MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

Former junior national champion and US national team member, Lexie Priessman has decided to forgo the elite world for her education.

Last week, news broke that Lexie Priessman had left Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy via Mary Lee's Facebook page.

To recap the last episodes of the Mary Lee sequel series, we learned about Lexie's gross toe injury and Amelia's bionic foot. We also learned that Mary Lee wants to make Amelia world class and Lexie has a crush on a Pete Wentz wannabe in way-to-tight-skinny-jeans. This week, it was Emily Gaskins' story.  It's very obvious that Emily is Mary Lee's favorite, because from the very start, she can't stop talking about how she has the "world class look." Mary Lee also likes her the best because she hasn't grown old enough to roll her eyes and whine and talk back. Emily's gymnastics is absolutely beautiful and she has lines to die for.  Plus, she's as perky as a cheerleader and as cute as a button.

In the last episode of Beyond the Routine, we were privy to Lexie's world. We learned about really disgusting injuries involving her toe. We also learned that she is afraid of doing a Ray on bars because of her toe injury, but she overcame it!  We learned that she's got the hots for a skier dude named Nick who likes to dress like Pete Wentz and wear skinny jeans that would probably fit Lexie.  Mary Lee is basically an embarrassing mom. Lexie also wears Kim Kardashian levels of make-up to the gym, at least for the camera. This week it's Amelia Hundley's story (aka Lexie's BFF). This episode was far different than Lexie's story. Amelia doesn't have time to make goo goo eyes at ski bums. She's Mary Lee's pet project. Mary Lee is determined to make Amelia into a world class gymnast.

Gymnastike followed up the original Beyond The Routine web reality program with Mary Lee. But this time, there was no Sophie Lee Tracey. Maybe she stole too much attention from Lexie and all of her gym make-up, since this is Lexie's story and all.

A couple of days ago, Ksenia Afanasyeva made a statement saying she was to under go surgery on her leg, via her VK account (Russia's version of Facebook). Just on the cusp of this announcement, it was reported Lexie Priessman of Cincinnati Gymnastics will under go surgery as well.

The Final Night of the P&G Championships crowned a new victor. Simone Biles managed to keep her lead over Kyla Ross and win her first national title as a senior. A close competition, Simone won with two night total of 120.450 to Kyla Ross's  120.250, both women performed with all they had, but it came down to a couple of arm swings on the beam.

Lexie Priessman has withdrawn from the P&G National Championships. The first year senior has withdrawn from the competition due to a strained Achilles' tendon, per Gymnastike.

USA Gymnastics posted the first videos from podium training this evening. We're seeing the first of Elizabeth Price, whom I've definitely been looking forward to seeing, McKayla's bars and Kyla working on her artistry.

The P&G National Championships are less than a week away, the athletes are putting their final polishes on their routines in hopes of making that national team. Since nationals performances will weigh heavily on who will be selected to go to Belgium for the World Championships in September, let's look at that athletes and what can be expected of them for a worlds team. Keep in mind, since this is the year after the Olympics, this is an individual all-around and event finals only meet, only four girls will be selected to go. The returning Fierce Two, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross. They are the only two members of the gold medal winning fierce five to return to competition. Kyla has been traveling on the international scene to various competitions and is now a certified veteran instead of the baby of the team.

Kyla Ross, the baby of the Fierce Five showed everyone that she's not going anywhere with her win yesterday at the Secret Classic, the qualifier for the P&G Championships next month. Kyla took home the gold with a total of 58.650, just .4 ahead of Texas Dreams' Peyton Ernst, a first year senior. Kyla also had the highest score on the uneven bars with a 15.400, well deserved, it was a gorgeous routine and spectacular execution. 

With the US Secret Classic only a few hours away, the girls were putting on their dress rehearsal at the podium training. Here are some quick notes based on information that I am receiving:

USA Gymnastics has released the official list for the competitor field for the Secret Classic on July 27. McKayla and Kyla are just as excited as we are for Classics! Source: Teen.com Returning Fierce Five members, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross have been officially confirmed to the field. No surprise, McKayla and Kyla were spotted at National team training camp in early June working on new floor routines. Kyla was seen doing some gorgeous beam connections which we hope to see at the Classics in a full routine.