Catty Comments here to post late-breaking news - Marta Inc. (aka USAG) has named the following 7 gymnasts to the traveling team to Rotterdam. The alternate will be named in Rotterdam. They are:
Rebecca Bross
Mattie Larson
Alexandra Raisman
Mackenzie Caquatto
Alicia Sacramone
Bridget Sloan
Chelsea Davis
In light of the news reported earlier that Sloan finished last in the AA at camp, I'm surprised they took her instead of Hunter. Suspicion is that if Sloan is not healthy and/or hitting well in podium training, the lovely & consistent Chelsea Davis will be in prelims and Sloan will be in the stands, or moving mats, or somewhere she can watch, stew, and ponder 2011.
The surprise is Kytra Hunter not traveling - she has the best tumbling in the world and a dty so huge she's rumored to have an Amanar, but relatively low SVs and bars that shouldn't be on the podium in prelims have apparently kept her off the team.
As always, full comments from AJ will follow.
Mwah!
--Catty
Good move. I like the touch of not naming an alternate both tactically (totally makes sense given injuries) and in terms of promoting team feeling. I get a bad vibe from the girls sometimes that they are more about making the teams than how they perform...
ReplyDeleteKytra is a substandard Raisman and we don't need more of them. We need more bar girls. Bross and Sloan and Macko and Davis are all in that area. Davis and Macko are there for bars.
Kytra's tumbling is great, but with all the dance elements, she just doesn't score that great. I think we have floor covered with Larson/Bross/Raisman a lot better than we have bars covered. At least now we have options for bars... If Caquatto doesn't do well in prelims, we'll have a backup plan for finals with Sloan or Davis, depending who makes the final team.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I think it's crazy that Marta waits until the 11th hour to name the Final 6, but maybe it's just too close to call right now with Sloan's injury mysteries.
I think Kytra is a lesser Jana. Everyone oohs and ahs the FTDLO, but it's not like a trick we haven't had from USA before over the years (or other Gs on FX like Shawn and Sam's DDs.
ReplyDeleteActually had a weird thought that given all the injuries and the lack of juniors on the move and the retirees, that this could have been a squad Jana might have squeeked onto with her A gym. I guess she just got sick of playing Charlie Brown to Marta's football holding Lucy.*
*and I'm not really blaming Marta. I seriously think she tries to maximize the team score. Jana just couldn't bring it, even though I pulled for her.
I hope that dump truck Raisman fills the mat moving role.
ReplyDeleteTeam USA may not medal in Teams.
ReplyDeleteJana? Where have you been?
ReplyDeleteWell, anyone "may not medal in teams", but the U.S. has put together a strong team that can do well. You never know what can happen in Team Finals, but I think this is a solid team on every event.
ReplyDeleteTeam Russia may dominate.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Besides Marta probably thought Hunter's chorey was too embarrassing to show on an international stage. And I agree.
ReplyDeleteHmmm....not a bad team. They definitely have potential to do well. I think they will medal as a team. But Russia is definitely the favorite to win! My gut feeling is that China will suffer its traditional China syndrome (but i could be wrong). As for Sloan, I'm still doubtful she'll compete in the end and that Chelsea probably will. I'm guessing it's a tactical move by Marta. After all, it would be scandalous if the defending AA champ wasn't named to the team. I think the team competition will be interesting this year, for once. there are 4-5 teams that have the potential to medal. I'm looking forward to it, more so than the last 5-6 years.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way that team USA could have a team with Sacramone, Hunter and Raisman on it. If a bar worker got injured it would be disasterous for team finals.
ReplyDeleteIT sucks for Hunter but she was essentially competiting with Raisman for the spot, if she ahd the Amanar consistent, they'd have taken her, but she didn't.
The US also needs Raisman for beam. Its a sad state of affairs when someone like Aly is NEEDED on beam, but out of the current crop of seniors, she is one of the only solid ones on beam.
ReplyDeleteKarina said, "I agree. Besides Marta probably thought Hunter's chorey was too embarrassing to show on an international stage. And I agree."
ReplyDeleteNo arguing about Hunter's choreo but Marta selected someone named Sam Sheehan for a Worlds team a couple of years ago. I still haven't recovered from that FX actually. Also, she employed Pozar for many years. She doesn't give a shit about choreo, her terrible face lift is exhibit A that she has no taste, she just wants to see scores.
When was the last time CGA had a girl make it to Worlds? MLT must be steamed. And what of Whitcomb and Jetter? How many times is it now that they have struck out when it comes to being selected for Worlds? I'm wondering if one or both them will either quit or jump MLT's ship.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised at all the Kytra didn't make the team. It was a smart move not putting her on it. I do not see her scoring well internationally. Her complete lack of artistry makes Raisman almost look like she can dance. They should probably not call it "artistic gymnastics" anymore because so much of the artistry has been lost. Team Russia FTW!
ReplyDeleteA bit of a shock that Kytra isn't on the team given her vaulting potential, but as AJ said about Caq winning the AA, this is a depressing prospective team all around.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting the shudders imagining a 1997 type of team.
The fickle attitude about Sloan is amusing because she's a strong international competitor. Did well in Beijing, did well at Worlds last year. Don't sell her short. Martha is obligated to take her, for good or for bad, so I doubt we'll be seeing her schlepping mats at Worlds.
And for the record, I looooooooooooooooove the person that called Raisman a dumptruck. That is the best nickname for her... kudos.
I seriously prefer Kytra's choregraphy to Bross's. But as for Kytra what vaulting potential. If she had an Amanar consistent, she'd probably be on the team. Yes Kytra has an amazing DTY but so do Raisman. The US has a lot of very good DTYS.
ReplyDeleteThis is the team that I thought Marta would pick from the very beginning (with the exception of having Davis instead of Kytra as the reserve), so I don't think they're any worse or better than when the selection process started. If Sloan wasn't still a question mark, I wonder if Marta would've made Kytra the reserve instead of Davis. I quite like Davis (her tkatchev is sky-high), so I'm happy she has an opportunity to sneak onto the team. Does anyone know if Bross is really injured and the likelihood of her competing all-around? I do think the loss of Bross and Sloan's scores in some events will make this team less likely to top the podium.
ReplyDeleteWhat in the world? This USA team may not bedal in the team final? What in the world are you smoking! It must be some good shit cuz there is now way this US team is not medaling. They may not be in the top two in the prelims but will become stronger with three up three count in team final for sure.
ReplyDeleteI think you meant the lovely and consistently injured Chelsea Davis.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned Sloan is just lazy. It is amazing what she can do with three weeks of work. Sad for the other gymnasts that worked all year long. I just don't get sloan, there is nothing artistic about her work, she has proven to not be consistent, she is dull. The only thing interesting about her is her coaches penis.
ReplyDelete[Quote]They may not be in the top two in the prelims but will become stronger with three up three count in team final for sure. [/Quote]
ReplyDeleteIf Russia and China compete well in 3 up 3 count, they will be the top 2 teams as well.
[To anon of 10/7/10 @ 2:52] There's something interesting about Sharp's penis? Do tell! Mostly agree w/u about Sloan otherwise tho.
ReplyDelete"Anyway, I think it's crazy that Marta waits until the 11th hour to name the Final 6, but maybe it's just too close to call right now with Sloan's injury mysteries."
ReplyDeleteTeams have been doing that at worlds for a while now.
Russia, China, Romania, and USA all did that in 2007.
Russia: Gold
ReplyDeleteChina: Silver
Romania: Bronze
USA: Flashback 1985-1988, 1997-2000
Anon October 7, 2010 2:52 PM
ReplyDeleteJust because S Peszek made a catty/bitchy comment about Sloan's work ethic doesn't make it true, and it's silly that everyone now parrots it as fact. Sounds to me like sour grapes from an also-ran about a world champ.