MCSMaria's Artistic Gymnastics Blog

We're now three weeks into the NCAA gymnastics and the stakes are getting higher. So who holds all the power in the NCAA this week? Well, to answer that questions, I bring you this week's power rankings. These aren't the official Road to Nationals rankings, rather they are stories and people that have caught my attention throughout the week, whether it be note-worthy events or a reaction to something. Last week's power rankings were: 1. UNC's Support for the LGBTQ community 2. Georgia is officially not broken! 3.  Ashleigh Gnat gets a 10.00 on Vault 4.  No, AJ Jackson does not need to smile more Without further adieu, here is this week's power rankings:

It's a new season of NCAA gymnastics and that means, I'm back with my power rankings for the week. This is not RoadtoNationals.com rankings. These rankings are determining who holds the power in NCAA gymnastics this week... or not so much.Who is winning at life and who is breaking our hearts this week. Get the lowdown below the cut -

After retiring from elite, World Medalist Maggie Nichols is preparing for the next phase of her gymnastics career: college gymnastics. Maggie has made the trek to Oklahoma from her hometown of Little Canada, Minnesota. Today, she posted a video of herself training bars and beam with her new team on her Instagram account for National Gymnastics Day.

Well, one night of trials is over and done with. There is still one more night of intense competition in this pressure cooker. I wish that metaphor were hyperbole, but alas, I kid you not. The pressure is on in San Jose. This is really it, you eff up too badly here, your dreams of Olympic glory end. So who is holding up under the intense scrutiny? Let's take a look and see.

Yesterday, Team USA announced the team competing at the Pacific Rim Championships this coming weekend. A miracle happened. #TeamBrenna is back. That's right, one Miss Brenna Dowell, Oklahoma Sooner, bars phenom is back. She was named to the team along with Worlds' teammates' Simone Biles, Maggie Nichols and Aly Raisman. Also named to the team: Ashton Locklear, 2014 Team World Champion and the most anticipated new senior of the year: Laurie Hernandez. Artwork via USA Gymnastics

It's a new year and that means lots of gymnastics to look forward to. I've decided to do a small series on things to look forward to in the coming year of gymnastics. First up, the American Cup. USA Gymnastics is on the ball and has already announced the athletes competing at the meet in March.

Well, second day of event finals was no less extraordinary with more history making moments.  Simone Biles broke a huge record, and the Team USA guys finally got their medals. Before I break down in a fit of depression because worlds is over, let me recap the events of today.  Warning - I've been at this for about 10 days straight now, so I may break into snark unexpectedly.

The latest gossip from the Gymternet is that Team USA is possibly only having three all-arounders compete in qualifications. This news comes from Maggie Nichols, who confirmed via her ask.fm account that she will not be competing bars in qualifications and will also NOT be doing all-around.

The US Secret Classic concluded last night. There was returning favorites and new challengers and old familiar faces who rose to the occasion. It's a year out from the Olympics, and really, this is the time where it counts. Team USA is deeper, which makes the field more competitive. The USA could have several Olympic teams. This meet is the start of the "season" for Team USA. From here, the girls will compete at the P&G Championships in Indianapolis in a couple of weeks, from there, a selection committee will chose from a pool of girls at the Worlds selection camp, which they will be invited to depending on their finish at Championships. Here are some highlights from the meet.

US Gymnast, Maggie Nichols has rose to a prominent position on the US scene.  Maggie has had a fantastic year.

Swaggie Maggie is getting her swag on in the gym.. The Pan American Team gold medalist and all-around bronze medalist posted a video on her Instagram account of her training a new skill, a full twisting double layout.

Two years into the quad and we're starting to see up and comers likely to be big contenders for Rio. This was the first real meet of the elite season, so most everybody was a little rough around the edges. Since I don't have time to analyze every single routine by every single athlete, I'm going to be analyzing some top players and up and comers.

Bring on the upgrades. US national team member and Tokyo World Cup silver medalist, Maggie Nichols was spotted at camp adding a serious upgrade to her bar repertoire.

Following the conclusion of last week's training camp, USA Gymnastics has named the teams going to the City of Jesolo Trophy this weekend.

Maggie Nichols has been upgrading her skills on the bars.

Roxana Popa of Spain stole the show and the gold medal this weekend at the Mexican Open in Acapulco, Mexico.

The field of athletes have been announced for the Mexican Open. Peyton Ernst and Maggie Nichols have been selected to fill the spot left vacant by Elizabeth "Ebee" Price, who will be competing at the Stuttgart and Glasgow Cups that overlap the competition.

This Saturday is the long anticipated Secret Classic, the qualifier for the national championships! It's all very exciting. It's the start of a new competitive season and a new quadrennium leading up to the 2016 Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. It's full of possibilities and new beginnings. Here is a few things too look forward to for the competition on Saturday.

With the Olympics having concluded almost a year again, it's the beginning of a new quad for the bid for Rio.  The next major competiton is the world championships in Antwerp. For the USA, they need to get through nationals, but to get through nationals, they need to get through the Secret Classic. Here is some information regarding the classic.

This week, USA Gymnastics posted videos from the Women's National Training camp a couple of weeks ago. Per USAGym.com, new videos will be posted on their YouTube Channel over the next three weeks. The ladies are working on the next goal, making the worlds team.