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The University of Utah Athletics
Catching Up With U.S. World Team Member and Red Rock MyKayla Skinner
10/20/2019 3:44 PM | Gymnastics
Skinner talks about her time in Germany as a member of the gold-medal World Championships team.
After being selected to the World Championships team and spending significant time traveling, Ute gymnast MyKayla Skinner made a quick visit to Salt Lake City and stopped by the Dumke Gymnastics Center to spend time with the Red Rocks before she returns to Arizona.
"I was worried I wouldn't make the World's team after finishing eighth at the U.S. Championships," said Skinner in an interview with UtahUtes.com. "I felt like each week I just kept progressing and it was so cool to go out there, hit all four events the first day of the selection camp and hit it out of the park. When I got fourth place in the all-around, I was like 'Did I really just do that?' I was so happy."
Following her fourth-place finish in the all-around on the first day of the selection camp, the next day Skinner and the other camp participants had to perform two events chosen for them by the selection committee. Most of the gymnasts competed on bars and beam, while others were assigned events based on their previous results. The selection committee then announced the World Championships team after the second day.
"When we went back to our hotel to wait for the announcement of the team, it was really nerve wracking because I was the last name they called of the six," Skinner said. "They called the names in alphabetical order. As soon as I walked up there, Simone [Biles] ran up and was jumping and screaming 'You did it!' It was really special and it didn't really hit me until we actually went to Germany. It was exciting and intense, but it was a lot of hard work and it paid off. Looking back five months ago, I wouldn't have thought I would make the World's team and it was such a special feeling."
Skinner traveled to the World Championships, but was ultimately named the team alternate. Despite not competing at the event, Skinner played a big role for gold-medalist Team USA and made the most of the experience.
"It was hard to be named the alternate, but I kept a positive mindset and learned from it," Skinner described. "Looking back, I realize that being good enough to make the team is amazing in itself. Being with the team, building those friendships, and supporting my teammates when they are out there competing is so important because you want that love and support. Being there to give that support is such a great feeling."
Skinner continued, "I was able to get a gold medal and many good memories were made. I learned a lot that I will be able to use moving forward in this journey. The girls on the team said they were so excited I was on the floor because they needed me and that I was a part of the team. It was awesome to have that and know they could come to me with anything. There is no greater feeling than winning the gold medal, and as the alternate, I was prepared to go out and do my best if I was needed."
"Looking back to when I first went home to Arizona to train, I didn't know if I made the right decision, but I just needed to give it time," said Skinner. "My journey has been going pretty well overall to this point. For me, everyone's love and support has made this comeback easier and I am so proud with how it has been going."
Skinner plans to continue progressing in the gym as her next step in the process. She will return to Desert Lights Gymnastics to train and plans to add upgrades into her routines—among them a triple double on floor—now that this year's elite season is essentially over. There will be a few events down the road, but for now, a lot of training and hours spent in the gym will be the next step in Skinner's quest for the 2020 Olympics.
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"I was worried I wouldn't make the World's team after finishing eighth at the U.S. Championships," said Skinner in an interview with UtahUtes.com. "I felt like each week I just kept progressing and it was so cool to go out there, hit all four events the first day of the selection camp and hit it out of the park. When I got fourth place in the all-around, I was like 'Did I really just do that?' I was so happy."
Following her fourth-place finish in the all-around on the first day of the selection camp, the next day Skinner and the other camp participants had to perform two events chosen for them by the selection committee. Most of the gymnasts competed on bars and beam, while others were assigned events based on their previous results. The selection committee then announced the World Championships team after the second day.
"When we went back to our hotel to wait for the announcement of the team, it was really nerve wracking because I was the last name they called of the six," Skinner said. "They called the names in alphabetical order. As soon as I walked up there, Simone [Biles] ran up and was jumping and screaming 'You did it!' It was really special and it didn't really hit me until we actually went to Germany. It was exciting and intense, but it was a lot of hard work and it paid off. Looking back five months ago, I wouldn't have thought I would make the World's team and it was such a special feeling."
Skinner traveled to the World Championships, but was ultimately named the team alternate. Despite not competing at the event, Skinner played a big role for gold-medalist Team USA and made the most of the experience.
"It was hard to be named the alternate, but I kept a positive mindset and learned from it," Skinner described. "Looking back, I realize that being good enough to make the team is amazing in itself. Being with the team, building those friendships, and supporting my teammates when they are out there competing is so important because you want that love and support. Being there to give that support is such a great feeling."
Skinner continued, "I was able to get a gold medal and many good memories were made. I learned a lot that I will be able to use moving forward in this journey. The girls on the team said they were so excited I was on the floor because they needed me and that I was a part of the team. It was awesome to have that and know they could come to me with anything. There is no greater feeling than winning the gold medal, and as the alternate, I was prepared to go out and do my best if I was needed."
"Looking back to when I first went home to Arizona to train, I didn't know if I made the right decision, but I just needed to give it time," said Skinner. "My journey has been going pretty well overall to this point. For me, everyone's love and support has made this comeback easier and I am so proud with how it has been going."
Skinner plans to continue progressing in the gym as her next step in the process. She will return to Desert Lights Gymnastics to train and plans to add upgrades into her routines—among them a triple double on floor—now that this year's elite season is essentially over. There will be a few events down the road, but for now, a lot of training and hours spent in the gym will be the next step in Skinner's quest for the 2020 Olympics.
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