Olympic Gold Medalist’s Brother: “We’re Going Straight to Wawa”

Marcus Hernandez posted a message for his sister Laurie, who won Olympic gold in gymnastics, on Instagram.

Yesterday, the U.S. women’s gymnastics team obliterated the competition in Rio, winning the team the gold medal for the second consecutive Olympics in a rout. One of the five gymnasts on the team is New Jersey’s Laurie Hernandez, a 16-year-old who had the second-highest score overall on the balance beam despite it being her first Olympics.

“It was awesome,” Hernandez said afterwards. “I mean, when we first walked out there it really hit me: Wow, we’re at the Olympics. As I started dancing for my floor routine, I felt calm, I felt normal, and I think that was a really good feeling.”

The selfie I get from my sis right after she competed 🙌🏽 even though I haven’t even watched it yet on NBC 😑. But anyways I am so proud of who you are and what you’ve accomplished. We were talking about this being a possibility a decade ago and to see it actually happen is too much for me to handle. It’s blowing my mind how the same little girl I used to see doing flips on my bed at age 6 now has a gold medal. I have seen you deal with so much adversity with the sport over the last several years and to finally see your hard work culminate makes it all worth it. You’re the toughest little 16 year old I’ve ever met and I’m not saying that just cause I’m a proud bro. Remember to give God his glory always! Love you sis and can’t wait to see you kill it Monday as well. As soon as you land we’re going straight to Wawa

A photo posted by Marcus Hernandez (@marcusss_21) on

When she won, she immediately sent a gold medal selfie to her brother, Marcus. He posted it on Instagram with the message: “As soon as you land we’re going straight to Wawa.”

Olympians from New Jersey celebrate winning a gold medal the same way you and I might celebrate a day’s work: By enjoying a trip to Wawa. It truly is the deli of champions.

Follow @dhm on Twitter.