Riley McCusker is a celebrated gymnast. She has many a record to her name. For instance, at the 2019 Birmingham World Cup, she won the silver in the all-around. Along the way, she secured the gold in the uneven bars and the floor exercise. At the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, she won gold in the uneven bars en route to the silver in the all-around. She received one more accolade on Tuesday.

In Manhattan, Riley McCusker was one of six collegiate athletes honored by Glamour Magazine. At their annual Women of the Year Awards, she, and the remaining five, received custom varsity jackets. The jackets were sponsored by Motorola Razr, the presenting sponsor of the awards function.

Riley McCusker joining the exalted company

Riley McCusker shared a number of images via Instagram of the event. She attended the evening in a stunning blue dress designed by Sherri Hill. McCusker later joined Lydia Jacoby, Sydney Moore, Britton Wilson, Rose Zang, and Angel Reese in receiving custom-made varsity jackets with a giant G on them. She termed it one of the most special nights in her life up to that point. Her post reads, “Tonight was one of the most special nights of my life. It was so inspiring to be in a room where women were uplifting women. Thank you @glamourmag for celebrating all of these incredible women”.

Riley McCusker was far from the only woman of consequence present on that occasion. She got to rub shoulders with a number of influential women. The other honorees on the night were America Ferrera, Brooke Shields, Geena Rocero, Mary J. Blige, and Quinta Bronson. Spare a thought for British actress Millie Bobby Brown and American actress and author Selma Blair.

While Blair is best known for her roles in Cruel Intentions and Legally Blonde among others, Millie shot to fame for playing Eleven in the Netflix science fiction series Stranger Things. Needless to say, the honor elevated McCusker’s standing further, letting her breathe in some rarefied air. That is unlikely to be the last accolade afforded her.

Plans for the near and long-term future

In an interview with Glamour conducted by ballet icon Misty Copeland, Riley McCusker revealed her plans to go to medical school. She wishes to place added emphasis on mental health in professional sports. McCusker also admitted to having a steep learning curve while balancing school with her sport. She has had many inspirational teammates, such as Simone Biles, Kara Eaker, and so on. McCusker is still only 22.

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Even then, Riley McCusker battled through a lot, including almost a season-ending tear at the wrist. She announced her plans to go on competing for another two years at the college level. Simultaneously, she wants to start a non-profit called Riley’s Leap. The organization will aim to be a health and wellness education platform for women’s athletics. Only time will tell just how successful she will be in all those ventures.

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