University of Minnesota Athletics
2012 Gymnastics Preview: Vault
12/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Dec. 13, 2011
In this four-part series, GopherSports.com will be previewing the 2012 women's gymnastics season event-by-event. Accompanying each preview will be a video which features head coach Meg Stephenson analyzing one Gopher gymnast's routine along with explaining what judges look for in that specific event. The first preview will focus on the vault.
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team looks to improve on vault in 2012 as it was on average the team's lowest scoring event last season. Head coach Meg Stephenson feels confident about this year's squad since a number of vaulters return this season.
"We will have another exciting vault team this season," said head coach Meg Stephenson. "We return a good group from last season, and we also have a few new vaulters in the mix that should help us out this season."
At the top of the Golden Gophers' vaulting list are sophomore Kayla Slechta and senior Lucy Ennis, who are the Maroon and Gold's top returners. Slechta placed third at the Big Ten Conference Championships during her inaugural season along with winning eight vaulting titles in the Gophers' 13 meets.
"Both Lucy and Kayla are very powerful vaulters, and we expect both of them to have great season this year," Stephenson stated. "Kayla may be the most powerful vaulter to come through Minnesota."
Stepheson also looks towards juniors Shannon Golich and Janell Campbell to contribute in the vault. Golich vaulted in each meet last year while Campbell participated in the event in all but two meets in 2011. Stephenson mentioned that Campbell will be showcasing a new vault difficulty this winter.
Another gymnast that will be displaying a new difficulty is Dusti Russell. The sophomore only vaulted in two meets last year, but Stephenson feels that Russell will help out the vault team this season.
The freshmen trio of Jenny Covers, Kylie Schermann and Cierra Tomson will also be looked at to step into action right away and contribute.
"We expect Cierra and Jenny to help us out right away in the vault," Stephenson declared. "Kylie has made a lot of changes since joining us and has become a student of the vault. We expect her to contribute later in the year."
Stephenson is also hopeful that sophomore Justine Cherwink, who is out for at least half the season with a lower leg injury, will come back later in the year and add depth in the event.
Check back later this week for a preview on the uneven bars.
Players Mentioned
