Lea Mitchell Reflects on Decision to Pursue Fifth Year with Spartan Gymnastics
11/23/2021 2:40:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics
By Naya Gros for msuspartans.com
Michigan State gymnastics star Lea Mitchell could have graduated and moved on with her life last year, leaving a long legacy of significant athletic and academic achievement. But she made a different choice, staying with the Spartans for a fifth year thanks to COVID eligibility.
Her journey at MSU was interrupted by the pandemic, as two seasons were canceled or significantly altered. Mitchell sees having more time at MSU as a blessing, and her teammates are also thrilled.
"I decided to stay another season because I felt like there was unfinished business and I had more left in the tank. Last year, we only had two meets, and I owed it to myself, my parents, and my teammates to give it one last try," said Mitchell. "I've sacrificed 18 years of my life to this sport, and I didn't want to end my career because COVID canceled our season.
"I also didn't want to look back and regret not doing another year. Besides, one more year with my girls was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
The Spartans were ranked No. 17 in the country prior to their season stopping early last March due to COVID.
Mitchell, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and recipient of the Big Ten Conference Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award (the first MSU female student-athlete to receive this honor, and the second Spartan overall), earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with a sports and broadcast concentration last spring. She is now pursuing a master's degree in journalism, with an international focus.
After completing her graduate program in summer 2022, Mitchell plans to get a job somewhere preferably in the journalism field. Mitchell is also interested in pursuing her PhD one day and maybe becoming a dean of a university.
She would prefer a warm state, but if an opportunity happens to be in Michigan or somewhere cold, she would definitely consider it. However, she said, "Florida is where my heart is and I hope to be living there."
Mitchell has positively impacted the gymnastics program in many ways. She leads the all-time most points scored for Michigan State, as well as receiving well-deserved recognition for her work in the classroom. Mitchell has received the Scholar-Athlete award, Academic All Big-Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, WCGA Scholastic All-America award, and she is on the athletics honor roll - receiving the highest honor.
Mitchell's choice to continue her collegiate career was also supported by her coaches.
"My coaches wanted me to come back for my fifth year because they felt I had more to give to the sport. They encouraged me the entire way and reminded me that all the goals I made for myself were within reach and I couldn't walk away just yet," said Mitchell.
Over her years at Michigan State, Mitchell has learned that it is okay to be her authentic self while competing in her sport. She has found true happiness while competing.
"My goals for this season are to have fun, break records and help the team get to regionals! The majority of my time in the sport, I have been so hard on myself that I almost lost joy," said Mitchell. "This year I want to cherish every moment, live in the present, and inspire others along the way."
Mitchell practices with the mindset of getting one percent better every day.
"I have been able to be a leader on the team by being a leader by example, but also a vocal one. I try to show up every day with a positive attitude and push the girls to give it their all each turn. I hold them accountable and allow them to hold me accountable too," said Mitchell. "I encourage and empower them in the gym and out. I remind them that we don't have to be here, but we get to be here so let's make it count."
Mitchell is strong in her faith and leans on it.
"My ultimate goal is to give the gift that God gave to me back to him and to inspire others along the way and that has helped me find joy," said Mitchell.
Nicole Jones, former four-time MSU All-Big Ten honoree and the team's associate head coach, has been helping and watching Mitchell grow as a gymnast and a person for the last four years.
"Lea has been a huge part of our program and knowing she was staying and the talent of our incoming freshman really fueled our fire. Confirming that we could accomplish anything we want this upcoming season," said Jones.
Mitchell is a couple of points shy of breaking MSU's all-around record, led by Jones.
"If there is anybody that I want to break my record it would be Lea because she has been the most consistent athlete that I have ever coached," said Jones."Lea is the queen of consistency. Lea is incredible! She is not like any other athlete that I have ever coached. She is very self-motivated and the most well-rounded student-athlete."
Jones marvels at Mitchell's ability to be successful as a gymnast and a student.
"The way she is able to balance student-athlete life, which is not easy, has been super impressive to me," said Jones.
Michigan State gymnastics star Lea Mitchell could have graduated and moved on with her life last year, leaving a long legacy of significant athletic and academic achievement. But she made a different choice, staying with the Spartans for a fifth year thanks to COVID eligibility.
Her journey at MSU was interrupted by the pandemic, as two seasons were canceled or significantly altered. Mitchell sees having more time at MSU as a blessing, and her teammates are also thrilled.
"I decided to stay another season because I felt like there was unfinished business and I had more left in the tank. Last year, we only had two meets, and I owed it to myself, my parents, and my teammates to give it one last try," said Mitchell. "I've sacrificed 18 years of my life to this sport, and I didn't want to end my career because COVID canceled our season.
"I also didn't want to look back and regret not doing another year. Besides, one more year with my girls was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."
The Spartans were ranked No. 17 in the country prior to their season stopping early last March due to COVID.
Mitchell, a first-team All-Big Ten selection and recipient of the Big Ten Conference Wayne Duke Postgraduate Award (the first MSU female student-athlete to receive this honor, and the second Spartan overall), earned her bachelor's degree in journalism with a sports and broadcast concentration last spring. She is now pursuing a master's degree in journalism, with an international focus.
After completing her graduate program in summer 2022, Mitchell plans to get a job somewhere preferably in the journalism field. Mitchell is also interested in pursuing her PhD one day and maybe becoming a dean of a university.
She would prefer a warm state, but if an opportunity happens to be in Michigan or somewhere cold, she would definitely consider it. However, she said, "Florida is where my heart is and I hope to be living there."
Mitchell has positively impacted the gymnastics program in many ways. She leads the all-time most points scored for Michigan State, as well as receiving well-deserved recognition for her work in the classroom. Mitchell has received the Scholar-Athlete award, Academic All Big-Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, WCGA Scholastic All-America award, and she is on the athletics honor roll - receiving the highest honor.
Mitchell's choice to continue her collegiate career was also supported by her coaches.
"My coaches wanted me to come back for my fifth year because they felt I had more to give to the sport. They encouraged me the entire way and reminded me that all the goals I made for myself were within reach and I couldn't walk away just yet," said Mitchell.
Over her years at Michigan State, Mitchell has learned that it is okay to be her authentic self while competing in her sport. She has found true happiness while competing.
"My goals for this season are to have fun, break records and help the team get to regionals! The majority of my time in the sport, I have been so hard on myself that I almost lost joy," said Mitchell. "This year I want to cherish every moment, live in the present, and inspire others along the way."
Mitchell practices with the mindset of getting one percent better every day.
"I have been able to be a leader on the team by being a leader by example, but also a vocal one. I try to show up every day with a positive attitude and push the girls to give it their all each turn. I hold them accountable and allow them to hold me accountable too," said Mitchell. "I encourage and empower them in the gym and out. I remind them that we don't have to be here, but we get to be here so let's make it count."
Mitchell is strong in her faith and leans on it.
"My ultimate goal is to give the gift that God gave to me back to him and to inspire others along the way and that has helped me find joy," said Mitchell.
Nicole Jones, former four-time MSU All-Big Ten honoree and the team's associate head coach, has been helping and watching Mitchell grow as a gymnast and a person for the last four years.
"Lea has been a huge part of our program and knowing she was staying and the talent of our incoming freshman really fueled our fire. Confirming that we could accomplish anything we want this upcoming season," said Jones.
Mitchell is a couple of points shy of breaking MSU's all-around record, led by Jones.
"If there is anybody that I want to break my record it would be Lea because she has been the most consistent athlete that I have ever coached," said Jones."Lea is the queen of consistency. Lea is incredible! She is not like any other athlete that I have ever coached. She is very self-motivated and the most well-rounded student-athlete."
Jones marvels at Mitchell's ability to be successful as a gymnast and a student.
"The way she is able to balance student-athlete life, which is not easy, has been super impressive to me," said Jones.
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