From August 6 to 9, 13 of the best U.S. women gymnasts convened in Phoenix to compete in the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. A weekend filled with gravity-defying vaults and flawless floor routines, this year’s event showcased the best of U.S. women’s gymnastics at a crucial time. 

Halfway to the LA 2028 Olympics, there are still plenty of questions about who could contend for a spot on the Olympic team. Simone Biles is still “50-50” about competing, and Jordan Chiles has not yet made a statement either, so there is potential for new athletes to fill those roles.

The Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships gave us a look at who could be in the mix for LA28. And unlike previous Olympic teams, this one could be younger than we expected.

Hezly Rivera Showed Up and Showed Out

In this competition, only 2 of the of the 13 athletes on the Senior Women’s National Team had been to an Olympics: Hezly Rivera and Jade Carey.

At 18 years old, the LSU commit Rivera has reached another impressive accomplishment in her career by winning this competition and becoming the first woman since Simone Biles to earn consecutive U.S. National Championship All-Around titles. 

Finishing with a final score of 111.950, this achievement wasn’t without its struggles. After a rough first day, Rivera started Day 2 of competition in fourth place overall. It took just about a perfect day to secure a massive comeback over her fellow gymnasts.

When reflecting on how important this moment was for her journey, Rivera said, “I think it just showed how strong I am mentally because physically everything is there… You can’t really do this without having a strong mentality…You have to find the balance of rest and recovery but also still keeping up with your body and keeping up with your routines.”

For Rivera, the weekend wasn’t just an outstanding performance of her athletic ability. It was an important showcase of her continued progression since the Paris 2024 Olympics, as she grows to be one of the best all-around gymnasts and a promising veteran call up for LA28.  

“I think it just showed how strong I am mentally because physically everything is there. You can’t really do this without having a strong mentality. You have to find the balance of rest and recovery but also still keep up with your body and your routines.”

Hezly Rivera

Jade Carey’s Hope for a Finale

For two-time Olympic veteran Jade Carey, this weekend looked a little different. She finished the final day in 5th in the women’s all-around and claimed her third U.S. Vault title in the process.  

While winning would’ve been nice, that wasn’t the goal of the competition for her. After Paris 2024, Carey felt her road was complete and wasn’t sure about returning at the end of her NCAA career with Oregon State University. 

But then she decided that there’s still another finish line out there. The final destination: LA 2028 Olympics. 

For Carey, this weekend was just a start toward her comeback. She knows that success won’t happen overnight, so the aim is to return back into her old form by pacing herself out. Day by day training, consistent competitions, and a determined mindset will hopefully bring her back to the world stage.

As best explained by her coach and father, Brian Carey, he says, “She has the fire. She knows what it takes, she knows the grind, she knows it's going to be hard."

Newer, Younger Talent are Ready

The USA Gymnastic Program has historically produced extraordinary talent—including athletes like Simone Biles—and this next generation is no different. 

Placing third in the all around, 16-year-old Charleigh Bullock, the youngest woman named to the Senior women’s team, is making her presence known. Despite her youth, Bullock earned the bronze medal in the individual uneven bars, along with the podium finish. 

For Bullock, bars will always be special, but in order to be an Olympic contender, she’s still looking to improve. After having the best first night score on bars, she explained her situation saying, "I've definitely been known for [my] bars, but I think I'm getting everything else better, too. I want to be known as a very strong all-arounder."

At just 17 years old, Utah commit Claire Pease did an outstanding job at this competition. Entering into the second day, she was tied for the lead with Skye Blakely. She was able to maintain her excellent performance to place second in the women’s all around, in addition to winning the uneven bars individual championship.

Unlike Pease, Skye Blakely struggled to keep up her performance on the second day. But that doesn’t mean this weekend wasn’t productive.

Looking back at the 2024 US Championships, Blakely placed second to Simone Biles in that competition. She was seen as the first option for a rookie on the fully veteran Paris 2024 team, but a ruptured right Achilles tendon two days before the Olympic trials led to a season ending injury. 

After a long recovery, Blakely launched a return to elite gymnastics in 2025 when she competed in uneven bars and balance beam, while excluding floor and vault. This year's event marked the first time Blakely competed in an all-around at an elite competition since her injury. 

“I meant a lot [to be back in the all-around]. It just makes me go back and reflect on the times …and just knowing to myself that I can come back from any obstacle, any setback. So, I'm just proud of how I continue to be resilient and keep pushing,” said Blakely, when reflecting on her return.

Now looking toward the future, her experience in the past is an advantage. In 2024, she would’ve been the newcomer on a very experienced Olympic team. Now, she could be the experienced rookie in 2028.

What Should We Expect 

The Olympic team won’t be decided until 2028, at the end of the Olympic Team Trials.

But for all these athletes, the future is looking bright. Their performances showed their individual talents on a stage that has led many top finishers to Olympic team call ups. 

If they continue to get better and refine their skills, they are all very promising additions to an unknown LA28 roster, and that’s something we should all be excited for.