Pictured, Molly Rickey of Columbia participates at a gymnastics competition earlier this year.

To say gymnastics is a tradition in the Rickey family is putting it mildly. Each of the four children of Michael and Julie Rickey of Columbia has been taking lessons since their toddler years.

Continuing the family tradition is seventh grader Molly Rickey, who has her sights set high.

“When she was 1, we enrolled her in a parent-child class,” Julie said. “She progressed through the competitive levels. She is currently a Level 9.”

Molly just wrapped up her competitive season April 29 with a strong showing at the Western National Championships in Missoula, Mont., posting a third place all-around finish.

She also placed eighth on vault, eighth on uneven bars, second on beam (her favorite event), fifth on floor, and for her age group in Region 4, she placed second.

The road to Western Nationals included competing at regionals by earning a qualifying score and finishing among the top seven in her age group. That was not a problem for Molly, who finished in third.

“Molly has worked very hard and had a very successful season,” Julie said.

The busy seventh grader trains 20 hours per week at St. Louis Gym Centre in Webster Groves, Mo., with coaches  Laura Faintich and Darrell Hazelwood. She is also an honor roll student at Columbia Middle School.

Molly is the youngest of four Rickey siblings. Big brother Sean is also a gymnast as well as a standout player on the Columbia High School soccer team, which won the state title in 2014. He will graduate this year from CHS and has signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Southern Indiana University. Sean has gained local fame for his acrobatic — and extremely effective — throw-ins on the soccer pitch that utilize a flip to give the throw momentum and distance, courtesy of a lifetime of gymnastics training.

Older sisters Bridget and Shelby are also gymnasts. Shelby recently had to retire from gymnastics due to a back injury but Molly trains with Bridget, 15, also a Level 9 gymnast.

Molly’s gymnastics idol is Simone Biles — 2016 Olympic hopeful and the first woman to win three consecutive world championships.

“She also looks up to her older brother,” Julie added.

With such role models, it’s easy to see that the sky is the limit for Molly Rickey.