PARIS — Sam Mikulak pulled close and tasked the American pommel horse specialist with the impossible.
The team's first medal in 16 years a solitary routine away, Mikulak told the pommel horse specialist that he didn't need to go all out. That 80% would be good enough, even though Mikulak knew full well that Nedoroscik never does anything — from his sport to solving a Rubik's Cube — at 80%.
“You have to trick yourself,†said Mikulak, a three-time Olympian turned coach. “You've got to make sure you don't let all the noise get into your head.â€
Grand Island, the largest high school in Nebraska, cancels girls varsity basketball season
Sound waves: What others are saying about Nebraska's loss at Indiana
‘It’s all there, it’s just not there’: Searched on I-80 in York for $15 worth of marijuana
Pink concert at Lincoln arena postponed, officials say
Winter outlook not favorable to drought relief in Nebraska
Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer, visits Lincoln to promote new beer
Cover Five: Questions abound as a stunned Matt Rhule apologizes for Nebraska's latest loss
Husker notes: Matt Rhule explains his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of season
Papillion dog, who loved pears and a select few, euthanized after tough life
Nebraska football's home game against UCLA gets time, TV designation
Luke's Extra Points: An ill-timed fumble, a costly kickoff mistake, Rhule takes blame
Nebraska principal placed on administrative leave
Lincoln Journal Star 2024 Election Voter's Guide: Local candidates on the issues
WWE star Hulk Hogan promoting beer’s introduction to Nebraska
Nebraska high school football rankings, Oct. 21
That usually isn't a problem for the 25-year-old from Worcester, Massachusetts. It takes a certain type of single-mindedness to make the choices Nedoroscik has made for the last decade, when he essentially decided to dedicate himself to a single pursuit, focusing on an event that has long been a weakness for the U.S. men's national team program.
Yes, there is monotony involved. How could there not be?
"I don’t know how I don’t lose my mind,†Nedoroscik said before the Games. “But every day I go into the gym and there’s still something to do. There’s still something to improve.â€
Proving a point He drilled his set during qualifying on Saturday to earn a spot on the event finals later in the Games. But Monday night, things were different. Teammates Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda and Asher Hong had put together 17 straight routines without a miss, putting the Americans in position to reach the medal stand in Beijing.
While Nedoroscik had some wiggle room — the U.S. had a fairly healthy lead after Juda and Malone hit their sets before Nedoroscik saluted the judges — he also didn't want to merely hold on. He wanted to prove a point.
Not just to himself, but to those who wondered if he deserved to be there in the first place.
What followed were 45 seconds of sublime brilliance, with Nedoroscik's hands traveling from one end of the horse to the other, his legs swooping this way, then that.
A few feet away, his four teammates — and the sizable contingent of US fans inside Bercy Arena — roared as a medal that seemed distant for a program that had finished a distant fifth in each of its last three trips under the rings — drew closer.
By the time Nedoroscik neared his dismount, he knew his job was complete. The celebration began before his feet even hit the mat.
Listen now and subscribe: | | | |
All those years, all those reps, both physical and mental, all the difficult times when he wondered whether to keep going, all the quirks he's developed along the way — from the non-prescription goggles he sometimes rocks to the chef's kiss to the camera he occasionally makes — led up to that moment.
And he did not miss, delivering “the exclamation point†with a 14.866 to finish off a performance the U.S. men's program hopes provides serious momentum heading into the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“I kind of in that moment was like, ‘All right, let’s run it back and let’s go out there and do our thing,’†Nedoroscik said.
Filling a critical gap A “thing†that has long been a sore spot for the U.S. in major international competition. The 2012 Olympic team topped qualifying. Then they led off on pommel horse in the finals and saw their medal hopes vanish one mistake at a time.
Nedoroscik understood the history. It's one of the reasons he gravitated toward pommels. Another is the fact that it requires many things — stamina, strength and creativity chief among them — that he has in spades, particularly that last one.
He describes himself as a “late bloomer†on the event. Those early struggles only helped him press forward.
“Running into trouble on the apparatus early on taught me how to fight, how to stay on, how to really go for that routine,†he said. “And I think that that has stuck with me throughout.â€
Unlike other events, which are painstakingly laid out and practiced on end for months if not years, pommel horse allows gymnasts to color outside the lines and make things up as they go on. Miss an element here? Well, maybe you can make it up trying something else later in the routine.
He says the end result is the feeling of “flying through the air," though it's more akin to levitation.
More work to be done Nedoroscik will soar into the event finals Saturday with a chance to put another medal in his carry-on before he heads home. His 15.200 qualifying score tied Ireland's Rhys McClenaghan for the tops among the eight finalists.
He is ready to ride the wave as far as it will take him. Yet whatever happens on Saturday or for the rest of his life for that matter, it will be difficult to top Monday night, when the guy with the curly hair and the glasses that made him the kind of social media sensation only the Olympics provides struck a blow for his sport, his teammates and himself.
“I'm really proud of these guys,†he said while sitting alongside the group that became U.S. men's gymnastics royalty. “I love you boys.â€
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Scenes from the opening ceremony
This photo released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services shows Canadian Singer Celine Dion performing at the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)
HONS
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024 in Paris, France. (Wang Dongzhen/Pool Photo via AP)
Wang Dongzhen
Egypt athletes leap while participating in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Andy Wong
This photo released by the Olympic Broadcasting Services shows Canadian Singer Celine Dion performing on the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Olympic Broadcasting Services via AP)
HONS
Performers watch the opening video along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)
Morry Gash
Entertainers Ariana Grande, right, and Cynthia Erivo arrive in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
Performers walk past a family on their balcony in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Lindsey Wasson
Singer Celine Dion performs from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr
Celine Dion performs in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
David J. Phillip
Performers balance on ladders along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros GiannakourisPool)
Petros Giannakouris
Performers dance along the banks of the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros GiannakourisPool)
Petros Giannakouris
A tight rope walker performs in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Aaron Favila
A tight rope walker performs in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Aaron Favila
A torch bearer runs atop the Musee d'Orsay, in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Peter Cziborra/Pool Photo via AP)
Peter Cziborra
Acrobats perform during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Maddie Meyer/Pool Photo via AP)
Maddie Meyer
Snoop Dogg upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell
Pharrell Williams upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell
Queen Latifah upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell
Spike Lee upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell
Baz Luhrmann, left, and Anna Wintour upon arrival at the Louis Vuitton Foundation on the eve of Paris Olympics opening ceremony, at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Rebecca Blackwell
Snoop Dogg carries the Olympic torch at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Aurelien Morissard
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend arrive with their children, Miles, foreground left and Luna in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
U.S. rapper, artist, and designer Pharell Williams holds the Olympic torch as part of the 2024 Summer Olympics torch relay ahead of the opening ceremony in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Stephane De Sakutin/Pool Photo via AP)
Stephane De Sakutin
Anna Wintour, Vogue editor, and director Baz Luhrmann arrive in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Entertainers Ariana Grande, right, and Cynthia Erivo arrive in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Entertainers Ariana Grande, left, and Cynthia Erivo arrive in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Entertainer Ariana Grande arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Kelly Clarkson arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Serena Williams arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Michelle Yeoh gestures in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Thibault Camus
Athletes from Brazil's delegation wave Brazilian flags as they sail in a boat on the river Seine duringt the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Carl de Souza/Pool Photo via AP)
CARL DE SOUZA
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
A heart shape made with red smoke by the French Air Force elite acrobatic flying team "Patrouille de France" floats in the air near Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Julien de Rosa/Pool Photo via AP)
Julien de Rosa
Israel's Andrea Murez and Peter Paltchik carry their country's flag in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth
Olga Safronova and Aslanbek Shymbergenov, Kazakhstan's flag bearers, are seen on a boat as it makes its way along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Pool Photo via AP)
Michael Reaves
Athletes from Netherland's delegation sail on the Seine during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Thomas Samson/Pool Photo via AP)
Thomas Samson
Team Australia's Eddie Ockenden waves the flag as the team looks on during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024.(Quinn Rooney/Photo Photo via AP)
Quinn Rooney
Members of Team Switzerland wave to spectators in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Martin Meissner/Pool Photo via AP)
Martin Meissner
Denmark athletes carry umbrellas while participating in the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Andy Wong
Indian athletes wave their national flags from a boat on the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi, Pool)
Aijaz Rahi
France's Florent Manaudou and Melina Robert-Michon travel along the Seine River with teammates in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth
Britain athletes walk near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Andy Wong
China's Olympic athletes wave their national flag as they sail on the Seine River past the Eiffel Tower during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Cao Can/Pool Photo via AP)
Cao Can
Residents stand on their balconies over looking the Seine River in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias Schrader
Smoke in the colors of the France flag are set off in Paris, France, at the start of the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, Pool)
Bernat Armangue
France security forces stand guard atop a building along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, Pool)
Bernat Armangue
South Africa, left, and other countries move on a boat along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth
A television in a cafe shows the Bangladesh delegation riding a boat in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Dita Alangkara
Athletes of Greece aboard a boat as it makes its way along the Seine in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Ann Wang/Pool Photo via AP)
Ann Wang
The Olympic torch travels by boat as ceremonial smoke in the colors of the France flag appear over the Seine River Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias Schrader
Spectators applaud athletes during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Thomas Samson/Pool Photo via AP)
Thomas Samson
People wave from balconies in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, Pool)
Lee Jin-man
A torchbearer carries the Olympic flame over a building along the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, Pool)
Bernat Armangue
Athletes travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Ricardo Mazalan
People in the Montmartre district use umbrellas to protect from the rain in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
Dita Alangkara
This aerial photo shows the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Lionel Bonaventure/Pool Photo via AP)
Lionel Bonaventure
Cook Islands' Alex Beddoes and Lanihei Connolly wave their flag from a boat in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, Pool)
Lee Jin-man
Athletes from Spain travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Ricardo Mazalan
Saudi Arabia athletes walk across a bridge near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Andy Wong
Team Germany travel down the Seine River past Academie de France in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Ebrahim Noroozi
A boat carrying the Refugees Olympic Team pass as they ride along the Seine River as spectators wave in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Abbie Parr
Team Greece travel by boat down the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
Ebrahim Noroozi
Athletes from Canada travel by boat past the the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Aaron Favila
Athletes of Japan, right, travel by boat along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Ricardo Mazalan
Delegations arrive on the Iena Bridge, in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Ludovic Marin/Pool Photo via AP)
Ludovic Marin
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
A performer sits on a bridge in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Kirsty Wigglesworth
A performer moves across the river Seine on a high wire in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Lindsey Wasson
Smoke billows near windows as performers participate during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, Pool)
Bernat Armangue
Planes perform over the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias Schrader
French musician Marc Cerrone arrives in Paris, France, before the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Natacha Pisarenko
Lebron James looks on prior to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024.(Quinn Rooney/Photo Photo via AP)
Quinn Rooney
Lady Gaga performs in Paris, France, ahead the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
Athletes from Spain travel by boat down the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias Schrader
Athletes from the United States travel by boat down the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Matthias Schrader
Mauritius' team cheers as they move down the Seine River in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, Pool)
Morry Gash
Athletes of Japan cheer aboard the team's boat as it makes its way along the Seine in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Michael Reaves/Pool Photo via AP)
Michael Reaves
Team Greece's boat parades along the Seine river in Paris, France, during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Luca Bruno
Greece's team parades along the Seine river during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
Christophe Ena
A general view shows delegations sailing on the Seine River during the opening ceremony for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, Friday, July 26, 2024. (Anne-Christine Poujoulat/Pool Photo via AP)
Anne-Christine Poujoulat
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Stay up-to-date on what's happening
Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!