Mya Hooten the only Gopher gymnast competing in nationals
MINNEAPOLIS — Mya Hooten's infectious and exuberant reactions have become her signature. The moments after the Gophers senior nails a routine provide a season unlike any other.
"I can't even describe the feeling because literally feel like I'm in a dream when it happens," said Hooten. "It's just so much fun and all the cheering and my teammates and my coaches hugging. The hugs after a routine is my favorite part in the world. The 10 seconds after the routine when I'm hugging, clapping hands with everybody is the best feeling ever."
Hooten is the last Gopher gymnast left competing this season. She is heading to nationals to compete in the vault. Hooten missed qualifying in her best discipline, the floor.
"It was kinda heartbreaking in the moment," she said. "Because I've been working so hard and I've been ranked number two, and to not go. But Raena [Worley] who made it deserves it and I'm so excited for her and to cheer her on."
Hooten is the only Gopher to ever score a perfect 10 on the floor. She's done it 10 times over the course of her career at the University of Minnesota. In that discipline, she's the best Gopher to ever do it.
"That is still so crazy to me," said Hooten. "To be the first one to score a perfect ten here, it just means so much. To have all the love and support from the fans and my family and my teammates and my coaches. It means so much to me."
A Woodbury native, Hooten is already working on her master's at the University of Minnesota. She does have a year left of eligibility and says she's undecided on whether this is her last season of gymnastics.
"This was the best four years of my life," she said. "I wouldn't regret anything. No regrets at all. This was my place and my home."