No regrets for Mattie

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

NEW WAVERLY, Texas -- In her first year of competing at the elite senior level of gymnastics, 16-year-old Mattie Larson of Los Angeles has made it to the final 12 in the USA Olympic selection process.

After performing for a few dozen fans and the USA selection committee Friday at the Bela and Martha Karolyi ranch, Larson said she will be satisfied with whatever decisions are made Saturday.

While it’s unlikely that Larson will be part of the final six-woman competitive team that is named Saturday night, it would not be surprising if one of a trio newcomers -- Larson, 15-year-old Chelsea Davis of Austin, Texas (she’s coached by former world champion Kim Zmeskal) or 16-year-old Corrie Lothrop of Gaithersburg, Md. -- is selected as one of the Olympic team alternates.

‘Being an alternate would be so great and a big accomplishment for me,’ Larson said. ‘But whatever happens, this has been really a good learning experience. This is just the start. I can hardly wait for next year.’

U.S. team director Martha Karolyi said she expects Larson, Davis and Lothrop to be the core for the United States in the next couple of years when veterans such as Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel and Nastia Liukin likely move on.

-- Diane Pucin