History was made in Birmingham, Alabama, at the SEC Championship on Saturday night, but this wasn’t just about breaking records, it was about heart. The Florida gymnastics team did shatter the NCAA uneven bars record with 49.850. But, they also gave us a moment that hit right in the feels. Well, we surely know that Leanne Wong, as usual, was her flawless self, scoring yet another perfect 10, her third this season and fifth on bars. But the night? That one belonged to the 23-year-old gymnast.
Riley McCusker’s perfect 10 wasn’t just a score. It was the kind of comeback story that makes you believe in happy endings. McCusker had been so close all season, with three near-misses at 9.950. But Saturday night? She nailed it. That 10 wasn’t just a mark on the scoreboard, it was the final piece of her comeback after battling through injuries last season. When that score flashed, you could feel the energy shift.
Inside Gymnastics shared that photo of McCusker’s celebration. It was more than just a snapshot. For a second, her teammates just stood there, wide-eyed and stunned. And then? Pure, emotional, beautiful chaos. They swarmed her like they’d just won the lottery, tears in their eyes, screaming, hugging, and holding on like they never wanted to let go. They weren’t just cheering for a perfect score, they were cheering for her. For everything she’d been through. Despite all the times, she fought her way back.
It wasn’t just her teammates losing it. Fans in the stands, coaches on the sidelines, probably even a few people watching at home… everyone felt that moment. McCusker had clawed her way back from injury, poured her heart into every routine, and finally, that perfect 10 was hers. It’s not easy to get a 10 in NCAA gymnastics. We know that now we just have 32 perfect 10s all season.
And Florida’s hit that elusive mark at the NCAA Championships. But on this night, McCusker’s 10 was everything. Her teammates knew how much it meant, and the way they wrapped her up in that love. Yeah, that was enough to make even the toughest fan wipe a tear. And they did on Reddit!
Gymnastics fans moved by Riley McCusker’s SEC Championship moment
One fan couldn’t contain their excitement, saying, “I was there! It was SUCH a moment. So happy for her, and well-deserved.” Another shared the love with, “This made me sooo happy!!! So proud of you, Riley!!! You are an incredible gymnast, and I’m sooo glad all of your hard work was recognized, culminating in this 10.0 performance!” And it didn’t stop there.
Someone else added, “The one person who could unite the gymnastics community in a positive way.” And the toe point fans were living for it: “The best toe point in NCAA So happy for Riley!” You could feel the love pouring in from every direction. But for Riley, that perfect 10 meant more than just another score on the board. Let’s not forget that she’s already a six-time member of the United States women’s national gymnastics team (2016–2021), which is no small feat. Back in 2017, she had a killer first year as a senior and even trained alongside 2016 Olympic champ Laurie Hernandez.
Heading into the 2021 Olympics, McCusker was a top contender. Her bar routine was one of the best in the world, and she had a real shot at making the event finals in Tokyo. But, as we all know, things didn’t go as planned. A tough injury before the U.S. Olympic Trials kept her from hitting her full potential, and ultimately, she didn’t make the team. Fast forward to Birmingham, and Riley proved what she’s made of.
One fan shared, “Just woke up and I’m crying again after everything she has gone through, she deserves the world and more! She could’ve quit gymnastics, and nobody would’ve blamed her, but the fact she stuck it out for four more years and is giving it her all is so admirable. So deserving of a ten!! Riley Stan 4 life ” Another fan added, “Look at everyone’s reactions in the back. The tears this is huge for her.”
Another fan, equally moved, said, “I cried! After everything she’s been through, she deserves success and happiness .” And then there was one fan who shared a beautiful moment with her mom: “Mom and I were watching, and I had just said, ‘Okay, we’ve killed it, go do your thing girl, there’s no pressure.’ To which mom said, ‘Imagine if she got a 10.’ Little did we know! Love her and so glad she got some much-needed love!” It’s the kind of moment you know will stick with them forever.
Riley’s journey hasn’t been easy, and even just last year, she was sidelined for the 2024 season after undergoing ankle surgery from an injury suffered in the fall of 2023. Yet, despite it all, she kept pushing forward. After everything she’s faced, seeing her finally get that recognition felt like a win for all of us.
The post Gymnastics Community in Tears After 23-Year-Old Star Finally Makes Moment Count During SEC Championship appeared first on EssentiallySports.