University of Minnesota Athletics
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Photo by: Christopher Mitchell
Korlin-Downs to Return for 2021 Season
7/10/2020 9:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics program announced Friday that Mary Korlin-Downs will return to the Gophers for the 2021 season. Korlin-Downs will use her fourth year of eligibility while pursuing a master's degree.
"We are thrilled to have Mary back for another year," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "She has not only been a tremendous contributor in the gym and on the competition floor, but also as a leader for our team. Mary has committed to getting better each and every year with our program, and we believe she will build off last year to make a tremendous impact on our team for the 2020-21 season."
The Lake Elmo, Minn. native began her collegiate career at Iowa State, but transferred to Minnesota before her sophomore season and redshirted due to injury. 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.
Gopher Sports: What helped you decide to return for another year of competition?
Mary Korlin-Downs: There were a handful of reasons to come back! Shortly after the season ended, Jenny approached me with the opportunity to finish my fourth year of eligibility. I definitely was intrigued by the idea, since I, along with the rest of the 2020 senior class, wasn't able to finish our last year of gymnastics the way we'd planned. Over the next few months, I found that job opportunities were sparing and difficult to get straight out of college so I started thinking about going back to school. Furthering my education would set me apart in the industrial design industry I want to go into. Lastly, I was offered a scholarship for the 2020-2021 year. As a walk-on my entire five years of college, once I was offered a scholarship, it was an easy decision. I would be able to finish my gymnastics career on a high note, as well as pursue a master's in something I'm super passionate about. All factors definitely made coming back to the team for another year a win-win situation for me!
GS: What makes this team so special?
MKD: This team is so special due to all the talent, leadership and persistence. Over the past two years, the team has really made a name for ourselves and I have no doubt this team will do the same! We have tons of returning leadership and experience within the team, and the incoming freshmen are already ready to get going, bringing in talent on each event! I think where we lacked in past years, we will be strongest on those events this coming season. I truly think what makes this team so special is the leadership and persistence each returner brings. All of us have been through a lot, but we continue to persevere!
GS: What did it mean to be selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree?
MKD: I was surprised to find out I was selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree but extremely excited and grateful. I can only physically contribute to the team on one event, but I try to make up for that by being their biggest cheerleader and supporter.
GS: What will you be pursuing your master's degree in?
MKD: I plan on getting a master's in Human Factors and Ergonomics in the College of Design. In the future, I hope to design prosthetics and orthotics. With my background in product design, I felt Human Factors and Ergonomics would be a good fit to further my understanding of how to design for the human body!
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"We are thrilled to have Mary back for another year," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "She has not only been a tremendous contributor in the gym and on the competition floor, but also as a leader for our team. Mary has committed to getting better each and every year with our program, and we believe she will build off last year to make a tremendous impact on our team for the 2020-21 season."
The Lake Elmo, Minn. native began her collegiate career at Iowa State, but transferred to Minnesota before her sophomore season and redshirted due to injury. 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.
Gopher Sports: What helped you decide to return for another year of competition?
Mary Korlin-Downs: There were a handful of reasons to come back! Shortly after the season ended, Jenny approached me with the opportunity to finish my fourth year of eligibility. I definitely was intrigued by the idea, since I, along with the rest of the 2020 senior class, wasn't able to finish our last year of gymnastics the way we'd planned. Over the next few months, I found that job opportunities were sparing and difficult to get straight out of college so I started thinking about going back to school. Furthering my education would set me apart in the industrial design industry I want to go into. Lastly, I was offered a scholarship for the 2020-2021 year. As a walk-on my entire five years of college, once I was offered a scholarship, it was an easy decision. I would be able to finish my gymnastics career on a high note, as well as pursue a master's in something I'm super passionate about. All factors definitely made coming back to the team for another year a win-win situation for me!
GS: What makes this team so special?
MKD: This team is so special due to all the talent, leadership and persistence. Over the past two years, the team has really made a name for ourselves and I have no doubt this team will do the same! We have tons of returning leadership and experience within the team, and the incoming freshmen are already ready to get going, bringing in talent on each event! I think where we lacked in past years, we will be strongest on those events this coming season. I truly think what makes this team so special is the leadership and persistence each returner brings. All of us have been through a lot, but we continue to persevere!
GS: What did it mean to be selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree?
MKD: I was surprised to find out I was selected as Minnesota's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree but extremely excited and grateful. I can only physically contribute to the team on one event, but I try to make up for that by being their biggest cheerleader and supporter.
GS: What will you be pursuing your master's degree in?
MKD: I plan on getting a master's in Human Factors and Ergonomics in the College of Design. In the future, I hope to design prosthetics and orthotics. With my background in product design, I felt Human Factors and Ergonomics would be a good fit to further my understanding of how to design for the human body!
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