On the road to Rio 2016 Olympics with gymnast Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez’s top-scoring beam routine capped off a strong all-around performance at the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Olympic Trials, earning her one of the five coveted spots on the team bound for Rio. Overall, Hernandez came in second place behind Simone Biles, and finished more than a full point ahead of Aly Raisman.

Joining Hernandez on Team USA are two-time Olympians Raisman and Gabby Douglas, and first-timers Biles and Madison Kocian. The three replacement gymnasts that will be traveling to Rio with the team are McKayla Skinner, Ragan Smith and Ashton Locklear.

Extremely honored to say I'll be representing team USA at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. I want to thank God, cause with God nothing is impossible. I definitely want to thank @maggiehaney26 for staying by my side since 2005 and dealing with me every day in the gym haha! As much as a sacrifice I make for this sport, you make as much for me every day and I'm so grateful. S/o to my family and friends for being so supportive of me for the past few years; and all the doctors that have helped me stay in one piece! I can't wait to take on this new chapter in my life!💘🇺🇸🇧🇷

A photo posted by Laurie Hernandez 💫 (@lauriehernandez_) on Jul 11, 2016 at 6:42am PDT

FLOOR FAVORITE

Aside from Hernandez’s brilliant beam routine, the 16-year-old’s spicy floor exercise is always a crowd favorite. At the Olympic Trials she performed to a music medley of three songs; “Wasted” by Margaret, “Da Bop” by WTF!, and “Skeletons” by Drehz.

A photo posted by Laurie Hernandez 💫 (@lauriehernandez_) on Jul 7, 2016 at 3:29pm PDT

''When I was a little girl watching all the other girls make the Olympics, I thought, 'That's pretty cool', but never would I have thought I would be sitting in this chair right now talking to you guys.''

— Laurie Hernandez, on making Team USA

ROAD TO RIO

A true blue Jersey girl, Hernandez was bon in New Brunswick, lives in Old Bridge, and trains in Morganville under coach Maggie Haney at Monmouth Gymnastics Academy.

On the way to punching her ticket to Rio, Hernandez was crowned the junior national champion in 2015, and won the gold medal in balance beam at the City of Jesolo Trophy competion in Italy earlier this year.