The world of NCAA gymnastics is alluring. From reveling in the fans’ applause to etching their names among the country’s top athletes, collegiate gymnasts have a lot to motivate them to perfect their skills. And that’s exactly what Minnesota’s Mya Hooten has done. Scoring 9 perfect-10s on the floor to set a program record, the Gophers star is a bona fide gymnast. But it wasn’t an easy ride there, and fans are having a hard time holding back their feelings about it.

With multiple All-American honors in her bag, the 22-year-old graduate student can go toe-to-toe with the USA’s top gymnasts. But to reach the Maturi Pavilion wasn’t a smooth sail for Hooten. Instead, she had to jump over a long list of obstacles to show her worth and make the gymnastics community take her seriously.

The hurdles were neverending for the Gophers’ star

A post on the Subreddit r/gymnastics from December 12 highlights how Mya Hooten’s life was astray just a few years ago when she was in high school. After her parents’ divorce, Hooten had to take care of her sister and was struggling to balance her academic life and her gymnastics passion. Thankfully, a helping hand wasn’t too far away to help her out.

Mya’s straightforwardness often made it difficult for her to fit into a club. But she managed to convince Coach Bryon Hough of Classic Gymnastics to allow her to train in his gym, and things finally started to fall into place. And Hooten didn’t let the opportunity slide. Instead, she went all in in an attempt to make her life turn around. It paid off. But her grades were spiraling, and Mya was in the threat of losing her college opportunity.

In her junior year at Minnesota, she was on the edge of getting her scholarship revoked, and drastic measures had to be taken to stop that from happening. Hooten moved in with a family she didn’t know, and both parties had to compromise and find a middle ground so that her future gymnastics wasn’t wiped away. Enter Sarah and Matt Zeiher.

The working couple opened their home to Hooten, and the gymnast breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll never be able to repay you,” she told her new family. And today, Hooten is easily one of the most decorated NCAA gymnasts in the USA. With her past ordeals coming to light, the gymnastics community is overwhelmed with emotions.

The gymnastics fans laud Mya Hooten’s determination

Considering how competitive gymnastics and the NCAA circuit are in general, it’s easy to lose your way without proper guidance. However, with 4 straight Academic All-Big Ten honors, Hooten has proved she has found her path once again. The incredible story of the Minnesota athlete turning her life around has made fans hail her for her grit.

One fan, in particular, was feeling the rush of emotions sweeping their body as they read about the ups and downs Hooten has gone through and commented, “Here I am on my couch, on a Thursday afternoon, bawling my eyes out. Wow. I had no idea the struggles Mya faced to get where she is today.”

Another Minnesota native believes Mya is a role model for aspiring stars who are struggling to keep up with the sport’s stringent demands. “As a MN native I’m so glad we have superstar and all around awesome human Mya Hooten,” wrote the fan in the comment section, underscoring that her three All-Big Ten First Team accolades can be a shining example that with dedication comes success.

Another fan gushed in the same lines, highlighting their thanks to both the families who helped Mya during her troubles. “Oh MY GOD. I had no idea she’s been through so much. What a fighter, and how incredible that these families came together for her,” said this fan.

More fans were impressed by the mountains Mya had to cross to get where she is now. “It’s so impressive and a true example of some students just need direct support and guidance to find their “right thing”,” hailed another fan. Hooten’s three Big Ten floor titles would bolster the fan’s sentiments, making it evident that she is indeed headed in the right direction.

Hooten is a senior at Minnesota and will be embarking on her final season with the Gophers soon. Excited to see how things unfold, one fan commented, “Hoping for a fantastic last season,” and we are already keeping our eyes peeled to see how she exits the NCAA scene on a high note. Do you think a 10th floor exercise medal awaits the gymnastics star at the end of the season?