10 Questions with Skylar Killough-Wilhelm

‘All-Around’ Artistry

BY MARK MOSCHETTI • FOR GO HUSKIES MAGAZINE

Walk into a University of Washington gymnastics meet, and it might take a few moments to spot Skylar Killough-Wilhelm. The Husky star senior could be anywhere.

That’s because she’s usually everywhere.

Killough-Wilhelm is the only UW athlete who competes regularly in all four events every meet: vault, uneven parallel bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. That has been true for the past two years and it’s true again this year as the Huskies head into the prime portion of their schedule.

The regular season winds up on March 15. The Pac-12 Championships are March 23 in West Valley, Utah, followed by the regionals April 3-5 at a site to be determined. The NCAA National Championships are April 18-20 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Poised to play a big role in how far the team goes is Killough-Wilhelm. From the start of her college career in 2021, she has been an all-arounder. In fact, she was the first UW freshman to go all-around since 2014, and just the fifth Husky to go all-around in her first college meet.

Through mid-February, Killough-Wilhelm had set a new allaround career high of 39.575 points (Feb. 5 at Stanford) and tied her balance beam career high of 9.925 three times.

In this issue’s 10 Questions, Killough-Wilhelm talks about doing all four events, including which of those four is her favorite.

Husky all-around gymnast Skylar Killough-Wilhelm talks about her favorite event, training routines and a possible post-collegiate career

Looking at your results over the years, you’ve enjoyed success in all four events. Is there one that is absolutely, undeniably your favorite — and if so, why that particular event?

“I have always loved the bars. Being able to swing and feel each movement through continuous motion has always made it the most fun for me.’’

You were UW’s only all-arounder in 2022 and 2023. What drives you to put so much effort into all four when so many other gymnasts focus on one or two events?

“Most gymnasts do all four throughout club gymnastics. So, when I transitioned into college, I knew I had wanted to do the same. Every event is very different, so getting to do more allows me to take my mind off of the others.’’

With that in mind, how do you structure your training and practice time — do you try to work out on all four events every day, or do you set aside a day or two at a time to work just one event in particular?

“Typically, during the season, I will do three events a day. I do bars and beam every day and will alternate between vault and floor every other day. That being said, I will try to go to the event I didn’t do skills on and do either drills or conditioning specific to that event.”

Of the four events, which one is the most physically demanding for you? Which one is the most mentally demanding?

“As for physically demanding, I would say the vault requires the most from my body. Having to put 100 percent of my power into each turn requires me to take care of my body outside of the gym while being as intentional as possible in the gym. Similarly, beam requires the most mental focus because the routines are longer. So being extremely intentional on each turn is important because this event can take the longest.”

How and when did you get started in gymnastics?

“I was put in art and gymnastics when I was 5 as this was all they offered at our local community center. I became fascinated by how cool the older girls were and enjoyed tumbling a lot more than art. I started competing when I was 7 and that love took me all the way here.”

This sport can be incredibly demanding to reach this high level. Over the years, how have you kept yourself going through all the high and low moments that are just part of gymnastics?

“Having those moments is just part of life, let alone sports. For me, I have had those moments, but remembering that it’s about how you respond to that adversity is what is most important. Having a positive mindset and remembering your long-term goals can help me change my perspective when things get tough.”

Of the coaches you’ve trained with through the years, was there one who was influential in helping you get to where you are today? How did that coach help you do that?

“Each coach I’ve had has had a different perspective on coaching, and in every way, that has shaped me into the person I am today. That being said, I was injured when I was 15 and I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it back to the sport. Dan Miller, my coach in Iowa, never doubted my abilities, held me to a high standard, and instilled confidence in a way that allowed me to keep pushing my potential. I wouldn’t be here today without him.”

You’re from Iowa and came all the way out to Seattle. That’s a long way from home. What got you here?

“I fell in love with UW and the opportunity it would provide when I first looked it up. The campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation and along with their prestigious athletics and academics, I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

The heart of the season is coming up with Pac12s, regionals, and the NCAAs. What are your thoughts and goals heading into that part of the schedule?

“Staying healthy and continuing to have a steady build, both individually and as a team, is what we all have been focusing on this year. As a senior, going into each competition having gratitude and competing for something bigger than myself has been something I have been really focused on. My goal is to continue to carry this mindset into the postseason and just enjoy doing what I love.”

Your major is public health / global health, and that could open a lot of different career doors for you. Is there a particular aspect of that field that you’re looking to focus on after graduating?

“I have really enjoyed learning about public health and how we can contribute as a society to the overall health of our communities. I want to use this background to apply to nursing school to get my BSN and get that hands-on experience.”