Hezly Rivera is on a roll! Coming off her Paris Olympics gold high, she is already on the road chasing her next adventure. Hezly is ten toes in and is visiting colleges! Her most recent stop? Louisiana State University (LSU). And this isn’t just another visit on her tour. LSU is a potential game-changer. But why?

LSU is coming off a big win. They recently went on to win the National Championship, making them the reigning champs. So when Hezly Rivera stepped into the LSU campus, it was no casual stroll. With Coach Jay Clark heading top-tier athletes, LSU is on a mission to maintain its gymnastics dominance, and Hezly is a big step for them toward the mission.

However, Hezly Rivera did not make these visits alone. She was joined by fellow gymnasts Zoey Molomo, Evey Lowe, and Dulcy Taylor. The quartet was spotted at LSU’s boot camp. As the last official stop, it’s clear that Hezly saved a special trip for the end. But what makes LSU such a prime destination for Hezly? Amongst the many reasons, two stand out.

One is that LSU is serious about keeping its championship title. And Hezly would be helping them do just that. Secondly, LSU’s gymnastics program comes with a great legacy and proven track records. LSU first cracked the Super Six in 2008, and from there, it’s been a consistent rise to the top. The team made the Super Six multiple times and had back-to-back SEC wins in 2017 and 2018.

To top it all off with a cherry, LSU’s home area, the ‘Deaf Dome,’ is an interesting factor, too. The Pete Maravich Assembly Center is no ordinary venue. It is a 13,215-seat arena fondly called ‘The PMAC.’ Now, if Hezly joined this roster of winnings and history, it would be exactly what she needs to stay on top. It’s a match made in gymnastics heaven, but LSU is not the only one scouting.

Hezly Rivera’s frenzy of options

Let’s not get ahead of ourselves; yes, LSU is a great option. But Hezly has plenty of options. Take the University of Georgia (UGA), for example. UGA comes with Cécile Landi, Hezly’s Olympic coach, as their head coach. This could be a major factor, considering the coaching for Paris came with an Olympic gold. But then, there’s also UCLA in the mix. UCLA is known for its artistic choreography, which could help Hezly’s creativity thrive. Plus, UCLA has always been one of the more glamorous gymnastics programs, with names like Jordan Chiles on their roster.

Let’s also not forget that her first college visit was to none of the above. It was to the University of Florida! Hezly Rivera was seen hanging out with Florida’s gymnastics stars like Leanne Wong and Kayla DiCello. The world also saw selfies with the American football quarterback, Tim Tebow, during the visit. Florida also has a history of success, and names like Skye Blakely recently joined.

But with all these great options, where will Hezly end up? The decision is still up in the air. Will she pick the reigning champions at LSU, reconnect with her Olympic coach at UGA, or take her artistic talents to UCLA? Or has she already found a home with the Florida Gators? Regardless of what her decision may be, whoever ends up with Hezly Rivera is sure to have a brilliant collegiate season ahead.