Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Impresses Judges with Her Flawless Floor Routine
Mary Lou Retton’s daughter, McKenna Kelley, did an outstanding routine during the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, leaving Holly Rowe in awe as she tweets about the “wonderful final performance.”
McKenna Kelley is on the brink of an impressive gymnastics career as she performed a flawless floor routine during the NCAA finals, representing Louisiana State University.
Among those who were impressed by Kelley was a sports journalist, Holly Rowe, who took to Twitter her sentiments, calling the performance a “cool experience” as she was a fan of her mom, Olympic gold medalist, Mary Lou Retton back in the days.
LSU bagged second place for the fourth time since 2014 as Oklahoma won the championship and UCLA placed third. However, the team was thrilled and proud of their placement this year.
Kelley was last to perform during the night, giving a grand finale to the judges and audience while doing a smooth and clean one-minute routine which earned her a score of 9.95; so close to the perfect 10.
After Kelley executed various stunts which showed flexibility, strength, and energy, basic components of gymnastics, the crowd of purple and gold went wild cheering for their champion, including her Retton who blew her daughter a kiss and held up a perfect-10 with her fingers.
Kelley garnered her first perfect score of 10 during LSU’s senior night in March. Of course, her ever so supportive mom was present among the crowd, cheering for her daughter doing the sport they both love.
“I try to make every competition I can,” Retton said in a 2016 ESPN interview. “I tell her every season, ‘McKenna, I’m really gonna do it this season. I’m gonna sit down like most of the other parents and just clap when you go and be quiet and civilized,’ And I just can’t help myself!”
Retton is retired gymnast and one of the most famous American athletes who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, winning a gold medal in the individual all-around division and two silver and bronze medals.
Late last year, she also joined “Dancing with the Stars, with her partner, Erin Andrews, but ultimately got eliminated during the Halloween episode. It was also during this time that she went through a divorce with her husband of 27 years.
Following their mom’s footsteps, her daughter’s have followed her steps in being successful athletes, especially Kelley who has gained her mom's full support.