On Saturday night (March 22), Simone Biles was nowhere near Alabama. Instead, the 11-time Olympic medalist was savoring a perfect feast in her hometown of Texas. So, why are we linking her to Alabama? Well, despite not being physically present, Biles had her eyes locked on the action unfolding at the Legacy Arena at the BJCC in Birmingham.

The iconic venue was the battleground for the SEC Gymnastics Championships, featuring a fierce showdown between the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 2 LSU Tigers, No. 3 Florida Gators, and No. 4 Missouri Tigers. And while Biles wasn’t competing, she was all in—for a certain freshman sensation.

Later, with her signature enthusiasm, Simone Biles took to social media, hyping up the young star who stole the show. Her virtual cheers added even more weight to the freshman’s already dazzling performance, proving that when it comes to gymnastics, Biles’ influence knows no bounds—whether she’s in the arena or not.

Biles took to her Instagram story, posting a clip with the caption, “Okay baby let’s gooooo @addisonfatta”—her excitement practically leaping off the screen. The clip showcased Addison Fatta delivering a breathtaking floor exercise routine. With gravity-defying tumbling passes, flawless landings, and mesmerizing artistry, the freshman was all grace and power—almost pulling off a “Biles” herself. No wonder the four-time Olympic gold medalist was hyped. So, what did the rising star claim in the event? Fatta earned a solid 9.800 in the floor exercise. But she was far from done.

Next, she took on the balance beam, where she upped the ante with an elegant yet daring performance, scoring an ambitious 9.875. Then came the uneven bars—and that’s where Fatta really soared. She delivered a nearly flawless routine, earning an impressive 9.925, her highest score of the night so far. But the best was yet to come.

Stepping up to the vault table, Fatta launched into the air with precision and power, sticking the landing to score a massive 9.875. Though her efforts weren’t enough to help Oklahoma secure the overall victory, the freshman’s personal list of achievements grew significantly—along with a priceless shoutout from Simone Biles herself. And this isn’t the first time the gymnastics icon has backed a rising NCAA star.

Simone Biles gives her flowers to the college gymnasts

“Congrats 🎉🎉🎉🎉🤭🤭🤭🤭,” followed by, “& closing out Black History Month! YES MA’AM 😮‍💨 iktr!!!!!!!”—those were the words Simone Biles proudly wrote on Instagram for someone who had just pulled off the near-impossible: landing the Biles 1 on the floor exercise. So, what happened? Let’s rewind to February 28.

During a gymnastics showdown between Clemson University and Texas Woman’s University, Brie Clark delivered a jaw-dropping performance in the floor exercise. With precision and power, she executed the legendary Biles 1—a double layout with a half twist—one of the most difficult skills in women’s gymnastics. Though a slight misstep on the landing resulted in a minor deduction, earning her a 9.800, the entire gymnastics world had already taken notice. And so had Simone Biles.

The GOAT herself took to Instagram, showering Clark with praise—an acknowledgment that meant the world to the rising star. Speaking to ESPN SportsCenter a week later, Clark was still in awe: “It didn’t feel real, but it’s really, really cool because she’s [Simone] somebody that I’ve looked up to for a really long time and she’s inspired me throughout my time doing gymnastics. So for her to acknowledge me and give me words of encouragement was really, really, really special.” For Brie Clark, that night was more than a career highlight—it was a dream turned reality, etched with the approval of the greatest gymnast of all time.