Surprises from the games this year?

[Paul Victor French]

Just curious what about the games surprised you this year?

For me I was surprised by Holmberg, I'll admit I thought last year was a "fluke" and I never saw him as a serious threat, he made one hell of a comeback and even though he didn't make the podium (4th) he still impressed me.

I thought Bailey would do better. I am aware he came in 6th, but it was more what he struggled on I thought he'd do well on, 27th in the rope climb/clean event, and the struggle with the last part of the final event. I predicted him on the podium, so I was a little surprised.

Bridges impressed me the most, even after the online open thing he never really got much attention (not like Bailey did), but he certainly proved that he's a contender on many levels.

Lastly I predicted Malleolo as someone who could be the podium, 18th overall isn't really that close. Maybe the workouts didn't favour him but I thought he'd be up there.

That's all, anything about this weekend surprise you, good or bad?

I will add I am not surprised by how Froning did.

[Gaines DuVall]

Originally Posted by Paul Victor French

I will add I am not surprised by how Froning did.

Thats what I was going to say.

[Mark E. Wallace]

Thought they'd do better
- Bailey
- Chan
- Malleolo
- Salo (although he gets a pass because of his injury, of course)

- Stacie Tovar; surprised she didn't make the first cut
- Lindsey Smith; 16th is good, but I figured her for top 10
- Michelle Kinney; 17th is good, but I figured her for top 10

Surprised they did so well
- Ben Smith; thought he'd need another year or two before the podium
- Barber
- Morrison; thought the likes of Spealler, Chan, and Khalipa would be above Blair

- Jenny LaBaw ; had never heard of her
- Annie Sakamoto; wow, just wow

[Mark E. Wallace]

Also, for the competitors from the South Central Region:

Men
- Didn't think that any of them would make the first cut; was pleased that both Aja Barto and Zeph Littleton did.

Women
- Already mentioned that I thought Lindsey Smith would do a bit better, but 16th is still pretty good
- Thought Carey Kepler would make it to Sunday
- Wasn't too sure if Lisa Thiel would make it through the first cut; was pleasantly surprised that she did.