Carpentersville native Bradie Tennell withdraws from U.S. Skating Championships

Reigning U.S. figure skating champion Bradie Tennell has withdrawn from the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, likely ending any chance for the skater to compete at the upcoming Winter Olympics.

The Carpentersville native announced Friday on Instagram that she decided to withdraw from the championships set to take place this coming weekend because of an ongoing foot injury.

“This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury,” Tennell’s post read. “I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally try to keep things light, but this hurts. I don’t like to give up when things get hard, but time has not been my friend this year and now it’s run out.”

In her post, Tennell, 23, said that for the past six months she’s been on and off the ice as she’s tried to find out what exactly is wrong with her foot. She’s seen experts from around the country and also changed boot companies to alleviate some of the pain. Despite trying numerous different treatments, she decided to listen to her body and withdraw from nationals.

Tennell, who grew up in Carpentersville, lives in Cary and trains in Colorado Springs, Colorado, hasn’t competed this season because of the ongoing foot injury. She won a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics in the team event and is a two-time U.S. national champion.

Tennell technically could petition for a spot on the 2022 Olympic team, but it seems unlikely with the Winter Games only one month away.

Although she said she’s excited to cheer on everyone on Team USA as they head to Beijing, Tennell is motivated to continue her way back to the ice.

“I’ll be back,” Tennell posted. “I’m not done fighting.”