Henderson’s Kailin Chio takes gymnastics world by storm in freshman season
LSU freshman Kailin Chio won the NCAA individual vault title and is a seven-time All-American. Photo courtesy LSU Gymnastics: Gianpaolo Nicolosi
By W.G. RAMIREZ
LAS VEGAS — Reminiscent of ABC's 1970’s Wide World of Sports, a range of emotions that could easily be defined by the show's famous introduction - "… the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat; the human drama of athletic competition" - was on full display in the most wholesome manner for about 15 seconds as LSU freshman Kailin Chio's remarkable season came to an end in the NCAA Gymnastics Elite 8.
Moments after UCLA advanced into the final round, sneaking past LSU by mere decimal points, Chio, who was born in Henderson, and former club teammate Macy McGowan embraced with both overcome by emotions.
Kailin Chio honed her skills at Gymcats in Henderson. Photo courtesy LSU Gymnastics: Bella Kanelopoulos
"It's okay ... this is your time," Chio told UCLA's McGowan, her friend's face resting gently in her hands.
Leave it to Chio's endearing ways that had already captivated a fanbase she'd grown exponentially since her first collegiate performance, but then to do it again in a humbling moment, ever so gracious in defeat.
As the saying goes, Kailin Chio is 'HER'.
Chio, who made her collegiate debut on Jan. 3 in a meet against Iowa State, set a conference record when she was named SEC Freshman of the Week nine times this season. And on the same night she was happy for McGowan and consoling her teammates, oh yeah, she won the NCAA vault title with a 9.975.
"This season has meant everything and more," Chio, 18, told WGRamirez.com. "Coming in as a freshman, I didn’t know what to expect, and I was just excited to be here and officially be an LSU Tiger.
"It all went by so fast, and it’s more than I ever could have imagined: the fans, the community, my teammates, the coaching staff. I couldn’t have asked for anything more."
REPPIN' NEVADA
While a Mount Rushmore of athletes from Southern Nevada would likely include Greg Maddux, Andre Agassi and Jerry Tarkanian, a monument for the gymnasts who have come through Cassie Rice's Gymcats training facility would be understandable.
From as far back as 2000 Olympic medalist Tasha Schwikert, to now with Chio and LSU teammate Konnor McClain, who trained at Gymcats at a younger age, Rice's facility has produced some of the nation's best gymnasts at every level.
Chio, who told her Gymcats teammates she wanted to attend LSU at 8 years old, credited the facility for the gymnast she's become.
"Growing up at Gymcats, having Cassie and (Junior Olympic team director) Jill (Preston) by my side through it all has been exceptionally helpful," Chio said. "I think they have taught me every single thing that I know how to do today. And not just being a person, but my gymnastics.
"They have done such a great job with me, and I'm just so grateful to have been able to get coached by them. Having such a positive experience from elite to club to level 10 ... everything to here, it's been everything I've ever dreamed of."
The intense training at Gymcats also helped Chio head into her initial season at LSU with "all gas and no breaks” to stay focused on improving each week and honing in on her skills while helping her team evolve.
And as she continued to fulfill her dreams and stamp her mark nationwide, she took pride in the town she represents.
"It's not a place known for gymnastics," Chio said. "It's always known for lights, it's sports, it's the Strip, everything like that. That's all you hear about. No one really knows about it until you talk about it. But I think growing up in Vegas, it's cool to say. I love saying that I'm from Vegas. I love saying that I'm from the West Coast, especially when I'm down here.
"It's cool to say that I'm a local, and it's cool to say that there are a lot of good teams out here, whether or not you know them or not. And I think that it's really cool to see that the gymnastics aspect - not only just gymnastics - everything is coming here. I think that it's just kind of cool to see Vegas is up and coming in all sports."
Chio has always wanted to represent her hometown, and that includes at a national level. She became age-eligible for senior competition with the national team in 2022 but didn't compete during the season due to injury.
Though she said she's looking to advance her career cautiously and methodically, she didn't rule out competing for a spot on Team USA in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
"After I stepped down, I was devastated," Chio said. "It wasn't what I wanted. I told my parents at the age of 5 that I wanted to go to the Olympics, and I wanted to make it happen. I was working my whole life for it. You work so hard for this one long goal that you want to do, and that just comes short because of injuries or anything like that.
"But I think I'm just trying to take it one year at a time, see how my body heals up. It's not out of my brain yet, but I think I'm just trying to take it one year at a time and see where I am in the next year or so."
YOUNG GOAT
Fondly referred to as "KK" per her Wikipedia page, social media sensation Olivia Dunne one-upped Chio's nickname with two words and an emoji everyone loves to use to label those deemed the greatest. Dunne, who has 5.3 million followers on Instagram and another 8 million on TikTok, put everyone on notice, as if the freshman's successful season wasn't glaring enough.
As many seniors do in college, Dunne seemingly took Chio under her wing this past season, and the two formed an incredible bond that unfolded charmingly across social media. From adoring TikTok videos to Instagram stories and posts to Snapchat shorts, the sisterly bond quickly became infectious.
Dunne referred to Chio as her "daughter" in one post, as their friendship blossomed throughout the season.
But after Chio nailed a perfect 10 on vault against Auburn (see video), and again after being named SEC Freshman of the Year, Dunne made sure everyone knew on LSU's post: "YOUNG GOAT 🐐"
"I saw that comment, and I was so appreciative, because that's not something that's easily thrown out there," Chio said. "And so for her to say that, coming from her who has such a big following, and (competing) underneath Haleigh Bryant, it's just kind of crazy to know who I'm in the room with.
"Her and I have gotten close, and ... it's so great to see that's how my teammates kind of see me a little bit, and not only just my gymnastics, but I'm hoping my personality, too."
Chio said it's been her teammates, both on and off the mat, that have given her motivation to do her absolute best every time they stepped on the mat.
It worked.
Chio not only closed her first season as the NCAA vault champion, but is now a seven-time All-American. The freshman was named All-America in the all-around during the regular season and also after earning WCGA All-America recognition on every event. Lastly, the freshman added two postseason All-America honors to her resume on vault. She is just the third freshman in LSU history to win an individual NCAA title after posting the highest vault score across both semifinal sessions on Thursday (9.9750).
And just as humble as she was about Dunne's praise, Chio sidestepped her individual accomplishments and instead showered her team with flowers.
"With the season over, I'm nothing short but heartbroken and devastated with how our season ended," Chio said. "But, I’m so beyond proud of this team and what we have accomplished this year, going back-to-back SEC conference champs, winning the regular season, and having six straight 198+ scores.
"This team has done so much, and although it wasn’t the outcome we wanted, this is the fuel that lights the fire for next season. Our revenge tour starts now."
