After closing out her 2016 season at the U.S. Olympic Trials in San Jose, California, this past weekend, Maggie Nichols is now focused on her future as an Oklahoma Sooner.

She posted to her Instagram this afternoon announcing her retirement from elite gymnastics:



Nichols finished sixth all-around at the competition, but she was not chosen to represent the U.S. on the Rio Olympic team. Of course, this was terribly disheartening, but Nichols handled it with grace. There were both happy and sad tears, she told the Duluth Tribune.

"I was very disappointed that my name was not called. I was confused, but I knew there was a reason for why I didn't get picked. I support the committee's decision and everything like that," she said.

The reality quickly set in that Nichols wouldn't be joining her best friends in Rio, but on Monday morning she clung to the truth.

193 | 366 pic.twitter.com/cgfiqnKnNo

— Maggie Nichols (@MagsGotSwag12) July 11, 2016

Nichols holds tightly to the faith that has brought her this far and is looking forward to what's to come.

I know that God has a plan for me and bigger and better things in my future.

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Her first competition since surgery to her torn meniscus in April was the P&G Championships at the end of June. It wasn't an easy road back to elite form. "It just took a lot of mental strength and also physical strength," Nichols said. "I'm just really happy with how far I came in that short amount of time."

Nichols' elite career has come to an end, but she's headed to Oklahoma for college, where she is expected to be nothing short of a NCAA star. She's planning to rest her body and recoup for a while before the next journey begins this fall. She said she's grateful for her elite career and what it has given her.

I've traveled the world, I've taken away so many things that I'll always have in my head and memories. Words can't even describe the things I've been through... Looking back it's such an amazing experience, and I'm so thankful I was able to experience all of that.

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