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Gymnastics

Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15 Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15
Rising Lenape HS Sophomore, Standout Athlete London DeShields Dies, 15 London Sophia DeShields, of Mount Laurel, New Jersey, 15, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024. Born in Voorhees, New Jersey to David A. and Lauren A. (nee Chatzidakis), London was about to begin her sophomore year of Lenape High School. She was an excellent student who was a favorite with all of her teachers. An accomplished athlete in her own right, London started as a gymnast and finished second in the country during her last season competing. She shifted her athletic talents to the track, where she won “Newcomer of the Year” as a member of the Lenape winter and spring track t…
Penn State Pommel Horse Sensation Stephen Nedoroscik Wins Bronze — AGAIN Penn State Pommel Horse Sensation Stephen Nedoroscik Wins Bronze — AGAIN
Penn State Pommel Horse Sensation Stephen Nedoroscik Wins Bronze — Again Stephen Nedoroscik has done it again. The Penn State alum who hails from Worcester, Massachusetts, nailed another pommel horse routine at Paris 2024, winning his second bronze medal. Nedoroscik, 25, shot to fame as the USA men's gymnastic team's official "pommel horse specialist," earning the team its first medal in 16 years. On Saturday, Aug. 3, Nedoroscik racked up 15.300 points on the pommel horse behind two-time world champ Rhys McClenaghan, of Ireland, who won the gold.
Fans Beg NBC To Sign NJ Olympian Who Called Gold For Simone Biles Fans Beg NBC To Sign NJ Olympian Who Called Gold For Simone Biles
Fans Beg NBC To Sign NJ Olympian Who Called Gold For Simone Biles Has New Jersey's Laurie Hernandez found her calling? The New Brunswick native was a member of the US women's gymnastic team's "Final Five" at just 16 years old, winning gold at Rio 2016 alongside Simone Biles. This week, the 24-year-old shined as one of the most colorful commentators, calling Biles' and Team USA's wins alongside commentator Rich Lerner, both for NBC, at Paris 2024. Following her major commentating debut, fans — and even some sports journalists — are calling on NBC to give Hernandez the contract they say she deserves. Hope NBC signs Laurie Hernandez to a long-term contr…
NJ's Livvy Dunne Serves TikTok Troll With Perfect Clapback At Paris Olympics NJ's Livvy Dunne Serves TikTok Troll With Perfect Clapback At Paris Olympics
NJ's Livvy Dunne Serves TikTok Troll With Perfect Clapback At Paris Olympics Livvy Dunne is keeping it classy. The Hillsdale (Bergen County) native was showing support Team USA gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a TikTok video when someone piped up: "Why can't you make Olympic team." The 21-year-old LSU gymnast and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model replied: "Probably the same reason you can't." Dunne's supporters made sure her troll got out-liked in the comment section, hers garnering nearly 750 and his, about 250. The gymnast clearly has nothing to prove as the top-earning female NIL athlete, valued at $3.9 million with a combined 13.2M followers a…
Bergen County Teen Bounces Back: Watch Hezly Rivera's Bars, Beam Routines At Paris Olympics Bergen County Teen Bounces Back: Watch Hezly Rivera's Bars, Beam Routines At Paris Olympics
Bergen County Teen Bounces Back: Watch Hezly Rivera's Bars, Beam Routines At Paris Olympics "Officially an Olympian!" That's what Bergen County native Hezly Rivera captioned an Instagram post showing stills from her beam and bars routine at the Paris Olympics Sunday, July 28. Rivera, 16, is the youngest American athlete competing in Paris, and got off to a rather wobbly start in the qualifiers on beam. See videos below. The Oradell native scored a 12.633 on beam — nearly two full points lower than her score at the trials last month. Her uneven bars routine was near-perfect though: She scored 13.900. ALO SEE: Oradell Gymnast Who At 9 Said Her Dream Was Landing Spot On Olympic Tea…
These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch
These 23 New Jersey Athletes Are At The Paris Olympic Games: Here's When To Watch The Paris Olympics have begun!  And, in case you missed it, several of Garden State's fittest and most athletic residents are there (scroll for their names, sports, and hometowns). A total of 23 athletes from New Jersey have qualified for the Olympics and are ready to make their run at the gold. Events kicked off Friday, July 26. Click here for a complete schedule of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Garden State athletes include: Paxten Aaronson, of Medford: Soccer Bam Adebayo, of Newark, and 2020 Olympian: Basketball Jack Alexy, of Morristown: Swimming Jackie Dubrovich, of Riverda…
NJ Gymnast Who At 9 Said Her Dream Was Landing Spot On Olympic Team Just Made It Happen NJ Gymnast Who At 9 Said Her Dream Was Landing Spot On Olympic Team Just Made It Happen
NJ Gymnast Who At 9 Said Her Dream Was Landing Spot On Olympic Team Just Made It Happen Hezly Rivera sure stuck the landing on that one. The 16-year-old Bergen County native who at 9 said she dreamed of making a spot on the USA gymnastics team did just that. She's headed to the Paris Olympics. Hezly, whose family moved from  Oradell to Plano, TX, finished fifth in the all-around competition at the Olympic trial last week. Her final score of 111.15 put her on Team USA alongside vets Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Suni Lee, and Jordan Chiles. Rivera was just 9 years old when she told Daily Voice in 2018: "I want to make the national team and go to the Olympics.&nbs…
NJ's Livvy Dunne Gets Times Square Billboard NJ's Livvy Dunne Gets Times Square Billboard
NJ's Livvy Dunne Gets Times Square Billboard Livvy Dunne can add "Times Square billboard" to her list of accomplishments. The Bergen County native and college gymnast is the new brand ambassador for Nautica, an apparel brand.  The campaign kicked off with a billboard of Dunne, who was raised in Hillsdale, which the gymnast unveiled on her Instagram on Sunday, Feb. 25. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Olivia Dunne (@livvydunne) As a brand ambassador, Dunne will be wearing apparel from the company's spring line. @nautica Off duty style never looked so good @Olivia…
Watch Livvy Dunne's High-Scoring Floor Routine In LSU Tigers' Weekend Win Watch Livvy Dunne's High-Scoring Floor Routine In LSU Tigers' Weekend Win
Watch Livvy Dunne's High-Scoring Floor Routine In LSU Tigers' Weekend Win The LSU Tigers continue to reign supreme in the world of college gymnastics, with an assist from Livvy Dunne, a Bergen County native. LSU — ranked No. 3 in the country — defeated #19 Georgia by a score of 197.625 to 196.300 on Friday, Feb. 9 at Stegman Coliseum in Athens, GA. Dunne, a Hillsdale native, shined in her floor routine, getting a score of 9.8. Watch as Olivia Dunne started the night off strong for the LSU Tigers scoring a 9.80 in the leadoff spot as the No. 3 LSU took down No. 19 Georgia on the road. ESPN Last fall, the gymnast, who grew up in Hillsdale was on the cover…
Livvy Dunne Cheers On BF Paul Skenes For So-So Double-A Debut Livvy Dunne Cheers On BF Paul Skenes For So-So Double-A Debut
Livvy Dunne Cheers On BF Paul Skenes For So-So Double-A Debut Call it nerves under pressure or just bad luck, Paul Skenes' Double-A debut wasn't exactly his best game ever — even with his girlfriend Olivia Dunne in the stands. Skenes, who was the top pick of the July MLB Draft, started in the Saturday, Aug. 26 game for Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate Altoona Curve. And gave up four runs on three hits in the first inning alone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pittsburgh Pirates (@pittsburghpirates) Skenes was pulled before he could complete his first inning in his debut, throwing more balls (1…
VA Olympian Gabby Douglas Signed By WME Sports Ahead Of 2024 Paris Olympics VA Olympian Gabby Douglas Signed By WME Sports Ahead Of 2024 Paris Olympics
VA Olympian Gabby Douglas Signed By WME Sports Ahead Of 2024 Paris Olympics She's in good company. Virginia's Gabby Douglas has been signed to WME Sports, the same agency that represents some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, including New Jersey's Livvy Dunne. The news comes after the 2012 Olympic all-around champion and 2015 World all-around silver medalist announced she'd be returning to competitive gymnastics. While 27-year-old Douglas, who was born in Newport News and raised in Virginia Beach, did not join Team USA at the US Classic the first weekend of August 2023, she is apparently training for the 2024 Paris Games.  The last time Douglas c…
Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Gymnastics Coach Sexually Assaulted Three Teen Athletes On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A former Jersey Shore gymnastics coach has been accused of sexually assaulting three of his teenage athletes, authorities announced. Sasha C. Raught, 55, of Manchester Township is charged with  aggravated sexual assault and three counts of sexual assault, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau revealed that Raught entered into sexual relationships with three of his former athletes when they were each teenagers, Santiago said. The incidents took place before he was suspended from coaching gymnastics in…
'We're Really Proud Of Her': NJ Cartwheeler Captures Hearts 'We're Really Proud Of Her': NJ Cartwheeler Captures Hearts
'We're Really Proud Of Her': NJ Cartwheeler Captures Hearts When Sal DiGirolamo posted a video of his 6-year-old daughter cartwheeling her way to first base, he had no idea it was going to go viral. Mattea, a 6-year-old Kenilworth kindergartener has been responsible for the cartwheel seen around the world as millions have been enthralled by her unique way of playing teeball. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sal DiGirolamo (@sal_digi) The cartwheel occurred on Saturday, April 8, at Mattea's first teeball game of the season for the Kenilworth Rockhounds. Mattea had gotten really into gymnas…
Cartwheeling Kid Goes Viral: NJ Teelball Player Gets Shoutout From ESPN, GMA Cartwheeling Kid Goes Viral: NJ Teelball Player Gets Shoutout From ESPN, GMA
Cartwheeling Kid Goes Viral: NJ Teelball Player Gets Shoutout From ESPN, GMA Well that's one way to get to first base. Mattea DiGirolamo, a 6-year-old Kenilworth kindergartener, is going viral for her unique approach to base-running.  At a recent T-ball game while playing for the Kenilworth Rockhounds, Mattea hit the ball and decided to elude the defense by cartwheeling her way to first base. And it worked! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oprah Daily (@oprahdaily) A video of her exploits has almost two million views on Twitter and has been shared by NBC Sports, ESPN and got a shoutout on Good Morning Am…
Friends, Fans Mourn Death Of Pro NJ Wrestler James Pasquale AKA ‘Jimmy The Jester,' 34 Friends, Fans Mourn Death Of Pro NJ Wrestler James Pasquale AKA ‘Jimmy The Jester,' 34
Friends, Fans Mourn Death Of Pro NJ Wrestler James Pasquale AKA ‘Jimmy The Jester,' 34 Tributes are pouring in for James Pasquale, a professional wrestler and gymnastics coach with Warren County roots who died on Tuesday, April 11 at his Monroe Township home aged 34. Jimmy, known professionally as “Jimmy the Jester,” died after being involved in a car accident, according to several news reports and social media tributes. Born in Easton, PA, Jimmy grew up in White Township, graduating from Belvidere High School in 2006, his obituary says. He then studied criminal justice at Warren County Community College. Jimmy started working at his aunt’s company, Ace Gymnastics, in the s…
NJ Girl Showed No Warning Signs Before Asthma Claimed Her Life, Says Mom Now Raising Awareness NJ Girl Showed No Warning Signs Before Asthma Claimed Her Life, Says Mom Now Raising Awareness
NJ Girl Showed No Warning Signs Before Asthma Claimed Her Life, Says Mom Now Raising Awareness Syhriah Julien woke up doing cartwheels and went to bed doing flips.  The 9-year-old Newark girl loved gymnastics and never let her asthma stop her from doing anything she wanted, her mom, Niyah Julien, said. Syhriah always had her medication nearby in case things got bad, and if it did, there would be warning signs.  Not this time. In the days leading up to Syhriah's death on March 3, she was her usual, cheerful self. It wasn't until she woke up complaining of chest pain at 3 a.m. that things took a turn for the worse. Her mom put on her nebulizer but, within seconds, they knew it wasn’…
Teen Gymnast With North Jersey Roots Continues To Break Records With Sights Set High Teen Gymnast With North Jersey Roots Continues To Break Records With Sights Set High
Teen Gymnast With North Jersey Roots Continues To Break Records With Sights Set High A talented teen gymnast with North Jersey roots is continuing to set her sights high after becoming the first gymnast to represent an island nation on the international stage at her artistic gymnastics championship. Olivia Kelly, of Mahwah, became the first gymnast to represent Barbados on stage at the 2022 FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, England earlier this month, DailyVoice.com previously reported. She is also the first elite acrobat from North Stars Gymnastics Academy in Boonton to compete at this annual global competition. Up next for Kelly, 16, is the up…
Bergen County Gymnast Livvy Dunne Is TikTok Millionaire Bergen County Gymnast Livvy Dunne Is TikTok Millionaire
Bergen County Gymnast Livvy Dunne Is TikTok Millionaire Hard work is paying off for Bergen County gymnast Livvy Dunne. Days after her 20th birthday, the Louisiana State University athlete was ranked the most successful female Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) moneymaker by On3 Sports, with an estimated worth of $2.3 million. Pretty flippin' cool, right?  @livvy beach-nastics🫶🏼 #gymnastics #beach #fakebody ♬ original sound - Notfromco @livvy Obsessed @lsugymtigers #foryou #gymnastics #lsu #fakebody ♬ original sound - gigi The Hillsdale native has been ramping up her social media presence ever since the NCAA lifted its NIL re…
North Jersey Olympic Hopeful Goes Global North Jersey Olympic Hopeful Goes Global
North Jersey Olympic Hopeful Goes Global A talented teen gymnast with North Jersey roots is going global as an Olympic hopeful representing Barbados with her entry in two elite competitions. Olivia Kelly, 16, of Mahwah, will soon participate in the 2022 Pan-American Masters Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2022 FIG World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool, England. The Bronx native — who moved to the Garden State with her family to train with former U.S. National Team member, Ashley Umberger, in Boonton — is competing in hopes of moving on to the 2024 Paris Olympic trials. Kelly has dual citizenship to Barbado…
Sparta Mourns HS Junior Melanie DiDomizio, 16 Sparta Mourns HS Junior Melanie DiDomizio, 16
Sparta Mourns HS Junior Melanie DiDomizio, 16 Sparta is mourning the loss of 16-year-old Melanie Paige DiDomizio, who died on Jan. 23 after a valiant battle with bone cancer. Born in Yonkers, N.Y., Mel moved to Sparta in 2012 where she was an accomplished dancer and gymnast. Her obituary remembers her as the "life of the party," all the while looking out for others. "She touched the lives of so many; our beloved, shining, happy girl, the light of our lives and the star of our hearts," her obit says.  "She never complained. She took whatever circumstance came her way and never let it stop her from getting what she wanted." Her dance…
WATCH: Little Paramus Gymnast Has Big Potential WATCH: Little Paramus Gymnast Has Big Potential
Watch: Little Paramus Gymnast Has Big Potential Ask Paramus gymnast Hezly Rivera what cheers her up in the morning and she'll say with a smile: "Coming to the gym." At nine years old, she's the youngest of the four homeschooled athletes who train at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus. But Hezly knows exactly what she's after. "I want to make the national team and go to the Olympics," she said. "I put my best in everything I do and I'm confident and what I'm going to do." Hezly climbed six levels in three years and currently trains at Level 9, working toward the Hopes Elite program. Hopes Elite is considered the st…
Teen Paramus Gymnast Living Dream As Junior Olympic Athlete Teen Paramus Gymnast Living Dream As Junior Olympic Athlete
Teen Paramus Gymnast Living Dream As Junior Olympic Athlete Corinne Bunagan has chalk on her hands and determination on her face. She stands under the uneven bars at Eastern National Academy of Gymnastics in Paramus and inhales deeply. Moments later, the 15-year-old junior olympian is catapulting her body between the bars, flipping and turning and holding positions at the top. Bunagan sticks the landing and steps off the mat, making her way back over to the chalk. It's clear she's not satisfied with her performance. And so she does it again. And again.  And again. Three years ago, Bunagan switched from the public school system to home schooling …
Flippin' Good Save: Coach Catches Paramus Gymnast Mid-Air Flippin' Good Save: Coach Catches Paramus Gymnast Mid-Air
Flippin' Good Save: Coach Catches Paramus Gymnast Mid-Air A 9-year-old Paramus gymnast was headed for disaster when her coach caught her just in time. Hezly Rivera is an aspiring elite gymnast at ENA Paramus.  If not for Coach Craig Zappa catching her, she may have landed on her head during a tumbling pass -- full twist into double backflip. "Our job is to protect the athletes and we care about their safety," Zappa told Daily Voice.  "We’ll go to great lengths to make sure they’re safe at all times." PLAY VIDEO ABOVE TO WATCH.