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Gymnastics: Oh so close: Baker finishes eighth at Olympic Trials
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Despite a general lack of age and experience, Flower Mound resident and Texas Dreams gymnast Kennedy Baker, 16, headed to the U.S. Olympic Gymnastic Trials last weekend in San Jose with the hopes of earning a spot on the team that will compete in the London games, slated for July 27-August 12.
And while Baker ended up falling short of qualifying, she gained valuable experience as she prepares for future international competition by performing in front of 17,526 fans at the HP Pavilion and millions watching live on television.
"We are so proud of Kennedy for her performance at Olympic Trials," said Maria Froemming, Texas Dreams' team coordinator.
Earning an automatic berth after posting the highest two-day total in the all-around event was Gabrielle Douglas (Virginia Beach/Chow's Gymnastics and Dance), who recorded a total of 123.450. Douglas was followed in the standings by Jordyn Wieber (DeWitt, Mich/Geddert's Twistars USA), who scored 123.350; Alexandra Raisman (Needham, Mass/Brestyan's American Gymnastics), who posted 120.950; Elizabeth Price (Coopersburg, Pa./Parkettes), who totaled 120.100; Kyla Ross (Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max), with a score of 120.000; Sarah Finnegan (St. Louis, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express), who notched 118.500; McKayla Maroney (Long Beach, Calif./AOGC), with a score of 117.650 and Baker, who followed with a total of 114.700. The final alternate spot was given to Anna Li (Aurora, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics), who finished 12th overall, but had the third-highest score on the uneven bars.
Joining Li as replacements are Finnegan and Price, while Douglas, Maroney, Wieber, Raisman and Ross comprise the five-member team.
Baker earned eighth overall on the strength of her all-around balance, including scores of 14.700 on the vault, 14.850 on the uneven bars, 14.300 on the balance beam and 14.700 on the floor exercise.
"Kennedy placed eighth in the all-around in one of the deepest field that we have ever seen," Froemming said. "What a fabulous accomplishment for a first-year Senior in her first meet of this magnitude."
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