Olympic Trials | What about the other five?

Last weekend we were treated to plenty of gymnastics action, however there was also plenty of amazing gymnastics that we didn't see. (Thanks, NBC!) While I get that NBC's job is to focus on the girls who are in contention for spots on the team, it would still be nice to see at least one routine from everybody, considering there were only fourteen gymnasts competing in the whole competition. The Olympic Trials are a special moment and for some gymnasts it's their time to shine. The Olympic Trials are their Olympics!

While you might not have seen these ladies competing (unless you were lucky enough to be in San Jose) they are just as talented and special as the eight girls named to the Olympic squad. (And Maggie Nichols, of course!) So here's some recognition to the five girls you didn't see! (Shout out to @jovialjacki for recording some of the routines!) Also thank you to Christina, Emily, Amelia, and Rachel for contributing to the article!

Christina Desiderio 

John Cheng 

• 1st year senior 
• Won bronze on floor at the 2016 Secret Classic 
• Has a 16.0 start value on floor 
• 1 of 5 US women (senior) to compete a double double on floor
• Committed to LSU (2018-2019)

"I was extremely honored to participate in such a prestigious event, the Olympic Trials! At first I thought I was going to feel overwhelmed, but surprisingly I was not as nervous as I thought I would be. The highlight of the meet for me was making my bar routine on both days. I also enjoyed bonding more with the girls-- we had so much fun! Competing in front of 19,000 people was amazing! I plan to stay elite and hopefully get lots of international assignments and maybe even make the 2017 Worlds team before I leave for college." 

Emily Schild 

John Cheng

• Won bronze on vault at the 2013 Secret Classic 
• Member of the gold medal winning team at the Pan American Games in 2015
• Placed 1st with the team, 3rd on vault, and 7th all-around at the 2016 Jesolo Trophy 
• Has a 16.4 start value on bars
• Committed to the University of Georgia (2017-2018)

"Competing at Trials was truly amazing. It's always such an honor to wear USA on your back knowing that you are among the very best gymnasts in the USA. The highlight for me was the crowd. They had such an amazing energy! Knowing that at the end of the night we'd have an Olympic team chosen added to the excitement! As for the future, I will continue competing elite until I leave for Georgia!" 

Amelia Hundley 

John Cheng 

• Member of the US National Team for 5 years
• Became the junior National Champion on her "weakest" event (bars) in 2013
• Team gold, floor silver, and bronze on bars at the 2015 Pan American Games 
• 3rd all-around at the 2016 Stuttgart World Cup 
• Signed with the University of Florida (2016-2017)

"It was just the most amazing experience and it makes all the hard times and sacrifices worth it. One of the highlights of the week was on the first night walking out for introduction and they announce your name with 19,000 people screaming in that huge arena! I am now very excited to start school at the University of Florida and have a great and fun college experience." 

Rachel Gowey

John Cheng 

"Competing at Olympic Trials was an experience I will never forget. With all the injuries I have faced in the past couple of years, I would have never pictured myself getting this far. It was the most fun I've ever had competing, especially with a close group of girls and cheering everybody on! A highlight of the competition would definitely be improving all of my routines day 2 and giving it my all. My beam routine on day 2 was probably my best beam routine that I have ever competed and I was just so grateful to have this experience. My future plans are to attend the University of Florida this coming fall and be on the gymnastics team. I am so beyond excited to start this chapter in my life!" 

• Won bronze on beam at the 2014 Secret Classic 
• Won 2 gold medals at the 2015 Pan American Games--team and uneven bars!
• 2nd all-around at the 2016 Secret Classic 
• One of very few gymnasts who have competed a 3.5 twist on floor
• Signed with the University of Florida (2016-2017)

Brenna Dowell 

John Cheng 

• Member of the US National Team for six years 
• Has a skill named after her in the code of points (front handspring-double pike) 
• 2nd all-around at the 2014 American Cup
• Member of the 2015 World Championships gold medal winning team.
• Gold with the team and silver on floor at the 2016 Pacific Rim
• Competed as a freshman at the University of Oklahoma in 2015. Will return to the team this season!