Old Bridge celebrated its homegrown Olympian Laurie Hernandez before she sets off to the 2016 Rio Games next month.
OLD BRIDGE -- A small auditorium inside Old Bridge High School was packed with some forced to wait eagerly to meet hometown hero, U.S. Olympic gymnast, Laurie Hernandez.
Hernandez, 16, who is one of five members of the U.S. gymnastics team that will compete in the 2016 Rio Games next month, was honored by the Township Thursday evening.
She sat at a table in front of the auditorium signing autographs to young gymnasts who aspire to be just like her one day.
Jenna Castle, 9, of Old Bridge, was one of those admirers who patiently sat in the auditorium waiting for an opportunity to give her hero a drawing she made of the five colored Olympic rings. The gift was placed in a plastic bag with a container of patriotic Chapstick inside in case Hernandez's lips became chapped in Rio de Janeiro.
"She has worked so hard, and I want to be just like her when I grow up," Castle said.
Hernandez won her spot on the U.S. team at a competition in Oregon on Sunday. She achieved the second highest all-around score, previous reports said.
Carleigh Stillwagon, 16, Monroe, competed against Hernandez when they were kids.
"It's amazing to be here because I've seen her grow up to an Olympian," Stillwagon said.
Quinn Harmon, a 14-year-old gymnast, of Oceanport, who was with her yellow teammates of the All American Gymnastics Team, said, "I think it's very inspiring that someone from a small town in New Jersey is going to the Olympics."
Hernandez's father, Anthony, who was nearby his daughter fielding hugs from fans and friends left and right, said he was overwhelmed with both excitement and nerves.
"It is just incredible," Anthony said. "My feet haven't hit the ground yet. We are so excited to see what happens next. It's euphoria. It's the fear of the unknown."
Anthony said Laurie is scheduled to fly out to Houston, Texas, on Sunday where she and her team will train at a ranch before heading to Rio de Janeiro.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.