University of Minnesota Athletics
Get to Know Lone Rookie Timmy Kutyla
1/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Gymnastics
Minnesota men's gymnastics welcomed one freshman to their roster for the 2016-17 season, Timmy Kutyla (Wycoff, N.J.). Kutyla holds dual citizenship with the United States and Poland. He has been named a champion on high bar for at the New Jersey state level and was the 2015 Polish Junior National Champion on high bar, parallel bars and rings. In Saturday's win over Air Force, Kutyla made his collegiate debut competing on high bar and parallel bars for the Gophers. Get to know Minnesota's lone rookie in this Q&A.
Gopher Sports: How did you get into gymnastics?
Timmy Kutyla: As a kid, I had so much energy. I was always running around the house, jumping on couches, flipping off my bed, etc. My mom couldn't take it anymore, so she finally enrolled me into a gymnastics class to drain my energy. I fell in love with the sport and the next thing I knew, I was asked to join the team.
GS: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
TK: When I visited the U for my recruiting trip, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. I spent a lot of time with the team and coaches and really saw myself as one of the guys. I ultimately chose the University of Minnesota because of how the team and coaching staff work together to reach our full potential.
GS: What is it like being the only freshman on the team?
TK: To be honest, this was something that I was pretty nervous about. When I first landed in Minnesota, I was greeted by a bunch of the guys on the team. That was a pretty special feeling, and I realized in that moment that I had nothing to worry about. These guys are my closest friends, and I couldn't have asked for a better first year.
GS: What are your goals for this season?
TK: My goal this season is to compete on high bar and parallel bars, and to be able to help the team out in anyway possible.
GS: What have you learned from your time at Minnesota so far?
TK: I'm learning how important time management is. Between school and gymnastics, we have a pretty tough schedule, but it's also important to make time to relax, rest our bodies, and eat right.
GS: What makes gymnastics such a special sport?
TK: The dedication. It's non-stop work, sweat, and blood. Without the love of the sport, you won't survive. Gymnastics is as much about mental toughness as it as physical. You aren't always going to have great days in the gym, and when that happens, you need to be able to shift your focus onto the positives. A true athlete can take the negative days and turn them into positive ones, and that's what gymnastics is all about.
GS: What is the team culture like?
TK: The team is like a family. We do everything together: eat, train, and chill. We are constantly working our hardest towards accomplishing a common goal. There is rarely a day that goes by without seeing my teammates. Being so close to this group of guys is something that I value more than anything. My teammates are like my brothers and I am beyond grateful for that.
Quick Hits: Timmy Kutyla
Go-to warm up music: Rap
Maroon or Gold: Maroon
Favorite spot on campus: Cooke Hall Gym
Favorite meal: Steak with mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli
Gymnast you look up to: Kohei Uchimura
Players Mentioned
