Needham native Aly Raisman makes Olympic team

UNDATED (WHDH) -- A local woman is headed to London to represent the U.S. in the Olympics.

Needham native Aly Raisman went for the gold, and she made it, finishing third in the women’s gymnastics trials to earn her spot on the five-woman team.

“I’m going to put my social life definitely on a halt, just 100 percent, just really focus on gymnastics because this is it,” she said. “This is what I’ve been dreaming for my whole life and I can’t believe I’ve achieved it.”

Her proud parents admired their new Olympic athlete and her 15 years of hard work.

“We’re so happy; we’re so proud of her -- it’s just one of those surreal moments,” Aly’s father, Rick Raisman, said.

One of her competitors, Winchester native Alicia Sacramone finished 11th in the trials and did not make it to the Summer Games. This would have been her second trip to the Olympics.

Nastia Liukin, the all-around champion in 2008, finished in 13th in the trials, also missing the cut.