Who else LOVES seeing Simone Biles, Shilese Jones and Jordan Chiles on the podium?! pic.twitter.com/Kjv011FKn1

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) May 19, 2024

Three black gymnasts stood on the podium for the all-around medals with Simone Biles (gold), Shilese Jones (silver), and Jordan Chiles (bronze) at the Core Hydration Classic.

Simone Biles VT – Yurchenko Double Pike #usclassic

What a time to be a gym fan. pic.twitter.com/2ViAQL2Qdi

— Karla Fuentes, MPH (@karlainafrica) May 19, 2024

Biles’ performance included exceptional skills on the floor exercise and vault, showcasing her readiness for the upcoming Olympics in Paris. She scored 14.550 on the balance beam, 15.600 during her Yurchenko double pike vault, and 14.550 on her uneven bars routine.

Simone Biles knows how to put on a show!

pic.twitter.com/FiF5s66WRD

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 19, 2024

Shilese Jones had the highest score on the uneven bars with a 15.250, proving she could be the U.S. favorite to compete for an individual gold medal at the Olympics.

14.55 for Simone Biles with this beam set! #CoreClassic pic.twitter.com/BdU03p8MCO

— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) May 18, 2024

Biles’ victory underscores why she’s a favorite to reclaim her all-around title in Paris this summer. She will represent the United States at the 2024 Olympics with Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, Joscelyn Roberson, Leanne Wong, and alternate Kayla DiCello.

Former Olympic champion Gabby Douglas, 28, withdrew from the competition after falling twice on the uneven bars event for a score of 10.100. 

Biles’ win not only marks a strong showing in her tune-up events but also sets the stage for her to face the world competitors in the Olympics.

“I’ve always wanted to go to an HBCU,” Price told King. “Mostly because I know that back then, African Americans weren’t even allowed to go to the same schools as white people, so I just feel like it’s an honor and kind of just living out my legacy and being able to show my talents and do it at an HBCU is just so honoring to me.”

During Saturday’s event, Price became the first HBCU gymnast in the sport’s history to hold a national title, scoring 39.225 to win the competition. It’s the second season for Fisk University, which embarked on the first-ever HBCU Women’s Gymnastics program in 2022.

Price initially considered attending the University of Arkansas but heard about the new HBCU gymnastics program.  She changed her mind and switched to Fisk after talking with head coach Torrine Tarver.

Like Price, Tarver’s a pioneer in gymnastics when she became the NCAA All-Around Champion in 1989 at the University of Georgia. Today and for the rest of Morgan Price’s life, it’s about HERstory!

“So I feel like having her as a head coach is very just honoring. Also, just to have an African American coach because I’ve never had an African American coach ever, and I’ve done the sport since I was two years old.”

Congratulations Morgan! https://t.co/DCn7p46DQW

— Black Sports Insiders (@blacksportsinc) April 15, 2024

Price recognized her mother as a source of inspiration. “She’s very inspiring. She is a widow, and she had to raise all three girls by herself and my brother. So, just to see her, she’s a very hardworking mom. She has taught me everything that I know today, so I’m just very thankful for her.”

The Fisk ladies will take some time off before they continue training for next season. However, Morgan said, “In gymnastics, you really don’t stop training ever. So I’m just getting ready, working hard for next season, and hopefully to win another title.”

What’s Morgan Price’s future? “My ultimate goal is just, again, to win another title and to also be an HBCU gymnastics head coach.”  Remember, she’s only in her second season. Will Price and her Fisk teammates will gain more confidence and more championships?

We shall see.

Original article published by Kyle T. Mosley of HBCU Legends

Also Read:  Morgan Price And Kyrstin Johnson Vie For Individual Titles At USAG National Championships