ARLINGTON — Hezly Rivera won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Paris in July as a member of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. She won two silver medals at the Junior World Championships one year prior. She’s only 16 years old.
So, how about the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game?
“A little bit nerve-wracking,” said Rivera, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Wednesday’s game vs. the New York Yankees at Globe Life Field, “because I don’t do baseball, but it was such a great experience, it was so fun. I didn’t think I could actually throw straight and throw that well, so I’m proud of myself.”
That undersells it. Rivera executed a flip — more specifically, a side aerial — before she threw a strike to Rangers infielder Justin Foscue at home plate. She said that she practiced the move “a few times” on Monday to prepare.
“That’s like, kind of, my signature,” Rivera said. “I just wanted to incorporate that into my first pitch.”
Rivera — a New Jersey native who now resides in Plano — was the youngest U.S. athlete to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics alongside Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Sunisa Lee. She competed on the uneven bars and balance beam in the qualification round but did not compete during the team final.
“I honestly wasn’t [a Rangers fan] before we moved here, but I love Texas and the support that it’s given me,” Rivera said. “It has been great, so I will continue to support Texas and the Texas Rangers.”
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