The Men’s U.S. Gymnastics team made history in Paris. For the first time since 2008, the young team of five talented gymnasts earned a team bronze medal for their country. It came down to the wire, but pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik came in clutch and secured the medal. The 25-year-old shined once again, winning bronze in the individual pommel horse finals.

However, that’s where their journey came to an end. Despite breaking both team and individual medal droughts for Team USA, flaws in individual routines haunted the team. While Frederick Richard made it to the all-around finals he fell during his pommel horse routine. Unfortunately, the error came in the very first rotation, annihilating his chances for a podium finish.

Meanwhile, Paul Juda conceded a penalty during the vault in the following rotation. Asher Hong, who put on a promising display in the floor exercise and rings during the trials, failed to qualify for the finals of either event. It was a similar story in the vault, parallel bars, and horizontal bars individual events for the Brody Malone-led U.S. Men’s Gymnastics team.

However, it wasn’t just the small errors that cost the men of Team USA their posts in the individual finals. The file was so competitive that even gymnasts with flawless routines found it hard to make a mark. The Chinese and Japanese dominated the field, followed by Team GB. However, despite the disappointing end, the men of Team USA didn’t feel demotivated.

The U.S. men’s gymnastics team is already looking ahead

Although the men team’s won’t have the opportunity to bring back any more medals, the hardware they’ll take home has given them hope. Stephen Nedoroscik, who became the team’s break-out star, has already posted about his plans on social made. “Bronze team. Bronze horse. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity,” wrote the 25-year-old.

However, he and his fellow gymnasts are aiming even higher for LA2028. “Bronze is a great achievement, but I got eyes for something shinier in my future #2028,” the 2x Olympic bronze medalist added. The U.S. men’s gymnastics team’s High-Performance Director Brett McClure was also pleased at how the youngsters performed during the team event. McClure was driven to tears when the boys finally broke the 16-year drought.

“I can’t even describe it. Every single routine kept getting better and better. Everyone did their job,” the 2004 gymnastics silver medalist told the press. However, even before the men failed to replicate their success in the individual events, McClure hinted that a lot of work remains to be done.

While the coach admitted the young team was trending in the right direction, he also acknowledged how Japan and China are in different leagues. To realize the success that they are dreaming of, the U.S. men’s gymnastics team needs to pour their blood, sweat, and tears leading up to LA 2028.