USA won the team gold medal today at the 2015 Pan American Games and USA Gymnastics’ Senior Vice President of the Women’s Program Rhonda Faehn spoke with us following the award ceremony. USA dominated the competition scoring a team total of 173.8. Canada came in second with a 166.5 and Brazil took third with a 163.75. Read our full recap and see results here.

 

The U.S. sent a relatively young team to this competition with most gymnasts only having participated in a couple of international assignments. Faehn spoke highly of the way the gymnasts handled themselves on this large international stage.

 

“We knew coming in that this was a very young team and this was going to be an incredible experience for them; I thought they carried themselves with complete maturity.” Faehn said. “We’re very consistent and confident, I thought they did a wonderful job.”

 

Faehn also noted that Amelia Hundley emerged as a leader for the team this week in both training and the competition.

 

“Amelia really stepped up as a great leader and of course it showed today. Heading into beam, that was our last event, I thought she started everyone off with a really solid set and kind of set the tone there.” 

 

Hundley posted the top all-around score of the day with a 57.65 and will continue to all-around finals with Maddie Desch who posted the second highest score of the day with a 57.3. 

 

“I’m thrilled that they’re going to get another opportunity to get out there and to try and really perform at their best,” Faehn said. 

 

With the multiple days of competition and very little down time in between, Faehn stressed the importance of recovery.

 

“It’s a long process and it’s grueling on their body you can imagine. We’ve been here for a week already and it’s all hard landings in the training hall. So it’s really important that during the off times we have between the practices they’re doing as much treatment as possible.”

 

This was Faehn’s first major competition in her new role with USAG since she officially began her duties on May 11. 

 

“I’m very close with everyone and it was a very comfortable transition. We had a blast today.” Faehn said. “It’s wonderful and I really look forward to everything in the future as well.”


Related:
Interviews With Team USA Gymnasts
Women's Team Finals Results and Recap 
Women's Individual Finals Qualifiers