A local gymnast got the chance to compete with the best of the best.

Erie High School product Josh Karnes was selected as one of 20 American gymnasts to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials this past week.

We got the chance to catch up with Karnes to talk about his accomplishments thus far and his experience at the trials.

Josh Karnes has participated in gymnastics since he was three years old. He said the feeling he gets when he competes is what made him fall in love with the sport.

“Most of the events it just feels like you’re flying. It’s a feeling that you can’t really put into words, to be honest. Some of the stuff you do, it just feels like you shouldn’t be able to do it,” he said.

In his junior year at Penn State, Karnes captured the Big 10 title in the parallel bars. He won the bronze medal at the NCAA Championships in the same event, and placed fifth overall, earning him All-American honors.

His impressive resume prompted his invitation to the Olympic trials, and while injuries hindered Karnes’ chances to qualify for the Olympic team this time around, he said that the experience of getting to compete with the best of the best on the biggest stage was one he’ll remember.

“The experience was crazy. There were so many people there. At first, I was kind of stressing that I wasn’t going to be able to go because I got a concussion during champs, so I was freaking out a little bit leading up towards it, but when I got there, just seeing everybody, the top guys in the country, it was really cool. And then the first day of comp the crowd was insane,” he said.

Supporting Karnes throughout his journey are his parents Jim and Monica. They said that while watching their son compete is nerve-racking, they couldn’t be more proud.

“It was amazing. You know just to be at the trials alone is incredible to watch, but when your son is down there, it’s hard to explain,” Monica said.

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In the future, Josh is looking forward to another successful season at Penn State and a shot at the 2028 Olympics.

“It’s been a dream of mind since I was younger, so it would mean the world to me. I would probably start tearing up, to be honest,” Josh went on to say.

The games of the 34th Olympiad will open on July 14 2028 in Los Angeles.

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