Road to Rio: South OC Gymnast represents Team USA in Men's Trampoline

Orange County, CA — Team USA Men's Trampoline Olympian Logan Dooley sees life from a different level.

A gymnast from Orange County, the Rancho Santa Margarita gymnastics coach was chosen this week to compete with Team USA in the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.

“Dreams are dreams for a reason, and most people leave them at just that. I feel that I have finally reached a part of my dream on June 12th, 2016 – I still can’t believe it," said Dooley on his Facebook page. “Although my work is not done, I feel it is so important to be appreciative of the countless number of people who have helped me along the way. Thank you everyone for the endless support. I truly appreciate all the encouragement.”

Dooley stated that it was the gift of a backyard trampoline from his parents, Jim and Nancy Dooley, that started him on his road to Rio.

"I wouldn't stop jumping on the beds, so my parents gave me a trampoline for my 7th birthday," he said in an interview on Team USA's website. "I immediately started doing crazy tricks, so they signed me up for lessons as a safety precaution."

Dooley has performed the role of alternate gymnast in the past two Olympic games. At 28 years old, he at last gets to show the world what he’s worked so long to accomplish.

@DooleyLogan setting the bar high and having fun with the crowd #futureolympianmaybe #usagymchamps #trampoline pic.twitter.com/8Cetl1vuVf
— Apex Tumbling (@TylerATerrell) June 12, 2016

“The excitement of the crowd, all the support online and in person, and the everyday grind we encounter … makes me feel humbled and grateful to know so many caring people,” Dooley said. “To be on this Olympic quest for so long and to be the Olympic alternate, TWICE, truly makes this moment a dream come true!"

According to the Team USA, Dooley placed seventh at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, and came in sixth place at the April 2016 Olympic Test Event. For the event that mattered most, Dooley earned his spot at the USA Gymnastics Championships, held Sunday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence Rhode Island.

The nail-biting results came in, leaving two athletes winners of the USA Gymnastics Championships, and another two granted spots on the USA Gymnastics Team in Rio, 2016. According to NBCOlympics.com, the selection process for the trampoline uses a combination of the three-routine score, from the weekend event, as well as results from two previous domestic competitions.

"Dooley earned a two-night score of 161.85 in Providence, behind 2012 Olympian Steven Gluckstein’s 163.44. Combined with the three bonus points Dooley earned at a competition earlier in the year as part of USA Gymnastics’ Olympic selection points, he won the Olympic spot with a total of 164.85," Team USA.org reported on its website.

Winning his spot on the USA Olympic team for Rio is something that Dooley does not take lightly. A part-time gymnastics coach at World Elite Gymnastics, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dooley took the opportunity to thank the owners of the gym, and the other coaches who stepped up to help along the way.

“I also could not have taken a small step back from coaching or been able to travel this year, if it weren’t for (World Elite Gymnastics Owners) Huiying Wang and Linxian Guo--I am grateful for the two of you and all of your efforts to help me on my journey, (as well as the) amazing coaches that filled in for me.”

While his immediate goal is to bring home an Olympic medal for the USA, his long-term goals reflect on the sport he loves.

"I want to help promote my sport in the most positive light, and to teach and encourage our younger athletes in the art and sport of trampoline," he said

For Dooley, talking about giving back means everything, and that includes taking a moment to lift up those who are joining him on the road to Rio.

“To my USA Trampoline teammates, I am humbled and proud to be a part of such an amazing group of athletes," he said. "I hope to represent USA Trampoline well.”

Image Wikicommons