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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Wieber wins U.S. women’s gymnastics title

Edges Douglas for 2nd straight championship

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS – Forget the Russians. Jordyn Wieber’s biggest competition in London might come from right here at home.

The reigning world champion earned her second straight U.S. title Sunday, getting a little assist when Gabby Douglas fell off the balance beam at the start of the meet. Wieber finished with 121.900 points, edging Douglas by 0.2.

Take away that mistake, and the competition might have been a lot different.

Aly Raisman was third and Kyla Ross, a two-time junior champ, was fourth. Reigning Olympic champion Nastia Liukin had another rough day in her bid to make it to London, needing to put her hand down on the balance beam and performing a watered-down routine on uneven bars. Still, she made the cut for the Olympic trials, June 28 to July 1 in San Jose, Calif.

Wieber has won all but one all-around competition since the start of the 2008 season, and had one of the most dominant runs the sport has seen last year.

• World vault champion McKayla Maroney sustained a mild concussion and a nasal fracture after hitting her head on the floor during pre-meet training at the U.S. championships.

The 16-year-old from Long Beach, Calif., was doing a tumbling run when she fell hard, landing flat on her back. The thud could be heard throughout the arena, and she lay there for several minutes before walking off the podium with Dr. Larry Nassar. He examined her on the sideline before the two left the competition floor.

Maroney was taken to a nearby hospital where tests revealed the injuries. She was still awarded a berth into the Olympic trials in California later this month. Maroney helped the U.S. win team gold in the world championships last fall in Tokyo.