Four years ago, things were a lot different for Tavis Bailey, Chelsea Blaase, Christian Coleman and Jake Blankenship. They were all in high school, or just getting started at Tennessee. All four are, or were, on the track and field team. All four have a dream.
To be on the US Olympic Team for their respective events.
Blaase is a long-distance runner.
Coleman is a sprinter.
Blankenship pole vaults.
Bailey tosses a discus.
Coming into the Olympic Trials this July, they were all confident, ready to leave their mark on the team.
"Yes, I'm fit and I am capable of running with these girls," Blasse said.
"I'm honored and blessed for the opportunity, but I'm gonna go and try to compete," Coleman said.
"Some people talk about you want to be top three and I'm like, no, I just want to win," Bailey said.
"I truly believe I can get top-three," Blankenship said, "so we'll see how it goes."
A lot of their confidence comes from the support system around them, according to Bailey.
"I'll find myself in the weight room at 10 o'clock, 11 o'clock at night, and I'm just like, 'what am I doing?' But having the support of everyone here definitely makes this training process a lot easier."
But unfortunately, confidence doesn't always translate to success.
Blaase finished 16th in the finals of the 10,000 meter.
Blankenship finished 7th in the finals of the pole vault.
Coleman finished 6th in the finals of the 100 meter.
They knocked on the door, but couldn't break it down. The last one standing is Tavis Bailey. The qualifying round for discus will be Thursday at 9 p.m. eastern.
It may not be the outcome they wanted, but for all four, it's just their first trials. Based on how passionate they are, don't expect them to give up anytime soon.
"It's always been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," Blaase said. "Looking at the TV wherever they're at like, 'aw man, I wish I could be there one day.'"
For Blaase and the others, one day, is still four years away.