16-year-old New Jersey native Hezly Rivera already made history, winning the team all-around gold in Paris. However, now the youngest member of Team USA Gymnastics at Paris 2024 is set to make another historic move as she’s set to join LSU. Yesterday, the Olympian announced the news on social media and sent fans into a frenzy, posing with LSU star, Olivia Dunne. Yet, this was far from the duo’s first meeting.

In fact, Rivera found Olivia Dunne beside her from the beginning. Henry Rivera recalled how it was Dunne’s coaches who saw something special. The 44-year-old recalled how his five-year-old showcased uncanny skill in performing flips and cartwheels during a birthday party at a gymnastics gym. ENA Gymnastics’s, Craig and Jennifer Zappa’s also witnessed the child’s talent.

“The coaches approached us…” Henry Rivera told the New York Post in July. “You got to bring her in. She made the team on the first audition. That’s very unusual.” the coaching duo told her father. As fate would have it, Olivia Dunne was also training at ENA Gymnastics when a five-year-old Hezly Rivera first walked through the gymnasium doors.

Dunne also started her gymnastics journey at ENA under the tutelage of Craig and Jennifer Zappa. “When I was five years old, I was invited to try out for the pre-team at my gym, ENA. Once I started competing, I knew I had a passion for the sport.” the 21-year-old wrote on her official website. However, while Livvy started in 2007, Hezly Rivera joined in 2013.

Since the future LSU was twice the age of Henry Rivera’s five-year-old daughter, she was among the gymnasts Rivera grew up to admire. Dunne and the older gymnasts played a huge part in helping the Olympian build a passion for the sport. “All she ever wanted to do was be in the gym,” Henry Rivera said in July.

Dunne and Rivera were part of the ENA roster for the entirety of the 16-year-old’s formative years in the sport. While the 2024 NCAA champion left once she joined the LSU program, Rivera continued at the Paramus, New Jersey gym until 2020. For these last four years, the Olympian has trained at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Plano, Texas. Now, with the Olympic gold medalist joining LSU, the duo has come full circle.

Will LSU replicate its success with Hezly Rivera in the team?

The 16-year-old Olympic gold medalist joining Louisiana State for the upcoming season is a huge boost to the university’s roster. With Olivia Dunner returning for her fifth and final season, LSU is going all in to build on the momentum. LSU ended the 2024 NCAA season as national champions for the first time in their history.

While Olvia Dunne helped the team earn the top spot in the regionals, she was absent during the finals. Coach Jay Clark kept her in reserve, but thanks to Kiya Johnson, Sierra Ballard, Aleah Finnegan, and others, Dunne didn’t need to step in. “Everyone’s so good.” Dunne said about her teammates.

Now, with Dunne’s finals season as a Tiger, Jay Clark may look to capitalize on building the connection that Hezly Rivera and Oliva Dunne share. Dunne and Rivera practiced side-by-side for years, and that should help the 16-year-old settle quickly. Despite being a freshman, Rivera will bring valuable experience to the team.

After all, few things can beat earning an Olympic medal alongside Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, and the icons of Team USA. So, Hezly Rivera joining Louisiana State will not only boost the LSU Tigers but serve as a reunion. If the Tigers once again clinch the National title, it’ll also be a passing of the torch moment between Rivera and Dunner. However, only time will tell how things turn out for the Tigers’ star recruit.