Her university profile notes that, as a junior, Shayla qualified in three events at the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association's Individual Championships and won one. Opening up about her decision to step away, Kelley shared that she feels so at peace.. May 24, 2016, 8:55 AM. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Get daily fitness inspiration right in your inbox. That's all she is.". Those #goals aren't what they seem. Retton's daughter McKenna Kelley followed in her mother's footsteps, competing in gymnastics for Louisiana State University in 2019. Retton doesn't like to interfere with her kids' gymnastics careers. RELATED:Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. After nearly 30 years of marriage, the couple divorced in 2018, but they still share their four daughters: Shayla Kelley, McKenna Kelley, Skyla Kelley, and Emma Kelley. View this post on Instagram. Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton and her daughter, McKenna Kelley, brought their gymnastics invitational to Rhode Island.Retton brings name recognition and st. xhr.send(payload); For Kelley, a senior at LSU, the night was a triumphant personal comeback. xhr.open('POST', 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect', true); 20 hours ago, by Lindsay Kimble 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). Great, Click the Allow Button Above Retton was thrust back into the spotlight when the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal hit the news in 2016. Though Retton admits shes a pretty private person, she decided to share the news about her divorce in such a public manner so that she could be transparent about everything she had been going through. (Retton lives in Houston, and the show is filmed in Los Angeles. She had sat down to sign autographs when she felt her knee lock, forcing her to undergo an operation five weeks prior to the 1984 Summer Olympics, which were going to be held in Los Angelesthe first time the Summer Olympics had been held in the United States in 52 years. She did rack up some impressive scores on the mat in high school, however. Agreeing with her daughters remarks, Retton, 51, said that although she enrolled all of her four daughters in gymnastics classes, she didnt put pressure on them., I put my four daughters into a sport that I love. Brianne Tracy is a staff writer on the PEOPLE music team. It was a special weekend for the RI Sports Commission, GoProvidence, and Convention Center! 55 minutes ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon Were a gymnastics family, she shared. View this post on Instagram #grateful A post. (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami). The perfect tummy control bodysuit, a popcorn gadget, more bestsellers starting at $8. See Her Now. And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. MLB legend makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker takes 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo at Brazos Bend State Park, This Texas Hill Country town is the new, cooler Fredericksburg, This is what Houston looks like from space, Eric Gordon trade looking better and better for Houston Rockets, Oops! That would be really amazing if I found myself a dancer. The tour, which will start this November, is open to gymnasts from the beginner competitive level through the junior level. See Her Now. Retton could be spotted in the stands blowing kisses and holding up 10 fingers for a perfect 10. It was an especially astonishing return to the top for Kelley, who sat out her junior year because of a torn Achilles tendon. Mary Lou Retton celebrates her gold in the all-around at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. A women's gymnastics competition tour open to USA Gymnastics, NGA, & AAU levels 1-10 and Xcel divisions. She was also on the school's acrobatics and tumbling team for all four years. You had to watch ABC, because that was the only place to see us. See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. See Her Now. "Her voice is so distinct, and I can always hear it in the crowd," Kelley said. But my mom never, ever put pressure on us. The retired Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast revealed her split from her husband of 27 years publicly for the. Daughter of Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Kelly Her mother Mary Lou Retton won the gold medal in the all-around at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles Her father Shannon Kelley. She now has her own YouTube channel, which she started in 2015. "McKenna was very . 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). Kelley is a senior at LSU, which means this may have been her last performance with the team. Retton was every bit the proud mama when she decided to share a picture of herself and her beautiful daughter. I'm so grateful to be following you on social media: you were my first ever hero @marylouretton, and I wanted to be just like you.. Retton burst onto the international gymnastics scene at a time the balletic grace of the dominant Soviet Union team was the standard, packing the power and leg drive of a mini-Earl Campbell in a 4-foot-9, 95-pound package. All four of my children were born here, and my husband is from here. ", Houston, she said, "has become home to me. McKenna then took her gymnastics career to the collegiate level at Louisiana State University. For some fans in attendance, watching Kelley's mom cheer on her performance brought back heartwarming memories of those Olympic games. On Saturday, April 20, LSU finished second at the NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships. But the team's celebration, as confetti showered down, was just as jubilant as if they'd won it all. She now has her own YouTube channel, which she started in 2015. [] Her path was different than mine and Im so proud of everything.. One gold, two silver and two bronze. The teenage beauty was pictured wearing the traditional graduation attire a navy blue graduation gown with oversized sleeves and cap. Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? Registered gymnasts will receive a custom GK leotard. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. I talked to Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin before I went out, and they said it would be an incredible journey thats what I was hoping for, and it certainly was. [6] (The original family name was "Rotunda. Advertisement "I'm on a really good path, and I'm happy with my life," Retton told People in 2018. Just days after scoring a near-perfect 10 on her floor routine at the NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championship, Kelley, 22, and her mother appeared on the Today show to open up about their relationship. Who can blame a mom, when there's so much to cheer about? "I don't think I understood the enormity of what she did and the groundbreaking gymnastics she did at the time," she told Today of Retton in 2019. They have been married for 25 years and have four daughters - Shayla, a member of Baylor University's national champion acrobatics and tumbling team; McKenna, a gymnast at LSU; Skyla, who attends Second Baptist School; and Emma, a potential elite gymnast who trains at Stars Gymnastics in west Houston. Retton, 51, looked proud as could be of her daughter as she watched her perform in video captured from the Texas event. "With this back surgery, you get to the point when the pain overrides the fear of getting it done. (AP Photo/Suzanne Vlamis), Mary Lou Retton of the USA is hugged by her coach, Bela Karolyi, following her perfect performance in the floor exercise in Olympic individual all-around finals Friday night, Aug. 3, 1984 in Los Angeles. Retton looked so young herself that she could easily pass for Skylas sister. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she spends her free time hiking, reading and snugglingwith her "Friends" box set. It was a doozy, but I'm recovering. I have a bad knee, and Im pretty sure I re-tore my rotator cuff, which Ive had three operations on, so thats not fun. Now, she says, shes ready for a new chapter. Mary Lou Retton Mary Lou Retton's official Instagram. This move, and many others like it, were removed from the Code of Points of artistic gymnastics due to old-style "belly beat" moves having ceased to be used in bars competitions. #allthefeels #lsugym @mckennamckelley @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DbmbuWFazK, Alison Stevens (@AlisonMichele93) April 21, 2019. See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. But the equipment today is better, and they train smarter today.". } she shared, laughing. Back when I competed, it was the pretty little butterflies, which I was not. She retired from gymnastics after graduating college, but McKenna is still involved with the sport in her own way. "My goal was to come to Houston because the Karolyis were going to give me my best shot at making the Olympic team," Retton said. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR. May Lou Wheaties box on display in her home. What a way to close the night. "I think people expect this elaborate answer of she made me run at 6 a.m in the morning, but she's just mom to me. Retton is executive producer and star of the show, a series for under-6 set. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. 21 hours ago, by Samantha Brodsky I havent officially announced this, but I have decided to graduate with my senior class. I just felt this is my chance to really be clear and to be transparent to people. "No one had ever seen a gymnast like me. scientific studies and medical journals. So far, Rettons May 25 post has amassed well over 8,000 likes and numerous comments. The image was posted to commemorate the latters milestone leaving high-school. 1 day ago. "It's not like today, when you get the results before they appear on television. I popped a rib last week, so thats pretty painful. McKenna then took her gymnastics career to the collegiate level at Louisiana State University. See Her Now. Mary Lou Retton is opening up about her divorce from ex-husband Shannon Kelley. "I tell her every season, 'McKenna, I'm really gonna do it this season. But she and her siblings were never forced to continue doing it if they didn't want to, which McKenna noted to Tiger Rag, an LSU magazine. , It Runs in the Family: Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Nailed Her Floor Routine at the NCAA Finals, This 30-Minute Bollywood Dance Fusion Class Is a Heart-Pumping Workout, This 10-Minute Empowering Dance Workout Is All About Feeling Fierce, This Is the Right Way to Do a Burpee Plus Modifications That Don't Hurt, Rita Ora's "Body Slam" Workout May Look Silly, but Boy, Is It Effective, Nicole Scherzinger's Dumbbell Strength Workout Is the Fastest Way to Work Your Whole Body, Tracee Ellis Ross Can't Get Enough of This One Tracy Anderson Method Workout, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [33] Despite these efforts, on February 14, 2018, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017 was signed into law and became effective immediately. No more high school for this young lady! Happy Monday! she wrote in the caption alongside several happy face emojis. Proposed Texas bill gives tax cuts to heterosexual families only, These bites won big at the Houston rodeo's foodie awards, Heres how you can watch 'Daisy Jones and the Six', Here's what Lina Hidalgo carb-loads before a long run, Houston police ticket man for feeding homeless people. See Her Now. book to class, Turner: TEA is giving Houston ISD two optionsclose school or be taken over, Two ocelots were photographed crossing a road in rare South Texas sighting, Willie Nelson's new album is a lovely tribute to a fellow country legend. It really is home. "All I can say is that to be the first is very special," said Retton, who in 1984 became the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic all-around gold medal in women's gymnastics, a feat since accomplished by Carly Patterson (2004), Liukin (2008), Gabrielle Douglas (2012) and Biles, of Spring, in Rio. A post shared by shay schrep (@shaylaschrepfer). A post shared by Mary Lou Retton (@marylouretton), Even with four kids who've done gymnastics, Retton has never been tempted to coach them herself. and I LOVE it!!. Three stuck with it, one was a cheerleader. I just wanted to be authentic. Kelley also retweeted this video of her emotional reaction at the end of her performance. 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). It's a small town in a big city and such a sports town where everybody supports each other.". } ); But 30 years ago, the equipment we worked on wasn't so forgiving. RETTON AND SKYLAS RESEMBLANCE DID NOT GO UNNOTICED. "I just want them to know that I'm proud of them no matter what, whether they're gymnasts or not, just because they're human.". Retton sailed through the Olympic Trials but, in an event that would not have happened these days, was allowed to appear in a post-trials exhibition and suffered a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery six weeks before the Games. I wasnt there to bash my ex. Show More Posts from marylouretton. Retired American gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, took to social media to celebrate her look-alike daughter, Skyla's graduation from high school. Last Christmas, she shared a photo of her and her sisters in matching pajamas on Instagram. See Her Now. Having retired from gymnastics after winning an unprecedented third American Cup title in 1985, as noted above, she later had cameo appearances as herself in Scrooged and Naked Gun '"`UNIQ--templatestyles-00000016-QINU`"'33+13: The Final Insult. She emerged from the Olympics as the most photogenic, marketable athlete on the U.S. team, becoming the first female athlete to be depicted on a Wheaties box and launching a life of celebrity that receded but has never gone away. Unlike her older sisters, Skyla isn't involved in collegiate gymnastics. McKenna Kelley anchors the 2019 NCAA Gymnastics Championships! [18], In 1985, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member General Chuck Yeager. Skyla is lucky enough to get genes from a renowned talent like Retton, and she now has many of her mother's fans looking forward to her future endeavors. Last year, the athlete tore her Achilles tendon and spent the season on the sidelines. Check out the feature on the Forever Our Legacy Invitational featuring former Olympic star Mary Lou . All images are used with permission or licensed. From vegan to keto, which diet has the highest carbon footprint. 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). [2] Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the United States. RELATED:Gymnast Carly Patterson Won Olympic Gold 17 Years Ago. "Wow what a night! I dont think I understood the enormity of what she did and the groundbreaking gymnastics she did at the time. Thats all she is, her daughter replied. Retton and her husband live in Houston, far removed from the time when she captured the heart of a nation and graced the cover of the Wheaties box. Im on a really good path, and Im happy with my life, Retton, 50, tells PEOPLE exclusively. See Her Now. She graduated from Baylor University in 2017 with a major in Health Science. Wonderful final performance for her career at @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DR9R83G9P8, Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) April 21, 2019. Related . xhr.setRequestHeader('Content-Type', 'text/plain;charset=UTF-8'); A post shared by Emma Kelley (@emmajeankelley). -- When your mom is Olympic gymnastics superstar Mary Lou Retton and you take up her sport, there are bound to be certain expectations. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. She did not arrive at this point in her life unscathed. She had gone away and I knew she was in there that strong, powerful, confident woman and I found her.. The LSU Gymnastics team also commemorated the special moment online, tweeting an image of Kelley during her routine. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. Im excited scared, but excited.. ", Gymnastics, she said, "is a brutal sport. After all, Retton was the first American woman to ever win an Olympic all-around gold at the 1984 summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. When the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017[32] was introduced to the 115th Congress, she and other members of USA Gymnastics met with the bill sponsor, Senator Dianne Feinstein, with the aim of convincing her to drop the bill. "Very seldom, they'll come home and be having a problem on a skill or something and say, 'Mom, I'm having trouble, will you comment or what do you think. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. "Back in my day, I was kind of on the cutting edge," Retton said in an interview before Rio. When Louisiana State University gymnast McKenna Kelley nailed the final floor routine of the night at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, no one was prouder than her mom, Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton.