Battle begins for coveted spots on USA Men's Gymnastics team

ST. LOUIS – The 2016 USA Men's Gymnastics Olympic Trials opened Thursday night in St. Louis where 18 gymnasts are competing for five coveted spots on the team that will represent the United States in Rio.

We are following every move of Houstonian Chris Brooks, who at the age of 29 is hoping to punch his ticket to Rio. Brooks opened his night on the rings with a solid 14.475 score. Brooks, who went to Jersey Village High School, then scored a 15.0 on the vault, 15.5 on the parallel bars and a 15.325 on the rings. He was the All-Around leader after five rotations thanks to a steady floor exercise and a score of 14.4775.

In his sixth and final event on the pommel horse, Brooks delivered a 13.8 score. Overall he is second overall in the All-Around after opening night.

This competition is unique in that the men’s team is based on the recent P&;G Championships along with the two rounds here at the trials. Saturday night, when the trials end, the committee will meet for 15 minutes and choose the five members of Team USA along with three alternates.

The Women’s P&G Championships begin Friday and the men will train and get back to competition Saturday.