Thoughts on team USA

Unlike the dedicated Katie from Full Twist (who like me is on GMT) or many of the North America based bloggers, I didn't stay up until 3am to find out who Martha and others had picked for the World and Pan-Ams teams, but I did check first time this morning -

2011 Women's World Championships Team
Oct. 7-16, 2011, Tokyo, Japan
Gabrielle Douglas,
Anna Li
McKayla Maroney,
Alexandra Raisman
Alicia Sacramone
Sabrina Vega
Jordyn Wieber

Non- traveling alternate: Shawn Johnson
Head coach: John Geddert of Geddert's Twistars USA
Asst. coach: Jiani Wu of Legacy Elite

2011 Women's Pan American Games Team
Oct. 24-29, Guadalajara, Mexico
Bridgette Caquatto
Jessie DeZiel
Brandie Jay
Shawn Johnson
Chellsie Memmel
Bridget Sloan

Replacement athletes
Grace McLaughlin, Allen, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
Hallie Mossett, Los Angeles, Calif./West Coast Elite Gymnastics
McKenzie Wofford, McKinney, Texas/Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy
Head coach: Marvin Sharp of Sharp's Gymnastics
Asst. coach: Jiani Wu

My heart goes out always to those who just missed out - Particularly Shawn Johnson who, knowing the USA's habit for last minute injuries may still get her chance at worlds. Shawn said on twitter afterwards Came up an inch short but you know what look at the progress Ive made! So I wasnt the best pick for the team...YET! But I will be. 


The team for Tokyo is an interesting one, particularly as a building block for the Olympics. Only Sacramone and Raisman are worlds veterans. All 4 of what I considered the 'high profile new seniors' (Wieber, Maroney, Douglas and Vega) made the team despite having mixed fortunes at Visa Championships. There is room for several nervy errors to occur in Tokyo and this could harm USA's grasp on the world team title.

Anna Li is also a wild card here, I'm sure picked purely for her ability on bars. I do wonder if everyone else is showing good bar form she may be an easy pick to drop when they get to Tokyo (7 athletes have been named, only 6 will actually compete). Although it may be a kick in the teeth given that her coach Jiani Wu has been named team coach.

I'm very sure had she not sprained her ankles Mackenzie Caquatto would have been named to a team (probably Anna Li's spot on the Tokyo team). Like Rebecca Bross she will have to wait, rest up and hope her time will come in 2012.

I like the look of the Pan Ams team - a mix of new names (and rather long shots for 2012) with 3 former world AA champions on their way back to form. This team should do well and give Martha something to think about on the way to 2012. It will be great to see Shawn and Bridget back and hopefully doing more than we've seen so far this year.

So, Countdown to Tokyo....... 15 Days!
Look forward to the GB announcement tomorrow!