For most gymnasts who make it there, college gymnastics is the end of the road; the big finale to their career. But New Hampshire’s Melissa Doucette is not like most gymnasts.

In the spring, Doucette graduated from the University of Bridgeport. Her NCAA successes include career highs of 9.875 on vault, 9.725 on bars, 9.725 on beam, 9.9 on floor, and 38.925 in the all-around. She helped the UB Knights, a Division II program, beat Division I teams on a regular basis and capture multiple DII National Titles.

Instead of hanging up her grips and leotards like most gymnasts after graduation, Melissa Doucette decided that she just wasn’t done yet. She continues to train at a high level, and plans to compete as a level 10 with the prospect of elite gymnastics in the back of her mind.

We were thrilled to interview this incredible gymnast and share her remarkable story!

How did you get started in gymnastics? How old were you?

I started gymnastics at five years old in a regular recreational class at Kelly’s Gymnastics in Rochester, New Hampshire.

When did you realize gymnastics was something you were really good at?

I always loved learning new skills and moving up in the levels. I think I realized it when I made my first J.O. Nationals in 2008. That’s when I believed that I could get a college scholarship. Prior to 2008, I quit for three years due to a nagging shoulder injury that just wouldn’t heal. I quit at 13 years old, and at 16, I decided to come back to the sport with a new mindset and motivation. I knew that it was my second chance and I was determined to do anything to make my goals a reality.

Was level 10/NCAA always your goal or were you hoping to be an elite?

In the beginning I wanted to go elite. At 12 years old, I compete at an international meet in France, but unfortunately, injuries got in the way of the intensity of elite gymnastics. Just after this meet is when I needed a break and made the decision to quit. When I came back at 16, the mindset was to get a full scholarship and become a competitive level 10 gymnast.

Tell us about your college experience. What did you like most about college gymnastics?

I had a very unique college experience! I first competed at the University of Alaska-Anchorage on a full scholarship. I had a great experience in Alaska and learned a lot of the life lessons that come with being so far from home. After my sophomore year, I decided that I needed a more competitive gymnastics program and transferred to the University of Bridgeport on a full scholarship. At Bridgeport, I learned so much about myself and my gymnastics. I was coached by Byron Knox and Becky Ferraro. I couldn’t have asked for a better pair for the last two years of college. They were tough, but got me where I needed to be, both mentally and physically, so that I could have my best gymnastics.

You’ve had a lot of injuries. What motivated you to come back after each one?

Yes, I’ve had my fair share of injuries! With each of my injuries, I learned a lot with the time I had to take off from the gym. I would be in the gym doing rehab for my injury or conditioning to keep the other parts of my body healthy. At the same time, I would see all the other girls getting better and making progress. Throughout all of the injuries I just became more determined and eager to be a better gymnast so that I could reach my full potential. At 12, my shoulder injury was the reason as to why I had to leave the sport and with each new injury or surgery I knew that I didn’t want that to be the reason why I had to leave the sport again. When I do decide to move on to the next chapter of my life, I want it to be because I decided. Not my body forcing me to be done.

Most gymnasts retire after college. What made you decide to continue to train?

I decided to continue to see where it could take me. In the beginning, I wanted to make a video for Cirque Du Soleil. (I would still love to do that!) I also decided that I want to give level 10 another shot and try to qualify for Nastia Liukin Cup. I feel that if I still have the passion and love for the sport, and if my body can still do it, then why not!?

How often do you train? What’s a normal day like for you?

Every day is a bit different. I am a full time coach at Brentwood Gymnastics, so it can be difficult for gym time. A normal day for me would be: 10:00-1:30 train (by myself mostly or if a coach can come in by chance), 1:30-2:30 is a nap and lunch at the gym, then from around 3:00-9:00 I coach compulsory gymnasts. It is very difficult to train alone and it takes a lot of self-motivation and drill progression. During my work time, I usually have two 15 min. breaks, and at these times I will work with my coach on things that need a spot. I also send videos to get help via text when I am training alone! The coaches are very supportive and will help me in any way to reach my goals.

You’re also coaching at the gym you’re currently training in. What’s that like for you?

I believe my boss, the coaches, and the kids are all very supportive of it. The girls look up to me as a role model and are very excited to see their coach train alongside them! Brentwood is a very relaxed atmosphere and I like that. I am enjoying the sport more than ever!

Let’s talk about goals. What are your short term goals? What are your long term goals?

My short term goals are to stay healthy and to compete level 10 to the best of my ability. Every day, I would like to prepare myself properly so that I can have a positive outcome at my meets. My first meet is November 22 in Maine, hosted by Dudziak’s Gymnastics. My goal for the first meet of the season is to compete with confidence and work from there. I think it will be a good starting point for the season! My long term goals are to qualify to Nastia Liukin Cup, potentially qualify to elite, and send a video to Cirque. I can only do this by staying healthy and injury free long term! I have a lot of long term goals in the back of my mind that I would love to accomplish before I decide to move onto the next chapter of my life.

Everyone is dying to know: is elite gymnastics in your future?

I would love elite gymnastics to be in my future! So far, the training plan is to learn the skills, put them into a routine and just take it one step at a time and see where it takes me. The elite qualifiers are in January/February, so I believe we are going to keep training the skills, and at a later date, see if I am prepared to compete, then decide what route we want to take! I would love nothing more to have my body healthy enough to make my dream come true and qualify elite!

Could you list some of the skills and combinations you’ve been working on for each event?

Vault: double twisting Yurchenko onto hard mats, and Amanar into the pit
Bars: Shaposh + overshoot + toe hecht, Shaposh + pak salto, toe handstand + Tkatchev, Endo, toe handstand full, weiler kip, and double layout dismount
Beam: back handspring + LOSO + LOSO, side aerial +side somi, switch leap + switch leap ½ + back pike, standing Arabian, standing full, wolf jump +front tuck, front aerial + sheep jump, and double tuck dismount
Floor: double double, full twisting double layout, tucked full in, double Arabian, front tuck through to 2.5, double layout + split jump

What is your favorite thing about gymnastics? Why do you do gymnastics?

My favorite thing about gymnastics is feeling accomplished, whether it’s learning a new skill for the first time or meeting my daily goals. I love the feeling that gymnastics gives me when I accomplished what I set out to do. I do gymnastics because it keeps me focused and structured in my life. It sounds silly, but I like to stay involved in the sport because I can take what I learn in the gym every day to other areas of my life and feel just as accomplished.

Check out some videos of Melissa training all four events below!

Article by Sarah Chrane
Photos thanks to Melissa Doucette