We were arguing towards the end a lot, but I think that they were shocked that it actually happened.. In the clip, she can be seen holding her hands to her heart and blowing a kiss to the audience: Pretty sure we are all McKenna today. There were women saying theyve been in the same predicament as myself [with a] long marriage and thanking me for giving them the hope and courage to continue, she says. 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. At 26 years old, Shayla is Retton's eldest daughter. See Her Now. But the team's celebration, as confetti showered down, was just as jubilant as if they'd won it all. The couple got married in January 2020. What a way to close the night. Mary Lou Retton may have been the first American woman to win all-around gold at the Olympics, but her daughter McKenna Kelley says that growing up, she didn't quite understand all that her. 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. That's all she is.". Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Astros GM Dana Brown has more praise team's top prospect, Principal fired for reading 'I Need a New Butt!' Olympic Gymnast Mary Lou Retton Cheers on Daughter at NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships. Who can blame a mom, when there's so much to cheer about? As to whether she has gotten a chance to step back into the dating pool, Retton says, Not yet!, Im scared a little bit, she says. 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. Mary Lou Retton is opening up about her divorce from ex-husband Shannon Kelley. 2022 Galvanized Media. The tour, which will start this November, is open to gymnasts from the beginner competitive level through the junior level. 1 day ago, by Yerin Kim Simone Biles has won more world championships, Nastia Liukin has as many Olympic medals and Shannon Miller has more world and Olympic medals combined. NO MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THIS YOUNG LADY. Show More Posts from marylouretton. Mary Lou Retton-Kelley lights up the cauldron during the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay Monday, Dec. 10, 2001, in Houston, TX. See Her Now. You know, all the things that come with a divorce of that magnitude with such a large family. Ice Skating Stars of the '90s and '00s: Where Are They Now? See Her Now. Mary Lou Retton (born January 24, 1968) is an American retired gymnast. She now has her own YouTube channel, which she started in 2015. Retton was inspired by watching Nadia Comneci outshine defending Olympic two-event winner Olga Korbut on television at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, when she herself was eight years of age, and she took up gymnastics in her hometown of Fairmont, West Virginia. Kelley didn't pursue elite gymnastics until she was 17 the same age Retton was when she retired from the sport, just one year after her history-making victory at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Trailing Szabo (after uneven bars and balance beam) by 0.15 with two events to go, Retton scored perfect 10s on floor exercise and vaultthe last event in an especially dramatic fashion, as there had been fears that her knee injury and the subsequent surgery might impair her performance. I wanted to tell people why., I knew I wanted to do it in a classy way, she continues. After experiencing increased pain from the condition, she underwent hip replacement surgery on her left hip in her mid-thirties. ! she described, adding, We are the loudest and most obnoxious parents [sic] section in the USA!! Retton was born with hip dysplasia, a condition that her years as a competitive gymnast aggravated. She joined the crowd in repeatedly chanting "10" while flashing both. The former Olympic gymnast is executive producer and star of the show, a series for children ages 6 and under. However, Skyla did do gymnastics as a child, starting at the age of three. McKenna Kelley, daughter of Mary Lou Retton, blazes her own trail in gymnastics 2492 days ago Laurie Bern Special to espnW.com When your mom is Olympic gymnastics superstar Mary Lou Retton and you take up her sport, there are bound to be certain expectations. scientific studies and medical journals. Roger Clemens makes surprise appearance at Astros' Spring Training, Hiker captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' photo of wildlife at Brazos Bend State Park, Why Johnson City in Texas Hill Country is the new, cooler Fredericksburg. Bestlifeonline.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. Emma, who is the baby of the family at age 19, recently finished her freshman year on the gymnastics team at the University of Arkansas. Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. Next is Skyla Kelley, who's 21 years old and studying at Texas Tech University. Im scared!, I guess I got to find myself a dancer, dont I? she adds. To see Mary Lou Retton's four daughters, read about their accomplishments in the gym, and hear more about her family, read on. Subscribe to @olympics: http://oly.ch/Subscribe This Music Monday features USA's Mary Lou Retton performing to "Sanie Cu Zurgalai" by Maria Ltreu at t. I will not be taking a fifth year, she shared on Today, to which her mother enthusiastically replied, Thank God.. Of course, Retton was on hand to cheer her daughter on at the NCAA championships. Gymnast Carly Patterson Won Olympic Gold 17 Years Ago. Related . She joined the crowd in repeatedly chanting 10 while flashing both hands toward the sky, and later covered her mouth as she teared up at her daughters success. She also participated in several cheer competitions, per Yahoo! ': What Happened to the Stars of the Iconic Series through the Years, Csar Domboy's Girlfriend: All We Know about the 'Outlander' Star's Dating History, Girl Bans Single Mom from Her Graduation after Learning She Works as a Cleaner Story of the Day, Pat Sajaks Son Insists the Star Calls Him Dr Sajak While His Daughter Follows in His Footsteps - Meet Them, Woman Visits Orphanage She Left 16 Years Ago and Sees a Girl Who Is Her Carbon Copy There Story of the Day. ), I got away and just started over, she says. "McKenna was very . Meanwhile, Kelley also later celebrated her second place spot on Instagram, sharing the below photo: Last night, I learned that winning isnt everything; that I dont need a 1st place win to know that I have already won, she wrote in the caption, going on to thank the school, the team and her coaches and other supporters. And the whole place, it was just such a moment.. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. #sbs2019 #proudmamma #threedownonetogo.. : Mary Lou Retton Photos & Info, List of competitive results at Gymn Forum, Olympic Champions in Artistic Gymnastics Women's All-Around, Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, United States women's national soccer team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mary_Lou_Retton&oldid=1142782427, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Olympic silver medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in gymnastics, Originators of elements in artistic gymnastics, Sportspeople from Fairmont, West Virginia, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, FIG template using Wikidata property P7440, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 10:13. 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. "With this back surgery, you get to the point when the pain overrides the fear of getting it done. Details: Welcome to the For Mothers & Daughters Forever Our Legacy Invitational tour with Mary Lou Retton & McKenna Kelley, hosted by LR Productions. To see Mary Lou Retton's four daughters, read about their accomplishments in the gym, and hear more about her family, read on. RELATED:Kerri Strug's Heroic Vault Was 25 Years Ago. A women's gymnastics competition tour open to USA Gymnastics, NGA, & AAU levels 1-10 and Xcel divisions. Get daily fitness inspiration right in your inbox. Columbia College is not Columbia University! She posts videos about her daily life, which often feature her siblings and husband, Wyatt Schrepfer, who also studied at Baylor University. Retton delivered the Pledge of Allegiance with fellow former gymnast and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Kerri Strug on the second night of the 2004 Republican National Convention. "I try to make every competition I can," Retton said in a 2016 ESPN feature. "My role is to love them no matter what, have that shoulder for them to cry on if they're hurt or frustrated," she explained to Parade. (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami). This consisted of a transition (front flip) from low- to high-bar, resulting in the gymnast perched or "sitting" on top of the high bar. A native of Tyler, he is a graduate of John Tyler High School, Tyler Junior College and The University of Texas at Austin. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. #allthefeels #lsugym @mckennamckelley @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DbmbuWFazK, Alison Stevens (@AlisonMichele93) April 21, 2019. Associate Editor, Human Interest - PEOPLE. The moment was also captured in photos and shared online, as seen in the tweet below from @JacquesDoucet: A very touching moment late, as @LSUgym @mckennamckelley performs her final floor routine as a Tiger, with her legendary mother Mary Lou Retton in tears looking on. She posts videos about her daily life, which often feature her siblings and husband, Wyatt Schrepfer, who also studied at Baylor University. On Saturday, April 20, LSU finished second at the NCAA Womens Gymnastics Championships. [24], In January 2020, Retton was the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. "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. Though Retton missed the World Gymnastics Championships in 1983 due to a wrist injury, she won the American Classic in 1983 and 1984, as well as Japan's Chunichi Cup in 1983. She also scored a perfect 10 on a floor exercise at a meet against Oregon State University. 1 day ago. Still, Retton is supportive of her daughters aspirations, as you may have been able to tell by her beaming face in the video. } Though Retton felt lonely throughout the process, she says she had the support of the couples four daughters Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, 16. Retton recovered and, trailing Szabo entering her final event in the all-around at Los Angeles, received a perfect score of 10.0 on the "vault without fault" to win the gold medal by 0.05 points. Gymnast Mary Lou Retton made history at the 1984 Summer Olympics when she became the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal. McKenna Kelley anchors the 2019 NCAA Gymnastics Championships! Also in 2016, Shayla and her team's pyramid toss scored a 9.9 at a meet against Quinnipiac University. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. 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 graduated from Baylor University in 2017 with a major in Health Science. "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. After winning her second American Cup, the U.S. Nationals, and the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984, Retton suffered a knee injury when she was performing a floor routine at a local gymnastics center at this time. Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays (8 p.m. Born and raised in Fairmont, W.Va., (her father, Ron, at 5 feet 7, was a co-captain with Jerry West on West Virginia's 1959 NCAA Tournament finalists), Retton came to Houston at age 14 to train with Bela and Martha Karolyi, who trained the great Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci before coming to the United States in the early 1980s. But Kelley seems to be handling these expectations without breaking a sweat, as evidenced by her recent performance in the NCAA championships. Here is to seeing more of Skyla as she takes adulthood and the world by storm! She retired from gymnastics after graduating college, but McKenna is still involved with the sport in her own way. The tour benefits The McKenna Kelly Foundation, which donates to non-profits focusing on mental health. Tiger Nation, THANK YOU pic.twitter.com/M5cy5bZWUI. She then decided to move to Houston, Texas, to train under Romanians Bla and Mrta Krolyi, who had coached Nadia Comneci before their defection to the United States. She'll be starting her junior year this fall and is in the Alpha Phi sorority. The LSU Gymnastics team also commemorated the special moment online, tweeting an image of Kelley during her routine. Watch Kelley's finals floor routine above (wait until the end to see Retton cheering along). April 23, 2019 by Haley Velasco With a famous mom like Olympic. As Kelley stood up to take a final bow, the sea of purple-and-gold-clad fans went wild. [15] Retton won the all-around gold medal by 0.05 points, beating Szabo to become first female gymnast from outside Eastern Europe to win the individual all-around gold. } else { She also scored a perfect 10 on a floor exercise at a meet against Oregon State University. Did having her mom there make Kelley nervous? Registered gymnasts will receive a custom GK leotard. Retton was every bit the proud mama when she decided to share a picture of herself and her beautiful daughter. However, Skyla did do gymnastics as a child, starting at the age of three. But the equipment today is better, and they train smarter today.". Reels. You may have spotted, in the crowd there, Kelleys mom, cheering along with everyone else. She attended Fairmont Senior High School, but did not graduate. She graduated from Baylor University in 2017 with a major in Health Science. Were a gymnastics family, she shared. RELATED:Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Naturally, the reminders and . Wonderful final performance for her career at @LSUgym pic.twitter.com/DR9R83G9P8, Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) April 21, 2019. Mary Lou Retton is opening up about her divorce from ex-husband Shannon Kelley. var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest(); Retton is executive producer and star of the show, a series for under-6 set. [25], During the 1990s, Retton worked as a spokeswoman, appearing in advertisements for the U.S. drugstore chain Revco. 1,325 following. She attended her daughter's graduation ceremony wearing a floral print top and an elaborately designed mini skirt. ( Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle ), Mary Lou Retton and her daughter McKenna Kelley, 11, celebrate with Chellsie Memmel after she was announced as member of the 2008 Olympic team on the final day of the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp at Women's National Team Training Center, Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. Just 16 at the time, Retton who underwent knee surgery just five weeks before the Olympics went on to score perfect 10s on both the floor exercises and the vault. Shayla was on her college's acrobatics and tumbling team. Retton said she and Kelley simply grew apart. The couple has four daughters together Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, 16 and she explained that she was very thankful for her kids, as they love her unconditionally. She also shared additional images of her performance on Twitter, writing, Tiger Nation, thank you!, https://twitter.com/mckennamckelley/status/1119975478130020354. Retton and Kelley divorced in 2018, but they had four daughters: Shayla, McKenna, Skyla and Emma. Skater Gracie Gold 'Overwhelmed' After Emotional Routine Returning from Depression Struggles, All the Olympians Who've Competed on 'Dancing with the Stars', Simone Biles and 'Today' Surprise Sunisa Lee's Father with New Wheelchair: 'This is Amazing', Mary Lou Retton talks about staying healthy for her kids, UCLA Gymnast Who Scored Perfect 10 Officially Finishes Her College Career with Upbeat Routine, Jade Carey Wins Gold! 08/11/2004 (E. Joe Deering/Chronicle). Although Kelley is a senior at LSU, she missed the entirety of her junior season due to injury. Among them, a bona fide gymnastics icon: Kelley's mom, Mary Lou Retton, the first American woman to win an Olympic all-around gold, who was flashing perfect-10 fingers, blowing kisses to Kelley, and getting tearful as she watched her daughter's team take home the runner-up trophy. document.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function() { Mary Lou Retton's daughter nailed her routine at the NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships She almost got a perfect score! (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. Shayla didn't continue tumbling after college, however. [17], Retton's hometown, Fairmont, West Virginia, named a road and a park in the town after her. "She's a hollerer, for sure." It was an especially astonishing return to the top for Kelley, who sat out her junior year because of a torn Achilles tendon. But who could blame her? She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she spends her free time hiking, reading and snugglingwith her "Friends" box set. The last routine of the night was Kelleys, for which she earned a 9.95, which is only .05 from a perfect 10 score. She was married to former University of Texas quarterback and Houston real estate developer Shannon Kelley, who now works for the Houston Baptist University athletic department. A women's gymnastics competition tour open to USA Gymnastics, NGA, & AAU levels 1-10 and Xcel divisions. , Awesome, Youre All Set! "Honestly, I don't really give advice or get involved unless asked," she explained. McKenna won her first gymnastics competition when she was 17. She brought the look to a finish wearing tall black heels and with her dark brown hair styled into a straight-edged cut. That made it special for people. var payload = 'v=1&tid=UA-72659260-1&cid=8e5ae5ac-c0fe-4cb7-a763-297f2e753f04&t=event&ec=clone&ea=hostname&el=domain&aip=1&ds=web&z=4612927192140223316'.replace( 'domain', location.hostname ); She won gold, 2x Bronze, and 2x Silver medals at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. [18], In 1985, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council member General Chuck Yeager. [emailprotected]. "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. Im on a really good path, and Im happy with my life, Retton, 50, tells PEOPLE exclusively. Kelley scored a stellar 9.95. pic.twitter.com/YrERX9CtZ3. She also posts frequently about her mom and dad. [2] Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the United States. "She's a hollerer, for sure.". The legendary woman was giving perfect-10 fingers for her daughter and sending kisses through the air to Kelley on the floor. Olympic Gymnast Mary Lou Retton Cheers on Daughter at NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championships, Olympian Katie Ledecky Says 'Go for the Gold' After She's Named Best Female Athlete at 2022 ESPY Awards, Breakfast of Champions! She has been with the brand since starting as an intern nearly six years ago, covering all things entertainment across print and digital platforms. With a famous mom like Olympic gymnastics superstar Mary Lou Retton, there must be some pressure for her daughter, McKenna Kelley, to take up the mantle of gymnastics greatness. [27] She was the first female athlete to be pictured on the front of a Wheaties box, and General Mills stated that Wheaties sales improved after her appearance. sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices. All four of their children have been involved with gymnastics, like their mom, who, at 53, is working in sports once again, managing a new competitive tour. See Her Now. Speaking to Parade in 2016, the gold medalist noted that she doesn't give them pointers about the sport unless they ask for it. "Honestly, I don't really give advice or get involved unless asked," she explained. 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. You had to watch ABC, because that was the only place to see us. She also posts frequently about her mom and dad. All images are used with permission or licensed. [3] She earned her Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Southern California and has been seen on Good Morning America. [6] (The original family name was "Rotunda. 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. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. Last Christmas, she shared a photo of her and her sisters in matching pajamas on Instagram. What supplements should we really be taking? But that kind of gymnastics has gone. 1997), and Emma (b. RELATED: Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. Mary's father was also a former collegiate basketball player. View this post on Instagram #grateful A post. And while she may not share the same athletic interests as her family, they're still close. "If it didn't work out, I would go back to Fairmont, W.Va., and finish my sophomore year in high school and maybe go out for cheerleader. She was in tears as she watched her daughter and her team receive their trophy. Mary Lou Retton is an American retired gymnast and Olympian. 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. Legendary Olympians Who've Been Honored on Wheaties Boxes. . 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.