Artemey stars at Olympic gymnastic trials

PHILADELPHIA, June 19 (UPI) -- Sasha Artemey turned in the best performance Thursday during the opening day of the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Trials.

Artemey, 22, a native of Belarus who moved to the United States 14 years ago, totaled 90.65 points for his efforts in the six routines. Jonathan Horton was second with 90.55 and Raj Bhavsar third with 90.50.

Thursday's score counts 30 percent toward the result that will determine which American athletes will compete in Beijing this summer. Last month's Visa Championships count for 40 percent and Friday's score will represent the final 30 percent.

Through Thursday, Horton was in first place in the overall results with Joseph Hagerty second, Artemey third and Bhavsar fourth.

Morgan Hamm, who finished in first place in the floor competition at the Visa Championships, struggled to a tie for eighth in the same event Thursday. He is trying to make his third Olympic team, having made an amazing recovery since tearing a pectoral muscle late last year.

Hamm is expected to make the Olympic team because he is in the top three in three disciplines -- floor exercise, vault and horizontal bar.