University of Minnesota Athletics
Ellis Mannon: The All-Around Guy
3/9/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
By Rachel Timmerman
After getting his start in the gymnastics world at the age of nine, senior Ellis Mannon has come to represent what it means to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota.
The Indiana native manages a packed schedule, with practice, events, and double majoring in chemical engineering and economics. Mannon also enjoys playing the violin, but said he hasn't had time to play it as much in college as he did in high school.
"I don't spend a lot of time doing extraneous things," Mannon said. "I basically spend all my time in the gym or working on school work, which makes it sound really boring but I guess it's just what I have to do to accomplish what I want to do."
Head coach Mike Burns said he has seen Mannon move in a positive direction athletically, along with maturing over his four years at Minnesota.
"He's a great student and he's performed quite well in the gym," Burns said. "He's a fun guy to talk to too because he can pretty much have a conversation on any topic. He's one of those guys that has the whole package deal going."
With pommel horse national, Big Ten and Winter Cup titles, Burns has noticed Mannon's confidence grow after a successful season last year.
"His confidence has sky rocketed as he has more success in any walk of life," Burns said. "[But] he's a really humble guy. He's willing to help the other guys on the team, he's a great example."
Mannon is also a gymnast that Burns doesn't have to worry about during competitions.
"He's very steady in the gym and on the competition floor - he's able to handle the pressure," Burns said. "From a coaching standpoint, it's pretty comforting because you feel stability and consistency from a guy like him."
One member of the coaching staff that spends a lot of time with Mannon is assistant coach Russ Fystrom. Fystrom works with Mannon at practice and mentors him, Burns said.
"Russ was the Big Ten champion in 1973, and last year Ellis was the Big Ten champion, so it was kind of a fitting tribute," Burns said.
This year, Mannon is nominated for Nissen-Emery Award - the Heisman Trophy of gymnastics. It's a senior class award given to an outstanding gymnast and scholar.
"To even get nominated at all is pretty great for me," Mannon said. "I'm very honored."
Though his season isn't over yet, his timecompeting at the Sports Pavilion came to an end this weekend as the Gophers hosted Iowa on Senior Night.
"It's really emotional," Mannon said. "I've had some great times, some good runs, some pretty sad ones too, but it all kind of came together this weekend. I've loved my time here and wouldn't trade it for anything."
Burns said he's excited to see Mannon enter that next stage in his life after college and bring some life lessons he's learned in gymnastics into the `real' world.
"Success is kind of a given in his life, it's just the way he handles himself," Burns said. "He's a very mature kid. I think as he goes into the working world, he's gonna turn heads the way he does in the gymnastics world."
Players Mentioned
