When asked to describe gymnastics, former Michigan State wrestler Pete Schultz said this in a YouTube video released on February 26 – “It’s one of the most beautiful things there, right?” It probably makes gymnastics more attractive because he sees so much similarity between it and his sport, wrestling. For Pete, wrestling is “one of the greatest sports on the planet.” He sees how both gymnastics and wrestling need fitness and mental strength. However, his soft spot for gymnastics is undoubtedly because of his daughter. Adorable!
How do you describe Skyla Schultz’s gymnastics? Flamboyant, aggressive yet graceful, powerful, dominating, and confident. When she takes the mat, her assured personality reflects in each routine, with each element performed. The energy and confidence are almost infectious. Watching his daughter being just amazing and spectacular is among the greatest moments for a father. Pete lives those moments every week, thanks to Skyla.
Skyla Schultz has made her dad so proud
Big Ten Network released a YouTube feature named ‘Spotlighting Skyla Schultz | Michigan State University | On The Beam’ on its channel on February 26. It’s a short video about how Skyla became a Spartan and how proud she has made everyone. Her father is the proudest of them all. And it’s not because she is the first all-around Champion in a Big Ten Championship for the Spartans.
He just wanted his little girl to enjoy being a gymnast: “For big meets, I used to write little notes to her, and then senior year I just said – Hey champ, just have fun, go out there and do it.” But as a father, to see, Skyla become a professional and get the job done to help her team win is priceless. Those moments are the ones that make a parent go – That’s my daughter.
Only superlatives for his daughter from Pete, “Just awesome, nerves of steel, she stuck everything. The team,” the father could not hold back his tears of pride and joy, “You are bringing tears to my eyes.”
It was one of the greatest accomplishments Skyla has achieved in life!
Via Instagram @Skyla Schultz
Why wouldn’t he?
This remains a guy who was championing slogans and chants while her daughter performed. She made him the biggest Spartan fan. His infectious support permeated through the Michigan base. He got them chanting together, cheering those girls on. It all came together for Skyla and a father who wanted to ensure his daughter had all the support and energy she needed.
Eventually, it even helped Michigan State to win its first-ever Big Ten Conference Championship. Skyla has been one of the best performers for Michigan State. Even though her 2024 season was special, take nothing away from her other seasons with the Spartans.
Michigan State Gymnastics brought in a star in 2022
Michigan State was ranked #56 in 2021. Enter Skyla Schultz of Plainfield East High School. She had been a prominent talent even before taking the stage at Michigan. So, expectations may have been there. Being Pete Schultz’s daughter meant she would be an athletic unit. Since 2022, the Spartans have skyrocketed into the stratosphere – ranking #9, #11, and #14. Even in the 2025 season, they are 7th on the table right now.
And what about Skyla? She was obviously the 2024 all-around champion in the Big Ten Conference Championship with 39.600. But she also shared the Floor title with a score of 9.950. That 2024 season helped her win the prestigious George Alderton Female Athlete of the Year.
But as we mentioned before, Skyla was not just a 2024 star. She has been a Big Ten Gymnast of the Week 4 times since 2022, bagging one in her freshman year only. In her freshman year only, she won the Big Ten Freshman of the Week award 5 times. Simply staggering!
More examples to convince you how she has been a top gymnast at the Michigan State Gymnastics program since 2022? Her all-around career-high score came in 2022, with 39.675. Her Vault career high was in 2023 with 9.925. The same goes for Bars – 9.950 in 2023. Finally, 2024 saw her best the Beam score with 9.950 while she also peaked in her Floor routine with 9.975 in 2024.
But this only showcases her consistent level of performance spread over 3 seasons. Skyla Schultz, you are a star!
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