Sixth rotation, almost over

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PHILADELPHIA -- Sixth rotation.

WHO’S UP: Even though Justin Spring sat out the final rotation, opting to skip the pommel horse, his performance on the evening -- first overall after the first five rotations -- proved he had some physical sturdiness. He had only competed four events at nationals and limped on his sprained ankle.

Jonathan Horton, who had twice fallen off the high bar at nationals, hung on to every release move and uttered an audible sigh of relief when he finished without a kaboom moment. His score of 15.200 tied Morgan Hamm for third best on the night. But no one gained more confidence than Horton.

And Alexander Artemev redeemed his fall-filled nationals performance by finishing first overall Thursday night.

WHO’S DOWN: On the evening David Durante struggled through two falls and a lackluster vault score of 15.600, which was in the lower half.

-- Diane Pucin