The 2024 Core Hydration Classic offers gymnasts a final chance to qualify for the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Championships, which serve as a stepping stone to the Olympic Trials, where the ultimate five-artistic women’s gymnastics team for the Paris Olympics will be selected. In a historic first, three U.S. Olympic all-around champions will compete against each other at the Core Hydration.

Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, and Suni Lee, who have a combined 13 Olympic medals, including eight golds, will compete on May 17-18 in Hartford, Connecticut. Mark your calendars because Saturday, May 18, promises to crown the most remarkable talents.

The rising stars in Core Hydration 2024 navigating their path to the Paris Olympics alongside Simone Biles

Simone Biles, a four-time Olympic gold champion, will make her competitive debut at Core Hydration in 2024, capturing the spotlight. But she will not be the only star in Hartford. Here are the top 5 NCAA-Elites who might go unnoticed being the underdogs on the star-studded floor.

Trinity Thomas

Trinity Thomas, after declaring her return to professional gymnastics, competed at the Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, her first elite competition since 2019. Her exceptional effort, particularly in the floor routine, where she achieved a good 12.800, establishes her as an intriguing contender for the Paris Olympics.

Jade Carey

Jade Carey stands out as an Olympic gymnast you should not overlook. As the 2021 Olympic floor exercise gold champion, she confidently pursued collegiate and elite gymnastics. Recently at the 2024 NCAA Championships, when she finished second in the all-around and floor exercise, and third on the balance beam.

Following the completion of the 2024 NCAA season, Carey won the all-around title at the American Classic with an impressive 55.000. Currently, she is training at Oregon State University, coached by her father, Brian. With her remarkable accomplishments and consistent podium finishes, Carey emerges as a frontrunner, set to make her second U.S. Olympic squad and progressively rising the ranks.

Leanne Wong

Leanne Wong, a pre-med student, came close to competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics but was instead named an alternate. Hence, this year she took a different approach, focusing completely on Olympic preparation and making a remarkable elite comeback in 2022. Her performance on the vault contributed greatly to the US team’s World Championship wins in 2022 and 2023, placing her as a strong candidate for Paris 2024.

Dulcy Caylor

Dulcy Caylor, another World Champions Centre star, is progressively making her name in the gymnastics world. Her accomplishments include finishing fifth in the all-around, seventh on the uneven bars, and eighth on the balancing beam at the 2024 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky. Caylor finished second in the all-around and vault at the 2023 American Classic in Katy, Texas, followed by sixth on the uneven bars and seventh overall. In addition, in the 2023 Winter Cup in Louisville, Kentucky, she finished seventh in uneven bars.

Konnor McClain

Konnor McClain, the 2022 US all-around champion, registered for her first elite competition since winning the coveted championship. In April 2023, McClain took a hiatus to recover from back and hand injuries. Following her NCAA success at LSU this season, McClain confirmed her intention to join the squad to chase a spot at the 2024 Games.

When reflecting on her training program, McClain highlights the importance of using the team’s post-competition days to fine-tune the different parts and routines required for top gymnastics. She told Olympics.com, “The Olympics part [of my gymnastics] is for myself, that’s what the little girl in me wanted, [it’s] what I want now.”

As these young gymnasts advance from the NCAA to international competition, their unrecognized quality to balance competing for coveted slots on the Olympic squad often goes unnoticed. The fierce competition in the 2024 Core Hydration Classic will undoubtedly test their fortitude and determination. Stay tuned as these budding talents strive to shine brightly on the road to Paris 2024!