University of Minnesota Athletics
Q&A With Athena Geisness
9/12/2013 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Sept. 12, 2013
In the fourth segment in a five-part series of Q&As with Golden Gopher gymnastics freshmen, we sit down with Brooklyn Park, Minn. native Athena Geisness. Geisness was a three-time regional qualifier for regionals with her club, Midwest Gymnastics, and finished fifth on uneven bars at the Minnesota state meet in 2011. The new Golden Gopher also took home third place in the all-around at the 2012 Twisted Moose Gymnastics Meet and finished in the same spot at the 2012 Rising Stars Invitational. Additionally, Geisness captured fifth place on the floor exercise at the 2012 Northern Lights Classic.
GopherSports.com: How did you get started in gymnastics?
Athena Geisness: I started gymnastics when I was nine years old. I went to the high school right now the street from my house--it was like a recreational gymnastics thing and I really liked it so I went over to the club that's close to my house, too, and I started competing.
GS: What do you love most about gymnastics?
AG: It's like how it's like you're flying--it's fun to flip around. My favorite event is bars and it reminds me of the monkey bars from when I was a kid on the swing set.
GS: Have you noticed a big difference between club and college gymnastics so far?
AG: College gymnastics is definitely a lot more team-oriented. I think club gymnastics is more individual and you're doing it more for yourself.
GS: On the academic side of things, have you decided on a major yet?
AG: I'm planning on doing biomedical engineering, but I haven't officially decided yet.