University of Minnesota Athletics
Gagnon Earns Home Province Athlete of the Year Nod
11/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota men's gymnastics sophomore Joel Gagnon was named Gymnastics Saskatchewan National Athlete of the Year at the annual Celebrate Gymnastics Awards Gala.
Gymnastics Saskatchewan recognizes the accomplishments of the organization's volunteers, coaches, officials, leaders and athletes in a variety of categories. Three finalists were selected by technical committees, Gagnon among the finalists.
"The awards committee took into account Gagnon's placings at the Canadian Championships, his selection to the National Team and his many successes as a rookie in the NCAA competition circuit with Minnesota," said Gymnastics Saskatchewan CEO Klara Kesmarky Miller. "In addition, Joel is a great role model for our younger athletes, always taking time to mentor them when he is home on vacation or school holidays."
The Regina, Sask. native trained at Taiso Gymnastics prior to becoming a Gopher. In club, Gagnon competed for Mark Baikas and was a member of the 2014 Canada Senior National Men's B Team.
Gagnon leads a storied club team resume. In the 2014 Elite Canada Senior Championships, he finished fifth on floor exercise, sixth on the high bar and earned seventh in the all-around. At the 2013 and 2012 Elite Canada Junior Championships, Gagnon was named the floor exercise champion and was the all-around champion the same year at the Saskatchewan Provincial Junior Championships.
In his freshman campaign at the University of Minnesota, Gagnon competed in all eight regular-season meets including the Big Ten and the NCAA Championships, earned All-American honors and received the Gophers' Freshman of the Year Award.
Gagnon made his collegiate debut at the Windy City Invite, finishing within the top five and at the final regular-season home meet, finished first on floor (15.00) and second on the high bar (14.60). At the Big Ten championships, Gagnon earned sixth place overall after earning a 14.425 on floor and finished sixth at the NCAA Individual Event Finals with a 15.375 performance.
###
Players Mentioned
