Today kicks off the selection camp for the 2015 Pan American Games at the Karolyi Ranch. Eight gymnasts will seek to earn their spot on the five member team that will represent the USA next month in Toronto. USA Gymnastics announced the gymnasts who will be in contention for the team earlier in the month, and will announce the team selection on Friday. The selection camp will run in conjunction with the normal national team training camp.

The 2015 Pan American Games training squad includes Nia Dennis of Buckeye Gymnastics, Madison Desch of GAGE, Rachel Gowey of Chow’s Gymnastics, Felicia Hano of Gym-Max, Amelia Hundley of Cincinnati, Lauren Navarro of Gliders, Emily Schild of Everest and Megan Skaggs of Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta. 

All of the gymnasts selected have not had as much experience competing internationally (as seniors) as many of the other national team members who will not be vying for a spot on this team. Many have dealt with injury, either late last year or earlier this year, and so have not had the opportunity to show what they are currently capable of outside of national team training camps. Apart from the prestige of representing the USA internationally, this will be an important step in proving to Marta Karolyi and the US women’s team selection committee that they should be considered for a spot later this year on the world championship team.

The Pan American Games run from July 10-26. The artistic gymnastics competitions will include an all-around, team and individual apparatus competitions. The US is sending gymnasts to compete in all forms of gymnastics, including men’s and women’s artistic gymnastics, trampoline, and rhythmic gymnastics. Schedules of competition and more information can be found on http://www.toronto2015.org