ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Danell Leyva has edged world bronze medalist Jonathan Horton in the first day of competition at the U.S. gymnastics championships.
Leyva, who was second to Horton last year, is more than two points ahead going into Friday night’s final. Leyva finished with a score of 92.5 while Horton, trying to become the first three-time winner since 2004 Olympic champion Paul Hamm, had 90.4 — though Leyva’s score Wednesday night was bolstered by a monster 16.9 on high bar that included bonus points awarded by USA Gymnastics to encourage the men to beef up with their routines.
Steve Legendre (89.4) is third and former U.S. junior champ John Orozco (89.2) is fourth. Jake Dalton, who led for much of the night, dropped to sixth after falling off pommel horse.
