Skye Blakely returned to elite all-around competition for the first time since suffering a ruptured Achilles ahead of the 2024 Olympic Trials, tying for first with a 55.60 after the opening day of the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. [Photo: Lloyd Smith]
Skye Blakely Tied for First after Day 1 of U.S. Gymnastics Championships
Friday, August 7, 2026 | Gymnastics
PHOENIX, Ariz. – Skye Blakely made an impressive return to elite all-around competition Friday, tying Claire Pease for first with a 55.60 after the opening day of senior women's action at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
The rising Gator junior competed in the elite all-around for the first time since the 2024 U.S. Championships. Her bid for a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team ended when she ruptured her Achilles during the final training day before the Olympic Trials.
"I'm just really excited and happy to even have the opportunity to be here and for it to go well today," Blakely said after the competition. "Just a huge smile on my face. I think I almost cried a little bit, but not today. But just happy."
Blakely is the only gymnast performing at the 2026 U.S. Championships who also competed during the 2026 NCAA season. On Friday, she performed her floor exercise to the same music she used for her Gator routines this past season. Blakely earned four All-America honors in 2026 and recorded perfect 10.0s on uneven bars and balance beam.
More Gators in All-Around Top 10
Two others who signed with the Gators last November also stand among the top 10 all-arounders after day 1. Dulcy Caylor is seventh at 53.60 and Simone Rose is ninth at 53.40.
Another Gator signee, Jayla Hang, competed only on balance beam Friday as she is coming back from a wrist injury.
Caylor, Hang and Rose signed with Florida in November in 2025. Caylor and Hang both announced they will defer enrollment at UF to train for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials.
There was a fifth Gator planning to compete, but Leanne Wong withdrew Wednesday evening after hyperextending her knee during Aug. 4 podium training. Wong won the vault title at the 2025 U.S. Championships.
What's at Stake?
U.S. champions and U.S. National Team members are determined after Sunday's competition. National team berths give the gymnasts a chance to claim a 2026 World Championships roster spot, which is set for Oct. 17-25 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Three quarters of the U.S.'s 2025 World Championships roster had Gator ties – Blakely, Caylor and Wong. Blakely and Wong won team gold at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
Watch the Competition
Missed Friday's airing on Peacock? NBC airs day 1 competition tape-delayed on Saturday, Aug. 8 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
The final day of women's competition at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships is Sunday. Find that competition live on NBC beginning at 6 p.m. ET on NBC. Sunday Start List
Gators at Xfinity U.S. Championships – Day 1
Complete opening day results
The rising Gator junior competed in the elite all-around for the first time since the 2024 U.S. Championships. Her bid for a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team ended when she ruptured her Achilles during the final training day before the Olympic Trials.
"I'm just really excited and happy to even have the opportunity to be here and for it to go well today," Blakely said after the competition. "Just a huge smile on my face. I think I almost cried a little bit, but not today. But just happy."
Blakely is the only gymnast performing at the 2026 U.S. Championships who also competed during the 2026 NCAA season. On Friday, she performed her floor exercise to the same music she used for her Gator routines this past season. Blakely earned four All-America honors in 2026 and recorded perfect 10.0s on uneven bars and balance beam.
"WOOOOOOO!" 🗣️
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 8, 2026
With that coach reaction on uneven bars, it's safe to say that Skye Blakely is BACK!
📺 U.S. Gymnastics Championships on Peacock & NBCSN pic.twitter.com/GiDRJaFDMg
More Gators in All-Around Top 10
Two others who signed with the Gators last November also stand among the top 10 all-arounders after day 1. Dulcy Caylor is seventh at 53.60 and Simone Rose is ninth at 53.40.
Another Gator signee, Jayla Hang, competed only on balance beam Friday as she is coming back from a wrist injury.
Caylor, Hang and Rose signed with Florida in November in 2025. Caylor and Hang both announced they will defer enrollment at UF to train for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials.
There was a fifth Gator planning to compete, but Leanne Wong withdrew Wednesday evening after hyperextending her knee during Aug. 4 podium training. Wong won the vault title at the 2025 U.S. Championships.
What's at Stake?
U.S. champions and U.S. National Team members are determined after Sunday's competition. National team berths give the gymnasts a chance to claim a 2026 World Championships roster spot, which is set for Oct. 17-25 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Three quarters of the U.S.'s 2025 World Championships roster had Gator ties – Blakely, Caylor and Wong. Blakely and Wong won team gold at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships.
Watch the Competition
Missed Friday's airing on Peacock? NBC airs day 1 competition tape-delayed on Saturday, Aug. 8 beginning at 4 p.m. ET.
The final day of women's competition at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships is Sunday. Find that competition live on NBC beginning at 6 p.m. ET on NBC. Sunday Start List
Gators at Xfinity U.S. Championships – Day 1
| Skye Blakely | Score | Place | ||
| Vault | 14.20 | |||
| Bars | 14.20 | T2 | ||
| Beam | 13.75 | 3 | ||
| Floor | 13.45 | T6 | ||
| All-Around | 55.60 | T1 |
| Dulcy Caylor | Scores | Place | ||
| Vault | 13.85 | |||
| Bars | 12.90 | 12 | ||
| Beam | 13.40 | 5 | ||
| Floor | 13.45 | T6 | ||
| All-Around | 53.60 | 7 |
A look at Jayla Hang's 13.050 on Balance Beam! 📹⤵️
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) August 8, 2026
Watch #XfinityChamps live on Peacock & NBCSN! pic.twitter.com/JSvGA43x1q
| Jayla Hang | Scores | Place | ||
| Beam | 13.05 |
| Simone Rose | Scores | Place | ||
| Vault | 13.80 | |||
| Bars | 13.80 | T4 | ||
| Beam | 13.10 | T8 | ||
| Floor | 12.70 | T16 | ||
| All-Around | 53.40 | 9 |
Complete opening day results
Players Mentioned
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