McKenna Kelley is a level 10 now training elite gymnast from Stars in Houston, Texas. She attended the last National Team training camp for the first time. McKenna is the daughter of gymnastics legend Mary Lou Retton. While some may consider McKenna following in her mom's footsteps, McKenna's powerful gymnastics and bubbly personality stand out on their own and she is making a name for herself distinct from her mom. Gymnastike had the chance to talk with McKenna about this exciting time for her.

Gymnastike: You had an outstanding year of level 10 what was the highlight of the season for you?

McKenna Kelley: Definitely qualifying to the Nastia Cup and then winning was one of the big highlights. I would say [my] National floor title was another one. It’s my third year of level 10 and I really wanted to be successful and be strong and be on top and I seem to do that so I’m glad I accomplished my goal!

 

G: Right now you seem to be heading in the elite direction, tell me about that.

MK: Yes. Elite gymnastics has always been a goal of mine, it’s just something I always wanted to do. Growing up going to competitions with my mom, she’s always invited to championships or American Cup so as a kid we always went, I loved watching all the national team members just seeing what they do. They’re all such role models and inspiration. 

 

I’m trying to go down this path and I’m understanding how difficult it is. [Elite gymnastics] may just [seem like] a few more skills but it’s not like that. It takes so much more time and dedication and I have so much respect for them. It has always been something I have wanted to do as a gymnast and I just have a few goals I want to accomplish before heading off to college.

 

G: Tell me about your goals.

MK: I still have to qualify elite first, I haven’t done that yet, but I would love to make a senior national team and maybe even have international assignments.

 

G: You attended the last national team training camp, what was that like?

MK: Oh man… it was intense! It was scary going into there blind I really didn’t know what to expect. I have a few teammates like Ericha Fassbender who have attended the national team camp and I was asking like, “what’s it like? Tell me what you do! What should I not do?” It was hard but it was such a great experience. You’re constantly moving there is not a point in time where you are just standing there. You are [always] doing and learning something new. It was awesome.

G: Tell me about some of the new skills you are working. [watch some of them in the video below!]

MK: Vault- I definitely needed to upgrade it so [I’m] working twisting on vault. Floor- obviously I have to have four passes so I’m working on endurance. I’ve been working the double doubles, the double lays, the full ins, and the double arabians and stuff but honestly I just need a clean floor routine to qualify so that’s what I’m striving for right now. So as of now, for my passes I’m doing full in, double lay, 2 1/2 and double tuck.
 

Beam- oh my goodness! So many new skills… it’s crazy! I’ve never been tired in a beam routine before and by my fourth skill and I’m like dead it’s so hard! Yeah, I’ve added in a lot of new skills. I have a tour jette half, I’m working a front pike, double pike dismount, [and] any new connections like more jumps. I won’t be doing bars for elite because as a level 10 my bars were just level 10 bars. I was really behind and I don’t really have much time- this is kind of a one shot thing for me. 

 

G: Going back to the camp, who at the camp did you get the closest with?

MK: There were two other level 10s that attended so I got to room with them. I already knew one of them, Sydney Snead, and I got to meet Kristen Politz they were both so sweet and they were so fun. 

 

G: Which veteran gymnast kind of helped show you the ropes at camp?

MK: Lexie Priessman is going to LSU with me and I love her! We call each other our tiger sisters. We’ve had a bond because we text each other all the time but it was so good to finally see her in person. So definitely Lexie but also Simone [Biles]. I met Simone a while ago and I love her to death she’s a sweetheart. Really all the girls are so sweet I didn't even know some of them… but they were awesome, so welcoming. 

 

G: Do you have any funny stories from camp?

MK: We were warming up and getting in line for line drills and the numbers were uneven so Martha told me and Kristen start a new line. But I didn’t really hear her so I just kind of followed Kristen then I got in trouble because it was still uneven! I had to, like, start my own line and be in the middle of these other two girls I just felt so uncomfortable! 

 

G: What were you most surprised about at camp?

MK: I guess how intense it was. I didn’t know how sore my body would be, oh man, I felt like I got hit by a train! Honestly if you sit down it’s like worse because your body is stiff you just want to keep moving. It’s not even because it’s that hard, you’re doing routines you’re doing what you normally do it’s just that every turn you’re putting in all of your energy. You’re getting so much more.

 

G: Looking to the future, tell me about your decision to attend LSU. 

MK: I’m so happy that I am going to LSU it’s going to be so much fun! I love my class coming up with me we’re in a group text so we talk all the time. It’s awesome that we’re already bonding because we feel like we’re already a team. We’ll text each other quotes and stuff like every day and Bible verses to motivate us… and think about our national championship because we plan on winning! [laughs]

 

G: Was it a tough decision or did you know as soon as you stepped foot on campus that you belonged at LSU?

MK: Well, for the colleges that I had visited before LSU, I would always come back and say, “oh that’s the one, oh that’s the one, oh that's the one.” Then when I finally went to LSU there was no comparison I was like, “ok, this is the one FOR SURE.” I definitely knew.  

 

G: Tell me a little bit about you outside of the gym. What do you do in your down time?

MK: I love, love, love spending time with my family. My sisters and I are so close, my older sister is literally my best friend! When she went to college it was really rough for me but it was a good thing I got to kind of find myself and not really depend on her. But anyway, we go to the movies a lot we love to see movies! I love cooking with my mom she’s an amazing cook! I like to fish with my dad. And then I’m always at school so… I don’t really have time outside the gym but when I do I like to hang out with my family and friends. 

 

G: Does your mom ever coach you or give you tips? Or does she strictly stay in her role as a mom?

MK: You know, she’s never in the gym. She just doesn’t want to be one of those crazy gym moms. I mean, not that she would be because she gets [gymnastics]. Every now and then if I’m not understanding a certain skill I’ll ask her or I’ll show her a video and she’ll try to help me out... but yeah she’s strictly my mom.

 

G: Do you plan on staying elite or would you like to finish up your last season in level 10?

MK: I think I’m just going to take one thing at a time. I’m going to see how I do this summer. I’ll just take one step at a time and see where it takes me then I’ll decide. 

 

G: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us and good luck this season!

MK: Thank you so much!


Related:
Watch McKenna's winning floor from JO's here
See who else attended the June National Team Training Camp here