Simone Biles kept her dominant run going, taking the all-around title at the US Women's Gymnastics Olympic Trials to claim her spot on the Olympic Team along with 2012 Olympians Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas and newcomers Laurie Herandez and Madison Kocian. Joining the US Women's Gymnastics Olympic Team in Rio is bars national champion Ashton Locklear, 2015 world team gold medal winner MyKayla Skinner, and Ragan Smith.
Biles claims guaranteed spot with all-around title
After a very solid but sub-par night for Biles' high expectations, the three-time world all-around champion came into night two with only a one point lead over upstart Laurie Herandez. Biles began her quest for a first Olympic team selection on arguably her best event, the floor exercise, where she owns three consecutive world gold medals. With her Rio-themed floor music, Biles all-but sealed her spot on the famous beaches of Rio with an impressive 15.550 to begin her competition.
The four-time reigning national champion then went to vault, where perfection was almost achieved with only one-tenth in deductions on her incredibly difficult amanar to score an immaculate 16.200. With her two best events behind her, the 19-year-old carried her momentum onto the uneven bars, scoring a very solid 14.900 on what is by far her weakest event.
Biles looked to finish off her competition in style and make her already locked up spot on the Olympic team official with a stuck beam routine. Unfortunately, the two-time world beam champion suffered an extremely uncharacteristic and shocking fall of the four-inch wide beam, resulting in a slightly lower 14.750 to round out her night. Despite not looking her usually flawless self, Biles was still good enough to win the meet with an all-around score of 123.250 over two nights and seal the all-around title to take the one guaranteed spot on the US Olympic Team headed to Rio.
Laurie Hernandez caps off incredible 2016 with Olympic selection
After an incredible 2016 which saw her burst onto the senior-elite scene with incredible performances throughout the Olympic trials process, 16-year-old Laurie Hernandez will be joining Biles in Rio after a second place finish here in San Jose. Hernandez, who took home the bronze medal in the all-around at the national championships in St. Louis, began strongly, putting up a very good 15.150 on vault. Hernandez then moved to one of her stronger events, uneven bars, where this year's national bars bronze medalist scored another very solid score in a 14.750.
The P&G Championships standout then went to balance beam, where the confidence from her gold medal at the Jesolo Trophy helped lead her to an incredible 15.700 with a beautiful routine throughout. With a trip to Rio all but a formality, Hernandez delivered an incredibly lively and entertaining floor routine to round out her competition with a solid 14.700. With a breakout 2016 propelling her to new heights, it was inevitable that Hernandez's rise would result in a first Olympic selection for the 16-year-old.
Aly Raisman places third to return to second Olympic games
After a golden trip to the London 2012 Olympic Games resulting in gold medals in the team competition and on floor exercise and a bronze medal on the balance beam, Aly Raisman proved her greatness and fortitude once again with a return to the Olympic games in her sights. One of the hardest things to do in all of sport, Raisman completed her comeback with a second Olympic selection, giving herself the chance to claim that coveted all-around medal.
Raisman began on vault, showing off her very tricky amanar to score an impressive 15.200. The three-time Olympic medalist then went to what is by far her weakest event, the uneven bars, surviving to score a solid 14.300. The London 2012 beam bronze medalist then went to the balance beam, putting together a very solid routine for an impressive 15.250. Raisman then closed out a second Olympic selection on the floor exercise, scoring another impressive score with a 15.050 to lock up her spot on the team and most likely give herself the chance to go after an all-around medal in Rio as well.
Gabby Douglas survives falls and Madison Kocian rocks bars to punch tickets to Rio
The final two members of the US Olympic Team going to Rio is reigning Olympic all-around gold medalist Gabby Douglas and reigning world uneven bars champion Madison Kocian. Douglas, who survived falls on beam on both nights of competition scored a 117.450 overall in her disappointing seventh place finish while Kocian, primarily a bars specialist, placed eighth with a 117.050 over two nights of competition.
Locklear, Skinner, and Smith named Olympic team alternates
Reigning uneven bars national champion Ashton Locklear, 2015 world vault bronze medalist MyKayla Skinner, and newcomer Ragan Smith were named the three alternates going to Rio. An alternate can step in if one of the five team members goes down ill or injured and the three alternates will train with the US Olympic Team in Rio as well.