“I was hurt …I wasn’t happiest in Texas, but I have so much respect for Anna and Valeri and the whole gym,” this has been Konnor McClain’s take on World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Texas. The LSU gymnast has recently gone to length to talk about her ups and downs in recent times, including the experience she went through after the LSU Tigers claimed its first national gymnastics title. However, McClain revealed that her time in the WOGA left her with nothing except a bagful of hopelessness. That seemed contrasting as 3x Olympic champion Gabby Douglas confirmed her 3rd year with the same facility a few weeks ago. But what went wrong with Konnor McClain? 

Much before her LSU Tigers shift, Konnor McClain landed in WOGA to fulfill her elite gymnastics preparation. Soon, in 2021, under the tutelage of Valerie and Anna Liukin, she started to show her radiance in the elite showdowns. But McClain couldn’t be satisfied. “I feel like I was just sad and I didn’t know what to do with my life,” the former US Classic Junior champion claimed in a conversation with the NBC Olympics. However, Gabby Douglas has felt contained in the same facility from time to time. Despite several rumors this year, she confirmed that WOGA will be her home for the Olympic preparation. In contrast, Connor McClain resorted to a distinct path after ending her tenure in WOGA in 2022.

With further hope, she went to Seattle. Her merriment in the 2022 Winter Cup started to fade away, as she couldn’t relish it anymore in Seattle as well. McClain then landed in LSU after changing several camps. This is an experience she rejoices. In nurturing her elite gymnastics dream, LSU Tigers HC Jay Clark has played a major role, and the freshman paid her respect to the veteran for that. Ultimately, because of Jay Clark’s entry, now a perfect plan is in place for Konnor McClain.

Konnor McClain sails through the way Gabby Douglas once prompted

Speaking about her experience, Gabby Douglas once said, “Gold medals are made out of your sweat, blood and tears, and effort in the gym every day, and sacrificing a lot.” Konnor McClain has experienced all of those factors more or less in her gymnastics time. Her WOGA session left her in the debacle of going forward with the profession. But after moving to the LSU Tigers, she noticed a change.

A developed mindset saved her from doubting her strength despite missing elite gymnastics for a year. Gabby Douglas may relate to this point as she has had her time away from the mat. However, Konnor McClain put an extra effort into managing both her elite and college gymnastics. 

In describing that additional effort, the LSU standout narrated, “With our college schedule, we usually comeback from a meet and we have a light day. So, then, I’ll just practice my extra elite skills and make sure I still have them and make sure I get the consistency I need with my elite routines.” And all those happened with Jay Clark’s interference. So eventually riding on such a schedule, Konnor McClain is on the way to making her first Olympic appearance. Staunchly, her destination remains the same as Gabby Douglas even after choosing a different mentor.