2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships: Olympic Trials on the line as Biles, Mikulak headline field
Team USA’s road to Tokyo runs through Texas this week with the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships starting Thursday, June 3 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
The 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships are USA Gymnastics’ national championships for junior and senior men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics. The event will also help to determine who will compete at Olympic Team Trials – set for June 24-27 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
Headlining the men’s and women’s fields are six-time senior U.S. all-around champions Sam Mikulak and Simone Biles, who are each vying for a seventh national all-around title.
Biles is coming off a historic performance at the 2021 GK Classic on May 22, where she won the beam and floor titles and earned a massive 16.100 (6.6 D-score/9.5 E-score) on vault with the debut of the never-before-done Yurchenko double pike.
Fort Worth marks Mikulak’s first competition since winning the 2020 American Cup title. In the 15 months since his last meet, Mikulak has been in and out of training at the United States Olympic Paralympic Training Center (USOPTC) due to pandemic-related shutdowns. Recently, the two-time Olympian opened up about his mental health struggles during this tough time and before the COVID-19 pandemic.
This meet marks the final chance for athletes in attendance to put their best foot forward by hitting their routines and showing why they should be in contention for the Olympic Team as the field inevitably narrows.
Men’s and Women’s National Teams will also be named following the conclusion of the meet.
U.S. men to divide and conquer in Texas and Brazil
On the men’s side, athletes to look out for include 2017 World bronze medalist Yul Moldauer, 2019 World team member and 2021 NCAA rings and parallel bars champion Shane Wiskus, 2019 World team member and rings specialist Trevor Howard, two-time World team member Akash Modi, two-time World team alternate Allan Bower, 2020 Melbourne World Cup pommel horse champion Stephen Nedoroscik, 2021 Winter Cup pommel horse champion Alec Yoder, 2021 Winter Cup vault champion and floor exercise silver medalist Eddie Penev, 2021 NCAA all-around and high bar champion Brody Malone, 2021 NCAA vault and floor champion Gage Dyer, and 2013 World rings bronze medalist Brandon Wynn, who has emerged from retirement seven years after winning the last of his four national titles on rings.
2021 Winter Cup all-around champion Asher Hong leads the junior men’s field.
Not in attendance on the men’s side is the team set to compete at the 2021 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil June 4-6. The team consists of 2021 Winter Cup all-around champion Cameron Bock, Paul Juda, Riley Loos, Vitaliy Guimaraes, and Donnell Whittenburg (traveling alternate). By electing to compete at Pan Ams and missing the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, all five athletes have automatically qualified to Olympic Trials.
Pan Ams is the U.S. men’s final chance to earn a +1 individual Olympic berth before Tokyo.
Per USA Gymnastics’ official selection procedures, athletes may qualify to compete at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials by (1) being named to the U.S. National Team following the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships or (2) petitioning to compete at Olympic Trials.
Men’s Field – 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
Seniors
- Adrian De Los Angeles, Long Beach, Calif., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Akash Modi, Morganville, N.J., Stanford University
- Alec Yoder, Indianapolis, Ind., Ohio State
- Alex Diab, Glen Ellyn, Ill., University of Illinois
- Allan Bower, Chandler, Ariz., University of Oklahoma
- Brandon Briones, Gilbert, Ariz., Stanford University
- Brandon Wynn, Golden, Colo., Ohio State
- Brody Malone, Belfast, Tenn., Stanford University
- Colt Walker, Cedar Park, Texas, Stanford University
- Crew Bold, Delray Beach, Fla., University of Minnesota
- Donothan Bailey, Lake Forest, Calif., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Eddie Penev, Penfield, N.Y., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Evan Davis, Houston, Texas, University of Iowa
- Gage Dyer, Yukon, Okla., University of Oklahoma
- Genki Suzuki, North Wales, Pa., University of Oklahoma
- Ian Gunther, Houston, Texas, Stanford University
- Ian Lasic-Ellis, Dover, Mass., Massachusetts Elite Gymnastics Academy
- Jeremy Bischoff, Canyon County, Calif., Stanford University
- Khoi Young, Bowie, Md., Sportsplex Gymnastics
- Kiwan Watts, Richmond, Va., Arizona State
- Matt Wenske, Houston, Texas, University of Oklahoma
- Michael Moran, Minneapolis, Minn., University of Minnesota
- Michael Paradise, Bartlett, Ill., University of Illinois
- Mike Fletcher, Nashua, N.H., University of Illinois
- Nicolas Kuebler, Seattle, Wash., Metropolitan Gymnastics
- Robert Neff, Brookfield, Wis., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Ryan McVay, Roseville, Calif., U.S. Naval Academy
- Sam Mikulak, Newport Coast, Calif., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Shane Wiskus, Spring Park, Minn., U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
- Stephen Nedoroscik, Worcester, Mass., Penn State University
- Taylor Burkhart, Morrison, Colo., 5280 Gymnastics
- Timothy Wang, Riverside, Calif., USAF Academy
- Trevor Howard, Columbus, Ohio, Ohio State
- Yul Moldauer, Arvada, Colo., 5280 Gymnastics
Juniors
- Aaron Stein, Houston, Texas, Houston Gymnastics Center of the JCC
- Alexandru Nitach, Knoxville, Tenn., GymTek Academy
- Arun Chhetri, Culver City, Calif., Gymnastics Olympica USA
- Asher Cohen, Lakewood, Colo., 5280 Gymnastics
- Asher Hong, Tomball, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
- Bryan Woffinden, League City, Texas, Thorntons Gymnastics Center
- Caden Clinton, Cypress, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
- Cailen Walker, Hercules, Calif., Head Over Heels
- Caleb Melton, Woodbridge, Va., Apollo Gymnastics
- Cameron Lee, Frisco, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics
- Chase Davenport-Mills, Johns Creek, Ga., Roswell Gymnastics
- Cole Partridge, Bountiful, Utah, USA Gymnastics World
- Dallas Hale, Frisco, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics
- Danilo Viciana, Marietta, Ga., Cartersville Twisters
- Dave Wolma, Cypress, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
- David Shamah, Frisco, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics
- Denis Irimiea, Hallandale, Fla., Florida Gymnastics Training Center
- Dylan Shepard, Windermere, Fla., Gymnastics USA
- Emmit Glover, Saratoga Springs, Utah, All American Gymnastics
- Erich Upton, Richmond, Texas, Iron Cross Gymnastics
- Fred Richard, Stoughton, Mass., Massachusetts Elite Gymnastics Academy
- Hasan Aydogdu, Carlstadt, N.J., Meadowlands Gymnastics Academy
- Ian Sandoval, Frisco, Texas, WOGA Gymnastics
- Ignacio Yockers, Tulsa, Okla., Pride Gymnastics Academy
- Jack Gagamov, Mundelein, Ill., Libertyville Gymnastics Academy
- Joseph Pepe, Peoria, Ariz., North Valley Gymnastics
- Joshua Karnes, Erie, Pa., Lakettes Gymnastic Academy
- Kai Uemura, Chicago, Ill., Lakeshore Academy of Art Gymnastics
- Kiran Mandava, Cypress, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
- Landen Blixt, Fowlerville, Mich., infinity Gymnastics Academy
- Landon Simpson, Bellefonte, Pa., Centre Elite Gymnastics
- Logan McKeown, Austin, Texas, Crenshaw Athletic Club
- Maxwell Odden, Scottsdale, Ariz., North Valley Gymnastics
- Nathan York, Plainfield, Ill., Premier Gymnastics Academy West
- Rithik Puri, Chicago, Ill., Lakeshore Academy of Art Gymnastics
- Ryan Vanichtheeranont, Plainfield, Ill., Premier Gymnastics Academy West
- Tai Gopaul, Buffalo Grove, Ill., Lakeshore Academy of Art Gymnastics
- Toby Liang, Roswell, Ga., Roswell Gymnastics
- Toma Murakawa, Van Nuys, Calif., Gymnastics Olympica USA
- Troy Nuesca, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Gymnastics Olympica USA
- Vahe Petrosyan, Van Nuys, Calif., Gymnastics Olympica USA
- Vishal Mandava, Cypress, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
- Xander Hong, Tomball, Texas, Cypress Academy of Gymnastics
Biles and Chiles lead packed women’s field
On the women’s side, Biles’ World Champions teammate, 2021 Winter Cup all-around champion and 2021 GK Classic silver medalist Jordan Chiles will look to continue her streak of impressive performances as she tries to cement her place by Biles’ side as the U.S.’s top all-around gymnasts heading into Tokyo.
Other athletes to look out for include Olympic qualifier and four-time World medalist Jade Carey, 2016 Olympic Team alternate MyKayla Skinner, 2021 Winter Cup floor exercise silver medalist and all-around bronze medalist Emily Lee, five-time World medalist Morgan Hurd, 2019 American Cup champion Leanne Wong, 2021 GK Classic all-around bronze medalist and 2020 American Cup silver medalist Kayla DiCello, three-time World medalist and 2021 Winter Cup uneven bars champion Sunisa Lee, two-time World team champions Grace McCallum and Kara Eaker, 2019 Pan American Games team champion Aleah Finnegan, 2016 Olympic gold and silver medalist Laurie Hernandez – who will be competing in the all-around, 2018 World team champion Riley McCusker, 2021 Winter Cup all-around silver medalist Shilese Jones, first-year seniors Skye Blakely and Konnor McClain, and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Chellsie Memmel, who will look to build off her comeback performance from the 2021 GK Classic.
The top eight (8) athletes in the all-around at the conclusion of the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships will qualify to the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Additionally, according to USA Gymnastics’ official selection procedures, “The Athlete Selection Committee may add additional athletes from among those athletes who competed in the 2021 U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Championships or petitioned athletes to attend Olympic Trials.”
The U.S. women are not sending a team to the 2021 Pan American Championships since the team has qualified its max of six (6) Olympic berths.
Noticeably absent from the senior women’s field include Sophia Butler and Trinity Thomas – who both retired from elite in recent weeks. Lilly Lippeatt (undisclosed) and Olivia Greaves (wrist) are recovering from injuries and will also not be in attendance.
2021 Winter Cup all-around champion Ella Kate Parker and 2021 GK Classic all-around champion Katelyn Jong lead the junior women’s field. Plus, 2021 Winter Cup silver medalist Joscelyn Roberson and 2021 GK Classic silver medalist Kailin Chio.
Women’s Field – 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
Seniors
- Addison Fatta, Wrightsville, Pa./Prestige Gymnastics
- Aleah Finnegan, Lee’s Summit, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express
- Amari Drayton, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre
- Ava Siegfeldt, Williamsburg, Va./World Class Gymnastics
- Chellsie Memmel, Dousman, Wis./M and M Gymnastics
- Ciena Alipio, San Jose, Calif./Midwest Gymnastics Center
- Emily Lee, Los Gatos, Calif./West Valley Gymnastics School
- eMjae Frazier, Erial, N.J./Parkettes National Gymnastics Center
- Emma Malabuyo, Flower Mound, Texas/Texas Dreams Gymnastics
- Faith Torrez, Bristol, Wis./Legacy Elite Gymnastics
- Grace McCallum, Isanti, Minn./Twin City Twisters
- Jade Carey, Phoenix, Ariz./Arizona Sunrays
- Jordan Chiles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre
- Kara Eaker, Grain Valley, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express
- Karis German, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre
- Katelyn Rosen, Boerne, Texas/Mavericks Gymnastics
- Kayla DiCello, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics
- Kaylen Morgan, Huntersville, N.C./Everest Gymnastics
- Konnor McClain, Cross Lanes, W.Va./WOGA Gymnastics
- Laurie Hernandez, Old Bridge, N.J./Gym-Max Gymnastics
- Leanne Wong, Overland Park, Kan./Great American Gymnastics Express
- Lyden Saltness, Chisago City, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center
- Morgan Hurd, Middletown, Del./First State Gymnastics
- MyKayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz./Desert Lights Gymnastics
- Riley McCusker, Brielle, N.J./Arizona Sunrays
- Shilese Jones, Westerville, Ohio/Future Gymnastics Academy
- Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Center
- Skye Blakely, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
- Sunisa Lee, St. Paul, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center
- Sydney Barros, Lewisville, Texas/World Champions Center
- Zoe Miller, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre
Juniors
- Avery King, Dallas, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
- Azaraya Ra-Akbar, Columbia, Md./World Class Gymnastics
- Charlotte Booth, Clermont, Fla./Brandy Johnson’s Global Gymnastics
- Ella Kate Parker, West Chester, Ohio/Cincinnati Gymnastics
- Ella Murphy, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
- Gabriella Van Frayen, Lewis Center, Ohio/Gym X-Treme
- Izzy Stassi, North Royalton, Ohio/Gym X-Treme
- Joscelyn Roberson, Texarkana, Texas/North East Texas Elite Gymnastics
- Kailin Chio, Henderson, Nev./Gymcats Gymnastics
- Kaliya Lincoln, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
- Katelyn Jong, Allen, Texas/Metroplex Gymnastics
- Madray Johnson, Dallas, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
- Nola Matthews, Gilroy, Calif./Airborne Gymnastics Training Center
How to watch the 2021 U.S. Gymnastics Championships
FloGymnastics is set to broadcast all sessions of podium training and the junior sessions from the U.S. Championships, as well as the senior international broadcasts. NBC will broadcast all four senior sessions.
| Day | Session | Time (ET) | Watch |
| June 1 | Podium Training | 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. | FloGymnastics |
| June 2 | Podium Training | 9:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. | FloGymnastics |
| June 3 | Junior Men Day 1 Senior Men Day 1 | 2:30 – 5 p.m. 8 – 10:30 p.m. | FloGymnastics NBCSN (Live) (US)/Flo International |
| June 4 | Junior Women Day 1 Senior Women Day 1 | 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. 8 – 10 p.m. | FloGymnastics NBCSN (Live) (US)/Flo International |
| June 5 | Junior Men Day 2 Senior Men Day 2 | 2:30 – 5 p.m. 8 – 10:30 p.m. | FloGymnastics NBCSN (Live) (US)/Flo International |
| June 6 | Senior Men Day 2 | 2 p.m. | NBC (re-air) |
| June 6 | Junior Women Day 2 Senior Women Day 2 | 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. 7 – 9 p.m. | FloGymnastics NBCSN (Live) (US)/Flo International |
The Gymnastics Now team will be providing live, on-site coverage from Dickies Arena all week, including previews, live blogs, recaps, photo galleries, feature stories, and more. Bookmark Gymnastics-Now.com and follow us across social for the most comprehensive coverage from Fort Worth!
