Welcome to Saturday Spotlight! Here, we dive deep into the lives of Ohio State student-athletes and learn more about their journeys to Columbus, their love of the Buckeye traditions and who they are as competitors and students.
As a redshirt junior on the Ohio State men's gymnastics team, Sean Melton understands what it takes to be a Buckeye. A two-time Big Ten champion, Melton possesses an impressive list of accolades on his current resume – and as he and the Buckeyes prepare for the NCAA tournament next week, Melton is also looking at the chance to make the United States squad.
We sat down with Sean this week to discuss how he chose to be a Buckeye, his best gymnastics moment and so much more.
When did you realize you might have a chance to compete in gymnastics at the collegiate level?
SM: I started taking gymnastics seriously when I was about eight or nine. I was doing soccer and taekwondo at the same time, then my coach told me that if I wanted to take it serious that I had to pick one so I picked gymnastics at that age. I started making the developmental team, the future stars national team and then kind of from then on I realized I wanted to do this and reach a high level. Then, when I was 12 or 13, I knew I wanted to compete in college gymnastics and make an Olympic team from there.
What drew you to come to Ohio State?
SM: Ohio State has a reputation like no other. You think of Ohio State, you think of amazing athletes, amazing education — but specifically with gymnastics, I think we have a coaching staff that doesn't compare with any other school. Our head coach has a resume that can match up with any other coach in the NCAA, then (coach) Casimiro (Suarez) was my coach in club gymnastics, so I had that relationship before college and that pulled me in also because he knows me almost better than my own parents do. It was kind of a mix of everything, and I came on my trip and everything just felt like home.
What is the best part about being an athlete?
SM: Just knowing that you're getting the best of both worlds. You're getting a great education while being at one of the best athletic schools in the nation, so I know some schools get one or the other, but I'm grateful to be at a university where both are at the elite level.
What’s been your best gymnastics moment in your career?
SM: What happened this past weekend was pretty sweet, how we won back-to-back Big Ten title. The first time was awesome, too, but I'd say this one was a little sweeter because we had so much adversity going with all the injuries. We had a total of six surgeries this year, but we knew that the guys we had healthy were capable of winning a Big Ten championship.
What are you studying? What are your plans after you receive your degree?
SM: I'm in hospitality management, so I'm on the business side of things and hopefully I can own my own business one day.
What’s been your favorite class at Ohio State and why?
SM: I took public speaking, and I was pretty nervous to take it because I don't like talking in front of people, but it was really fun, the teacher was awesome and I think it'll help me the most out of any class I've taken.
What’s your favorite part about/spot on campus?
SM: Anytime I walk to class, I walk through the Oval and just think 'Dang, this school is beautiful.' I know people rarely look around when they're walking to class, but I do and I just think, 'Wow, I'm lucky to go to this school.'
What's your favorite aspect of Columbus?
SM: I really like the Short North. The Short North has a really chill vibe, great food, so we always go down there to grab some food and hang out, especially during the summer.
What’s something that not a lot of people know about you?
SM: I'm a really family-oriented guy, and I do gymnastics for my family. Anytime I go to compete, I think of my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister and that's what drives me to be better every single day. Any accomplishment I get, I do it for them and I thank them for anytime I get to do anything I get to do.
What is something you would tell an incoming student about Ohio State that you'd like them to know?
SM: Take it all in, and have fun. Remember that we're all a part of the same school, the same university, the same Buckeye Nation, so help each other out and don't tear people down. At the end of the day, you're going to look back and think, 'Wow, that went by fast,' so don't beat yourself up over a bad test or quiz grade and just live it up.
