Men’s gymnastics: Rotation 3, ups and downs

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PHILADELPHIA -- Rotation three.

WHO’S UP: Alexander Artemev stuck a second straight landing off the still rings, and he seems to be gaining the confidence that he was missing at a mistake-filled nationals. His score of 14.550 isn’t the best in the world, but it showed an ability to avoid a major mistake that will help him make the U.S. team.

Justin Spring, who is considered an individual medalist contender on the parallel, did his jam-packed routine with only a couple of stutters and posted a 15.700 score. The crowd was appreciative. The 18,000-seat arena is almost two-thirds full.

WHO’S DOWN: Yewki Tomita, a long shot for the team, was unable to rise to a handstand, a relatively simple floor exercise skill, and he skidded off the mat on his dismount. His score of 12.700 was the lowest on any event by anybody so far tonight. The Olympic dream of the two-time U.S. pommel horse champion from Tucson seems unlikely.

-- Diane Pucin