Mya Hooten: Soaring High into the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships
MINNEAPOLIS – In a thrilling announcement, Minnesota senior gymnast Mya Hooten has secured her spot as an individual qualifier for this year’s NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships. Hooten is set to dazzle audiences in Fort Worth, Texas, as she competes on the floor at the prestigious Dickies Arena from April 17-19.
A Journey to the National Stage
Hooten will take the stage during the first semifinal session on Thursday, April 17, alongside the Missouri Tigers. The excitement builds as Hooten prepares to rotate with Missouri, who will compete on the floor in the opening rotation. Her impressive 9.925 score during the Salt Lake City Regional semifinal last Thursday catapulted her to the national meet, marking her as the top finisher from a non-NCAA Championships-qualifying team.
The Glittering Legacy of a Champion
This marks Mya’s fourth appearance at nationals and her second as an individual competitor. In the previous years of 2023 and 2022, she made headlines as part of the Minnesota team that qualified for nationals. Hooten’s accolades speak volumes: she is a two-time NCAA Championships First Team All-American on Floor (2023, 2022) and a two-time Second Team All-American on Vault (2023, 2022). Her path to success has seen her excel as an individual, with her 2024 performance on vault earning her a score of 9.875, securing a tie for 17th place in the event—a heartbreaking close miss for a third career NCAA Second Team All-American honor.
Check out Mya’s stunning performances here.
Aiming for Greatness
In 2025, Mya aims to make history as Minnesota’s second national champion, with the last title claimed by Marie Roethlisberger in 1990 on the uneven bars. This year, Hooten was honored as a WCGA Second Team All-American on floor and celebrated her victory as Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week not once, but twice! With an astounding nine perfect 10’s on floor—an impressive school record—Mya made her mark as the first Golden Gopher to achieve a perfect score on floor.
Over her five illustrious years in the Maroon and Gold, Hooten has amassed an incredible total of eight WCGA All-America honors and four NCAA Championships All-America accolades. Her dedication and skill have cemented her legacy within Minnesota gymnastics.
Minnesota Gophers: A Season of Highs and Lows
This season has been a rollercoaster for the Minnesota Gophers (17-7, 8-1 B1G), culminating their journey in the NCAA Regional Finals in Salt Lake City. They delivered a commendable score of 196.825, finishing second in the Big Ten standings and concluding their Big Ten Championships with a respectable third-place finish. The Gophers have now reached the regional finals for the fourth time in the last five years—a feat matched by only one other Big Ten team. In the final Road to Nationals rankings, they finished 15th, showcasing their competitive edge and teamwork throughout the season.
Conclusion
As Mya Hooten prepares to shine on the national stage, her story is one of perseverance, artistry, and ambition. With her eyes set on making history and her heart dedicated to the sport, Hooten exemplifies what it means to be a champion. Let’s rally behind her as she looks to bring home the title for Minnesota gymnastics!
For updates and more information about the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships, be sure to follow the latest news at the NCAA Official Website.
