Brody Malone is back like he never left. 

After missing the majority of the 2023 season with a knee injury, which required three surgeries that put his Olympic chances in question, the two-time U.S. all-around national champion battled back to compete in all six events for the first time since the 2022 World Championships and didn’t miss a beat. 

Malone powered through the competition, nailing a high bar routine for a 14.900 in the final rotation to lock his spot atop the leaderboard after the first day of competition (85.950). 

World all-around bronze medalist in 2023, Frederick Richard, had a slow start to the competition, struggling with his rhythm on pommel horse in the first rotation, but fought back to finish the day in second (84.350). Donnell Whittenburg and Colt Walker sit tied for third (83.500).  

Scores from Thursday night will be combined with the scores from the final day of competition on Saturday (June 1) to crown a national champion. 

The five-man Paris Olympic team will largely be decided based on results this week and at the Olympic Trials from June 27-30 in Minneapolis.