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Gophers Name 2020-21 Leadership Group
11/2/2020 4:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Six Gophers will lead the women's gymnastics team this season.
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Gopher women's gymnastics program has announced the leadership group that will serve for the 2020-21 season.
A total of six gymnasts will be utilized as a part of the leadership group consisting of Mary Korlin-Downs, Mallory LeNeave, Ona Loper, Abbie Nylin, Lexy Ramler and Tiarre Sales. This group was selected through collective input and voted on by the entire team.
"Our leadership group is integral to the success of our team both on a daily basis as well as on the competition floor," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "In our weekly meetings, we discuss different leadership topics as well as ways we can work together to create an environment that is fun, motivating and challenging for our student-athletes."
Mary Korlin-Downs is returning to Minnesota to use her fourth year of eligibility while also pursuing a master's degree. During her time with the Gophers, Korlin-Downs has been a staple in the beam lineup. She recorded a 9.900 on beam at the Rutgers quad meet in 2020, helping Minnesota to a program-record 49.700 on the event and has contributed to four of the top five balance beam scores in program history (49.700, 49.600, 49.550, 49.500). Before the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions because of COVID-19, Korlin-Downs capped off a spectacular senior season in March 2020 as she recorded a career-high 9.925 on beam at NC State. While Korlin-Downs has been a key contributor to the Minnesota beam lineup, she has also been a passionate leader throughout her career and a constant source of support and encouragement for her teammates. Following the 2020 season, Korlin-Downs was recognized for her leadership qualities and was selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
"I've spent the last three years learning to become a leader within the team," Korlin-Downs said. "The past two years I felt I was able to embrace that role and be a vocal leader in the gym. When I decided to come back, I knew I didn't want to take that leadership role away from anyone, especially the senior class, so I stepped into a new role for this year. I am here to support, encourage and advise my teammates, as always, while still stepping back and allowing other upperclassmen and leadership members to take initiative in leading the team!"
A native of Lee's Summit, MO., Mallory LeNeave enters her second season with the Gophers. As a freshman in 2020, she competed exhibition on floor and was one of the most vocal supporters of her teammates at competitions. LeNeave was recognized for her academic success by the WCGA and was honored as a 2019-20 Scholastic All-American.
"Being voted onto our leadership group is truly an honor because I get to serve the team in a new way," LeNeave said. "I'm humbled that the team trusts me to be in this position and their support has motivated me to embrace this new role."
Ona Loper had a season of a lifetime in 2020, highlighted by her first perfect 10 on vault and a career-best 39.625 in the all-around, to tie for ninth all-time in program history. Loper earned a pair of Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors on her way to 12 event titles. At the conclusion of the season, she was named a WCGA Regular Season Second Team All-American in the all-around and was an All-Big Ten First Team selection. Loper found success in the classroom and was Academic All-Big Ten and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient.
"Being in leadership has been a great opportunity to get outside of my comfort zone and grow as a person," said Loper. "It has allowed me to learn more about the important characteristics of strong leadership and has challenged me to not only lead by example but also to become a more vocal leader. I am thankful to be a part of a program that encourages personal growth both inside and outside of the gym and look forward to developing more as a leader over the next year."
A native of Rogers, Minn., Abbie Nylin has competed on beam and floor throughout her Gophers career and has garnered numerous academic awards. Nylin was an Academic All-Big Ten selection, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient and 2019-20 WCGA Scholastic All-American.
"To me, being elected to the leadership group means that I get the opportunity to lead my peers, set an example, and be a person to help and support my teammates," said Nylin.
Senior Lexy Ramler is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Minnesota history. Ramler made program history in 2020 when she became the first Gopher to record back-to-back perfect 10s on beam and was the first Gopher to notch a perfect 10 at Maturi Pavilion. She is a two-time Region 2 Gymnast of the year, two-time B1G Gymnast of the week during 2020, and was named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year for the second straight season. Ramler was a finalist for the prestigious Honda Sports Award in 2020, which acknowledges athletic achievement, as well as scholastic and community involvement.
"I absolutely love my team which is why it means so much for me to be able to serve my teammates by being a part of the leadership group," Ramler said. "Being a voice for my team, having the ability to make an impact, and helping develop the culture of the team has been an honor over the years. I have learned so much from the experience and I want to help others to continue the culture of excellence for years to come."
Tiarre Sales set career-highs on floor (9.850), bars (9.900), beam (9.975) and in the all-around (39.375) throughout the 2020 season. She was named the Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week once this season and earned her first career title on the uneven bars. She closed out the season ranked No. 7 on beam (9.895 NQS) and No. 9 on the uneven bars (9.865 NQS) in the conference. Sales was named to the All-Big Ten First Team as a sophomore and received Academic All-Big Ten honors.
"I've never really pictured myself in a leadership position, so being elected to this role was really encouraging," Sales said. "It was reassuring to know that my teammates trust me in this role and as a teammate in general."
A total of six gymnasts will be utilized as a part of the leadership group consisting of Mary Korlin-Downs, Mallory LeNeave, Ona Loper, Abbie Nylin, Lexy Ramler and Tiarre Sales. This group was selected through collective input and voted on by the entire team.
"Our leadership group is integral to the success of our team both on a daily basis as well as on the competition floor," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "In our weekly meetings, we discuss different leadership topics as well as ways we can work together to create an environment that is fun, motivating and challenging for our student-athletes."
Mary Korlin-Downs is returning to Minnesota to use her fourth year of eligibility while also pursuing a master's degree. During her time with the Gophers, Korlin-Downs has been a staple in the beam lineup. She recorded a 9.900 on beam at the Rutgers quad meet in 2020, helping Minnesota to a program-record 49.700 on the event and has contributed to four of the top five balance beam scores in program history (49.700, 49.600, 49.550, 49.500). Before the Big Ten and NCAA announced they were ceasing competitions because of COVID-19, Korlin-Downs capped off a spectacular senior season in March 2020 as she recorded a career-high 9.925 on beam at NC State. While Korlin-Downs has been a key contributor to the Minnesota beam lineup, she has also been a passionate leader throughout her career and a constant source of support and encouragement for her teammates. Following the 2020 season, Korlin-Downs was recognized for her leadership qualities and was selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
"I've spent the last three years learning to become a leader within the team," Korlin-Downs said. "The past two years I felt I was able to embrace that role and be a vocal leader in the gym. When I decided to come back, I knew I didn't want to take that leadership role away from anyone, especially the senior class, so I stepped into a new role for this year. I am here to support, encourage and advise my teammates, as always, while still stepping back and allowing other upperclassmen and leadership members to take initiative in leading the team!"
A native of Lee's Summit, MO., Mallory LeNeave enters her second season with the Gophers. As a freshman in 2020, she competed exhibition on floor and was one of the most vocal supporters of her teammates at competitions. LeNeave was recognized for her academic success by the WCGA and was honored as a 2019-20 Scholastic All-American.
"Being voted onto our leadership group is truly an honor because I get to serve the team in a new way," LeNeave said. "I'm humbled that the team trusts me to be in this position and their support has motivated me to embrace this new role."
Ona Loper had a season of a lifetime in 2020, highlighted by her first perfect 10 on vault and a career-best 39.625 in the all-around, to tie for ninth all-time in program history. Loper earned a pair of Big Ten Gymnast of the Week honors on her way to 12 event titles. At the conclusion of the season, she was named a WCGA Regular Season Second Team All-American in the all-around and was an All-Big Ten First Team selection. Loper found success in the classroom and was Academic All-Big Ten and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient.
"Being in leadership has been a great opportunity to get outside of my comfort zone and grow as a person," said Loper. "It has allowed me to learn more about the important characteristics of strong leadership and has challenged me to not only lead by example but also to become a more vocal leader. I am thankful to be a part of a program that encourages personal growth both inside and outside of the gym and look forward to developing more as a leader over the next year."
A native of Rogers, Minn., Abbie Nylin has competed on beam and floor throughout her Gophers career and has garnered numerous academic awards. Nylin was an Academic All-Big Ten selection, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipient and 2019-20 WCGA Scholastic All-American.
"To me, being elected to the leadership group means that I get the opportunity to lead my peers, set an example, and be a person to help and support my teammates," said Nylin.
Senior Lexy Ramler is one of the most decorated student-athletes in Minnesota history. Ramler made program history in 2020 when she became the first Gopher to record back-to-back perfect 10s on beam and was the first Gopher to notch a perfect 10 at Maturi Pavilion. She is a two-time Region 2 Gymnast of the year, two-time B1G Gymnast of the week during 2020, and was named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year for the second straight season. Ramler was a finalist for the prestigious Honda Sports Award in 2020, which acknowledges athletic achievement, as well as scholastic and community involvement.
"I absolutely love my team which is why it means so much for me to be able to serve my teammates by being a part of the leadership group," Ramler said. "Being a voice for my team, having the ability to make an impact, and helping develop the culture of the team has been an honor over the years. I have learned so much from the experience and I want to help others to continue the culture of excellence for years to come."
Tiarre Sales set career-highs on floor (9.850), bars (9.900), beam (9.975) and in the all-around (39.375) throughout the 2020 season. She was named the Big Ten Event Specialist of the Week once this season and earned her first career title on the uneven bars. She closed out the season ranked No. 7 on beam (9.895 NQS) and No. 9 on the uneven bars (9.865 NQS) in the conference. Sales was named to the All-Big Ten First Team as a sophomore and received Academic All-Big Ten honors.
"I've never really pictured myself in a leadership position, so being elected to this role was really encouraging," Sales said. "It was reassuring to know that my teammates trust me in this role and as a teammate in general."
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