Ragan Smith, handed at age 17 the role of heavy favorite in the U.S. gymnastics championships, embraced it and won the women's all-around on Sunday in Anaheim, Calif.
Smith posted a score of 115.250, more than three points clear of Jordan Chiles in second place and Riley McCusker in third. Her 57.850 score in the finals was the best in the 16-woman all-around field by nearly two points.
Smith is one of the few holdovers from the 2016 Olympic cycle, having served as an alternate for the Rio team, and she's a lock to make the four-woman team that will head to Canada in October for the world championships. An American woman has won the world or Olympic title each of the past six years. Barring injury, Smith should be right there.
"She pulled everybody up," coach Valeri Liukin said. "I'm happy with what I see now. We just need a little more time to cook. We have the talent."
NBA
League looking into George, Lakers
The NBA said it has opened an investigation into whether the Los Angeles Lakers tampered with Paul George while he was under contract with Indiana.
The probe is being handled by a New York-based law firm, and the NBA said the Lakers have cooperated.
George is a four-time All-Star and Los Angeles native who was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason. The Pacers traded him after George told them he planned to leave Indiana as a free agent.
Minnesota Scene
Saints add ex-major leaguer Johnson
The St. Paul Saints turned to a familiar face for a spark in the final two weeks of the season, signing former major leaguer Dan Johnson, and Johnson hit a home run in his first game, helping the Saints beat Cleburne 8-5 at CHS Field.
