2024 US Championships Results

The Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships is now over and only Olympic trials remains till the Olympic team is named and they are off to Paris! Let's take a look at the results of the competition and how USA Gymnastics is looking leading on an Olympic year.

Looking at total scores from both days of competition it is clear that vault is the highest scoring/strongest event for USA Gymnastics with an average of 27.22 (13.61 across both days) while beam is the weakest scoring event with an average of 25.88 (12.94). The bars and floor average was 26.13 (13.065), 26.05 (13.025) respectively. Simone Biles won all events at this competition which is absolutely remarkable, so all the high scores are from her. The highest high score is 30.80 on Vault, then 30.30 on Floor where she was a clear outlier compared to her competitors, to 29.60 on beam, and her lowest is 29.05 on bars. Now let's break down the competition by event.

All-Around

Average Score : 105.28 (52.64)

Highest Score : 119.75 from Simone Biles

Lowest Score : 94.2

Score for Top 25%: >108.575

The all-around scores reveal Simone Biles as a clear outlier with a 119.75 compared to the rest of the gymnasts (Figure 2 above). Skye Blakely didn't come to play either and is trying to solidify her name on the olympic team by coming in second with a 113.85.  Kayla DiCello reclaiming her placement on the podium after her benching college gymnastics to focus on elite again with a 110.80. The next 3 gymnasts, past olympians Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles along with new-comer Hezly Rivera, all close to that podium finish in the all-around with 110+ across both days as well.

Vault

Average: 27.22 (13.61)

Highest: 30.8 from Simone Biles

Lowest: 24.45

Score for Top 25%: >28.21

The Vault scores above are calculated based on the gymnasts first vault from both days of competition. In order to medal at the olympics gymnasts need to perform two vaults each from a different family within the rules. The gymnasts that performed two vaults at this competition in rank order are Simone Biles, Skye Blakely, Jade Carey Jordan Chiles, Leanne Wong, Joscelyn Roberson, Brynn Torry and Annalisa Milton. Now when we look at Figure 3 we can see that the 5 out of the top 6 vaulters all had two vaults so this probably isn't too much in consideration for the olympic team since almost any good vaulter for the team will also has two vaults for a potential event final at the Olympics.

Uneven Bars

Average: 26.13 (13.065)

Highest: 29.05 from Simone Biles

Lowest: 20.65

Score for Top 25%: >27.11

For uneven bars the top four from Figure 4 have separated themselves a bit from the rest of the gymnasts. Shilese Jones is out from this competition due to a shoulder injury in hopes to rest up and be strong enough for trials and the Olympics so our winner on bars is Simone Biles with a 29.05 (14.525 average). A surprising second place finisher is Jordan Chiles with a 29.00 (14.5 average) who made it a point that she almost outscored Simone on day 2 of competition which aired on the broadcast of the meet. Skye Blakely came in third with a 28.85 (14.425 average) and Sunisa Lee with a watered down bar routine came in 4th with a 28.80 (14.40 average). Fifth place is the upcoming senior cinderella story, Hezly Rivera, with a 27.95.

Balance Beam

Average: 25.88 (12.94)

Highest: 29.60 from Simone Biles

Lowest: 20.55

Score for Top 25%: >26.89

From Figure 5 above we can see a clear shouldering on beam for the top five athletes on the left hand side of the figure. After the top 5 the scores slowly taper off. Simone Biles yet again topped the podium, this time for her 29.60 (14.8 average) on balance beam. In second place Sunisa Lee again proved to be a solid beam competitor and a potential team member for team USA for balance beam with a 29.10 (14.55 average). Skye Blakely hit her beam routine both days for a bronze finish with 28.65 (14.325 average). The next four gymnasts, Hezly Rivera, Madray Johnson, Evelynn Lowe, Tiana Sumanasekera, in the balance beam rankings are younger competitors with less experience, but are all exciting and pleasant to watch on the balance beam and could be names to watch for the future of team USA.

Floor Exercise

Average: 26.05 (13.025)

Highest: 30.30 from Simone Biles

Lowest: 22.30

Score for Top 25%: >26.88

Simone Biles is yet again a clear outlier from every one else on floor with a massive 30.30 (15.15 average). She scored a massive 15.20. After Simone Biles the next highest score is 2.5 points lower at 27.80 (13.90 average) for Kayla DiCello. Tiana Sumanasekera again in the top 5 on floor finishing 3rd at this competition with a 27.50 (13.75 average). Joscelyn Roberson, Leanne Wong, and Jade Carey at 4th-6th with tied scores of 27.30.

Olympic Trials

The top five for all events are as follows:

Those that are going to Olympic Trials are: Simone Biles, Skye Blakely, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Kayla DiCello, Shilese Jones, Suni Lee, Kaliya Lincoln, Eveylynn Lowe, Zoey Molomo, Hezly Rivera, Joscelyn Roberson, Simone Rose, Tiana Sumanasekera, and Leanne Wong. Everyone of the top 5 athletes is going to trials except for Madray Johnson which is a little odd to exclude her and take Evelynn Lowe, Kaliya Lincoln, Zoey Molomo, Simone Rose who are not top 5 on any event. All of them scored better than Johnson in the all-around though, so clearly all-around is still top of the list to the selection committee. Now we will have to wait to see how these athletes perform at Olympic Trials and who is selected for Team USA for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Stay tuned for the next blog post to see who is in my top scoring teams after US Championships!