An 18-year-old Level 10 gymnast at Southern Gymnastics Club with a national championship title on the floor in 2021 and a spot on the 2022 Development Program National Team. What do you expect from her? Nothing, less than stellar performances on mats, right? And she has delivered those after all her personal bests are 9.875 on vault and bars, 9.450 on beams, a solid 9.900 on floor, and 38.600 for all-around.  With an impressive resume that includes national titles and a commitment to the University of Oklahoma (OU), her journey has inspired many—making her latest announcement all the more painful. But who is this young Gymnast star, and what announcement has she made?

It’s none other than Blakely Roten. Roten’s announcement came via a heartfelt social media post on her Instagram today, captioned “This week would have been meet week for regionals. Sadly due to an injury last week my senior season has come to an end. I will always love this sport and continue to push through the hard things that it throws at me.” Known for her fearless approach—competing in difficult skills across all four events and even training an upgraded beam series despite missing the 2023 season—Roten’s absence leaves a void. Her versatility as an all-rounder, consistently scoring in the mid-38s, had fans and coaches alike anticipating a triumphant close to her Level 10 career before she heads to the University of Oklahoma (OU).

Despite the setback, Roten’s spirit remains unbroken. In her post, she expressed gratitude for her support system: “I am so thankful for my coaches that continue to believe in me and push me to be the best version of myself every day. I am so glad that God put my club and future teammates in my life because this journey would be extra hard without them.” She also credited her family for their unwavering support, noting, “Thank you to my family that drove me to every practice/meet and never gave up on my dream.” She further added, “As sad as I am I trust in Gods plan fully and know that I will come back stronger than ever! So excited for the next chapter of life at OU!” Her faith and optimism have only deepened the admiration of those who’ve followed her journey.

As Roten prepares to transition to OU, a National Honor Society member with a 4.0 GPA at Pieper High School, she’s as formidable in the classroom as she is in the gym. “

I decided to commit to The University Of Oklahoma because it felt like my home away from home,” Roten once said. Though this chapter closes on a somber note, her promise to return “stronger than ever” has left fans hopeful for what’s next. For now, the sport holds its breath, wishing its shining star a swift recovery.

With her

sights set on Oklahoma, she said in the same post, “so excited for the next chapter of life at OU! “ She seems to be confident that this setback is merely a pause in a story of strength and triumph. The gymnastics world is reeling from unexpected news that has left fans, coaches, and teammates grappling with a mix of emotions.

Disheartened gymnastics fans flooded her announcement post

Fans quickly flooded her comment section with messages of love and encouragement. One such fan wrote, “My shining star 🥹🥹 I’m so proud of you ❤️,” a sentiment that echoed through many comments. This reaction is no surprise given Roten’s stellar track record as she claimed Texas State Championship titles in 2022 on vault, bars, and all-around and finished third in the all-around at nationals that year. Her 2021 floor national title and consistent regional podium finishes further cement her status as a fan favorite.

While another gymnastics fan wrote a simple yet earnest wish reflecting the urgency of her admirers. Another added, “I’m so sorry to hear about your injury. I know that’s tough. You are young, strong & extremely talented. Praying for a swift recovery & comeback!! 🙏🏼🫶🏻💪🏼”  The outpouring continued with equal parts pride and anticipation. “Can’t wait to see all the amazing things you are going to accomplish in the future! I am SO PROUD of you! Sending prayers and thoughts your way!! ILY! 🥺❤️” gushed one fan, a reaction fueled by Roten’s history of excellence—like her fifth-place floor finish at the 2024 Women’s Development Program National Championships and fourth-place vault and floor results at Region 3 that year.