There was no Simone Biles, no Rebeca Andrade. But even without two of the sport’s biggest names, Team USA didn’t blink. They blazed. In the first subdivision of the Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Panama City, the American women left no room for debate. Instead, they made their mark with a team score that soared well past their nearest rivals. It wasn’t just the overall dominance. It was how comfortably it unfolded.

The U.S. women weren’t just solid, they were sensational. Leading the charge was Jayla Hang, whose clean routines and calm under pressure put her at the top of the All-Around standings with a total of 55.300. Hang’s numbers sparkled across the board. From a sharp 13.933 on vault to a balanced 13.767 on floor. Close behind, Olympic team champion Hezly Rivera reminded everyone why she’s a Paris gold medallist, landing a strong 52.667 total despite a slightly shaky bars routine.

Well, their performance wasn’t just about individual brilliance. This was a team firing on all cylinders. Dulcy Caylor and Tiana Sumanasekera brought Olympic trials grit to the mat. While Gabrielle Hardie, stepping in as the fresh face, slotted in with impressive composure. Together, they posted a team score of 163.601. Far above Brazil’s 148.233 and Costa Rica’s 135.165. From the opening vault to the final floor pass, the Americans looked every bit the gold standard.

Immediately, the social media lit up with clips of Rivera’s near-flawless beam and Hang’s soaring vault, hailing the squad’s unity and precision. For a team missing its marquee stars, the message was unmistakable. This group doesn’t just want to win. They want to own every stage they step on. And in Panama, the opening chapter was nothing short of a statement. Meanwhile, leading the way, Hezly Rivera has evolved enough to be getting the LSU’s reigns handed over by Olivia Dunne.

Is Olivia Dunne passing the torch of LSU gymnastics to Hezly Rivera?

When Olivia Dunne waved her final goodbye to gymnastics, the LSU Tigers didn’t just lose a star. They gained a spark in Hezly Rivera. With Dunne sidelined during LSU’s NCAA semifinal finish, the torch didn’t just drop, it was placed purposefully into the hands of a gymnast uniquely prepared to carry it.

“I love Hezly,” Livvy Dunne shared, recalling their early days training together in New Jersey. Olivia added, “She’s actually a childhood friend of mine… She was so little and she’s always been so talented.” That familiarity has grown into deep admiration, and Dunne’s confidence in Rivera is unwavering. Her convincing Rivera, “I was like come on, you’re a tiger, you like purple” indeed underscores just how much she wanted Rivera to join LSU. But beyond friendship, it’s Hezly’s presence, poise, and talent that have convinced Dunne the future of LSU gymnastics is secure.

Now an Olympian and the newest Tiger, Rivera isn’t just filling Dunne’s shoes. Rather, she’s carving out her own path with the same confidence and charisma that defined her predecessor. Dunne’s belief in her speaks volumes. She stated, “She is a great person, great athlete and I think that LSU gymnastics is in good hands with her coming and joining the program.” As Dunne exits with grace and gratitude, Rivera arrives with momentum and magic, ushering in a new era for LSU gymnastics, where the torch is not just passed but brightly burning in fresh, capable hands.