Wow! Kayla announces retirement from Elite!

[mrs]

http://www.insidegymnastics.com/cont...d=863&zoneid=1

I didn't think it would happen quite so soon!

I don't like the word retirement....that is the word that Inside Gymnastics used.

Basically, she wanted to make the World team, and now that it looks like that won't happen, she just wants to focus on NCAAs.

What it seems like is she wanted to see where Alicia was. and made her decision based on that.

No more talk about bringing two vault specialists

[nlm2183]

Whoa, seriously! I didn't expect it. But I can understand it after what she went through.

Edited: OK, I just read the article and see it was due to an injury (not her gym fiasco from earlier this year, which is what I was referring to). I'm sad for her, but I think she will be a great college gymnast. I'm just very glad she got herself another gym to go to and that she's been able to continue training.

It's really amazing that she came out of nowhere last year, made the world team, wins the world title on VT (and the only world vault title for the U.S. as well), and is done without any other elite competitions. What a whirlwind, but quite a story and great accomplishments in that time.

Who knows - she could want to return to elite and training for 2012 (or maybe after 2012). More college girls/elites that are college bound are opting for that now.

[courtmoss14]

Originally Posted by mrs

http://www.insidegymnastics.com/cont...d=863&zoneid=1

I didn't think it would happen quite so soon!

You have to wondering if Alicia being back has anything to do with it. Of course, you don't give up your career because of another person, but with the injury this year, all the gym changes, not being able/ready for Championships or Worlds... VERY interesting!!!!

I certainly wish her the BEST!!! That might be the SHORTEST elite career ever for a WORLD CHAMPION!!!

[gymfan1005]

Wow, I totally didn't expect this, or totally didn't expect this would happen so soon.

[Nicole19]

I'm curious about the fact that she is staying in MLT's training group. I feel that MLT already has her hands full with 5 girls and it will be difficult having an additional girl with vastly different goals, possibly competing at JO's next year, etc as the article mentioned. I wonder if at some point she will drop back and train with level 10's at CGA. Does CGA have any current level 10's? That would change the way I see this. But good for her. It always seemed that Kayla was enjoying herself in gymnastics and if she isn't enjoying being elite, I give her a lot of credit for dropping back. Disappointing to see her go, I was looking forward to seeing the impact MLT had on her gymnastics, but it's great that she's doing it for her own happiness.

[mrs]

Originally Posted by Nicole19

I'm curious about the fact that she is staying in MLT's training group. I feel that MLT already has her hands full with 5 girls and it will be difficult having an additional girl with vastly different goals, possibly competing at JO's next year, etc as the article mentioned. I wonder if at some point she will drop back and train with level 10's at CGA. Does CGA have any current level 10's? That would change the way I see this. But good for her. It always seemed that Kayla was enjoying herself in gymnastics and if she isn't enjoying being elite, I give her a lot of credit for dropping back. Disappointing to see her go, I was looking forward to seeing the impact MLT had on her gymnastics, but it's great that she's doing it for her own happiness.

I could be TOTALLY out of the park on this one, but I think its MLT wanting to keep her name stamped on Kayla. Like, "Coach of former World Champion" type status.

Or maybe its for Kayla's sake so that her college knows what she's doing and having her in MLT's group that doesn't jeopardize that.

[481095ymg]

Seriously this pisses me off. What is it with Mary Lee's athletes just quitting on her???? I mean, we never even got to see her compete. Plus, really, I think she would Have had a better chance at elite than with NCAA, because (at least right now) the main thing that was good about her was her difficulty, and that won't help a whole lot in NCAA. Sure, it will get her started, but that's about it. I think what I'm most upset about is the fact that she never competed her amanar. I never really thought she would make it all the way to the olympics, but I thought that she'd at least try a little harder. I mean seriously, you'd think that with last years success she'd at least try to get her two vaults (along with the amanar that I could picture her doing well) perfected for next year.

Whatever Kayla, give up then.

[JennFyre]

Originally Posted by 481095ymg

. What is it with Mary Lee's athletes just quitting on her????

I saw it as Mary Lee listening to her girls and respecting the path they want to take. Being an elite is a different animal then a level 10 JO athlete. Like 10 to 20 hours more a week in the gym, weeks of travel to competitions and camp, and the money thing. If she can't go to Worlds why not save your body and move onto the phase of your life. College coaches can be very protective of their athletes even before they are done with high school.

[mrs]

She should have gone to Texas Dreams and work out along side Chelsea Davis. I can totally see Chelsea bring out the love of competing gymnastics out of Kayla again.

[481095ymg]

Originally Posted by JennFyre

I saw it as Mary Lee listening to her girls and respecting the path they want to take. Being an elite is a different animal then a level 10 JO athlete. Like 10 to 20 hours more a week in the gym, weeks of travel to competitions and camp, and the money thing. If she can't go to Worlds why not save your body and move onto the phase of your life. College coaches can be very protective of their athletes even before they are done with high school.

I was referring to Ashley Priess quitting at Nationals in 2008.