University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Loper, Ramler, Willmarth Discuss Return for 2022 Season
7/26/2021 1:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
University of Minnesota women's gymnastics seniors Ona Loper, Lexy Ramler and Hannah Willmarth recently announced their plans to return to the Gophers for the 2022 season and exercise their option under NCAA guidelines to compete in an extra season of competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. GopherSports sat down with the trio to learn more about their decision to return for one more year of competition.
GopherSports: What were the major factors in your decision to return for an additional year?
Ona Loper: Honestly I just really wasn't quite ready to be done with gymnastics yet. After tearing my achilles half way through my freshman season and then having the season get cut short in 2020, I never really felt like I had a full season until this year. Even though COVID required a lot of adjustments, it was so much fun to make it all the way to the NCAA National Championship and I am looking forward to sharing that excitement with the team again next year!
Lexy Ramler: It just didn't feel right to be done yet. I have done this sport for my entire life and I couldn't say no to an opportunity for another year. Also knowing that I could have another year with such incredible teammates and create more memories was something that I saw as an easy decision.
Hannah Willmarth: Being part of a team as special as this one while also getting to do the sport you love is such a unique opportunity. You're only in college once and gymnastics usually ends for us after college, so having the opportunity to be a part of this Gopher family for one more year is something I couldn't pass up! I feel like I have more gymnastics in me, and this team is just starting to reach what we're capable of. With that in mind, I decided that I had to come back, and am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this team for one more year.
GS: What are you most excited for in your return for a fifth year?
OL: I am looking forward to building off the progress that we made last year and getting to spend another year with the silliest, sassiest and most supportive team out there.
LR: I am really excited to perform in front of our fans in the Pav. It's an experience that I enjoy so much and gives me goosebumps every time. I am also really looking forward to seeing my teammates build off from last year and see what we can do this year as a team.
HW: We had a super fun season last year and like I mentioned, this team is just getting started. I am just excited to be a part of this team for one more year and build off of everything we learned last season!
GS: Looking forward to next season, what is the biggest goal for the team?
OL: Back-to-back Big Ten Champions would be pretty amazing as well as making another appearance at NCAA's.
LR: We would love to repeat another Big Ten Championship win. That moment meant so much to our team and we want it again. Another goal would be to qualify for Nationals and build off from last year.
HW: I think winning another Big Ten Championship and making it to the second day of NCAAs would both be incredible, and are definitely big goals for the team!
GS: What educational opportunities will you be pursuing?
OL: I just finished my first year of graduate school for Epidemiology so I will be finishing up my second year and graduating with my MPH in the Spring.
LR: I will be pursuing my masters degree in Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management.
HW: I will be finishing up the last few credits of my undergraduate in the Fall, while working on an industry software development project.
GS: What makes this team so special?
OL: Everyone on this team has such special and unique personalities that it makes every day so much fun. There is so much support and passion within these girls that is really inspiring and I always know that they will have my back no matter what.
LR: The people and how we come together as a team. Each person has their own strengths and everyone wants the same thing. We trust each other, we learn from each other, and we enjoy the moment with each other. One person can go far, but with a team you'll go further.
HW: I think what makes this team so special is how invested everyone is in the team's goals and the support everyone has for each other. Everyone is passionate about what the team has set out to do and has so much support for every single girl, regardless of if they are in the lineup or not. It is a really cool environment to be a part of!
GopherSports: What were the major factors in your decision to return for an additional year?
Ona Loper: Honestly I just really wasn't quite ready to be done with gymnastics yet. After tearing my achilles half way through my freshman season and then having the season get cut short in 2020, I never really felt like I had a full season until this year. Even though COVID required a lot of adjustments, it was so much fun to make it all the way to the NCAA National Championship and I am looking forward to sharing that excitement with the team again next year!
Lexy Ramler: It just didn't feel right to be done yet. I have done this sport for my entire life and I couldn't say no to an opportunity for another year. Also knowing that I could have another year with such incredible teammates and create more memories was something that I saw as an easy decision.
Hannah Willmarth: Being part of a team as special as this one while also getting to do the sport you love is such a unique opportunity. You're only in college once and gymnastics usually ends for us after college, so having the opportunity to be a part of this Gopher family for one more year is something I couldn't pass up! I feel like I have more gymnastics in me, and this team is just starting to reach what we're capable of. With that in mind, I decided that I had to come back, and am so grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this team for one more year.
GS: What are you most excited for in your return for a fifth year?
OL: I am looking forward to building off the progress that we made last year and getting to spend another year with the silliest, sassiest and most supportive team out there.
LR: I am really excited to perform in front of our fans in the Pav. It's an experience that I enjoy so much and gives me goosebumps every time. I am also really looking forward to seeing my teammates build off from last year and see what we can do this year as a team.
HW: We had a super fun season last year and like I mentioned, this team is just getting started. I am just excited to be a part of this team for one more year and build off of everything we learned last season!
GS: Looking forward to next season, what is the biggest goal for the team?
OL: Back-to-back Big Ten Champions would be pretty amazing as well as making another appearance at NCAA's.
LR: We would love to repeat another Big Ten Championship win. That moment meant so much to our team and we want it again. Another goal would be to qualify for Nationals and build off from last year.
HW: I think winning another Big Ten Championship and making it to the second day of NCAAs would both be incredible, and are definitely big goals for the team!
GS: What educational opportunities will you be pursuing?
OL: I just finished my first year of graduate school for Epidemiology so I will be finishing up my second year and graduating with my MPH in the Spring.
LR: I will be pursuing my masters degree in Human Resources & Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Management.
HW: I will be finishing up the last few credits of my undergraduate in the Fall, while working on an industry software development project.
GS: What makes this team so special?
OL: Everyone on this team has such special and unique personalities that it makes every day so much fun. There is so much support and passion within these girls that is really inspiring and I always know that they will have my back no matter what.
LR: The people and how we come together as a team. Each person has their own strengths and everyone wants the same thing. We trust each other, we learn from each other, and we enjoy the moment with each other. One person can go far, but with a team you'll go further.
HW: I think what makes this team so special is how invested everyone is in the team's goals and the support everyone has for each other. Everyone is passionate about what the team has set out to do and has so much support for every single girl, regardless of if they are in the lineup or not. It is a really cool environment to be a part of!
Signing the Block M
Tuesday, May 20
Mya Hooten: NCAA Floor Final
Friday, April 18
Mya Hooten Previews NCAA Championships
Monday, April 14
NCAA Qualifier Mya Hooten
Monday, April 07