Simone Biles grabbed all the attention after her stunning performances in winning the U.S. Classic on Saturday in Indianapolis, but Utah gymnastics fans should be happy about some other gymnasts as well.
The Utes were represented by three gymnasts with ties to the program as signee Grace McCallum finished fourth with a 55.1, signee Kara Eaker finished ninth with a 53.25 and MyKayla Skinner, who postponed her senior year to pursue a spot on the Olympic team, finished 10th with a 53.05.
“With three world class athletes all placing in the top 10, you have to be tickled pink,” Utah coach Tom Farden said. “How can you not smile? I am super impressed because all three of them had a long break in elite competition, and all things considered they did a fantastic job.”
McCallum was steady all day, while Eaker was strong throughout. Skinner had a more up and down meet, vaulting well but falling on her beam series and stepping out of bounds on floor.
Kara Eaker performs her balance-beam routine during the U.S. Classic gymnastics event in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 22, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
It wasn’t a surprise that Skinner wasn’t as consistent as the others considering she had two big setbacks in her training, first with a sore Achilles and then a bout of COVID that sidelined her for several weeks.
“She is still playing catch-up,” Farden said. “But this is just the first big meet and a chance for them to dip their toes in competition. There is a month left until the trials and there are a lot of serious contenders.”
MyKayla Skinner performs a vault during the U.S. Classic gymnastics event in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 22, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Not surprising that Biles leads the group. Competing in her first meet since the 2019 world championships, Biles set a new standard on the vault by becoming the first gymnast to compete a Yurchenko double pike vault.
Biles has won every meet she has entered since the 2013 U.S. Championships. Her final score on Saturday was more than a point higher than second-place finisher Jordan Chiles (57.1). Kayla DiCello was third with a 56.1.
Biles, who won four gold medals at the Rio Olympics and has a record-19 gold medals at the world championships, debuted a leotard with a goat on the back, symbolizing Greatest Of All Time.
“We are witnessing probably a two-generation type of athlete,” Farden said. “The gymnastics she is doing is mind boggling.”
The next test for the Olympic hopefuls will be the USA Gymnastics Championships June 3-6 in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Olympic trials are slated for June 24-27 in St. Louis.