University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Black History Month: Ciara Gardner
2/4/2020 6:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Ciara Gardner earned her first varsity letter in women's gymnastics in 2015, her first year as a Gopher. Her freshman season, she appeared in all 14 meets for the Gophers and competed in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, and all-around. By her junior season, Gardner was named Most Valuable Performer. She placed sixth on beam with a 9.850 at NCAA Regionals and competed for Minnesota in the all-around at B1G Championships in 2017. In her senior season, 2018, Gardner competed on vault, beam, and floor. She earned a career-best score of 9.925 on floor in a meet at Ohio State, which contributed to Gophers' floor score of 49.550, the highest team score since 2004. She recalls her favorite Gopher memory as winning the Big Ten regular season championship! Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Gardner was active in the university community. Her advice for current student-athletes is take advantage of the opportunities and tools that the university has to offer.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
Black History Month means a time to celebrate African-Americans and our culture, and a time to look back and be thankful for what African-Americans did for us and how they paved the way for future generations.
How have you been influenced or inspired by other Black athletes, role models, or leaders in your life?
I have been influenced and inspired by Black leaders and athletes by learning that, my color and people cannot limit me, the only thing that can limit me is myself.
Give us an update on what you have been doing since leaving the University.
I have been working in the corporate world and figuring out how to navigate through my new life without school and athletics.