Meet the Hopefuls: 2020 Olympics

There is a lot of talented gymnasts in the United States. As we watch a new quadrennium unfold before our eyes, new stars slowly begin to emerge as hopefuls for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Although those games are seven years away, the next big names for USA Gymnastics are just beginning their journey down the elite path. For many little girls across the country- the road to Tokyo begins now. You may not recognize many of these names right now, but keep your eye on these kids because they all have potential to be something great!  

Delanie Harkness

Gym: Gedderts Twistars
Age: 11 (Will be 17 in 2020) 
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 Level 10 States- 8th AA
2013 Twistars Invite- 1st AA & 1st UB
2012 USA Open Championships- 3rd VT & UB
2012 Regionals- 1st UB & 2nd AA
2012 Level 8 States- 1st AA & VT
2010 Level 6 States- 1st AA
2009 Level 4 States- 1st AA

 

The style of Delanie's gymnastics resembles her former club-mate, Jordyn Wieber. When I watch her, I am instantly reminded of Jordyn when she was just 11 years old. Despite having an injury earlier in the year, Delanie competed both level 9 and 10 this past season and did pretty well. Her main focus is eventually going elite though. Delanie doesn't have any extremely difficult skills yet, but that's no surprise considering she's still young and has many years to go. This year Delanie has attended several of the Developmental Camps down at the ranch and placed 3rd in physical abilities at only her second camp in July.



Watch more videos of Delanie here

Autumn Blaney

Gym: Gedderts Twistars
Age: 12 (Will be 18 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 Level 9 Easterns- 6th AA & 2nd UB
2013 Region 5 Championship- 1st UB & 4th AA
2013 Level 9 States- 1st UB & BB, 2nd FX & AA
2012 Level 8 States- 3rd UB, 2nd BB, & 4th AA





Autumn is right on the same page as her teammate Delanie. Coach John Geddert refers to the duo as "Salt and Pepper" and mentioned in Gymnastike's BTR that the two are the new Jordyn Wieber and Kamerin Moore of the gym. Autumn competed level 9 last season and is slowly making the transition to the elite level. Like Delanie, Autumn has also attended several of the developmental camps with intentions of competing elite in the near future.



Watch more videos of Autumn here

Sage Thompson

Gym: All American
Age: 10 (Will be 16 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 Level 9 States- 1st FX, 2nd AA, VT, UB,& BB
2013 Fiesta Bowl- 3rd AA & VT, 2nd FX
2012 Level 8 Xcel State Meet- 1st AA, VT, UB, & FX
2012 Gliders Invite- 1st AA & 1st on all events





You may recognize Sage from YouTube, as she has uploaded videos of her progress since she was seven years old. Sage is a natural talent and has made tremendous progress in the last few years. She went from level 5 to training elite in just four short years. Along the way she was a member of the TOPS team for several years. Sage has showed some impressive new skills in training like a yurchenko full on vault and a triple twist on floor. Currently Sage is training with hopes of being accepted into a developmental camp next year as well as qualifying for pre elite or elite. (Depending on her scores.) 



Watch more videos of Sage here.

Jordan Chiles 

Gym: Naydenov
Age: 12 (Will be 19 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 P&G Championships- 11th AA, 6th VT
2013 American Classic- 1st AA & VT
2012 Region 2 Championships- 4th AA & BB, 3rd VT, UB, & FX





Jordan caught everyone's attention last year when videos of her in training were discovered on YouTube. Everyone was in awe when they saw how powerful she was and some of the crazy skills she could do at such a young age. Jordan competed at the elite level this past year and did very well, she won the American Classic and placed 11th all around at her first P&G Championships. Since then, Jordan has been seen training some big skills like an amanar on vault (which she does very well) and could eventually be a big factor in the standings with a few more years of experience under her belt. This year Jordan has attended some training camps at the ranch and is working to make the national team next year.

 

Watch more videos of Jordan here.

Adeline Kenlin
 

Gym: Iowa Gym-Nest
Age: 11 (Will be 17 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 US Challenge- 1st AA, UB, BB, & FX
2013 Level 9 Westerns- 7th BB & 5th FX
2013 Region 4 Championships- 5th BB & 9th AA









Adeline is a very young, but talented gymnast who was born in China and now resides in Iowa. For Adeline, the many trips down to the ranch for developmental camps has paid off. As a pre elite this year, she won every title (except for vault) on the biggest stage that a HOPES gymnast can compete at- the US Challenge. With a little bit more time and some added difficulty, Adeline has the qualities to be a star. You will likely be seeing a lot of her in the future, after the US Challenge she told her local news that she wants to go to the Olympics, and if she doesn't make it there she would like to do college gymnastics.

 

Watch more videos of Adeline here

Irina Alexeeva

Gym: WOGA
Age: 11 (Will be 18 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 Masillia- 1st AA, UB, & BB
2013 JO Nationals- Beam Champion & 8th AA
2013 Region 3 Championships- Bars Champion & 4th AA, BB, FX






Irina has been pretty popular amongst the gymternet for quite some time. She is fantastic on beam, but beautiful to watch on every event. Irina told us last year that she wants to go to the Olympics someday and would like to compete for Russia. Last year Irina competed level 10 as well as qualifying to pre elite. Most recently she competed at the Elite Massilia in the childrens 'open' division. She won the all around with a whopping 59.850 after scoring a 16.0 on beam and a 15.850 on bars. Irina will likely compete junior elite next year and will be one to watch for years to come. 

Watch more videos of Irina here

Cienna Samiley

Gym: Gold Medal Gymnastics
Age: 11 (Will be 18 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2012 Region 1 Championships- 5th AA, 2nd FX, 3rd UB & BB
2012 Level 8 States- 5th AA, 4th UB, 2nd BB, & 3rd FX




Cienna is another one of those girls who has uploaded her progress on YouTube since she was 5 years old. Since then she has come a long way! Cienna has those beautiful long lines that international judges love, but until she gets to the international level she will have to settle for the high praise she has received from the national team staff. Cienna has attended all the developmental camps this year and plans to attend more next year, as well as qualify for pre elite or elite. (Depending on the score she receives.)




Watch more videos of Cienna here

Ariana Agrapides

Gym: MG Elite
Age: 12 (Will be 19 in 2020)
Major Accomplishments:  
2013 P&G Championships- 1st VT
2013 Secret Classic- 2nd VT
2013 American Classic- 1st AA & UB, 2nd VT, BB, & FX





In her first year as an elite gymnast, Ari had a phenomenal year and exceeded her own goals. Now with a trip to the P&G Championships and a National vault title under her belt, she is more then ready for what the future holds. Ari only began gymnastics when she was 8 years old and went from level 5 to elite in just three years! She is now known for her amazing yurchenko double that is sky high and done with near perfect form. She has a lot of potential and is capable of doing great things if she can contain her nerves. Ari's main goal for next year is to get on the national team and if she can stay consistent- she could easily make the all around podium at Nationals. 

 

Watch more videos of Ariana here