Hezly Rivera has been a sensation ever since her standout performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. At just 16 years old, she won gold with the iconic U.S. gymnastics team, a remarkable feat that has catapulted her into the spotlight. But Hezly’s journey from a high school junior to an Olympic champion is a story that began much earlier, at a surprising place—a birthday party.

Yes, a simple birthday party was where it all began! When Hezly was just five years old, she was attending her friend’s party at a local gymnastics gym. The staff, noticing her natural talent, suggested she try out for the team. From that innocent beginning, a star was born. Eleven years later, Hezly stands as a champion, training with WOGA gymnastics under the guidance of Valeri and Anna Liukin, the esteemed coaches who raised 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin.

Hezly’s talent truly shone at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. She didn’t just compete; she soared, tying for first place on the balance beam and finishing fifth overall, securing her spot on the U.S. gymnastics team heading to Paris. With legends like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey by her side, Hezly couldn’t believe her luck. “I can’t believe I’m part of this team; I never would have thought this would happen,” she marveled after the trials. Who could have guessed that the little girl from the birthday party would rise to win Olympic gold?

Hezly’s secret to success? A calm and focused mindset. “I thought of it as any other meet. I was just thinking, okay, it’s just me and the beam or me and the bar, and I’m just saluting my coach,” she shared after her victory. With Paris now behind her, everyone is wondering what’s next for Hezly Rivera. She’s already looking ahead to the next chapter—college. Recently, she teased her followers on Instagram, writing, “Guess where I’m going for my first official college visit!” The post has the gymnastics community buzzing with excitement and speculation about her future.

Fans Are Going Gaga Over Possibilities

The Gymnastics community is buzzing over where Hezly Rivera might go next. Although Hezly hasn’t disclosed where she is off to, a passionate debate is on amidst fans. One fan mused, “I’d love to see her at Cal. I’m thinking she’s going LSU, though.” The idea of Hezly joining the California Golden Bears has a lot of appeal due to their strong gymnastics tradition. But on the other hand, Louisiana State University is a strong contender.

Another fan looking at the bigger picture said, “LSU is also next to Texas, so she could go there for that reason.” Hezly’s family recently moved to Plano, Texas, in 2021 to train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy and some fans say she might stay close. LSU is no doubt a strong competitor considering their recent run under Jay Clark. Since joining in 2017, he has won LSU multiple NCAA Super Six appearances, regional titles, and national honors in bars.

Despite the evident appeal of LSU, one fan went on to say, “Ugh, please not LSU.” Some fans have other suggestions for Hezly. “I think LSU, OU, and UF are the most likely options. I like entertaining the idea of Hezly going to Georgia because she would do so well and improve so much under Cecile, especially going into LA2028, but I doubt she will choose it over a higher ranked program since UGA is still rebuilding,” wrote a user. Another backing up “She strikes me as an OU or LSU girl.”

Why OU? Oklahoma University under coach K.J. Kindler will go down in history as iconic. Under him, OU has won six NCAA titles and a consistent top-three finish over the past decade. However, the question is whether Hezly’s calm demeanor will go with the Sooners’ intense style. Some fans see the bigger picture. One of them went on to say, “I reckon she’ll defer until 2028 so elite coaching in NCAA might not be so much of a consideration.” But despite this, OU remains a strong possibility with one fan writing, “She totally gives me Oklahoma vibes. I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the beautiful bars and the weird floor music.”

Adding another layer of intrigue, her fellow US team gymnasts have also started to pave their unique paths. After Paris 2024, Jordan Chiles announced her return to UCLA. While Sunisa Lee stuck to her favorite, Auburn. Will she follow in the footsteps of her contemporaries or surprise the world? The debate is on and fans can’t wait to see where she lands.