is back from her knee injury of last year and better than ever.  Nichols is upgraded on every event, and is regularly placing in the top group of athletes at verification.  Look for Nichols to fight for a podium finish next weekend.

John Cheng

After an injury forced the 2013 Junior National Champion to sit out the 2014 season, Bailie Key is Nia Dennis.  After leaving her longtime coach and gym last week, Dennis has little adjustment time with her new coaches before competing next week.  While the effects of Dennis' new coaching at Legacy Elite won't be clear in just two weeks, it will be an interesting long term storyline.
back looking to recreate some of the success she had in 2013.  Combined with a strong showing in Jesolo, Key is looking to solidify her status as the US' number two All Arounder.  Key is leading the field of talented first year seniors, followed by

The 2015 Secret Classic will be on Universal Sports on Saturday, July 25 at 7:00 PM EST.