Alexa Scimeca-Knierim and Chris Knierim became the first Americans to land a quad twist in an Olympic competition when they hit the four-revolution element in the pairs free skate.
The rest of their program didn't go nearly as well.
Knierim fell on both of their triple jumps, a salchow and the toeloop that was supposed to lead into a double toeloop. The married couple was also out of synch on their combination spin and a bit shaky on their throw triple flip.
They placed 15 out of 16 pairs with a scare of 185.82. Even though they're well out of medal contention, they've already had a successful Olympics. They were an integral part of the U.S. winning the team bronze.
After the performance Alexa broke down in tears saying the shooting at a Florida high school had her "emotionally drained."
Scimeca-Knierim didn't blame the news from Florida for a poor routine by the only American pair at the Olympics. But she says she was stressed out when she saw the news on television at the arena.
"We are so privileged and lucky to be doing what we are doing," she said, "and it's so sad that 17 people died in the United States. I told Chris today he'd need to be so much stronger than me.
"I am disappointed with the way we performed today, but so many people at home are hurting because their children have died."
She stopped to gather herself as her husband patted her on the head.
"I was not focused on it while we were skating, but now that we are done, after we've skated, there's an emotional hurt. I am overwhelmed."
