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Updated Mar 06, 2025Yes, 'Pommel Horse Steve' Has a Girlfriend—And Their Love Story Will Make You Swoon
The breakout star of the Olympics has been with his college sweetheart for eight years.
Photo: Daniela Porcelli/Eurasia Sport Images | Getty Images
If you've been tuning in to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, you're probably familiar with "pommel horse Steve," AKA Stephen Nedoroscik. The 25-year-old gymnast specializes in the pommel horse—and during a nail-biting final in the men's team competition on July 29, his explosive performance propelled Team USA to win bronze (their first medal since 2008).
Incredible athletic abilities aside, fans were captivated by his "Clark Kent"-esque appearance, including dark-rimmed glasses he takes off before spinning around on the horse. Of course, his instant viral fame begs the question: Does Stephen Nedoroscik have a girlfriend? The answer is yes! The Olympian is dating Tess McCracken, a fellow gymnast, and they've been together for nearly a decade. We dive into the couple's endearing love story below.
In this article:
- Who is Stephen Nedoroscik's girlfriend, Tess McCracken?
- How Stephen Nedoroscik and Tess McCracken Met
Who is Stephen Nedoroscik's girlfriend, Tess McCracken?
Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik's girlfriend is Tess McCracken. A fellow gymnast, McCracken competed at Penn State University, where Nedoroscik also attended college. (Their love story began after they crossed paths as Nittany Lions.)
Originally from Plano, Texas, McCracken specialized in the uneven bars, the balance beam, and the floor exercise. According to her Penn State gymnastics bio, McCracken majored in science and has two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister.
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How Stephen Nedoroscik and Tess McCracken Met
Stephen Nedoroscik and his girlfriend met as gymnasts at Penn State University and began dating the summer before their freshman year began. After they graduated in 2020, Nedoroscik wrote on Instagram, "Four years ago I had my entire collegiate experience ahead of me. Little did I know I had already found my favorite part about college. I love you @tess.mccracken and happy four years."
Nedoroscik began competing for the Nittany Lions in 2017. He is the 2021 World Champion and a two-time NCAA National Champion in the pommel horse event. The 2024 Games in Paris marked his Olympics debut.
McCracken, for her part, had a successful run on the team as well. During her senior season, she was named an AAI Award Nominee, which is an award given to the nation's most outstanding senior. Amid the outbreak of the pandemic, she abruptly retired from the sport during her final semester. "Our last sixteen years together have had their ups and downs like anything else in life," she wrote on her athletic Facebook page. "You taught me what it means to truly work hard, and then you taught me again, and again, and again. You've brought the most amazing people in my life to me, and gave me my best friends and my greatest mentors. I don't know who I'll be without you yet, but I know I wouldn't be me if it wasn't for you my whole life…I'll miss you, but this is just goodbye for now, not goodbye forever. I'll be back to play someday soon.
Of course, she didn't walk away from the sport for good. McCracken fiercely supported her boyfriend at the Olympics, where he helped his team (including star Brody Malone) secure a bronze medal. "History = Made," she wrote on Instagram following his winning performance. "The most insane, magical day watching you close it out to bring home the first team medal for USA in sixteen years🇺🇸 Words can't capture how proud I am of you❤️."
Ahead of his debut, Nedoroscik shared a touching tribute to his girlfriend in a celebratory post on Instagram. "A special thank you to my family especially my mom and dad. Thank you for supporting me throughout every up and down," he wrote. "To my beautiful cheerleader @tess.mccracken I couldn't have done it without you ❤️ I love you. To all my teammates past and present you shaped me into the athlete I am today and I thank you for every moment we shared."
