PITTSBURGH (AP) β Simone Biles sprinted to the lead at the U.S. Women’s gymnastics championships on Thursday, putting on an impressive display as she closes in on a second straight national title.
Biles posted a combined score of 61.60 through four nearly flawless events, well ahead of second-place Maggie Nichols.
The 17-year-old Biles turned a small field β only eight women are competing in the two-day all-around β into a showcase as she preps for a repeat at the world championships in China in October. She put up the top scores on floor exercise, beam and vault.
Nichols was steady but hardly spectacular, though she bolstered her bid to make the world championship team on a night that belonged to Biles. Alyssa Baumann was third.
