Bradie Tennell Wraps Up Olympic Debut With Ninth Place Finish

It wasn't all pretty for Team USA's figure skating team, but Bradie Tennell will be returning to the Chicago area an Olympic medalist. The U.S. women's figure skating team, which includes the 20-year-old Carpentersville native, landed its worst finish in modern-era Olympic history following the free skate portion of the competition Friday. Tennell, who was lauded for her clean skating prior to this past week, had a disappointing fall on the back end of a combination jump during Wednesday's short program and also stumbled during the free skate portion of competition Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Despite the falls, Tennell earned the top spot for the U.S. women with ninth place following Friday's competition. Mirai Nagasu and Karen Chen earned 10th and 11th, respectively.

Games historian Bill Mallon said this year's U.S. figure skating team had its worst performance ever with three skaters competing, according to USA Today. To put the finishes into perspective, here is more from the USA Today:

The highest U.S. finisher was Bradie Tennell at ninth. The last time the USA did not have a skater finish at least fourth was 1964 when it went sixth, seventh and eighth. And that was three years after a plane crash wiped out the entire U.S. figure skating team.

And since World War II, at least one American woman finished sixth or higher, according to the Associated Press.

But, it's of course not all bad. Tennell will still be heading home with a bronze medal, which Team USA earned during the team competition. And she also will be headed home with the amazing experience and memories of competing at the Olympic games – a feat that did not become likely or plausible until recent months.

Tennell, who after struggling on the ice while dealing with two years with back problems, received her first grand prix assignment – Skate America in November 2017 – when another American withdrew, according to a U.S. Olympics press release. She went on to place first at the U.S. National Championships in early January and subsequently, earned her spot on the Olympic figure skating team.

And despite the stumbles on the ice this past week, those cheering her on back at home have been nothing but proud.

Tennell's home rink, Twin Rinks Ice Arena in Buffalo Grove, has held watch parties this past week and those attending cheered loudly as they watched the 20-year-old Carpentersville native, who they've trained alongside, compete on the international platform.

"It's been absolutely amazing to see the progress she's made, especially this year," Emily Soto, 21, told the Daily Herald Tuesday. "To see it all come together so quickly for her, it's just been unbelievable."

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

Tennell's mom and her two brothers were in the stands cheering her on. The trip to Pyeongchang was made possible for the local family after United Airlines surprised Tennell on her 20th birthday and told her they would be paying to send them to the Olympic games.

Tennell shared a photo of her family together at Gangneung Olympic Park on her Instagram page and wrote: "I've been waiting a lifetime to take this picture. Thanks to my awesome family for always being right there beside me cheering me on. I love you guys."

• United Airlines Surprises Tennell Family With Trip To Olympics

Here are a couple more photos from Tennell's performance Friday at the Olympics.

MAIN PHOTO Caption: Bradie Tennell of the United States reacts as her scores are posted following her performance in the women's free figure skating final in the Gangneung Ice Arena at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)