Bradie Tennell, Team USA Earn Bronze In Figure Skating

PYEONGCHNAG, SOUTH KOREA – Suburban figure skater Bradie Tennell is an Olympic medalist. The Carpentersville native placed fifth place in her Olympic debut after the first day of the figure skating team event in Pyeongchang, South Korea, over the weekend. Tennell's fifth place finish, as well as strong finish by the rest of her team members, helped them earn the bronze following the team competition Monday.

During Monday's competition, U.S. figure skater Mirai Nagasu became the first U.S. woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics. The entire team is expected to be on the TODAY show Monday.

Tennell, a Carpentersville native who trains at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion in Buffalo Grove, appeared unnerved during her first time skating at a major international competition on Sunday. After her impressive performance, she told reporters she doesn't get nervous on the ice– even on such a big stage, according to USA Today.

“I get butterflies right before my music starts,” she said, “but then when my music starts, I go on autopilot.”

Tennell remained in the No. 1 spot, after earning a total score of 68.94 on Sunday, but then got bumped down to fifth following a "succession of skaters from Canada, Italy, Japan and Russia," according to People. The U.S. is currently in third overall heading into the second half of competition.

“I’m really happy,” she told reporters after the competition. “I don’t think I could have asked for a better first program at the Olympics.”

The self-described 20-year-old homebody has been getting plenty of attention in the media and over social media.

Tennell's mom was in the stands cheering for her. And her brothers will arrive next week in time to watch her compete in the women's events, according to ESPN.

Tennell credits her mom with helping her get back in shape after two years of back problems that sidelined her from major competitions. Tennell, a single mother and nurse who previously worked as a personal trainer, made sure Tennell did her rehab exercises correctly and kept her focused, according to ESPN.

"You can't say, 'I'm not going to be able to skate again.' It's what do you have to do today that will help you get there?" Jean Tennell said. "She and I have always talked about it's one competition to get to the next. You can't think of the Olympics if you haven't even passed through regionals. One competition to get to the next, and that's the way I approached her back injuries."

A recovered Tennell ended up placing first at the U.S. National Championships in early January and subsequently, earning her spot on the Olympic figure skating team.

• More Here: Bradie Tennell's Road To The Olympics

Also during Sunday's competition, pairs duo Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim earned 126.56 points for fourth among other pairs competitors. Scimeca-Knierim, 26, who hails from Addison, met Chris Knierim in 2012 when they started performing as a duo. The pair had immediate chemistry, both on and off the ice. In 2013, they took home a silver medal at the U.S. Championships.

• MORE HERE: Alexa Scimeca-Knierim Olympics 2018 Skating Schedule, Results
  

Tennell, Scimeca-Knierim and Knierim earned a bronze medal along with their team members Nathan Chen, Adam Rippon, Mirai Nagasu, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, according to the Team USA website.

Team figure skating bronze medalists from the United States pose during their medals ceremony at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)