Take Two! Boy, we've had our struggles posting entries in this series (I'll be so glad when the Olympics end on Sunday). My sister is actually at the Vancouver games as a spectator. We are eagerly awaiting her reports.
Since we profiled the oldest member of the American Olympic delegation (see entry 11), we thought we'd mention Ashley Caldwell, an elite gymnast turned aerialist skier who is merely 16 years old. (And, we hope she is the one pictured here!).
Initially, Caldwell was only focused on the 2014 Olympics in Russia, but her surprisingly strong tenth place finish at the last World Cup made her qualify for the current Olympic team.
On Saturday, Caldwell finished 12th in the first round of women's freestyle aerials and was able to capture the last spot to qualify for the final medal round.
Caldwell, who is from Hamilton, Va, near Washington, DC, told Tracee Hamilton of "The Washington Post" that the Olympic experience has tested her emotionally.
"It's day by day and I'm freaking out," Caldwell said. "My coach tells me to chill out, but I'm like 'Oh my God I'm at the Olympics.'" She added that she normally gets a bit nervous, but the Olympic experience has added significant pressure on her.
On her second run during qualifying, Caldwell executed a back sommersault with a full twist, then a double twist before landing cleanly.
Caldwell competed for Apex Gymnastics in northern Virginia before turning her attention to aerial skiing. She said she simply saw the sport on tv, and thought it would fun to try it out. Caldwell started competing in 2008.
Her teammate Emily Cook said she was impressed by Caldwell's ability to mature in the difficult sport:
"She's grown up extremely quickly," Cook said. "It's pretty unprecedented."
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