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.
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.
''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.''
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.
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