GK Classic thoughts, anyone? And, thoughts on this Simone/Morgan drama because it makes me :(
Simone looked great of course, even with the bars issue. And I was very interested to see how Riley would perform after all of her injuries. This was just the meet she needed. As of now my early Worlds predictions would be Simone, Riley, Morgan, Jade and probably Ragan.
I was wondering if everyone forgot Simone was back. This thread was too quiet.
Simone's floor passes looked EASY and her putting up that high of an AA score with the OOB and fall on bars is phenomenal. I also feel bad for her, emotionally. While she's the GOAT it's got to be lonely out there for her. Not speculating on victim status of any of the current girls, but it seems there is a clear divide between Simone and all the current girls who will never "get" it and get why the Ranch should be burned to the ground or why Rhonda had to go and why Kerry Perry needs to GTFO of there already. I also love the new grown up Simone who isn't afraid to speak up and will call out Kerry in her post-meet interviews. Silence clearly didn't work for USAG and I am glad someone isn't afraid to speak up. (Also probably helps that Marta isn't terrifyingly glaring at you from the bleachers intimidating you to silence anymore.) I miss Aimee being out there with her, but it seems the Landi's are good for her, too.
Back to the actual gymnastics -
I love Jade, but man every time the camera panned to her she looked like she was .2 seconds from hysterically crying. Maybe that's just her focused face, but I found myself wanting to hug her most of the meet.
I expected more from Ragan. She's good, but of the events she did last night she wasn't *great.* Beam is her thing, but we have enough people good on beam that currently I'd rather see another gymnast get the worlds spot.
Glad to see Maggie Haney hasn't completely destroyed Riley yet. I wish she'd get a new coach, but she looked beautiful out there last night and her bars are awesome.
For Morgan, I figured the current AA World Champ wouldn't take well to being knocked off the pedestal, but it is what it is. Her Cinderella story win was cute, but Worlds 2017 was really just a freak meet for the US with no former Olympians, no Riley, and Ragan scratching - but still, she showed up when it mattered and that counts for something. She's still a solid all-arounder and I expect her to make the Worlds team, as well.
Schennikova does nothing for me. She has the skill but I just don't enjoy watching her. Maybe it's just that Russian emotionless expression on her face. I know that shouldn't be what I judge her gymnastics on, but it is.
Shilese Jones kind of came out of left field for me. I know she's been around for a while doing consistently well, but I didn't expect her to place so high in the AA. She's a wild card for me and based solely on last night I'd pick her over Ragan for Worlds. We'll see after Nationals, I guess.
And I will forever be Jordan Chiles' #1 fan girl. I love her. Unforunately with Jade being a phenomenal vaulter, I don't see them needing Jordan to specifically vault for any meets, and that makes me sad. She has incredible power.
