By KATHY CHANG
Staff Writer
OLD BRIDGE — A parade filled with fanfare, pomp and circumstance is expected to welcome Laurie Hernandez back to her hometown from the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Hernandez, a 16-year-old phenom, earned a gold medal as part of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team — now better known as “The Final Five” — as well as a silver medal for her individual performance on the balance beam.
The parade will begin at Jonas Salk Middle School at 155 Greystone Road at noon on Aug. 27 and will make its way to Lombardi Field at Carl Sandburg Middle School, 3439 Route 516.
There will be a meet-and-greet, giveaways, attractions, award ceremony, concessions and more. The entire event, which will be held rain or shine, will conclude by 4 p.m.
Hernandez became part of “The Final Five” after finishing second in the all-around competition at the Olympic Trials in San Jose, California, on July 10. She joined renowned gymnasts Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kocian.
The community rallied behind Hernandez and held a congratulatory sendoff on July 14. Then the community came together to watch her earn her silver medal at a watch party held in council chambers.
Hernandez trains at Monmouth Gymnastics Academy in Marlboro with her coach, Maggie Haney.
She began making her mark as a competitor at age 12 when she qualified for the Visa U.S. National Championships. By July 2013, she had become a member of the U.S. Junior National Team and represented the U.S. at the Junior Japan Invitational, where she earned a bronze medal in the all-around. She helped the U.S. win the Junior Mexican Cup later that year.
Earlier this year, Hernandez began entering senior-level competitions. In June, she finished third all-around in the P&G National Championships. In April, she helped the U.S. team to a first-place finish in the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships. She began the year with a bronze medal for all-around in the 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy competition in Italy.
For more information visit www.oldbridge.com.