Alex and Hollie Vise Naddour with Baby Lilah
If you’re not following the 2016 Olympics in Rio, you’re missing some incredible excitement and nail-biting moments being shared by Americans everywhere. And here’s a fun fact: the U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Team has a tie-in to good ole Lake Highlands.
Alex Naddour is married to Hollie Vise, who grew up here and attended Wallace Elementary. Hollie was also an elite gymnast, so her mom, LeeAnn, opted to home school her after 3rd grade to enable 7-8 hour-a-day training at WOGA (World Olympic Gymnastics Academy) in Plano. In 2003, Hollie was World Champion on bars and one of 5 girls on Team USA, which was the first American team to win gold at a World Championship. She just missed making the Olympic team in 2004, but she enthusiastically cheered on her best friend, Carly Patterson, who became the All-Around Champion in Athens.
In 2006, Hollie earned a full scholarship to compete for Oklahoma University. Enter Alex Naddour.
Alex competed with the OU men’s team, where he captured multiple national titles for pommel horse and vault and too many other honors to count. He was an alternate to the 2012 Olympics in London, but this is his first time to compete for an Olympic medal.
Hollie and Alex married in 2015 and their first baby, Lilah, is now six months old. The girls opted not to travel to Rio, but they are cheering wildly from their home in Arizona.
Hollie’s mom, LeeAnn, known to many as Assistant Principal Secretary at the LHFC (now LHHS), says watching her son-in-law compete has been thrilling.
“We are so proud of Alex! We have been following his journey since London, where he was an alternate to the 2012 Olympic Team. He’s made so many sacrifices to reach his goal of becoming a 2016 Olympian. He and his teammates shined in the Prelims Saturday night, and it was so fun and exciting to have everyone over for a ‘watch party.’ The whole family was jumping up and down, whooping and hollering, and our phones were blowing up with phone calls, texts, Facebook posts and emails. It’s just unfortunate that they had a couple of struggles during Team Finals on Monday. But you can bet we will throw another ‘watch party’ Sunday night to watch him go for the gold on Pommel Horse in the event finals. This is his best event, and I know he wants to show the world why he’s there. We are so proud of the wonderful son-in-law, husband, father and all around good guy that Alex is. What an absolute fun ride this has been to watch Alex live out his dream. Thanks to all of our friends and family for all of their love, support and good wishes. Go USA!”
If you’d like to catch Alex’s performance, it is scheduled to be televised primetime Sunday, Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. on NBC.
And if you’re interested in what it’s like to watch your family member competing in the Olympics, find gymnast Aly Raisman’s parents in the stands somehow. I don’t know how these families do it.
