2012 Olympian Sam Mikulak claimed a fourth consecutive national title with a dominant performance at the P&G Men's Gymnastics Championships in Hartford with a huge 181.500 all-around. Behind Mikulak on the podium was last year's bronze medalist Chris Brooks in second with a 179.850 and in third 2014 world vault bronze medalist Jake Dalton with a 179.000.
Mikulak takes fourth consecutive national title
After finishing second on night one of competition in Hartford, Mikulak went to work, showing the consistency on all six events that makes him a legitimate medal contender in the all-around at the Olympics. Mikulak began his second night of competition on the parallel bars, where Mikulak is a two-time national champion. The 2012 Olympian put up a solid 15.450 on night one followed by an even better 15.550 on night two to receive a silver medal. The defending national champion then went to one of his strongest events, the high bar. Mikulak was brilliant on high bar on night one, posting an impressive 15.700, but struggled on night two only getting a 14.700.
The California native then went to most likely his weakest event, floor exercise. Mikulak received a disappointing 13.500 on night one, before improving night two for a 15.400. The 23-year-old Mikulak received a 15.050 on night one and a 15.500 on night two, resulting in a silver medal on pommel horse. The 2014 world championship bronze medal team member then received solid 15.200 and 15.250 on still rings, before clinching a fourth straight national title with a 14.950 and a 15.250 on vault.
Mikulak on his meet and chances for Rio
"I would have liked to have had a better performance, I think that's always the case," said Mikulak.
"It's nice to add another title to my belt, but right now, it's all about getting ready for the next one. There's no looking back," referencing the upcoming US Men's Gymnastics Olympic Trials in St. Louis.
When asked about how he felt going into vault with the national title on the line, Mikulak said, "That was the moment when I started feeling that momentum, what gymnastics is all about," he said. "That adrenaline, the excitement of coming down to the last guy."
When asked what he takes from this meet going into Olympic Trials in a few weeks, the 23-year-old said, "The takeaway that I got from here is, I didn't have fantastic routines on all the events. I did really good on three events the first day and then I did really good on the other three the next day. And so I'm definitely there. I've got it all in me. We're just going to get stronger and stronger going into the Olympic trials."
Brooks surprises to take second place
After an impressive bronze medal finish at last year's national championships, Brooks was looking to go one further this year in Hartford. The defending high bar national champion began on floor exercise, putting up a 14.650 and a 14.400 on both nights of competition. On the pommel horse, Brooks received a 14.000 and a 14.200.
The Texas-native then went to still rings, receiving identical scores of 15.050 on both nights of competition. The 29-year-old veteran then posted solid scores on vault, with a 15.050 and a 15.000. Brooks then went to his best event parallel bars, putting up huge numbers on both nights with a 15.350 and a 15.800 to win the national title on the apparatus. The London 2012 Olympic alternate finished on high bar, receiving a 15.400 and a 15.900 to seal an impressive second place finish and assert himself into Olympic team consideration.
Also putting up impressive scores in the national championships was Jake Dalton who placed third with a gold medal on floor exercise and vault and Donnell Whittenburg who struggled on night two but still finished in fifth and placed first on still rings.
What's next on the Road to Rio?
Next on the Road to Rio is the final stop before the Olympics, the US Men's Gymnastics Olympic Trials in St. Louis, Missouri. The first place all-around finisher there will be guaranteed one of the five spots on the Olympic team, with USA Gymnastics officials deciding the final four spots and three alternates for Rio.