Katelyn Jong leads junior women’s division after day 1 of 2021 US Gymnastics Championships
Metroplex gymnast Katelyn Jong dominated day one of the 2021 US Gymnastics Championships at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday, pacing the competition with a 54.100 in the all-around and creating a 1.100-point gap between herself and second place gymnast Kailin Chio of Gymcats Gymnastics (53.000). Jong also leads the competition on beam with a 13.200.
The 14-year-old’s performance comes as no surprise after her showing at the 2021 GK Classic in late May.
Then, the gymnast took the all-around, vault, bars and beam titles, and also just like in Indianapolis, Jong hit 4/4 of her routines on day one of nationals.
“I’ve been working on staying calm and trusting my training,” Jong said after Friday’s meet. “Just doing one skill at a time really helps to keep my mind in the right spot.”
Joining Jong and Chio atop the leaderboard in third place is Kaliya Lincoln of WOGA Gymnastics (52.650).
Lincoln also leads the competition on floor with a score of 13.750. Her routine was highlighted by a massive double layout mount.
Rounding out the top five all-around gymnasts on day one are Madray Johnson (52.550) and Gabriella Van Frayen (51.750).
Other apparatus leaders include NE Texas Elite’s Joscelyn Roberson, who performed a massive double-twisting Yurchenko on vault, earning her a 14.350. WOGA’s Ella Murphy leads the way on beam with a 13.500. Click here for full results.
Small junior field leads to unique competition experience
With just 13 junior women competing this weekend, there are only two rotation groups during the junior women’s sessions in Dickies Arena, putting more eyes than usual on the two gymnasts performing at any given time.
“Sometimes all the stuff going on around is helpful because it kind of distracts from the nerves,” said Van Frayen.
While the juniors in Texas are not competing for a spot at Olympic Trials, as they are not age eligible, they are competing to make the national team roster and for a potential spot on the team for the 2021 Junior Pan American Championships later this summer.
The gymnasts’ day one and day two scores will be combined following the conclusion of competition on Sunday to determine their final standings.
For many of the gymnasts, this weekend marks their last nationals as juniors. Jong and Chio are among that group.
“Overall, I think I was just proud to get through the day, competing with my friends and competing in my last year as a junior,” Chio said.
Junior women’s competition concludes on Sunday, June 6 at 1:30 p.m. ET with the final day of competition. National titles will be awarded and national teams will be named following the meet.
