Price Is Right

When you are competing in such a large field of talented gymnasts, proving yourself as a contender in the eyes of Marta Karolyi is no small task. However, seventeen year old Elizabeth Price handles the pressure with ease,  prevailing in nearly every opportunity to come her way so far. Elizabeth, who is better known as Ebee in the gymnastics world; has put her name on everyone's radar and with good reason.

Photo Credit: Heather Maynez

The last two years have been a whirlwind for Price. In 2012 she made her debut on the senior stage by helping team USA win the gold medal at the Jesolo Trophy meet. In addition to the team gold, she competed her amanar vault for the first time and claimed the silver on that event. Just a few months later, Ebee embarked on one of the most important journeys of her life-attempting to make the 2012 Olympic team. It all started at the Secret Classic in May where she placed an incredible 5th all around; a result that not many people predicted beforehand. Following this competition, Elizabeth Price's name was now in the conversation. In June, she repeated her 5th place result at the Visa Championships and made the National team. Ebee quickly became known for her clean and powerful skills as well as her impressive tumbling done with ease. Last but not least was the Olympic Trials in July where she only continued to improve- placing 4th all around. Despite having the competition of her life, she was not named to the 2012 Olympic team. Instead, she was named one of three alternates and would travel along with team USA in case of an injury. Nonetheless the world liked what they saw from Ebee at trials and she certainly left her mark. Even though the Olympics are every gymnasts dream, Ebee was still honored to be named an alternate. "I was very excited when I was announced as an alternate for London. I mean, it's the Olympic team! That was the biggest thing to ever happen to me, I was so happy!" said Price.

Photo Credit: USA Gymnastics

 Being an alternate may have been a blessing in disguise for Ebee who was granted two World Cup opportunities in Stuttgart and Glasgow. Between both competitions, Price nailed six clean sets and took home two World Cup titles- the perfect way to end her first year as a senior. Not only was the world surprised by Price's remarkable year, but Ebee even surprised herself. "I definitely wasn't expecting everything that happened last year. I mean, I was hoping for the best, but wishing for something to happen and actually going out and doing it are two different things." Price explained. More impressively, Ebee won both competitions by a very large margin. In Stuttgart she won by over two full points and in Glasgow she won by over four points! "Being able to go to those meets and put up such a high number of hit routines isn't something that everyone can do. I'm happy to be able to say I'm capable of such consistency." Price added "2012 was definitly the highlight of my gymnastics career."


                 

Following her success in 2012, Ebee was then selected as one of two American athletes to compete at the American Cup in 2013. Unfortunately a hip injury that occurred during training forced her to withdraw from the meet and would keep her out of competition for several months. After two hip surgeries, Ebee began the long road to recovery. "Recovering from two hip surgeries was long and hard," Ebee said "After I hurt my first hip I had to stop doing everything that involved using my lower stomach and hip muscles. It took a lot of time before I was able to do gymnastics. Then I injured my other hip and had to stop everything again." Before she knew it, May had arrived and the Secret Classic was just around the corner. "I was trying to get at least one event ready, but there just wasn't enough time." she added. In order to have a chance of making the Worlds team, Ebee decided to skip Classics and aim to compete at Nationals just a few weeks later, even if it was just on two events. "I was working every event, but my routines weren't in good enough shape for me to compete everything, so I just did vault and bars." A fall off bars during the first day of competition kept her from winning a medal on that event, but she came back strong on day two and let everybody know that her hip injuries had not slowed her down one bit. Even though she missed making the Worlds team, she was yet again selected to compete in Glasgow and Stuttgart at the end of 2013. The first stop was Stuttgart which would be her first all around competition in 12 months! Ebee performed clean routines with the confidence we are use to seeing from her and was rewarded with her third World Cup title. "It feels great to say that I was able to come back after such a long time off and be able to defend my title in Stuttgart. There was a strong group of gymnasts at that meet, so winning just gave me more of that confidence that I like to have when competing at international meets."

Photo Credit: Unknown

Looking towards the future, Ebee is setting small, but realistic goals for herself along the way. "I want to compete in another World Cup competition to try to win gold and also compete at other international meets next year." she said. Ebee is also using precaution to ensure she remains healthy in the upcoming years. "My hip injuries are something that I really don't want to repeat, so even now I make sure I do exercises to keep my hips strong and avoid skills that may cause another injury." Price stated. Since competing in Glasgow and Stuttgart, Ebee is back in the gym and working hard on a few upgrades that she would like to add to her routines next year. "On bars, I'm working on doing an up-rise to stalder or toe-shoot full out of my maloney instead of the free hip. On beam I'm thinking about doing a new series and maybe adding some new connections. On floor I'm working a full twisting double layout and maybe a new dance skill. On vault I'm starting to work the half-on entry vaults." she shares. In November, Ebee  signed with Stanford University to be a part of their gymnastics team, but she is currently unsure when we can expect to see her competing there. "It's a big decision and I still have a lot of time to think about it." she says. For now, it's just another day back in the gym for Elizabeth Price as she prepares for what should be another big year in 2014.