Like any exceptional athlete, Riley McCusker knows the value of a team.
And shes only 22.
Let that sink in.
Portrait & action shot: Getty Images / Team celebratory Shot: Hannah White / Design by Channing Smith
Misty Copeland: I read that you were, as a child, full of energy.
Did you have dreams of becoming a gymnast before you were put into classes?
Riley McCusker:I had no idea what gymnastics really was.
I wanted to be doing cartwheels.
My mom put me in a gymnastics class at six years old.
Do you feel that you found your power and your voice through gymnastics?
Whats thatthingthat makes you say, This is what I was meant to do?
You could be improving on little details and techniques.
So I feel like theres always something to strive forjust trying to get a little percent better every day.
Ive had a couple of challenges, one going into this past season.
It was harder sitting out than I thought it would be.
And that was hard too.
Am I not competing?
So I was excited by how it ended up.
Whats one thing that you wish more people knew about being both a female athlete and a student athlete?
So Id like to give all the student athletes out there props for that.
How areyouable to balance these things?
Theres definitely a learning curve, and people have to figure out what works best for them.
My sisters going to be a freshman in college this year.
I think its important for all freshmen.
As athletes, were often told, This is what you do; this is how you express yourself.
You dont need to have a voice.
But its so important to be able to advocate for yourself.
Is there a standout moment that you consider one of your proudest achievements in your career?
Winning a world gold medal when we went to the World Championships.
Thats definitely one of my proudest moments.
Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your journey, and how have they motivated you?
Hands down, my family and my three younger siblings.
Theyve been there the entire time, and I couldnt be more thankful for them.
Theyre there on the good days.
Speaking of being downit comes with the territory for most performers and athletes.
In those moments I really venture to trust myself and trust the work I put in and my training.
And also whats cool about college gymnastics is that its a team sport.
And I had a cool epiphany moment this year.
It was our NCAA finals, it was day two, and we had [some missteps].
And I just felt their confidence.
And during that beam routine, I knew nothing could go wrong.
I felt like I had all the support in the world.
Whats something about yourself that youve grown to appreciate?
And I think that optimistic attitude has been something that Ive really grown to love about myself.
So Id really love to keep being a great role model for them.
How do you take the time to celebrate your achievements?
Whats your favorite way to unwind and just take a moment for yourself?
I have a dog, Sage, and shes a golden retriever.
I got her last year, and she is just this bubbly little happy, fluffy thing.
Whats next for you?
What chapter do you hope comes next?
Its something that really just lights me up inside.
And then I plan to go to med school after that.
