With just three months until the 2024 Paris Olympics, the final sprint for qualification is reaching its peak amongst the six AVP teams vying for position. Here’s all you need to understand the evolving drama of the Olympic race.
Top Contenders
The Women:
- Kristen Nuss & Taryn Kloth (Team USA): Ranked 2nd globally. Demonstrating consistent top performance, they are key contenders for the Olympics.
- Kelly Cheng & Sara Hughes (Team USA): Ranked 3rd globally, continuously pushing the competition to its limits.
- Melissa Humana-Paredes & Brandie Wilkerson (Team Canada): Ranked 5th worldwide, continuing to be formidable opponents in the international arena.
The Men:
- Andy Benesh & Miles Partain (Team USA): Ranked 9th globally, leading the American charge in the Olympic qualification race.
- Theo Brunner & Trevor Crabb (Team USA): Currently ranked 11th place globally, consistently holding their position as the second-ranked US men’s team since mid-2023.
The Rise of Budinger & Evans
Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, currently 16th, have shown a meteoric rise in the standings. Their recent successes have positioned them as serious threats to break into the top rankings and potentially displace Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner.
Team Challenges
Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk are currently at 24th. There is still hope for the duo however their journey highlights the harsh realities of Olympic qualification, with signs indicating a potential withdrawal from the race.
Understanding the Olympic Qualification Process
The qualification for the Olympics are based on the best finishes in up to 12 tournaments. Only the highest-scoring 12 finishes count towards a team’s total. Teams must outperform their lowest scores among these top finishes to climb the rankings. Remember, only two teams per country can make it to the Olympics, regardless of their overall world ranking.
Why This Information Matters
Unlike other AVP teams, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain, along with the Canadian pair, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, have yet to compete in 12 tournaments. While most teams may see only slight improvements in their scores, Andy, Miles, Brandie, and Melissa—who have participated in only 10 and 11 events, respectively—stand to gain substantially in the rankings after their next two tournaments.
Recent Highlights and What’s Next
Event Recap: Last Tournament in Xiamen, China (April 24th-28th)
- Due to their high rankings, our women’s teams strategically chose not to compete in Xiamen.
- Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner were eliminated early, finishing 9th and failing to outperform their lowest score.
- Miles Evans and Chase Budinger made a notable impact by defeating the tournament’s top-seeded team and securing a 4th place finish, closing the gap in their race for Olympic qualification.
- Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk opted not to compete, signaling a potential exit from the Olympic qualification race.
Water Cooler Conversation Starters
- Guadalajara Victory: Despite early elimination in most 2024 tournaments, Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner clinched a crucial first-place finish in Guadalajara, maintaining their lead over Chase Budinger and Miles Evans.
- Tournament Impact: If not for their victory in Guadalajara, Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner might have been tied with Chase Budinger and Miles Evans in the Olympic rankings.
- Consistent Quarter finalists: Chase Budinger and Miles Evans have impressively reached the quarterfinals in three of the six tournaments this year, underscoring their competitive rise.
- Ranking Climb: At the start of the Olympic Qualification Period, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain were ranked 40th, and Chase Budinger and Miles Evans 57th. Both have made significant jumps in the rankings since.
- Top Performers: Kristen Nuss, Taryn Kloth, Kelly Cheng, and Sara Hughes have maintained a top-four ranking since the qualification began, highlighting their consistent performance.
As the teams compete in Brazil, the rankings are poised for change. With just three Olympic qualification tournaments remaining, the battle for the coveted spots among the US men’s teams could come down to the wire in the final event, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the qualification race.
Stay tuned for further updates. Let’s rally behind our AVP teams as they navigate the challenging road to the Paris Olympics!