Miah Massaro | Sports Editor
Stephen Nedoroscik won all of our hearts this summer, but he didn't plan to stop there. During the 2024 Olympics, the gymnast very quickly became one of the most well known names, going viral for his incredible performance on the pommel horse, which earned him widespread attention due to a combination of his flawless execution, heartwarming backstory, and his preparation leading up to the routine.
Shortly after his time at the Olympics drew to a close, there were whispers about him partaking in the 2024 season of “Dancing With the Stars.” Now that those whispers have molded into truth, he has spent the last two weeks blowing the audience away with his ability to learn an entirely new skill.
On Tuesday night’s "Dedication Night" episode of “Dancing with the Stars,” Stephen Nedoroscik began his Argentine Tango with pro partner Rylee Arnold by incorporating the pommel horse, a nod to his gymnastics roots. After a smooth dismount, the duo transitioned into a powerful dance to "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes. Their impressive performance earned them their highest score of the season, surpassing last week’s 32 with a 33. One of the judges, Derek Hough, even awarded them their first nine of the competition.
The routine not only allowed Nedoroscik to showcase his bronze-medal-winning skills and pay tribute to Penn State–his alma mater–but it also carried special significance. He dedicated the performance to men’s gymnastics and his Olympic team."Men's gymnastics gave me a family at Penn State and funneled me into the Olympics," Nedoroscik shared. He also began to spread awareness of how the NCAA has been cutting gymnastics recently, and he expressed his fear of it going away for good.
Nedoroscik is only the fourth American man to win a medal in pommel horse in the Olympics since World War II. His presence in the Olympics and social platforms sparked more interest in men’s gymnastics nearly immediately: “We usually get a call or two a week for boys,” said Patterson, a former collegiate gymnast who owns a gymnastics facility in suburban Virginia that has always been packed with girls. “Now we’ve had at least 15 calls. All boys,” Patterson, 49 and a little giddy, said. “They all want to try gymnastics. It’s finally cool, I guess.”
Stephen’s visibility and success on the world stage have made him a role model for young boys who might not have considered gymnastics before. Seeing someone like Nedoroscik excel and have fun with the sport makes it more approachable for younger athletes, particularly those who might feel uncertain about pursuing a path less traveled.
As Nedoroscik continues to grow on “Dancing with the Stars,” his story has inspired viewers across the nation. Not only has he shown the determination required to excel in an entirely new discipline, but his natural charisma and hard work have made him a fan favorite. Week after week, the Olympian has embraced the challenge of dancing while remaining humble and eager to improve.
This latest performance on the pommel horse was a perfect representation of his journey—from a world-class gymnast to a versatile entertainer. Fans of both gymnastics and dancing have been following his progress closely, and his highest-scoring performance has only increased the anticipation for what’s next.
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