SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Maggie Nichols knows exactly what she has to do to be considered for a place on the U.S. Olympic team.

"I have to show I can hit all my routines under pressure," the gymnast from Little Canada said. "And that I'm very consistent, very powerful and clean."

It's a straightforward task, but not an easy one. Friday, when the Olympic trials begin at SAP Center, Nichols will perform all four events for the first time since March 5. She competed on only uneven bars and balance beam at last month's U.S. championships, her first meet since she had arthroscopic knee surgery in early April to repair a torn meniscus.

Nichols placed 10th on beam and 13th on bars at the nationals, the first of a two-step process to determine the five-member Olympic team. Coaches Sarah Jantzi and Mike Hunger said she has made considerable progress since then, and Nichols affirmed that after a Thursday training session.

"I'm maybe a little bit [nervous], just because I haven't had a lot of time to prepare for all four events," she said. "I just want to go out and do the best I can do. I'm not at my peak, not 100 percent like I used to be, but I'm trying to get there. I'm giving it my all."

In March, Nichols placed second in the all-around at the American Cup, then missed two major meets while she recovered from her injury. U.S. women's national team coordinator Martha Karolyi will be looking for her to replicate her previous form.

"She's coming back very nicely," said Karolyi, head of the committee that will pick the team. "She needs to do her routines with the difficulty level, and she needs to show confidence and consistency."

Simone says

Reigning world and U.S. all-around champ Simone Biles is an overwhelming favorite to finish atop the 14-athlete field and earn her first Olympic berth. Biles has owned the sport for the past few years, winning by enormous margins — including a nearly four-point gap in the all-around competition at last month's national championships.

Thursday, she said she is taking nothing for granted at a competition she has long been anticipating.

"All of us still have to earn our spot," Biles said. "Nothing is ever handed to us, so we all have something to prove when we get out there.

"All of us are just so emotional about it. It's such an exciting moment in all of our lives."

Separating themselves

Karolyi said Thursday she has zeroed in on a "pretty solid" list of contenders heading into the trials. Biles is considered a lock, and 2012 Olympic gold medalists Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman also are favorites. Others anticipated to be in the mix include Laurie Hernandez, third in the all-around at the U.S. championships; bars specialists Madison Kocian and Ashton Locklear; and Nichols, if she returns to pre-injury form.

"I feel like major changes would not happen," said Karolyi, who added she has about four potential lineups in mind. "I'm not expecting that, but you never know."