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Meet the Freshmen: Erin Fortman
8/15/2020 10:25:00 AM | Gymnastics
Get to know incoming freshman Erin Fortman from Blaine, Minn. and Flyaways Gymnastics.
MINNEAPOLIS- The Gophers women's gymnastics team welcomes six incoming freshmen to the team for the 2020-21 season and it is time to get to know our newcomers!
Erin Fortman is a Blaine, Minn. native and competed for Flyaways Gymnastics. She placed sixth at Regionals and qualified for Nationals in 2019. Fortman was the 2019 Region 4 floor champion with a 9.7, and took first place on bars with a 9.7 at the Texas Classic. She competed at the 2015 and 2016 Level 9 Westerns Championships.
A graduate of Blaine High School, Fortman lettered in academics as a freshman and sophomore, while making Dean's list as a junior.
Gopher Sports: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
Erin Fortman: After I went on my official visit I knew I wanted to come here. The team, coaches, and staff were all so welcoming. I realized how much the team aligned with my life both in and out of the gym. The academics was also a huge deciding factor as well as the fact that it's so close to home!
GS: What does it mean to be competing for your home state?
EF: Going to gopher gymnastics meets was something I loved doing when I was growing up. I loved the atmosphere and especially loved watching the college floor routines. I think that it's going to be such an amazing experience competing for my home state because my family and friends can come and support the team.
GS: What was it like competing at Nationals in 2019 and what did you learn from the experience?
EF: Competing at the 2019 Nationals was such a surreal experience. It was the biggest competition I had ever competed at and it was both intimidating and exhilarating. There were so many talented girls there and it is so amazing to compete alongside them! From that competition, I learned about what it takes to compete at the best of your ability and how much work it takes to get there.
GS: What is your favorite event to compete in?
EF: My favorite event to compete is floor! I love how it mixes both dance and tumbling and it gives you a chance to be graceful and powerful.
GS: When did you know you would have the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level?
EF: I didn't really think I could go D1 until I completed my junior year of high school. I was pretty discouraged because I was late to start the recruiting process, but after competing at Nationals, I realized I wanted to go D1 and I had to take this amazing opportunity.
GS: What do you like to do outside of gymnastics?
EF: I love being in nature and hanging out with friends, going to the lake, hiking and hammocking.
GS: What field of study are you interested in and why?
EF: I am interested in majoring in environmental science and sustainability. I am very passionate about finding solutions to live a more sustainable life. I want to help make living sustainably more attainable so we can reduce our negative impact on nature.
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Erin Fortman is a Blaine, Minn. native and competed for Flyaways Gymnastics. She placed sixth at Regionals and qualified for Nationals in 2019. Fortman was the 2019 Region 4 floor champion with a 9.7, and took first place on bars with a 9.7 at the Texas Classic. She competed at the 2015 and 2016 Level 9 Westerns Championships.
A graduate of Blaine High School, Fortman lettered in academics as a freshman and sophomore, while making Dean's list as a junior.
Gopher Sports: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
Erin Fortman: After I went on my official visit I knew I wanted to come here. The team, coaches, and staff were all so welcoming. I realized how much the team aligned with my life both in and out of the gym. The academics was also a huge deciding factor as well as the fact that it's so close to home!
GS: What does it mean to be competing for your home state?
EF: Going to gopher gymnastics meets was something I loved doing when I was growing up. I loved the atmosphere and especially loved watching the college floor routines. I think that it's going to be such an amazing experience competing for my home state because my family and friends can come and support the team.
GS: What was it like competing at Nationals in 2019 and what did you learn from the experience?
EF: Competing at the 2019 Nationals was such a surreal experience. It was the biggest competition I had ever competed at and it was both intimidating and exhilarating. There were so many talented girls there and it is so amazing to compete alongside them! From that competition, I learned about what it takes to compete at the best of your ability and how much work it takes to get there.
GS: What is your favorite event to compete in?
EF: My favorite event to compete is floor! I love how it mixes both dance and tumbling and it gives you a chance to be graceful and powerful.
GS: When did you know you would have the opportunity to compete at the Division 1 level?
EF: I didn't really think I could go D1 until I completed my junior year of high school. I was pretty discouraged because I was late to start the recruiting process, but after competing at Nationals, I realized I wanted to go D1 and I had to take this amazing opportunity.
GS: What do you like to do outside of gymnastics?
EF: I love being in nature and hanging out with friends, going to the lake, hiking and hammocking.
GS: What field of study are you interested in and why?
EF: I am interested in majoring in environmental science and sustainability. I am very passionate about finding solutions to live a more sustainable life. I want to help make living sustainably more attainable so we can reduce our negative impact on nature.
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