Balancing Act: Mickayla Stuckey

Mickayla Stuckey is no stranger to competition. At 15 years old, she balances more in one day than most people her age. In addition to being your average teenager, Mickayla is a competitive gymnast at Cincinnati Gymnastics and also a competitive dancer at Inspire@DDS. Seven years ago, Mickayla's mom created a YouTube channel where she uploaded videos of her daughters progress in gymnastics and dance. (This is how we discovered Mickayla! Click here to check out her channel.) Mickayla began competing in both sports at the age of 4 and has since progressed into an award winning dancer and level 10 gymnast. Some of Mickayla's gymnastics accomplishments include qualifying as a HOPES pre-elite in 2014 where she placed 3rd on bars at the US Challenge. Mickayla is the 2016 Ohio State Champion on beam, floor, and in the all-around. She is also a 2016 JO National qualifier where she placed 5th on floor and 9th all-around. Earlier last week, Mickayla announced her commitment to Eastern Michigan where she has accepted a full ride scholarship. We caught up with Mickayla to talk about her college decision, how she balances two sports and much more!

How did you get started in gymnastics? 
I started my first class when I was about 15 months old. My mom was teaching at a local gym and I was always with her, so I did a mom and tot class with one of the other instructors while my mom taught the class.

Who was your idol growing up?
I have always looked up to Lexie Priessman! I have known her since I was five years old. She is a great gymnast, motivator, and inspiration. She has been through so much and I hope she has a great season at LSU this year! She deserves the best! Love ya Lex!

Ever since you were a little girl your mom has posted videos of you on YouTube. Your channel now has nearly half a million views! Is it cool for you to go back and look to see how far you've come? 
Wow, I had no idea it had that many views! That's crazy! It's cool to be able to look back and see how far I have come in the sport. I was so tiny! I also like watching my old dance videos.

You performed a floor routine at the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, how did that opportunity come about? Do you remember that performance or were you too young to realize? 
I do remember doing the Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, it was so fun! I have always loved performing! I think that was my first "big crowd!" I remember being so excited because Shawn Johnson introduced us and getting to meet her and Nastia! Mary Lee asked Pixie [Brock] and I if we would perform, which we were of course super excited about! Rachael put the routine together in a couple of hours and we did it that weekend.

(You can watch that performance here. The routine features former elites Amanda Jetter and Cassie Whitcomb along with Mickayla and Pixie Brock.) 

You train at CGA which is arguably one of the best gyms in the country. What is like training with so many amazing gymnasts? 
I love training at CGA! I can't see myself being anywhere else until I go to EMU! Training beside amazing level 10's and elites pushes me in a positive way to do my best everyday. I feel like I have grown in my gymnastics because of this environment.

Being a dancer and gymnast, you have a very busy schedule! What is a typical day like for you? 
I live about an hour and forty minutes from the gym, so on the average day I get up and leave the house by about 6:30am. I have gymnastics from 9-2 throughout the week, except Thursday is my day off. Saturday practice is 8-12. I dance on Tuesday-Thursday in the evening from about 5-9. I do online school in the car, on the weekends and a lot on Thursdays and any spare time in between.

Do you think your dance career has helped with your gymnastics? 
I feel like my dance has definitely helped with my gymnastics! I love the performance aspect on floor and beam!

Was there ever a time where you felt like you would have to choose between dance and gymnastics? 
Yes, there was a time when I thought I was going to have to choose. I did HOPES for awhile and thought I wanted to do elite. It would have been difficult to keep up with both. I don't want to stop dancing. I love both sports! I'm actually more accomplished in dance than gymnastics. I have won three national solo titles, was the 2014 Rainbow Teen Dancer of the Year and I am the current Teen Miss Applause Talent. I eventually want to own my own dance studio!

What would you consider your greatest accomplishment to be? 
I would consider the whole year of 2016 to be my greatest accomplishment! It has been a fantastic year for me! I qualified to JO Nationals where I placed 9th all-around, 5th on floor and 10th on bars. I made the Region 5 All Star Team and got to go to Costa Rica! And last week I accomplished a long term goal of committing to a full ride NCAA Scholarship! It's been a great year!

Can you talk about your decision to commit to Eastern Michigan? 
I am so excited to have verbally committed to EMU! My family, coaches and I felt it was a great fit for me. I love Sarah, Dallas, and Shea! It is the perfect distance from home. I love how much EMU has improved in the last couple of years! I can't wait to be apart of this team! Go Eagles!

What are your goals for the upcoming season? 

I want to keep making my gymnastics even better and stronger this season! I want to qualify to JO Nationals again this year and I would love to have the opportunity to go to the Nastia Cup! 

Congratulations on an amazing year, Mickayla! We wish you the best of luck in the future!