Full Breakdown
Skye Blakely and Claire Pease Tie for Senior All-Around Lead at the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships
8/8/2026, 9:02:20 PM
Core Competition Overview
The senior women’s competition began on August 7, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. According to USA Gymnastics, both Skye Blakely (Frisco, Texas/University of Florida) and Claire Pease (Sunnyvale, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics) posted identical all-around totals of 55.600 points, sharing the lead after the first day. Charleigh Bullock (Spotsylvania, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center) was third with 55.400 points. On vault, Blakely tied for the highest single-vault score at 14.200; on uneven bars she also tied for second with a 14.200 score; and she placed third on balance beam with 13.750.
In the junior division, Addalye VanGrinsven (Champlin, Minn./Pacific Reign Gymnastics) led the all-around with 53.150 points, nearly two points ahead of second-place Eva Doherty (Virginia Beach, Va./World Class Gymnastics) who scored 51.200.
The competition will conclude on Sunday, with combined two-day totals determining final placements.
Background & Context
Blakely, a two-time world-team member (2022, 2023), missed the 2024 Paris Olympics after rupturing her right Achilles tendon at the Olympic trials. She returned to elite competition in 2025, competing only on bars and beam, and resumed full-all-around routines during the 2025 NCAA season. Pease entered the senior ranks after winning the 2024 junior national title and placing tenth at the 2025 senior nationals.
Data & Statistics
- Senior all-around leaders: Blakely 55.600, Pease 55.600, Bullock 55.400
- Vault: Blakely 14.200 (tied highest), Jade Carey 14.000 average
- Uneven bars: Bullock 14.250 (top senior score), Blakely 14.200, Pease 14.200
- Balance beam: Rivera 14.300 (best senior beam score)
- Floor exercise: Reese Esponda 14.450 (top floor score)
- Junior all-around: VanGrinsven 53.150, Doherty 51.200
Official Statements & Responses
“I wasn't really knowing exactly what to expect, but to go out there and compete how I did, I'm happy,” — Skye Blakely
Pease described sharing the lead as “definitely a dream” and emphasized her focus on daily training “That would definitely be like a dream to be on top,” — Claire Pease.
USA Gymnastics announced that the top two senior women after the two-day competition will receive guaranteed invitations to the selection camp for the World Championships team, with at least ten additional gymnasts also invited.
On-the-Ground Reports
Broadcasters noted Blakely’s vault appeared “effortless” and her uneven-bars routine “exquisite,” while Bullock’s strong uneven-bars performance (14.250) kept her in contention despite a weaker floor finish. Rivera’s balance-beam routine (14.300) was highlighted as the night’s highest beam score, helping her remain in the top four after a fall on bars.
Impact on World Championships Selection
The championships serve as a primary qualifier for the U.S. women’s team bound for the October World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Securing a top-two finish guarantees a spot at the selection camp in Crossville, Tennessee, where the final five-woman roster will be chosen. The tie at the top therefore places both Blakely and Pease in a strong position for the world-team roster.
What’s Next
- August 8: Final day of men’s competition at the championships.
- Sunday: Completion of senior women’s competition; combined scores will determine final standings.
- Early autumn: Selection camp in Crossville, Tennessee, to finalize the U.S. team for the World Championships in Rotterdam.
