Orange County’s Kyla Ross helped the U.S. win a second consecutive world team title at the World Championships in Nanning, China on Wednesday.
With Ross setting the tone by leading off for the Americans on three of four events, the U.S. powered to a dominating victory to become the first team to win back-to-back world titles in more than a decade.
The U.S. finished with an overall score of 179.28, giving the Americans a whopping 6.693-point margin of victory over host China with Russia securing at the bronze medal at 171.462.
Ross, who scored a 13.966 on the floor exercise, has been nursing a hip injury but was able to perform well in all four events for the U.S. team that also included reigning world all-around champion Simone Biles, MyKayla Skinner, Alyssa Baumann, Madison Kocian and Ashton Locklear.
“I’m glad to be able to compete in all four events and help the team,” Ross said. “In London, doing only two adds a little more pressure because you have to do those two really well.”
Newport Coast’s Sam Mikulak led the U.S. to a bronze medal in the men’s team competition.
With Wednesday’s victory, Ross and the U.S. become the first team to win back-to-back women’s world titles since Romania won five straight (1994, 1995, 1997, 1999, and 2001). The U.S. won the 2011 team title, the last time the team competition was held at Worlds. Ross and Team USA followed that up with a record-setting victory at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Ross,who trains at Gym-Max in Costa Mesa, will compete in the individual all-around and balance beam competitions later this week.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
