by Njera Perkins 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. And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. Although she didn't compete in any meets during her first year, her career is just beginning. Throughout the process, Retton felt alone, but she had the support of the couple's four daughters: Shayla, 23, McKenna, 21, Skyla, 18, and Emma, 16. "People still come up to me and say they remember where they were during the summer of 1984," she said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Please select the topics you're interested in: Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP? 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. She attended her daughter's graduation ceremony wearing a floral print top and an elaborately designed mini skirt. ), I got away and just started over, she says. The legendary woman was giving perfect-10 fingers for her daughter and sending kisses through the air to Kelley on the floor. [8] She competed in the 1984 Olympic games in Los Angeles, California, during her sophomore year of high school. [12], Retton divorced her husband in February 2018.[13]. In her senior year, she scored a 9.8875 in the vault competition at the NCAA Team Finals. Happy Monday! she wrote in the caption alongside several happy face emojis. And for more entertainment and celebrity news sent right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. You know, all the things that come with a divorce of that magnitude with such a large family. "Back in my day, I was kind of on the cutting edge," Retton said in an interview before Rio. "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. I really commend her, LSU coach D-D Breaux told The Times-Picayune of Kelley. Who can blame a mom, when there's so much to cheer about? 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One fan, @emmadilemma83 wrote alongside a heart emoji: She definitely has your smile!!!! Watch Kelley's finals floor routine above (wait until the end to see Retton cheering along). "McKenna was very . Also in 2016, Shayla and her team's pyramid toss scored a 9.9 at a meet against Quinnipiac University. I dont think I understood the enormity of what she did and the groundbreaking gymnastics she did at the time. She had gone away and I knew she was in there that strong, powerful, confident woman and I found her.. Reels. 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. Her three other children, all girls, include Shayla (b. It's a small town in a big city and such a sports town where everybody supports each other.". At 26 years old, Shayla is Retton's eldest daughter. Mary Lou Retton (born January 24, 1968) is an American retired gymnast. [3], Her gold medal win was historic as Retton was the first American woman to win the all-around gold medal in Olympic gymnastics. One gold, two silver and two bronze. Then check out the performance that earned her that perfect 10 earlier in the season, plus a few other sweet snaps of mother and daughter. She also scored a perfect 10 on a floor exercise at a meet against Oregon State University. It was a special weekend for the RI Sports Commission, GoProvidence, and Convention Center! Mary Lou Retton was born on January 24, 1968, in the United States in Fairmont, West Virginia. I havent officially announced this, but I have decided to graduate with my senior class. As Kelley took her final bow after her stellar performance, the crowd went wild. 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. 1 day ago, by Victoria Edel Retton, 51, was in the audience watching as her daughter's performance earned a sky-high score of 9.95, mere hundredths from the coveted perfect 10. Retton, who wed Kelley in 1990, says that there wasnt one defining moment that led to their divorce, which was finalized in February. Her university profile notes that she finished in fourth place at the Texas State Championship 2016, with a score of 9.8 in vault and 9.675 in floor exercise. Retired American gymnast, Mary Lou Retton, took to social media to celebrate her look-alike daughter, Skyla's graduation from high school. It really is home. Retton won the gold medal in the event. [23], In 1997, Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. 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. The tiny powerhouse, who was dubbed "America's sweetheart" at the time, left Los Angeles with two additional silver medals and two bronzes the most won by any athlete during that summer's games, which was boycotted by the Soviet Union and the East bloc. "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.". NO MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOR THIS YOUNG LADY. 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. The retired Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast revealed her split from her husband of 27 years publicly for the first time on Monday nights episode of Dancing with the Stars before being eliminated. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. After experiencing increased pain from the condition, she underwent hip replacement surgery on her left hip in her mid-thirties. And I just can't help myself!" One gold, two silver and two bronze. (Retton lives in Houston, and the show is filmed in Los Angeles. She also competed in multiple club gymnastics competitions when she was in high school. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! She earned her Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Southern California and has been seen on Good Morning America. Theres that fine line between a daughter and a friend, so theres a lot that I couldnt share with them. On LSU's senior night in March, Kelley earned her first career perfect 10, with Retton watching from the crowd. But the equipment today is better, and they train smarter today.". 55 minutes ago, by Eden Arielle Gordon She would be eligible to remain on the team for one more season but the student-athlete says she wont be taking advantage of that opportunity. RELATED: Gymnast Carly Patterson Won Olympic Gold 17 Years Ago. "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. Im really excited for what this new chapter is going to bring instead of being that scared person that I was a couple of months ago. That sucked all the calcium out of me," she said, laughing. Fast-forward today, and that's all you see because that is how the sport has evolved to benefit powerful, athletic gymnasts. Kerri Strug's Heroic Vault Was 25 Years Ago. Here is to seeing more of Skyla as she takes adulthood and the world by storm! That's where I am at this stage of life.". [24], In January 2020, Retton was the first woman inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame. Houston Baptist University football program. But what she chooses remains to be seen. . Retton's daughter McKenna Kelley followed in her mother's footsteps, competing in gymnastics for Louisiana State University in 2019. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from POPSUGAR. Retton is executive producer and star of the show, a series for under-6 set. [28][29][30] In 2019, Retton became a spokesperson for Australian Dream, a pain relief cream. [2] Her performance made her one of the most popular athletes in the United States. "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.". RELATED: See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. She also posts frequently about her mom and dad. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Emma's graduation is one that Rettons fans will look forward to, but for now, they have Skylas to ooh and aah over. 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. Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get Her path was different than mine and Im so proud of everything.. This is your last routine, she shared. Advertisement Retton was every bit the proud mama when she decided to share a picture of herself and her beautiful daughter. Follow. 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. 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. ( Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle ). Kelley is a senior at LSU, which means this may have been her last performance with the team. Now live in Houston with her husband and their four kids. I dont think the ex told anybody, but thats just coming from me that could be wrong. Last Christmas, she shared a photo of her and her sisters in matching pajamas on Instagram. 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. She went to The University of Texas, where she met her husband, Shannon Kelly, who played quarterback for the Longhorns. HOUCHRON CAPTION (12/11/2001): Mary Lou Retton-Kelley puts the final touch on the torch's trek through Houston, lighting up the cauldron at the George R. Brown Convention Center. But who could blame her? She did not arrive at this point in her life unscathed. She'll be starting her junior year this fall and is in the Alpha Phi sorority. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, she won a gold medal in the individual all-around competition, as well as two silver medals and two bronze medals. (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. Our LSU parents den!!! (AP Photo/Sadayuki Mikami). The tour benefits The McKenna Kelly Foundation, which donates to non-profits focusing on mental health. Get daily fitness inspiration right in your inbox. The team's last floor routine of the night was a high-octane, floor-pounding performance from McKenna Kelley that earned a score of 9.95, mere hundredths from the coveted perfect 10. , Awesome, Youre All Set! All four of their children. 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. [11] Together they have four daughters: Shayla (born 1995), McKenna (born 1997), a former NCAA gymnast at Louisiana State University, Skyla (born 2000), and Emma (born 2002). xhr.send(payload); If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing They'll always second guess themselves, from what they say to how they look. Back when I competed, it was the pretty little butterflies, which I was not. [14] She recovered just in time for this most prestigious of tournaments, and in the competition, which was boycotted by the Soviet bloc nations except for Romania, Retton was engaged in a close battle with Ecaterina Szabo of Romania for the all-around gold medal. "McKenna was very . No more high school for this young lady! 1995), McKenna (b. Retton won two international events in 1983 and entered the Olympic year, with the Soviets boycotting the Games in Los Angeles, picked to win the all-around silver medal behind Ecaterina Szabo of Romania. At the same Olympics, Retton won four additional medals: silver in the team competition and the horse vault, and bronze in the floor exercise and uneven bars. 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. Details: Welcome to the For Mothers & Daughters Forever Our Legacy Invitational tour with Mary Lou Retton & McKenna Kelley, hosted by LR Productions. [9], Retton lived in Houston, Texas,[10] until 2009, when her family returned to West Virginia. Shayla didn't continue tumbling after college, however. Of course, Retton was on hand to cheer her daughter on at the NCAA championships. RELATED: Kerri Strug's Heroic Vault Was 25 Years Ago. There will be no immediate honeymoon for Mary Lou Retton, a gold medal . Those #goals aren't what they seem. 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. Now, she says, shes ready for a new chapter. "It's not like today, when you get the results before they appear on television. [] 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. Were a gymnastics family, she shared. May Lou five medals on display in her home. Kelley also retweeted this video of her emotional reaction at the end of her performance. She and her wife, Molly, are the proud moms of two formerly stray cats, Sophie and Pierre, and a rescue dog named Gracie. See Michael Jordan's Three Oldest Kids All Grown Up. All four of my children were born here, and my husband is from here. This is a carousel. That would be really amazing if I found myself a dancer. She retired from gymnastics after graduating college, but McKenna is still involved with the sport in her own way. In addition to McKenna, Retton has three other daughters with ex Shannon Kelley: Shayla Rae, 24, Skyla Brae, 19, and Emma Jean, 16. She was also on the school's acrobatics and tumbling team for all four years. Gosh it brings it all back!!! Retton, 51, looked proud as could be of her daughter as she watched her perform in video captured from the Texas event. Im on a really good path, and Im happy with my life, Retton, 50, tells PEOPLE exclusively. It really helped me find that woman that I was searching for. They'll make their remarks with a straight face, even if they're joking. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau), Mayor: HISD has two optionsclose school or be taken over, Rare photos show 2 ocelots crossing South Texas road, Willie Nelson pays lovely tribute to another country legend. I wasnt there to bash my ex. The asymmetrical neckline of the top had the star flaunting her beautiful neckline and the short length of the skirt, her well-toned legs. "I will pick and choose some appearances, but I need to take care of these kids and support them and love them. Speaking to Parade in 2016, the gold medalist noted that she doesn't give them pointers about the sport unless they ask for it. Kelley is a senior, which means this might be her final season; she has one year left of eligibility but isn't sure whether she'll use it. See Her Now. "I travel from January to May watching them compete, and that is the joy of my life. But Kelley seems to be handling these expectations without breaking a sweat, as evidenced by her recent performance in the NCAA championships. Legendary Olympians Who've Been Honored on Wheaties Boxes. Even with four kids who've done gymnastics, Retton has never been tempted to coach them herself. However, Skyla did do gymnastics as a child, starting at the age of three. 403 N 3rd St, Richmond , VA 23219. 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 . She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she spends her free time hiking, reading and snugglingwith her "Friends" box set. See Mary Lou Retton's 4 Daughters, Who All Followed in Her Footsteps. Later, the proud mom took to Instagram to share a photo with her 22-year-old daughter. HOUCHRON CAPTION (09/13/1998): Mary Lou Retton, from left, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, Franelle Rogers and Mayor Lee Brown meet in Brown's office to discuss details of the third annual USOC Coach of the Year awards Sept. 19 at the Hyatt Regency Imperial Ballroom. Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays (8 p.m. 20 hours ago, by Lindsay Kimble Women who had ovarian cysts share their stories, A sugar replacement may be linked to heart attacks and strokes, but don't throw it out yet. ': 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. But after all is said and done, she is just a kid from a small West Virginia town who has become one of the most familiar faces and most beloved citizens in the fourth-largest city in America. She's got the gold. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Speaking to Parade in 2016, the gold medalist noted that she doesn't give them pointers about the sport unless they ask for it. Nadia Comneci Scored a Perfect 10 at the Olympics 45 Years Ago. Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. "Honestly, I don't really give advice or get involved unless asked," she explained. ", Gymnastics, she said, "is a brutal sport. This wasn't her only win at the games; she also won silver in the team and vault competitions, along with bronze medals in uneven bar and floor exercise. However, Skyla did do gymnastics as a child, starting at the age of three. Columbia College is not Columbia University! That made it special for people. McKenna and her mom co-host the women's gymnastics tour, "For Mothers and Daughters Forever Our Legacy." But that kind of gymnastics has gone. "I tell her every season, 'McKenna, I'm really gonna do it this season. She scored a total of 79.175 to take the gold medal in individual all around competition. In her senior year, she scored a 9.8875 in the vault competition at the NCAA Team Finals. 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.
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