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Red, White & Trending: May 12-18

By Jamie MacDonald | May 19, 2017, 7:08 p.m. (ET)

What are Team USA athletes — Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls — up to when they're not competing? They're training. They're practicing. They're traveling to competitions and meets and games and tournaments. They're relaxing. They're getting engaged and married and having children. They're taking hard-earned vacations. Or retiring. Or coping with the raw emotions that come from losing and winning. And they're sharing. Through the reach of social media, we're able to follow along on their often extraordinary journeys. We'll catch you up each week on what's "Red, White & Trending."

 

La-La Land

Thanks to their busy schedules, they don’t get to see much of each other these days, but Rio gymnastics champions Laurie Hernandez and Aly Raisman have reunited on the West Coast for … some giggles.

 

Laguna 👌🏻

A post shared by Alexandra Raisman (@alyraisman) on

 

bro do u even handstand

A post shared by Laurie Hernandez (@lauriehernandez_) on


Operation Hurdle

Quite literally, Keni Harrison had some hurdles to overcome this past week. When last we checked in on her, the 100-meter hurdles world-record holder was headed to surgery to repair a broken hand she suffered during a warmup run in Doha (she raced, and won, later in the day). The early returns are looking good …


’Tis The Season

Four-time Olympic gold medalist basketball player Tamika Catchings is a University of Tennessee legend, but she set her allegiances aside for the very best of reasons this past week. The 10-time WNBA All-Star donned the red and gold of the Jaguars for the rewarding purpose of delivering a commencement address.

 

A lil fun behind the scenes at @iupui graduation!! Prez & Chancellor ya'll ready??? @paydar #IUPUI2017 #LETSGO #SoBlessed

A post shared by Catch Me If U Can 24 (@catchin24) on

American track legend Allyson Felix got into the act, too, this one for her alma mater’s Rossier School of Education …

For fans of a certain age, knowing that Olympic gymnast champion Mary Lou Retton’s eldest daughter has graduated from college, well, that might just sting a bit. Seeing Shayla and her proud mom’s smiles should help.

 

Is this really happening? #baylor #graduation

A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) on

 

My heart💚 #baylorgrad #proud

A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) on

Famous gymnastics star, meet famous TV star enjoying a mutual admiration party …

 

So look who I ran into while moving my Shayla home from Baylor.. Waco Royalty @joannagaines you are a sweetheart

A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton) on


To A Degree

Even closer to the commencement action was two-time Paralympian Amanda Everlove‏, who certainly earned her self-professed status as a “perpetual student.”


Next Up …

For Olympian and World Cup champion soccer midfielder Morgan Brian, this is the big weekend. Congratulations are in order for the Virginia star, who not only picks up her degree in 2017, but was also engaged this past Valentine’s Day, too.


Training. Center.

The U.S. Olympic Training Center facilities are behives of activity all year long, so hosting Olympians is just another day at the office for those who call “The OTC” home, but those who show up to train for shorter stretches often afford us the chance to see the facilities through new sets of eyes. In this case, team camp for USA Luge is underway, giving us a closer look at some of the on- and off-campus highlights — including from Olympians Chris Mazdzer, Matt Mortensen and Jayson Terdiman.

 

Not a bad place to train 😎 In Colorado Springs for the week!

A post shared by Matt Mortensen (@mmorty14) on

 

I thought this gym only existed in my dreams... 😴💭 #PinchMe #Reality

A post shared by Jayson Terdiman (@jaysonterdiman) on

Earlier this week, USA Luge announced that the men’s pool from which the PyeongChang team would be selected consists of Jonny Gustafson, John Fennell, Mazdzer, Taylor Morris and Tucker West.

The women’s pool includes Brittney Arndt, 2014 Olympian Summer Britcher, 2016 Youth Olympian Ashley Farquharson, 2012 Youth Olympian Raychel Germaine, Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin and Emily Sweeney.

The doubles teams are Mortensen and Terdiman, Jake Hyrns and Anthony Espinoza, and Justin Krewson and Andrew Sherk.


Easts Meet West

Adventurous couple Andrew and Shawn Johnson East are on the road again, and, at last check, they’d made it to Las Vegas, but not before conquering the Grand Canyon. OK, maybe not conquering.


Change Of Seasons

Goodbye, snow. Hello, beach. In the span of a plane flight, Olympic downhiller Travis Ganong severely changed his view. And his wardrobe.

 

Nice change of scenery with @mmgagnon 🌴🌊

A post shared by Travis Ganong (@travisganong) on


On The Books

If you see Olympic soccer medalist Julie Foudy in your travels, congratulate the first-time author …


Celebrating Mom

So many Olympians and Paralympians, so many stories about moms and what they’ve meant to these thousands of journeys. Moms and mother figures show up in ways that are hard to quantify — so many emotional moments, proud moments, memories, rides to give, hearts to mend, bruises to heal, shoulders to cry on, words to encourage, wisdom to impart, competitions to cheer, successes to celebrate, spirits to lift and dreams to raise — but Team USA athletes tried to cover it this past week on the mother of all holidays. Our favorite posts from the sons, daughters, spouses, moms, moms-to-be …

 

Happy Mother's Day @mamaphelpsh20 ! Love you so much and thank you for all you have done to help make me who I am today!!

A post shared by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on

 

Happy Mothe' rs Day to one of the most beautiful woman I know, both on the inside and out! Love u mom....

A post shared by Dara Torres (@swimdara) on

 

Happy Mother's Day to the mom who has spent hours in the car driving me to practices and games. Who has traveled the world to cheer me on and support me. Who has made sure I had the right bath suits, clean towels, and plenty of sunscreen. Who has wiped my tears when things were tough, who told me I could do it when I believed I could not, and who pushed me when I could not push myself. Thank you for the countless dinners we ate in the car on the way home from practice, for the cookies you would travel around the world with just so I could have a taste of home, and the big mommy hug that always seemed to come at the right time. Thank you for alway believing in me, never giving up on me, and teaching me to never give up on myself. You believed that we should always strive to be the best version of ourselves and you supported me in doing that daily. Today I am a true reflection of my parents and I could not be more proud to call you my mom. Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's that make it possible. ❤️🇺🇸💙

A post shared by Kami Craig (@kamicraigusa) on

 

Happy Mothers Day!!!! 😍❤️😍😘😍❤️😍 #MichelleCarter #ShotDiva #YouThrowGirl

A post shared by Michelle Carter (@shotdiva) on

 

Happy Mother's Day to this beautiful lady that I am fortunate enough to call Mom! Thank you for all that you do! ❤️

A post shared by MalloryWeggemann (@malloryweggemann) on

 

Being a mom means being transportation. 😂😂#literally

A post shared by Shannon Miller (@shannonmiller96) on

 

Happy Mother's Day to my best friend!!! 我爱你 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by lia m. neal (@lia_neal) on

 

Happy Mothers Day to all Moms. Thanks Mom for your endless support, love, and sacrifices. You're the best! Love you!

A post shared by Ryan Murphy (@ryan_f_murphy) on

 

Happy Mother's Day to my "older sister"😉💐 Love you mom😘❤️

A post shared by Kyla Ross (@kyla_ross96) on

 

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Love ya more than you know❤️

A post shared by Seth Jones (@seth_jones) on


Remembering …

For Miracle on Ice teammates, the loss of Bob Suter, who died suddenly in September 2014, remains significant …

Team USA athletes also had to come to grips with the loss of three-time Olympic bobsled medalist Steve Holcomb, for whom many of his friends held a celebration of life service in Lake Placid last week.

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Related Athletes

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Laurie Hernandez

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Aly Raisman

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Allyson Felix

Track and Field
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Amanda Everlove

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Shawn Johnson

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Morgan Brian

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Tamika Catchings