The case for Kyla Ross

 

With less than 200 days until the Olympics begin, the question of how to maximize a limited, five-person lineup is being met with speculation, turmoil and uncertainty. Many argue that a team of complete all-arounders, devoid of any sort of specialist, is the way to go. Kyla Ross, a first year senior, fits the bill and has every intention of being part of the first five-woman Olympic squad. 

 

But being a first year senior who makes the Olympic team is pretty improbable. The “babies” of the past were more seasoned than they might have seemed. In 1996, as a 14 year-old, Dominique Moceanu had already won a senior U.S. all-around title. Tasha Schwikert, the 2000 squad’s youngest, competed at the 1999 U.S. Championships and World Team Trials. 

 

2004 brings the exception to the rule with Courtney McCool. Though arguably among America’s top three domestically that year, international judging revealed rifts in her connections, and ultimately her (individual) Olympic dreams unraveled. On the United States’ most recent Olympic team, Shawn Johnson had a world all-around title to her credit. Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan had each taken a trip to the 2007 World Championships too, even though Sloan was the alternate. 

 

So where does this leave Ross and other first-year seniors in 2012? 

 

One of the reasons I like Ross so much is because she uses the current code and team rules to her advantage. This is most likely largely in part to the coaching staff at Gym-Max in Costa Mesa, Calif. Gym-Max has been on the national stage for quite some time, but in Ross, its coaches have finally found a breakout star. 

 

Kyla Ross is nearly in orbit as 2012 begins, but there are some crucial aspects of her gymnastics that will need to be intact if she’s hoping to be among the lucky five sent to London. With the exception of Nastia Liukin, I do not see any prospective Olympic team members who do not have the ability to perform an Amanar on vault. Ross debuted the vault at the Visa Championships in St. Paul, Minn. this past summer. I thought her landing position, height, and distance were all quite impressive. However, the leg separation she has when just off the table is definitely evident from the judges’ perspective. (Watch Ross on vault at the 2011 U.S. Championships here.) 

 

Uneven bars, where the U.S. is still most vulnerable, is a spot where Ross displays smooth steadiness -- and more importantly, she has a set that flirts with a 15 when she does it well. She maximizes her inbar stalder work in connection with pirouettes. The possibility of adding a second same-bar release to her Jaeger and a twist to her double layout dismount would be welcome additions to a routine that seems to float by, nearly deduction-less. But, of course, not really. (Watch Ross on uneven bars at the 2011 U.S. Championships here.)

 

Ross definitely brings that Carly Patterson “oh, I guess I’ll just throw this” watchability and lightness on balance beam. Her relaxed hands and light arms are also reminiscent of the 2004 Olympic all-around champ. However, what Ross lacks here is the huge dismount that Patterson perfected in Athens. Still, Ross scored over 15 in the Junior ranks at last  year’s U.S. Championships. 

 

As for the dismount, she’s working on remedying that. Ross told reporters last summer that she hoped to have a Patterson dismount for this year. (Watch her on beam here.)

 

Floor exercise would be best described as steady for Ross. There’s nothing too flashy, and while much improved, there are still some unsure moments in her dance. However, she does seem to really have a grip on sticking her full-in. With an Arabian double front, 1.5 twist to double tuck and a double pike she hangs with the present seniors, but doesn’t necessarily push them. All of her landings from the 2011 set look secure enough to connect with a jump, though. (Watch Ross training floor here.)

 

Perhaps the most important thing for Kyla Ross now is to prove herself, continually, to Martha Karolyi and the national staff. With the support of Bela Karolyi, Schwikert seemed to become the darling of the national team staff all of the sudden in 2000 and found herself as the Olympic tablesetter in Sydney, albeit in a roundabout way. I see the potential that Ross brings to the table for the Americans, especially given the five member team format. I hope that she’s provided an opportunity to step onto an international stage in 2012. London just might be her first big step.