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MyKayla Skinner named U.S. Olympic Alternate
7/11/2016 1:21 PM | Gymnastics
SAN JOSE, Calif.—An incredible performance at the U.S. Olympic Trials earned future Ute gymnast MyKayla Skinner an alternate berth at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Skinner placed fourth in the all-around, but only the all-around champion automatically qualified for the five-person USA Olympic Team, with the balance of the team and the three alternates chosen by the Olympic selection committee.
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As the U.S. team's first replacement athlete, Skinner will train and travel with the team to Rio.
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Skinner was solid both nights at the Olympic Trials. In addition to her fourth-place all-around finish, she was second on vault and fifth on beam and floor.
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After being named an alternate, Skinner told KPNX-12 News from her home state of Arizona, "I'm so proud. I just wanted to go out there and go four-for-four and rock night two and that's what I did. Being an alternate is still the same. It's being on the team. I'm still working just as hard as the other girls, and it'll be a great experience being an alternate."
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Skinner will train with the team in Texas next week before heading to Rio for the Olympic Games.
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Skinner, who won the all-around at the 2016 Glasgow World Cup, signed with Utah in November 2014 but deferred enrolling for a year to pursue a berth in the Olympics. She plans to report to school in late August.
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The five-person U.S. Women's Olympic Team and three replacement athletes are listed below.
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Simone Biles
Gabby Douglas
Laurie Hernandez
Madison Kocian
Aly Raisman
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Replacement athletes
MyKayla Skinner
Ashton Locklear
Ragan Smith
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As the U.S. team's first replacement athlete, Skinner will train and travel with the team to Rio.
Â
Skinner was solid both nights at the Olympic Trials. In addition to her fourth-place all-around finish, she was second on vault and fifth on beam and floor.
Â
After being named an alternate, Skinner told KPNX-12 News from her home state of Arizona, "I'm so proud. I just wanted to go out there and go four-for-four and rock night two and that's what I did. Being an alternate is still the same. It's being on the team. I'm still working just as hard as the other girls, and it'll be a great experience being an alternate."
Â
Skinner will train with the team in Texas next week before heading to Rio for the Olympic Games.
Â
Skinner, who won the all-around at the 2016 Glasgow World Cup, signed with Utah in November 2014 but deferred enrolling for a year to pursue a berth in the Olympics. She plans to report to school in late August.
Â
The five-person U.S. Women's Olympic Team and three replacement athletes are listed below.
Â
Simone Biles
Gabby Douglas
Laurie Hernandez
Madison Kocian
Aly Raisman
Â
Replacement athletes
MyKayla Skinner
Ashton Locklear
Ragan Smith
Â
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