New Jersey Native Earns Spot On US Olympic Gymnastics Team
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Jersey girl has made the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team and will compete in Rio de Janeiro.
Laurie Hernandez, of Old Bridge, is the first U.S.-born Latina to go to the Olympics since 1984.
Here they are: @Simone_Biles, @lzhernandez02, @Aly_Raisman, @gabrielledoug and @MadisonKocian! #RioReady pic.twitter.com/AVOjI3ItJM
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) July 11, 2016
Hernandez will be joined by three-time world gymnastics champion Simone Biles, defending Olympic champion Gabby Douglas, three-time Olympic medalist Aly Raisman, and Madison Kocian. MyKayla Skinner, Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear are the alternates.
"These girls, they have so much experience and I'm kind of acting as if I have the experience too just so I could be on the same mental page as them and it's definitely working," the 16-year-old rookie said.
So proud of everyone who competed❤️ I can finally say I'm representing USA at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/ehW7EvQZlA
— Laurie Hernandez???? (@LaurieHernandez) July 11, 2016
After earning her spot on the team, Hernandez posted a short video clip of her and her teammates celebrating.
When you find out you're going to the olympics>> pic.twitter.com/st3A26seDM
— Laurie Hernandez???? (@LaurieHernandez) July 11, 2016
She later wrote, "this is surreal omg."
this is surreal omg
— Laurie Hernandez???? (@LaurieHernandez) July 11, 2016
She also has a lot of fans on Twitter.
#LaurieHernandez you go girl! You are amazing!???? #USOlympicTrials
— C_W (@ThisTexan) July 11, 2016
#LaurieHernandez is my favorite person ever. She's so cute. ???? @lzhernandez02
— Haley (@haleybop123) July 11, 2016
#LaurieHernandez is the FIRST Puerto Rican Latina on the US Olympic Gymnastics team. Her grandparents are from Puerto Rico. #OrgulloBoricua
— Patricia Guadalupe (@PatriciagDC) July 11, 2016
Meanwhile, Biles secured her spot on the U.S. Olympic team with a near flawless tour of the SAP Center on Sunday night. Douglas, who's been struggling recently, finished third on uneven bars.
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