Wednesday marks 100 days until the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Team USA's roster isn't set in stone yet; there are still trials to come this summer. Kansas City could be represented by athletes in the pool, in the ring, and in the gym.
Michael Andrew, 16, from Lawrence has been making waves in the pool for years. He has already gone pro and is sponsored by sports giant Adidas. He holds 24 national age group records, drawing comparisons to Michael Phelps. He's hoping to earn a spot on the team at trials in Omaha this June.
Boxer Cam F. Awesome, 27, trains in Lenexa. He started boxing at 17 years old to get into shape. He became a vegan and uses positivity to stay focused in the ring. He won the Olympic Trials in December and has two more chances to qualify for the team in May and June.
Brenna Dowell, 20, from Odessa left her college team in Oklahoma to come home and train full time. She's hoping to compete in Rio, and she already has her own move! At the World Championships last year, she performed the move that will now be known as 'The Dowell' in women's gymnastics. She says it includes a front handspring into a double pike forwards. Dowell hopes to qualify for Olympic Trials then make the Olympic team in San Jose in July.
And just a few hours from Kansas City, two athletes already know they are on the road to Rio.
Lightweight boxer Nico Hernandez from Wichita will represent Team USA.
Columbia native J'Den Cox is a Mizzou wrestler and two-time NCAA champion. He just earned his spot on the team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Mongolia.
------
Lindsay Shively can be reached at lindsay.shively@kshb.com.
