The countdown is on for the Beijing Olympics. With less than 80 days to go, we have a handful of Cincinnati area athletes who are vying for a place on Team USA.One of those is 21-year-old Mason native Karenna Elliott, who has a pretty unique story about how she got to where she is today.Most Olympians start their sport at a young age. However, Elliott was a teenager when she got her start – and she originally excelled at a completely different sport.Now, she finds herself gearing up – ready to soar to new heights – for the U.S. Olympic Aerial Team.Elliot is no stranger to competition. "I've been doing gymnastics since I was two – different forms of it,” Elliott said. Excelling specifically at trampoline and tumbling, Elliott said her trajectory changed at age 14 while competing at a gymnastics event."I was approached by someone who works for the U.S. Ski Team and asked me if I was interested in aerials. And I never seen it before, so I thought it was really cool and might as well give it a try,” Elliott said.The rest is history. "My first time skiing was when I was 15. That was six years ago. And now I'm on the U.S. Ski Team,” Elliott said.The switch wasn't easy."It was pretty difficult to transition into that, but I just really loved it for some reason. So, my drive was there. I just wanted to keep going and keep getting better,” said Elliott.And it was that drive to continue improving, even after a major setback, that propelled her to the top."Actually that winter, I tore my ACL. I couldn't do any more competitions after that, until the following winter. I did my first official competition, which was the U.S. selections event, and I actually won the competition. So that was pretty cool,” Elliott said.Now, Elliott lives in Park City Utah, putting in several hours daily, honing her skills and practicing her favorite jumps. First, she tries them out in the water."I haven't done this skill on snow, but I will do it this winter. It's called a full-double-full. So, it's a triple-twisting double-back,” Elliott said. “And then I also like doing what’s called a double-full-full. It's basically the same trick, but in reverse.”It's hard work, but to Elliott, it's all worth it as she soars closer to the prize: To make the Olympics in freestyle aerial skiing. “That's the dream. To go the Olympics for the U.S. and compete for your family and your friends and sponsors and for your country. That'd be a dream come true,” said Elliott.To qualify for the Olympics, there are six competitions, beginning next month and we will of course be following how Elliott does.Next week, we will introduce you to 19-year-old Anderson Township native Quinn Dehlinger, who was plucked from Perfect North at the age of 12 to follow his Olympic dreams.
The countdown is on for the Beijing Olympics. With less than 80 days to go, we have a handful of Cincinnati area athletes who are vying for a place on Team USA.
One of those is 21-year-old Mason native Karenna Elliott, who has a pretty unique story about how she got to where she is today.
Most Olympians start their sport at a young age. However, Elliott was a teenager when she got her start – and she originally excelled at a completely different sport.
Now, she finds herself gearing up – ready to soar to new heights – for the U.S. Olympic Aerial Team.
Elliot is no stranger to competition.
"I've been doing gymnastics since I was two – different forms of it,” Elliott said.
Excelling specifically at trampoline and tumbling, Elliott said her trajectory changed at age 14 while competing at a gymnastics event.
"I was approached by someone who works for the U.S. Ski Team and asked me if I was interested in aerials. And I never seen it before, so I thought it was really cool and might as well give it a try,” Elliott said.
The rest is history.
"My first time skiing was when I was 15. That was six years ago. And now I'm on the U.S. Ski Team,” Elliott said.
The switch wasn't easy.
"It was pretty difficult to transition into that, but I just really loved it for some reason. So, my drive was there. I just wanted to keep going and keep getting better,” said Elliott.
And it was that drive to continue improving, even after a major setback, that propelled her to the top.
"Actually that winter, I tore my ACL. I couldn't do any more competitions after that, until the following winter. I did my first official competition, which was the U.S. selections event, and I actually won the competition. So that was pretty cool,” Elliott said.
Now, Elliott lives in Park City Utah, putting in several hours daily, honing her skills and practicing her favorite jumps.
First, she tries them out in the water.
"I haven't done this skill on snow, but I will do it this winter. It's called a full-double-full. So, it's a triple-twisting double-back,” Elliott said. “And then I also like doing what’s called a double-full-full. It's basically the same trick, but in reverse.”
It's hard work, but to Elliott, it's all worth it as she soars closer to the prize: To make the Olympics in freestyle aerial skiing.
“That's the dream. To go the Olympics for the U.S. and compete for your family and your friends and sponsors and for your country. That'd be a dream come true,” said Elliott.
To qualify for the Olympics, there are six competitions, beginning next month and we will of course be following how Elliott does.
Next week, we will introduce you to 19-year-old Anderson Township native Quinn Dehlinger, who was plucked from Perfect North at the age of 12 to follow his Olympic dreams.
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