Bay Area Gymnast Sets Sights on UCLA and Olympic Dreams
Mika Webster-Longin, a talented gymnast hailing from Richmond, has reignited her passion for gymnastics and is now ambitiously aiming for a spot on the Olympic team. This Bay Area teenager has made significant strides in the world of gymnastics, capturing attention last year by clinching the Developmental Program National Championship titles in uneven bars, floor exercise, and the all-around category.
“During the nationals, I was completely focused. The thrill of competition had me in its grip, and I was unwavering,” Mika recalls. “Before my victory, I was just another gymnast from East Bay. Winning made me realize my potential and ponder what more I could achieve in my sport.”
Her exceptional performance at nationals earned her an invitation to a National Team training camp last summer. “Being coached by the U.S. National Team coaches and receiving their affirmation was a surreal experience,” she shared.
Mika’s journey into gymnastics began at the tender age of four, long before she even knew what the sport entailed. “She was always bouncing and tumbling around the house, which was quite dangerous,” her mother recounted. “That led us to enroll her in gymnastics.” Just a year later, Mika was invited to join the team, and she hasn’t looked back since.
Now, Mika trains 35 hours a week while maintaining her status as an honor student at St. Mary’s College High School in Albany. Balancing her rigorous training schedule with her academic responsibilities requires a substantial support system. “I’m incredibly thankful for the support from St. Mary’s, from my principal, Dr. Imperial, to all my teachers who have been accommodating,” Mika expresses.
Despite the challenges, Mika’s dedication to gymnastics remains unwavering. “The love I have for gymnastics makes all the sacrifices worthwhile. I’m focused on my long-term goals, even if it means missing out on some things in the short term,” she says.
However, Mika’s journey hasn’t been without its obstacles. Around five years ago, she experienced a significant burnout. “I was facing many mental blocks, which is common in gymnastics, a sport that’s as much mental as it is physical. At that time, my coaches weren’t able to provide the support I needed,” Mika explained.
The turning point came when she switched gyms and coaches, finding a new home at East Bay Gymnastics in Concord. “Mika was afraid and burned out. She had lost her love for gymnastics,” her coach, Lisa Terry, observed. As a former gymnast, Terry could relate to Mika’s struggles and adopted a patient, understanding approach to coaching. “We built trust by addressing her anxieties and slowly working through them,” Terry said.
This change proved transformative for Mika, who said, “Moving to East Bay and working with Lisa has been magical. She helped me rediscover my love for gymnastics.”
Mika’s resurgence in the sport has led to a scholarship offer from her dream school, UCLA. “I’ve dreamed of competing for UCLA since I was eight. Committing to my dream school is just incredible,” she beams.
Moreover, Mika, whose father is Belgian, has secured a spot on the Belgian National Team, bringing her a step closer to her ultimate dream of competing in the Olympics. “The dream of every young gymnast, including myself, is to compete in the Olympics. Achieving that would be simply amazing,” Mika shared.
Her coach, Terry, believes that with Mika’s dedication and hard work, the 2028 Olympics are well within her reach. “Mika is extraordinary. She’s strong, graceful, and has so much potential. I believe she can reach any height she sets her mind to,” Terry concludes.