The Old Bridge community gathered in their municipal complex to watch U.S. gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Watch video
OLD BRIDGE -- The room was completely silent when U.S. gymnast Laurie Hernandez performed the beam performance that won her a silver medal. When she dismounted, the room erupted in applause and cheers.
Members of the Old Bridge community crowded into a courtroom in the Old Bridge municipal complex on Monday to support 16-year-old Old Bridge native Laurie Hernandez, who's competing on the U.S. Gymnastics team at the Rio Olympics.
On the women's beam, Hernandez scored a 15.333, just behind the Netherlands' Sanne Wevers, who scored 15.466.
The viewing party was hosted by Mayor Owen Henry, who's already helping plan Hernandez's homecoming party.
"She's my neighbor," he said. "The night she qualified we said we'd do something."
Henry met Hernandez before she went to Rio and called her smile "riveting."
"When she entered the room, everyone could feel the adrenaline," he said.
Outside the courtroom, young girls twirled and jumped, mimicking what they had seen the female gymnasts do. Inside, "Team Laurie" shirts were tacked onto the walls, and people singed their names on a banner for Hernandez.
19-year-old Jennifer Trabucco came out to watch the competition. She's been following Hernandez's performance throughout the Rio Olympics.
"I'm really rooting for her," she said. "It's cool to have someone from New Jersey, and when I heard she was from Old Bridge, that was incredible."
Hernandez won New Jersey's first gold medal of the 2016 Rio Olympics after the U.S. Gymnastic's team won the team gymnastics title Tuesday, Aug. 9. She competed in three events, scoring a 15.100 on the vault, 15.233 on the balance beam and 14.833 on the floor exercise.
Born and raised in Middlesex County, Hernandez has trained with her coach Maggie Haney for the last 10 years at the Monmouth Gymnastics Academy in Morganville. She's been home schooled since third grade and will turn pro after the Games, she announced on Instagram.
She became eligible for the Olympics on June 9 -- her 16th birthday.
Hernandez lives in Old Bridge with her parents, Anthony and Wanda, and a brother, Marcus, and sister, Jelysa.
Kate Mishkin may be reached at kmishkin@advancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KateMishkin. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
