Local gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross named to U.S. world team

McKayla Maroney of Long Beach and Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo are two of the four women’s gymnasts selected to represent the United States at the world gymnastics championships Sept. 30-Oct. 6 in Antwerp, Belgium.

Maroney became famous at the 2012 London Olympics for her facial expression after failing to win a gold medal in the vault, the apparatus on which she was the world champion. Ross was also a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team last summer.

Also on the team are Simone Biles of Spring, Texas, who recently won the all-around title at the U.S. nationals, and Brenna McDowell of Odessa, Mo., who was the bronze medalist at nationals. Ross was second.

Also, Sam Mikulak of Newport Coast, who is in college at Michigan, will be on the men’s team.

This is a sign that both Maroney and Ross are hoping to continue until the 2016 Games in Brazil.

ALSO:

Sounds of silence for Florida Panthers vs. Nashville Predators

Tim Tebow rally flops in Jacksonville, but Russia still wants him

Rob Gronkowski could return Sunday; Aaron Hernandez won’t be watching