2016 Pacific Rim ChampionshipsApr 8, 2016 by Becca Reed
Quick Hits With The U.S. Men Before Pac Rims
Quick Hits With The U.S. Men Before Pac Rims
Below are quotes from the Team USA men on podium training day for the 2016 Pacific Rim Championships. See more coverage of Pac Rims here. Jake Dalton"I’m ex
Below are quotes from the Team USA men on podium training day for the 2016 Pacific Rim Championships. See more coverage of Pac Rims here.
"I’m excited and ready to get out there and compete with these guys. It’s been a little while competing as a team, especially for me, so I’m looking forward to it."
"It’s always a great event but for us we really want to mesh well and compete together as a team. That’s our focus because obviously our goal at the Olympics is to come away with a team medal, so competing here and competing well is our goal and we’re focusing on that."
On being a few months out of the Olympics: "I’m excited, it’s pretty crazy. I can’t believe the Olympics are already around the corner. I’m counting down and looking forward to it. I’ve been through the whole process once before so I kind of know what to expect this time around. It’s never an easy process but it’s an exciting, nerve-wracking, and fun process."
On recovery from his shoulder injury: "It definitely takes a little bit longer for my shoulder to warm-up but everything is good. I’m doing all my routines again and I have all the skills that I did before so everything is going really well.
"I’m feeling great. My body is - knock on wood- still holding up so I’m very happy about that. I’m feeling in good physical condition and every day of practice I feel like I’m getting better and better and closer and closer to Olympic level routines."
"I want to make [Pacific Rim] seem like it’s the Olympics Games- really put that pressure on so I can get that practice of being in a high-pressure situation and being able to be successful when it really counts."
On training for the Games this time around: "I’ve had a lot more time to dedicate just to gymnastics. My life is just gymnastics and that’s kind of it. Before I had school, I had friends, I had a different type of training for NCAA, so I was just torn in many different pieces. But now it’s like- this is what I’m doing, this is what I’m working hard for, this is what my one goal is… my expectations are a lot higher of myself and I want to make the most out of every moment and every chance I have to compete."
"It’s always an interesting time when you get a bunch of awesome gymnasts together. We see how we all are doing in the gym, every single camp, but now it’s time to see how we are in a competition setting."
"To be selected for the team is an honor and we’re going to take it really seriously. Going into the Olympics we want to feel that team aspect and this is a step into the Olympics."
"My strengths have changed a little bit. In 2012, I was primarily pommel horse but as things have progressed I knew I needed more. I’ve trained for the last four years now really focusing on the events I understood- floor, vault, rings, and pommel horse. Those routines are where I know I can contribute and possibly be in 3 up 3 count on those events. On parallel bars and high bar, these guys got it. I trust them completely!” (Laughing and pointing to his teammates).
"I keep a journal and every practice I write down everything I’ve done- how many hits, how many sticks, all that stuff. So I can look back and say I did this, I did that, I did this, I’ll know that I’ve done everything I possibly can and then I’ll have the result that I want."
"This is going to be our last team competition right before the Olympic Games so I think this is kind of a good gauging point for where we are as a team and as a country."
I’m happy about the fact that it’s in our home country so we’re going to draw a great crowd and hopefully the atmosphere and the energy is going to be super positive and we’re going to be able to draw off of that."
On the pressure for the Olympics: "Honestly I don’t think there’s any pressure because a lot of us have already been through this process and we know what we’re going for and we know what’s ahead of us so I think it’s more exciting for me than nerve-wracking.”
"This time around I think it’s better because I’m having more fun. I know what I need to do but I also know what I don’t, which is freaking out and worrying too much. All that we can control at the end of the day is our gymnastics."
"Obviously every competition is really important. It’s a great event because it’s a team competition and it’s the last team competition before the games so it carries a great deal of importance."
"My only goals are just to continue hitting my routines, just like I’ve been doing, and prove my worth to team USA this year because I think I have a lot to offer.”
"I really think I can contribute obviously on floor and vault, those are my strong events. I haven an upgraded vault, I won’t be doing it here but it’s coming really soon! It’s a Li Xiaopeng, a half-on randi-off, so really excited to show that. But, more importantly than even that is my pommel horse I’ve really been working really hard on that."
"Training has been pretty good. [American Cup] was a great start for me to get ready for this competition."
"I try to keep the Olympics on the back burner and just worry about one competition at a time."
"I watched Pacific Rim four years ago when it was here. The crowd was awesome and super loud. I just can’t wait to get out there and get that love and support from the U.S. crowd."
Related:
Watch videos from Pac Rims here
Jake Dalton
"I’m excited and ready to get out there and compete with these guys. It’s been a little while competing as a team, especially for me, so I’m looking forward to it."
"It’s always a great event but for us we really want to mesh well and compete together as a team. That’s our focus because obviously our goal at the Olympics is to come away with a team medal, so competing here and competing well is our goal and we’re focusing on that."
On being a few months out of the Olympics: "I’m excited, it’s pretty crazy. I can’t believe the Olympics are already around the corner. I’m counting down and looking forward to it. I’ve been through the whole process once before so I kind of know what to expect this time around. It’s never an easy process but it’s an exciting, nerve-wracking, and fun process."
On recovery from his shoulder injury: "It definitely takes a little bit longer for my shoulder to warm-up but everything is good. I’m doing all my routines again and I have all the skills that I did before so everything is going really well.
Sam Mikulak
"I’m feeling great. My body is - knock on wood- still holding up so I’m very happy about that. I’m feeling in good physical condition and every day of practice I feel like I’m getting better and better and closer and closer to Olympic level routines."
"I want to make [Pacific Rim] seem like it’s the Olympics Games- really put that pressure on so I can get that practice of being in a high-pressure situation and being able to be successful when it really counts."
On training for the Games this time around: "I’ve had a lot more time to dedicate just to gymnastics. My life is just gymnastics and that’s kind of it. Before I had school, I had friends, I had a different type of training for NCAA, so I was just torn in many different pieces. But now it’s like- this is what I’m doing, this is what I’m working hard for, this is what my one goal is… my expectations are a lot higher of myself and I want to make the most out of every moment and every chance I have to compete."
"It’s always an interesting time when you get a bunch of awesome gymnasts together. We see how we all are doing in the gym, every single camp, but now it’s time to see how we are in a competition setting."
Alex Naddour
"To be selected for the team is an honor and we’re going to take it really seriously. Going into the Olympics we want to feel that team aspect and this is a step into the Olympics."
"My strengths have changed a little bit. In 2012, I was primarily pommel horse but as things have progressed I knew I needed more. I’ve trained for the last four years now really focusing on the events I understood- floor, vault, rings, and pommel horse. Those routines are where I know I can contribute and possibly be in 3 up 3 count on those events. On parallel bars and high bar, these guys got it. I trust them completely!” (Laughing and pointing to his teammates).
"I keep a journal and every practice I write down everything I’ve done- how many hits, how many sticks, all that stuff. So I can look back and say I did this, I did that, I did this, I’ll know that I’ve done everything I possibly can and then I’ll have the result that I want."
John Orozco
"This is going to be our last team competition right before the Olympic Games so I think this is kind of a good gauging point for where we are as a team and as a country."
I’m happy about the fact that it’s in our home country so we’re going to draw a great crowd and hopefully the atmosphere and the energy is going to be super positive and we’re going to be able to draw off of that."
On the pressure for the Olympics: "Honestly I don’t think there’s any pressure because a lot of us have already been through this process and we know what we’re going for and we know what’s ahead of us so I think it’s more exciting for me than nerve-wracking.”
"This time around I think it’s better because I’m having more fun. I know what I need to do but I also know what I don’t, which is freaking out and worrying too much. All that we can control at the end of the day is our gymnastics."
Eddie Penev
"Obviously every competition is really important. It’s a great event because it’s a team competition and it’s the last team competition before the games so it carries a great deal of importance."
"My only goals are just to continue hitting my routines, just like I’ve been doing, and prove my worth to team USA this year because I think I have a lot to offer.”
"I really think I can contribute obviously on floor and vault, those are my strong events. I haven an upgraded vault, I won’t be doing it here but it’s coming really soon! It’s a Li Xiaopeng, a half-on randi-off, so really excited to show that. But, more importantly than even that is my pommel horse I’ve really been working really hard on that."
Donnell Whittenburg
"Training has been pretty good. [American Cup] was a great start for me to get ready for this competition."
"I try to keep the Olympics on the back burner and just worry about one competition at a time."
"I watched Pacific Rim four years ago when it was here. The crowd was awesome and super loud. I just can’t wait to get out there and get that love and support from the U.S. crowd."
Related:
Watch videos from Pac Rims here