Dozens of American artistic gymnasts were vying for a select number of Paris 2024 bids at the Olympic team trials in Minneapolis. But for one young gymnast, the experience was less about competition and more about pure awe! Zoey Molomo, an up-and-coming talent set to join UCLA Gymnastics. She remembers the time when she got selected after the Olympic trials. But, getting selected after trials was not the happiest moment of her life. Yet, when asked about her most cherished moment in gymnastics, it wasn’t winning titles or accolades that came to her mind. It was sharing the stage with some of the greatest athletes in the sport. And who was that?

During an interview with Inside Gymnastics Magazine on March 6, 2025, 16-year-old Zoey Molomo reflected on what it was like to train alongside some of the biggest names in U.S. gymnastics. She had qualified for the Olympic Trials the previous year and found herself on the same roster as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera. For Molomo, standing among these decorated gymnasts was nothing short of surreal. “I was tearing up during my floor routine,” she remembered. At the 2024 U.S. Championships, Simone Biles made history by securing her record-extending ninth national title. The Athlete Selection Commission from USA Gymnastics also announced 14 other gymnasts who would join Biles and Blakely, underscoring the depth of talent in American gymnastics.

Working alongside Simone Biles and receiving words of encouragement from seniors like Jordan Chiles has been the most important and fun part of her life. “Just being there, the whole crowd was clapping as I was going. It was so surreal. It was insane. I will never take that for granted. That was the most fun I’ve ever had. It was just awesome,” she further added. Molomo finished 12th in the All-Around and 8th on the beam at Trials, achieving an All-Around score of 103.500—while Biles soared to an impressive 117.225.

Zoey further added, “It felt like just everybody was so together. We all were doing it for each other. We were all doing it just to follow our dreams and just see what would happen.” Suni Lee scored an impressive total of 111.675 and placed second, while Jordan Chiles scored 111.425 and ranked third. Zoey Molomo wasn’t done yet, as she further went on to say, “They are big sisters in a way. They’re very easy to talk to…”

With an Olympic Trials experience under her belt alongside Simone Biles, a fresh Winter Cup gold in her collection, and an exciting collegiate gymnastics career ahead at UCLA, Molomo is far from done. She has her sights set on gaining more international experience, making the National Team again, and increasing her start values to push her routines to the next level. While she’s committed to UCLA, she’s also leaving the door open for balancing an elite and NCAA career, though she’s still weighing all her options before making a final decision.

Zoey Molomo’s journey is just beginning, and if her early success is any indication, the future is incredibly bright. From being a starstruck young gymnast to sharing the floor with her idols, she’s proving that dreams really do come true—with hard work, passion, and a little bit of awe-struck excitement along the way.

Zoey Molomo Joins UCLA for the 2027 College Gymnastics Season

Zoey Molomo is officially heading to Westwood! After competing at the Olympic Trials, the rising star wasted no time making her NCAA future clear. Taking to Instagram on October 4, 2024, Molomo announced her verbal commitment to UCLA. On the post, she captioned “SO blessed and excited to announce that i’ve verbally committed to UCLA on a full ride athletic scholarship!!” With the shift to college scoring, fans are eager to see how Molomo will contribute to UCLA’s quest for its first national title since 2018. It’s normal for most recruits to visit at least 3 schools before making a decision. Molomo made the decision after visiting LSU and Florida.

“Ever since I was little, UCLA has been my dream,” Molomo shared. It’s a fitting choice, given the Bruins’ legacy of elite-level gymnastics and the high-energy environment she thrives. That dream is now becoming a reality, and she joins the program at a thrilling time. “The school, just the whole atmosphere of UCLA, it’s so incredible,” she added. Just last week, UCLA secured the Big Ten conference title in their debut season. Meanwhile, Molomo’s individual journey remains just as exciting. Competing at the Winter Cup, she relished being back on the floor with teammates and friends, feeling proud of what she accomplished. But her ultimate focus, the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, is a goal that continues to drive her forward.

Zoey Molomo’s journey continues to be one of determination and passion. From competing alongside her idols to making a name for herself on the NCAA stage, her future in gymnastics looks incredibly bright. As she transitions into collegiate competition and sets her sights on future Olympic aspirations, the world will be watching to see just how far she can go.