February 2025 Issue! Hezly Rivera

12 Feb February 2025 Issue! Hezly Rivera

Posted at 11:53h in Issue Previews, News & Features, Paris 2024 by Christy Sandmaier 0 Comments

By Christy Sandmaier

Vice President & Co-Publisher

Features Sneak Peek!

Our February 2025 issue stars 2024 Olympic team gold medalist Hezly Rivera! See our full feature on Hezly’s incredible journey from 2023 Junior National Champion to 2024 Olympic gold medalist, and her goals on the road to LA2028 in this in-depth cover story!

We also take a look at the Top 6 Men’s NCAA teams, feature our fav NCAA Women’s Top 10 moments in 2025 (so far!), spotlight 1996 Olympic alternate and University of Utah star Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie in our new series Bridging the Gap, and showcase Wendy Hilliard’s take on 2025 goal-setting. Plus! All of our regular features including Shannon Says, People, Places and Faces, Chalking Up and Inside Buzz!

Ceremony Awards, TEAMS FINAL, Paris 2024, Jul 30

When Hezly Rivera was 11 years-old, she drew a vision board. A golden Eiffel Tower surrounded by purple swirls, a single golden star, with the words “2024 Olympics” written in shades of reds and blues, framing the French monument. It traveled with her from New Jersey to Texas and is a daily reminder that competing in Paris 2024 as a member of Team USA was always her dream.

In August of 2023, Rivera became the U.S. Junior National All-Around Champion. One year later, the 16 year-old could call herself an Olympic gold medalist. Competing alongside Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles as part of the most decorated U.S. Women’s Olympic gymnastics team in history, Rivera remains truly in awe of what she’s achieved. Walking into the Bercy Arena in Paris, surrounded by gymnastics royalty, was a full circle moment – and a new chapter in her story that was ready to write itself.

“Going from 2023 Junior National Champion to Olympic gold medalist, at just 16, is super insane, and all of my hard work finally paid off,” she said. “My teammates, my coaches, my friends, they were all a part of this. I want to thank them so much because they got me to where I am today. Obviously, it was not easy. There were many ups and downs, but I’m so thankful for them because they taught me so many lessons.

“I am so incredibly grateful for my family because I would not be here without them. I’ve moved so many times. I moved two or three times in New Jersey alone just to find a good gym, and they sacrificed everything for me. They moved houses, moved gyms. That’s so insanely hard to do, and I really give a lot of the credit to my brother as well because he had to move schools so many times. I know it’s so difficult to make friends and to be the new kid all the time. So, I’m really, really grateful for him, and he’s literally my biggest supporter.

“I’m truly, truly thankful and grateful for everything that my family has done to make my dreams come true.”

The Lineup

24 Eyes On the Future! Hezly Rivera Looks to LA2028

At 16, Hezly Rivera was the youngest qualified athlete for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Now, she’s ready to make her mark in 2025 as an Olympic veteran.

30 Game On! 2025 Men’s NCAA Coaches Corner

Can collegiate gymnastics capitalize on Team USA’s Olympic bronze popularity? We take a look at 2024’s top six teams and what the coaches had to say heading into 2025.

36 Top 10 Things We Love About Women’s NCAA Gymnastics in 2025!

Here’s what we love so far this season for the women!

39 Bridging the Gap

What 1996 Olympic alternate Theresa Kulikowski-Gillespie said about the transition from athletics to life, beyond the chalk box.

43 10 Tips on How to Excel On & Off the Mat in 2025

From setting goals and prioritizing mental health, to initiatives like giving back to the community, Wendy Hilliard shared her 10 Tips to Excel in 2025 with Inside Gymnastics!