University of Minnesota Athletics
Outlook Is Bright For 2003 Women's Gymnastics Team
1/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"This team is highly motivated after appearing at the NCAA Championships and doing so well," said co-head coach Jim Stephenson. "They have trained hard through spring and summer getting ready for this season. They have set their sight on improving upon their performance from last year."
Minnesota has shown that it is ready to compete among the nation's elite teams. Despite losing one of their top gymnasts to graduation in Mary Anne Kelley, the Gophers return eight letterwinners from last year's squad, which set team records in total score (196.85 at Arizona) and vault (49.6 at UCLA). The team's finish at nationals was the highest in school history. One of the big advantages for the Gophers is that they have experience and several gymnasts who can contribute in a variety of events. Co-head coaches Jim and Meg Stephenson realize the importance of having a balanced team.
"Experience will be a big factor for us this season and we believe that we have good people filling the spots of the people that we lost," said co-head coach Meg Stephenson.
Jenny Alf, Leigh Dixon and Kelly Watson will provide the senior leadership for the 2003 Gophers this season. Alf, who suffered an ankle injury last season, looks to return to the form that made her an All-Big Ten selection on the balance beam in 2001. Dixon will be a major contributor for the Gophers on vault this season. She ranks third in school history on vault with a score of 9.925 (at Arizona 3/14/02) and placed eighth in vault at the Regional Championships. Watson was a top 20 finisher at the NCAA Regionals on the uneven bars.
Leading the way among the junior class is Annie Laatsch. Laatsch was a steady performer last season, winning the individual title on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships and finishing in the top 15 on the uneven bars, beam and floor exercise at nationals. Laatsch was an All-American last season in floor exercise.
Junior Mary Skokut joined Mary Anne Kelley last season to form a dynamic duo in the all-around competition. While Kelley has graduated, Skokut is primed to improve upon her 12th place finish at nationals. Skokut, an All-Big Ten performer last season on uneven bars, ranks third all-time in all-around score in school history after posting a mark of 39.375 against Iowa State (2/23/02) last season.
Junior Carrie Hortsch returns to provide the Gophers with experience on vault this season. Hortsch had a career-high score of 9.825 on vault last season at Iowa State and placed in the top 20 in vault at the Regional Championships.
Alicia Opsahl, a junior bars and beam specialist, set career highs in both events last season. She posted a 9.825 on bars at Iowa (2/17/02) and a 9.825 on beam against Illinois (1/5/02).
While the Gophers' sophomore class includes only one member, Carolyn Yernberg</ a> has shown that it only takes one person to have a huge impact. Yernberg posted a perfect 10 on the vault last season, marking only the second time that a Minnesota gymnast has ever accomplished that feat.
Yernberg gives hope to a promising freshman class that hopes to contribute during the 2003 season. Laura Johnson, Erin Murphy, Maria Opsahl</ a> and Kelly Stout are additions that both coaches are extremely pleased about.
"We are very excited about our current group of freshman. We feel that they will be a pleasant addition to the current team," said Jim Stephenson. After finishing second at the 2002 Big Ten Championships and finishing ninth at last year's NCAA Championships, the Golden Gopher women's gymnastics team believes that the best is still to come.
"This team is highly motivated after appearing at the NCAA Championships and doing so well," said co-head coach Jim Stephenson. "They have trained hard through spring and summer getting ready for this season. They have set their sight on improving upon their performance from last year."
Minnesota has shown that it is ready to compete among the nation's elite teams. Despite losing one of their top gymnasts to graduation in Mary Anne Kelley, the Gophers return eight letterwinners from last year's squad, which set team records in total score (196.85 at Arizona) and vault (49.6 at UCLA). The team's finish at nationals was the highest in school history. One of the big advantages for the Gophers is that they have experience and several gymnasts who can contribute in a variety of events. Co-head coaches Jim and Meg Stephenson realize the importance of having a balanced team.
"Experience will be a big factor for us this season and we believe that we have good people filling the spots of the people that we lost," said co-head coach Meg Stephenson.
Jenny Alf, Leigh Dixon and Kelly Watson will provide the senior leadership for the 2003 Gophers this season. Alf, who suffered an ankle injury last season, looks to return to the form that made her an All-Big Ten selection on the balance beam in 2001. Dixon will be a major contributor for the Gophers on vault this season. She ranks third in school history on vault with a score of 9.925 (at Arizona 3/14/02) and placed eighth in vault at the Regional Championships. Watson was a top 20 finisher at the NCAA Regionals on the uneven bars.
Leading the way among the junior class is Annie Laatsch. Laatsch was a steady performer last season, winning the individual title on the uneven bars at the Big Ten Championships and finishing in the top 15 on the uneven bars, beam and floor exercise at nationals. Laatsch was an All-American last season in floor exercise.
Junior Mary Skokut joined Mary Anne Kelley last season to form a dynamic duo in the all-around competition. While Kelley has graduated, Skokut is primed to improve upon her 12th place finish at nationals. Skokut, an All-Big Ten performer last season on uneven bars, ranks third all-time in all-around score in school history after posting a mark of 39.375 against Iowa State (2/23/02) last season.
Junior Carrie Hortsch returns to provide the Gophers with experience on vault this season. Hortsch had a career-high score of 9.825 on vault last season at Iowa State and placed in the top 20 in vault at the Regional Championships.
Alicia Opsahl, a junior bars and beam specialist, set career highs in both events last season. She posted a 9.825 on bars at Iowa (2/17/02) and a 9.825 on beam against Illinois (1/5/02).
While the Gophers' sophomore class includes only one member, Carolyn Yernberg</ a> has shown that it only takes one person to have a huge impact. Yernberg posted a perfect 10 on the vault last season, marking only the second time that a Minnesota gymnast has ever accomplished that feat.
Yernberg gives hope to a promising freshman class that hopes to contribute during the 2003 season. Laura Johnson, Erin Murphy, Maria Opsahl</ a> and Kelly Stout are additions that both coaches are extremely pleased about.
"We are very excited about our current group of freshman. We feel that they will be a pleasant addition to the current team," said Jim Stephenson.
