The residents of Needham, Mass., have been glued to their television screens, carving out time to watch the women's U.S. gymnastics team, which won the team gold medal on July 31.
Fans everywhere whose hearts have been captured by underdog Aly Raisman, a Needham native who unexpectedly won a spot in the all-around competition, will be glad to hear that Mark Reilly, a recent graduate and former classmate of Raisman, said she's one of the nicest girls he has ever met.
"She’s really modest. I think everyone can tell you that. Whenever we’re hanging out in like a big group, she never brings up gymnastics unless someone asks her about it. She’s definitely a hard worker and a lot of us want to follow what she does and be like her," he said.
Beyond the medal, Reilly believed the team's accomplishments marked a new status for gymnastics as a whole. "I think it’s great that gymnastics is now being thought of as more a sport than just football, hockey and lacrosse, one of the typical sports. So now I think Aly is setting the stage high for Needham."
At 7 p.m. on WGBH 2: Greater Boston reports on the scene in the town.
