U.S. names six top juniors to Pan American Championships squad

Junior U.S. champion Kyla Ross, along with Gabrielle Douglas, Sarah Finnegan, Brenna Dowell, McKayla Maroney and Sabrina Vega will represent the U.S. at the upcoming Pan American Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico Sept. 2-5, USA Gymnastics announced Monday.

Surprisingly not named to the team was WOGA's Katelyn Ohashi, who finished second all-around at the U.S. Championships earlier this month. Ross ran away with her second consecutive junior national title after an untimely injury sidelined challenger Jordyn Wieber. Maroney placed third, Douglas fourth, Finnegan sixth, Vega seventh and Dowell 11th.

Each gymnast named to the Pan American team has some special qualities and eye catching skills. Maroney vaults one of the best Amanars ever performed and shows solid tumbling and dance on floor. Douglas is an emerging trickster who does an easy double twisting Yurchenko on vault and a standing tucked full on balance beam.

Dowell's first pass on floor is a front layout to immediate double front, which she stuck cold at the U.S. Championships. Finnegan displays exceptional form on every event, and Vega has a dance capability that is admired around the world.

The men's team for the Pan American Championships, named following the U.S. Championships, is also made up of up and comers. Jake Dalton, Bryan del Castillo, Dylan Akers, Glen Ishino, Alex Buscaglia and Wes Haagensen have all been selected for the team.

Photo gallery: See the Junior Pan American team in action at the U.S. Championships in the gallery below.

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