Laurie Hernandez, 16, taking Olympic gymnastics trials pressure in stride

SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Sometimes, inexperience can be a good thing. Maggie Haney, who coaches 16-year-old Laurie Hernandez, said the first-year senior competitor wasn't particularly tense heading into the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials.

"Laurie said it felt like she went to [last month's U.S.] championships, took a nap and woke up, and she was here," Haney said. "She actually feels less pressure right now, because she's like, 'I just did this. No big deal.' "

Hernandez made a surprise third-place finish at the nationals, stamping her as a top contender at the trials. Friday, she kept climbing on the first night of competition at SAP Center, sitting in second place in the all-around standings with a score of 60.850. The U.S. junior all-around champion in 2015, Hernandez made a big impression at the nationals in St. Louis in late June. Friday, she again showcased her vibrant floor routine.

"I'm just enjoying the moment," said Hernandez, who finished third in floor with a score of 15.300 and was first on balance beam (15.500). "Right before I went out, I said, 'I've got to go out there and own it.' It was just fun. I just really enjoyed myself."

Haney said she wondered before the season whether it would have been better if Hernandez had been old enough to qualify for last year's world championships, giving her more high-pressure experience going into the Olympic year. The results thus far have left her satisfied.

"It's been kind of nice, because there isn't as much expectation for her,'' Haney said. "We kind of got to lay low and just got to train and be in our gym. And anything she does is like a surprise to everybody.''

In public, at least, Martha Karolyi doesn't come across as particularly sentimental. And as of now, that isn't changing — despite her impending retirement.

These trials will mark the last time Martha will choose an Olympic team, and she said she is concentrating only on that task.

"I'm so much involved, and so anxious to do the best job possible and select the best team and then prepare in the best conditions," she said. "I don't even think what comes after. Probably it will hit me when everything is over."