With College Ahead, Priess at Peace with Early Elite Retirement

American Ashley Priess, 10th all-around at the 2006 Worlds, explained to IG her recent decision to switch her focus to college gymnastics.

Priess said an ongoing back injury led to her retirement from elite competition following podium training June 3 at the U.S. Championships in Boston.

"A lot of people don't understand why I would choose this route so close to the Olympics, but all I can say is I have so many more goals and ambitions in the future," said Priess, who turned 18 on March 8. "I couldn't stand not seeing those happen because of a potentially harmful choice right now."

Ashley Priess at the 2006 Worlds

A native of Wheaton, Ill., Priess moved to Ohio to train with Mary Lee Tracy at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.

As a first-year senior, Priess was a member of the U.S. team that finished second at the 2006 Worlds in Aarhus, Denmark, where she also finished 10th in the all-around.

Priess was also a four-time World Cup medalist in 2006. At the French International in Lyon, she won the gold medal on balance beam and the bronze medal on uneven bars, and at the Ghent World Cup in Belgium, she was second on beam and third on floor exercise.

In 2007, however, Priess was sidelined by a back injury. She signed to compete for the University of Alabama — following in the footsteps of older sister Courtney Priess — but opted to continue elite training toward the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

"It took a great deal of drive and motivation to come back from that [back injury]," she said. "I definitely thought about just training for college when that injury came along, but I wanted to prove to myself that I could fight back from that obstacle."

Priess returned to the radar in 2008 with a strong performance at a friendly international held in early May at the Karolyi ranch in Texas. She finished second all-around behind Ivana Hong and ahead of Chellsie Memmel, and added silver medals on uneven bars (15.800) and balance beam (15.300).

Following the first day of podium training in Boston, Priess decided her back would not hold up against the training needed to get to Beijing. In addition to the U.S. Championships, the top female gymnasts must compete at the Olympic Trials in Philadelphia (June 19-22) and again at a training camp before the final team selection July 20.

"All of those feelings and struggles and moments of pain from the prior year came flooding back to me that day," she said of her decision in Boston. "My sister had to retire from gymnastics during college due to a back injury, and I just knew that I didn't want to go down the road that I did last year."

Priess said the support of her family made the decision to leave Boston easier.

"They have always told me throughout this entire process that they would stand behind me and love me no matter what the final finish was for me," she said. "They have definitely stayed true to their word and I am so thankful for them. My sister and the Alabama coaches are excited that I will soon be joining them."

In the end, Priess said the push to Beijing would not have been worth the risk if it meant giving up the opportunity to compete in college.

"I have been anticipating a college career for so many years," she said. "I can't wait to be a part of a true team. I'm excited to experience things that I never had the chance to during high school. I am looking forward to meeting new people, having teammates and enjoying the sport that I have loved for so long."

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Ashley Priess interview (March 29, 2006)