University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Gymnastics
Meet the Freshmen: Katie Horak
9/30/2020 1:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Get to know incoming freshman Katie Horak from Buffalo, Minn. and Revolution 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!
Katie Horak is a Buffalo, Minn. native and competed for Revolution Gymnastics. She was the 2018 State Championships all-around champion, placing first on vault and floor, and third on beam. Horak placed third in the all-around at regionals in 2018, going first on vault and third on beam. At the 2018 Westerns, Horak was once again the all-around champion, earning a first place finish on beam and second on vault on floor. In 2019, she was a Nationals competitor and earned a fourth place finish in the all-around at the State Championships. Horak placed fifth in the all-around and forth on vault at Regionals in 2019.
A graduate of Buffalo High School, Horak held a 4.0 GPA for three of her four years and earned the Academic Excellence Award three times. She spent four years on Student Council, holding an executive position as a senior, and also participated in track and field.
Gopher Sports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Katie Horak: I chose the University of Minnesota because of academics and athletics. The university has fantastic science programs, and if I decide to pursue a career in the medical field, this is the place to do so. I was also really excited when I got the offer to compete as a D1 gymnast for a Big 10 school. The U of M had everything I could want in a college and I'm very excited to have my next four years be here.
GS: What does it mean to be competing for your home state?
KH: I was definitely a Gopher fan growing up. I remember watching the girls and thinking how amazing they all were. It means a lot to me that I'm now competing for my home state. I love being able to represent Maroon and Gold, along with being close to home. To be a Gopher is a dream come true, and it makes gymnastics all the more special.
GS: How do you plan on contributing to this program?
KH: I'm hoping to help contribute to multiple events and help lead the team to a higher ranking. I want to be a leader and a supportive positive role model for my teammates and other gymnasts across the US. My goal is to continue to succeed both in the gym and in academics.
GS: What are you most excited about for your freshman season?
KH: I'm so excited to continue my gymnastics career through college and have a different experience than J.O. gymnastics. I can't wait to join the gopher family as well as create a lot of memories while doing the sport I love.
GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
KH: I have two favorite gymnastics memories. One was my last J.O. competition. Due to COVID-19, our season was cut short and my last meet was spent in Myrtle Beach. I had my best meet and I got to spend the whole weekend with my teammates and my family. I will never forget how my J.O. season ended and I'm glad I got to end it with my team. My second was being an All-Around Champion at Westerns. It didn't matter to me that I took first, but that I had worked really hard that season to get there. My gymnastics changed after that because I changed my mindset, how I trained and my future goals, which has helped me achieve my dream of being a D1 athlete.
GS: What activities do you like outside of gymnastics?
KH: I love to spend my time outdoors camping, hiking, or water-skiing. My family has grown up water-skiing since my parents were a ski team. It's something fun for all of us to do! When I want to relax, I love reading a good book, watching Netflix, or hanging out with friends.
GS: What are you majoring in and why did you choose that field?
KH: I am currently majoring in Chemistry. I chose this field because I love science and math, I took high-level chemistry courses at my high school and I loved every minute of those classes, I find the topics really intriguing and I want to learn more!
Quick Hits:
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?: Ability to fly
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Favorite book: All the Bright Places
Dream car: White Camaro
Most binge worthy TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Katie Horak is a Buffalo, Minn. native and competed for Revolution Gymnastics. She was the 2018 State Championships all-around champion, placing first on vault and floor, and third on beam. Horak placed third in the all-around at regionals in 2018, going first on vault and third on beam. At the 2018 Westerns, Horak was once again the all-around champion, earning a first place finish on beam and second on vault on floor. In 2019, she was a Nationals competitor and earned a fourth place finish in the all-around at the State Championships. Horak placed fifth in the all-around and forth on vault at Regionals in 2019.
A graduate of Buffalo High School, Horak held a 4.0 GPA for three of her four years and earned the Academic Excellence Award three times. She spent four years on Student Council, holding an executive position as a senior, and also participated in track and field.
Gopher Sports: Why did you choose the University of Minnesota?
Katie Horak: I chose the University of Minnesota because of academics and athletics. The university has fantastic science programs, and if I decide to pursue a career in the medical field, this is the place to do so. I was also really excited when I got the offer to compete as a D1 gymnast for a Big 10 school. The U of M had everything I could want in a college and I'm very excited to have my next four years be here.
GS: What does it mean to be competing for your home state?
KH: I was definitely a Gopher fan growing up. I remember watching the girls and thinking how amazing they all were. It means a lot to me that I'm now competing for my home state. I love being able to represent Maroon and Gold, along with being close to home. To be a Gopher is a dream come true, and it makes gymnastics all the more special.
GS: How do you plan on contributing to this program?
KH: I'm hoping to help contribute to multiple events and help lead the team to a higher ranking. I want to be a leader and a supportive positive role model for my teammates and other gymnasts across the US. My goal is to continue to succeed both in the gym and in academics.
GS: What are you most excited about for your freshman season?
KH: I'm so excited to continue my gymnastics career through college and have a different experience than J.O. gymnastics. I can't wait to join the gopher family as well as create a lot of memories while doing the sport I love.
GS: What is your favorite gymnastics memory?
KH: I have two favorite gymnastics memories. One was my last J.O. competition. Due to COVID-19, our season was cut short and my last meet was spent in Myrtle Beach. I had my best meet and I got to spend the whole weekend with my teammates and my family. I will never forget how my J.O. season ended and I'm glad I got to end it with my team. My second was being an All-Around Champion at Westerns. It didn't matter to me that I took first, but that I had worked really hard that season to get there. My gymnastics changed after that because I changed my mindset, how I trained and my future goals, which has helped me achieve my dream of being a D1 athlete.
GS: What activities do you like outside of gymnastics?
KH: I love to spend my time outdoors camping, hiking, or water-skiing. My family has grown up water-skiing since my parents were a ski team. It's something fun for all of us to do! When I want to relax, I love reading a good book, watching Netflix, or hanging out with friends.
GS: What are you majoring in and why did you choose that field?
KH: I am currently majoring in Chemistry. I chose this field because I love science and math, I took high-level chemistry courses at my high school and I loved every minute of those classes, I find the topics really intriguing and I want to learn more!
Quick Hits:
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?: Ability to fly
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Favorite book: All the Bright Places
Dream car: White Camaro
Most binge worthy TV show: Grey's Anatomy
Follow Women's Gymnastics
Thursday, July 09
Tuesday, July 07
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, May 04