Burning Questions for Conclusion of the US Men's Gymnastics 2016 Olympic Trials

A lot can happen between now and the Summer Games, and there are some pressing questions as we look ahead to the U.S. Men's Gymnastics Trials. One of the most exhilarating sports on the program, gymnastics features high-flying tests of skill, finesse and athleticism. There will be more than a dozen men vying for a coveted spot on the team.

While there are still several weeks left until the big event begins in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, the trials have had their share of drama already. They will conclude Saturday, completing the selection process.

Read on as we look at some big questions this weekend's events will answer.

Is Sam Mikulak a Lock?

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The only sure thing in sports is there is no such thing as a sure thing, but Sam Mikulak is looking awfully close to one. At 23 years old, he is a veteran of the world stage and represented the United States in the 2012 London Games. 

The Olympic stage can be daunting, and his experience in London should work to his advantage as the pressure mounts. In an interview with ESPN.com's Melissa Isaacson, he explained how overwhelming the first Olympic experience can be for an athlete:

"

You freak out when you're in the Olympic Games. There are millions of cameras. Everyone is watching your every move. Some people will trip when they normally would never trip in a routine. It's the small things that nerves really bring out in people and that's what I'm trying to get rid of.

"

He dealt with a sprained ankle during the trials in 2012 and still made the team. Stronger and more experienced four years later, he is difficult to overlook. On Thursday, even bloodied wrists couldn't stop him from a strong performance, and he is a front-runner to clinch a spot on the team.

Can Alex Naddour Make It Count?

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Alex Naddour has been knocking on the door of stardom for much of his gymnastics career. A specialist on the pommel horse, he has won the national title four times but has never made an Olympic team.

He recently became a father for the first time. And while he and his wife, elite gymnast Hollie Vise, may be raising the next generation of Olympic athletes, his focus is still on the 2016 Games. He was an alternate for the 2012 London Olympics and, as he told NBC, it was "really tough" to watch his teammates struggle in his strongest event: the pommel horse.

At 25, this could be his final chance to make it to the Olympic stage. He turned in a stellar performance Thursday in his specialty event, the pommel horse. Sports Illustrated tweeted that Team USA could need a strong hand in that event, a fact that could help Naddour in the selection process.

Will a Collegiate Athlete Make the Team?

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There is no shortage of young talent in the United States. In 2012, there were two collegiate athletes who made the United States men's gymnastics team for the London Games. Jake Dalton represented the University of Oklahoma, and Sam Mikulak was enrolled in the University of Michigan.

This year's collegiate contenders include Yul Moldauer (Ohio State), Sean Melton (Ohio State), Akash Modi (Stanford) and Kanji Oyama (University of Oklahoma). While none of these athletes have experienced the world stage like some of their more experienced fellow hopefuls, gymnastics favors youth.

Of those five up-and-coming athletes, Modi may be the strongest contender. After Thursday's portion, he was very much in the picture.

Can Danell Leyva Break Out of His Slump?

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Danell Leyva was a force at the 2012 London Olympics. As one of the bright spots in what was otherwise an uninspiring showing from the men's gymnastics team, he won the all-around bronze medal.

However, since then, he has struggled to recapture the glory. In the recent P&G Championships, he finished a dismal 16th and has been inconsistent at best.

He knows his spot on the 2016 team is far from guaranteed, and as he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, he is aware of the depth of his competition: "That’s gonna suck for the selection committee because our job is just to go up, do our events and worry about doing our own performance well. They’re the ones who have the hard job of actually picking who’s going to be on that team."

His experience, coupled with his impressive style on the high bars, could still make him a major threat. On Thursday, it appeared he was putting the recent disappointments behind him, and he came out swinging. Can that momentum continue into Saturday?

Will Experience Triumph over Youth?

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There is an interesting mix of contenders for the 2016 men's gymnastics team, which includes some seasoned veterans and fresh faces.

After an average showing at the London Games in 2012, there are several competitors who seem likely to return to the lineup. Sam Mikulak, as mentioned in an earlier slide, seems to be the front-runner and will automatically qualify for the team if he can maintain his placings from the P&G Championship and get a top-three ranking in another event.

Veterans Danell Leyva, Jake Dalton and John Orozco will join him as they try to defend their coveted spots from rising stars such as Yul Moldauer and Sean Melton as well as former rivals, Chris Brooks and Steve Legendre, who were alternates in 2012.