Yahoo Lifestyle Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik Bonded With His Girlfriend Over Gymnastics When They First Met
When it comes to the 2024 Paris Olympics, it's easy to say Stephen Nedoroscik became an overnight sensation. The male gymnast was a part of Team USA, and his specialty on the pommel horse helped clinch the first medal (a bronze) for the men's team since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. And this is all before he competed in the individual pommel horse competition and won another bronze medal.
After his success in Paris, Stephen was confirmed as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars season 33. And through it all, he has one special person with him for moral support — his longtime girlfriend, Tess McCracken.
As far as love stories go, Stephen and Tess had a meet-cute that could've been seen in a teen rom-com. The two first met back in the summer of 2016, when they were both starting their freshman years at Pennsylvania State University. At the time, they had a lot of things in common — including the fact they both were competing for the university in gymnastics.
"We met on our first day at Penn State," Tess told TODAY.com. "He was a gymnast for the Penn State men's team, and I was on the Penn State women's gymnastics team, so we were in athlete orientation together."
Stephen spoke to Access Hollywood in July 2024 about meeting Tess for the first time, and shared how they bonded over similar likes and dislikes.
"I was like, 'Ah, this girl seems cool,'" he said at the time. "She's a little weird like me, so we clicked... We immediately bonded with a friendship and we just continued talking. Within a week, we were basically dating."
The couple continued dating throughout college, where they both continued to compete in gymnastics. While Tess eventually stepped away from the sport in 2020, Stephen wanted to keep advancing in his career. They eventually settled down in Sarasota, Florida, so Stephen could train there full-time.
As far as how they celebrate their love, both Stephen and Tess are open about their relationship. They often share private moments with their followers on social media, along with heartfelt tributes when the time is right. What's more, they're supportive of one another, as fans witnessed when Tess attended the Olympics to watch Stephen compete.
"Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true ❤️," she wrote in a romantic note on August 4 on Instagram. "For the entire time I’ve known you, you have been nothing but absolutely certain that one day you would be an Olympian, and seeing that dream become a reality this week is a feeling that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Stephen, you are the greatest partner, athlete, and role model. I can’t wait to see what life has in store for you next, and I will be right beside you for every moment of it 🥰."
So, has Stephen's newfound fame affected his relationship with Tess at all? Doesn't seem like it! She's there to support her boyfriend in California (along with their cat, Kyushu) as he gears up to compete on Dancing With the Stars season 33.
"She's already out there in L.A. with me," he told E! News in early September 2024. "And we brought the kitty. We got the whole house set up, we're comfy."
In the same interview, Tess got emotional about how important it's been to be by his side through it all. "We're each other's person. We don't get tired of each other," she added. "We don't feel like we need like that break. I think that has really helped over the last eight years—just keep us solid. And it's been a great time."
Well, this couple is certainly earning a gold medal in love!
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