The US Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team is deteriorating.
Several members of the US women’s senior team have decided to pursue college gymnastics. With the announcement of Cassie Whitcomb’s retirement from elite competition, I am concerned about the US women’s program. It takes strength and depth as a team to be competitive at international competitions. With the recent retirements, Team USA is lacking depth.
These athletes are members of the 2010 senior national team:
- Rebecca Bross
- Mackenzie Caquatto
- Chelsea Davis
- Kytra Hunter
- Amanda Jetter
- Mattie Larson
- Alexandra Raisman
- Alicia Sacramone
- Samantha Shapiro
- Bridget Sloan
- Morgan Smith
- Cassie Whitcomb
- Vanessa Zamarripa
Caquatto, Davis, Hunter, Larson, Whitcomb, and Zamarripa are currently or will soon be competing for college teams. This reduces the senior national team to almost half its size. With Caquatto and Larson transitioning to NCAA competition, the 2010 world team is down by two athletes.
The strongest athletes (Bross, Sacramone, Raisman and Sloan) are still on the team but it will take new talent to contend for gold. The US team is weak on the uneven bars—the event with the highest scoring potential. The team also needs stronger vaulters to compete with the Russians on this apparatus.
Fortunately, several talented juniors (Wieber, Vega, Douglas, Maroney and Wofford) will move to the senior ranks this year. These and other gymnasts will compete at the Visa National Championships for the opportunity to become a member of the US team. Without the addition of new athletes with the proper combination of artistry, power, and mental toughness, the US team will not improve its second place World and Olympic ranking.
Photo: John Cheng, USA Gymnastics
Just A Lurker
January 7, 2011
I can’t help but think that part of this has to do with the economy.
It takes money to be able to compete in U.S. gymnastics and with people tightening up,
it’s no wonder the U.S. is seeing a real lack of talent and depth.
ksboulden
January 7, 2011
Thanks for your comment.
I agree the economy could be a major factor for athletes transitioning to college. It’s expensive to train at the elite level and the possibility of reaching World Championships and Olympic Games is slim.
It seems that many athletes go to college and compete after they have made it to the highest levels of the sport. But only two of the six athletes mentioned above participated in Worlds. Maybe they were ready for a new environment and other opportunities.