Now, it is not a new thing to say that the world often sees one’s triumphs and titles. And as for the hard work and the years of blood, sweat, and tears? They are left in the shadows of lightbulbs. The same is also true for gymnasts, and it was in full showcase at the NCAA semifinals yesterday. One Minnesota gymnast had such a run. But while she did end her collegiate career, even while doing so, she established herself as a true champion, while her past life story came as a testament of shock for everybody. But who are we talking about?
Well, the gymnast we are talking about is none other than Mya Hooten. Playing for the Gophers, she was the lone Golden Gopher who could make it to the National level individually. Playing for Missouri, Hooten dropped a fantastic 9.8875 to steer her team to the NCAA finals for the first time. And not only that, Hooten also took home the Second Team All-America honors. Overall, this was her 13th occasion of getting the accolade. Unfortunately, behind all of these bright lights lies a terrible childhood experience that almost derailed Mya Hooten’s life.
Born to Kari Conroy and Phil Hooten, Mya’s life seemed perfect. Until she heard about her parents getting divorced after 11 years! The separation of her parents meant that Mya was being raised by her single mother. But life was tough. As both her parents were busy in rebuilding their lives, Mya got entangled in all of this. And quite expectedly, things began to take a turn for the worse for Mya. She began to lose interest in her studies, gymnastics, and training.
Mya Hooten ended her historic career at Minnesota with a 9.8875 on floor at the NCAA Gymnastics Championships.
She took home NCAA Championships Second Team All-America honors, her 13th career All-America nod.
: https://t.co/KtgHJDTMiH pic.twitter.com/oPiF3RcZfM
— Minnesota Women’s Gym (@GopherWGym) April 18, 2025
Going on like this for a while, her coach dropped one of the biggest bombshells soon after. Mya Hooten lost her scholarship! Not knowing what to do next, Mya desperately went searching for a new coach. Mya located Bryon Hough from Classic Gymnastics in Chanhassen. However, Hough, being a man of discipline, was not eager to take Mya under his wing.
He stated that Mya’s reputation was not up to the mark and that she needed to get herself disciplined to succeed in life. With Mya Hooten’s back pressed against the wall, Coach Hough made a decision that changed her life for good. Hough introduced Mya to her adoptive parents.
The coach who found Mya Hooten a family
He couldn’t take her in himself, but he couldn’t stop thinking about how to help her. When the weight of the situation overwhelmed her mother, Mya Hooten’s coach, Hough, became the quiet architect of a life-changing move. “Why don’t you take her?” Conroy had said to him in a moment of despair. And though he knew he legally couldn’t, his mind immediately began racing.
Hough was at the center of the search for a host family when Sarah Zeiher casually asked how camp week had gone. His honest response—” one of the hardest weeks of my life”—stunned her. Then he mentioned the idea of finding a host family for Mya, and something clicked. “I thought, ‘Well, this is it,’” Sarah recalled. No logistics, no plan. Just instinct.
The Zeihers sat down with Hough, who laid out the entire situation, including a signed paper from Conroy surrendering her parental rights. There was only one blank — the name of the legal guardian. They agreed to meet Hooten. After hearing her say, “I’ll never be able to repay you,” Matt’s lip quivered. A stoic Midwestern man, he didn’t need more words.
Hough ensured the Zeihers wouldn’t bear the costs. He covered travel, waived club fees, bought her a car, and even hired an ACT tutor for her. But that’s not all. Everything, just to give her a shot. Hooten’s coach just knew one thing: that he would not give up on the little one. And he didn’t.
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