University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
What the ‘M’ Means to Gopher Women’s Gymnastics
8/25/2021 3:30:00 PM | Gymnastics
A crucial component to the University of Minnesota women's gymnastics team is the rich history of the program, including the immense support of alumni. From the moment the current Gophers step on campus, they are welcomed into a larger community of current and former Gopher gymnasts. Hear from the Gophers as they discuss what this support means to the team.
GopherSports: What is it like to be part of this larger Gopher gymnastics community of your current teammates and alumni?
Maya Albertin: It is such an amazing feeling knowing that I have so much support from so many people here at the U. My current teammates are like family to me and I know that we all have trust in one another. We also have such amazing alums that constantly show their support and it means the world to us as a team!
Kate Grotenhuis: It is honestly so much fun to be a part of this family here at the U of M gymnastics team. I have loved getting to know all the girls on the team right now as well as all of our amazing alumni! The alumni have been so supportive, kind and generous to share their stories, wisdom and lessons that they've learned with me and the team.
Katie Horak: It is amazing being able to be a part of the Gopher gymnastics family. The support from everyone is really nice to have and I'm so grateful for it. There's always someone that I can go and talk to about anything. It definitely feels like a family where everyone helps each other and we all care about one another. This support has already helped me so much with my freshman year.
Lexy Ramler: It's a wonderful opportunity to have the support from teammates and alumni. You really feel a part of something bigger and it means so much to have an automatic network of incredible individuals. It is so comforting to know that you have people to go to with tremendous experience with not only gymnastics, but life after gymnastics as well. In the end, I am very grateful to be a part of a wonderful family.
Halle Remlinger: It means the world to me to be a part of such an amazing Gopher gymnastics family. I always wished that I would one day be able to be a part of something as special as this program and I am so grateful that I get to experience it. The legacy that has been left from all of the alumni is incredible and I want to continue to carry that legacy on with all of my teammates. Being a part of the Gopher gymnastics family is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will forever be thankful for.
Ali Sonier: It is the best feeling being part of the Gopher gymnastics family. There are always people there to support you and cheer you on. It is always exciting to meet past Gophers who were on the team and we look up to those before us.
Hannah Willmarth: It means a lot to know that we have so much support behind us. On this team, we are each other's second family. Every girl will support you and have your back no matter what, which is a really cool thing to be a part of. On top of this, there are so many alumni that come back to visit the U and continue to support us, which really speaks to what kind of program this is. Between the team, alumni, coaches and parents we are one big Gopher gymnastics family, and having that kind of support and community means so much to everyone on this team.
GS: What does it mean to you to compete at the University of Minnesota with such rich tradition and history?
MA: Getting to compete at the University of Minnesota is honestly a dream come true. I have quickly picked up on all of the traditions we have here and I really feel like this school is home for me. We have such an amazing program and I am so lucky to be a part of it!
KG: I am so humbled to be a part of this amazing team! I remember coming to the Gopher gymnastics meets when I was a little kid and always looking up to the girls on the team as they were so talented in gymnastics, but also super kind and caring as people. Our alumni have made such a great path for us to follow in their footsteps and carry the M.
KH: It means a lot to me being able to compete for the Gophers. The UMN tradition and history makes me feel connected with not only the school, but the coaches, my teammates, the alumni and the community. I feel very grateful to be able to carry on the tradition and add to its great history. I love being able to tell others how much I love it here and how it feels like home.
LR: It means so much to me to compete for my home state of Minnesota. Being able to continue the traditions that have existed for so many years and to continue to make history, is such a memorable experience. Our team would not be where it is today without the incredible athletes before us who have paved the way.
HR: Having the opportunity to compete at the University of Minnesota with such rich tradition and history is a dream come true. The amazing opportunities that I get to experience here everyday is something so special. It's an incredible honor to be able to represent a University that has so much excellence. I will forever be thankful for the opportunity that I have to compete for an amazing program and university.
AS: It is an honor to compete for the U and keep the traditions going. There is nothing like competing in the Pav with Minnesota on your leotard.
HW: It is such a unique opportunity to compete at the University of Minnesota, for a program with so much history and tradition. Hearing Coach Hansen talk about the traditions that the gymnastics program had years back, and being able to continue some of them with our current team, is a really special thing to be a part of. I am so grateful to have this opportunity and to help carry forward what has been built before us.
GS: A common phrase with Gopher Athletics and the M Club is "The 'M' never comes off." What does this mean to you?
MA: To me, this phrase means that once you're a Gopher, you're always a Gopher. The time we spend here at the University of Minnesota is meant to shape us as individuals and provide us with important life skills for the future. We have such a strong support system in Gopher Athletics that we will always be able to lean on and be a part of.
KG: This means that I am always trying my best to do the right thing in all situations and striving for perfection because I am doing it for our team. It also means that once you are a Gopher, you are always a Gopher and part of the family here at the University of Minnesota.
KH: To me, this phrase means we will always be there for one another, no matter what age. The 'M' represents our family we've created, it shows we are one as a whole. I know that no matter where my future takes me, I will always support the U and other Gophers. Our support from alumni is what makes this college great and what makes this family so special.
LR: "The 'M' never comes off" to me means the bond you have with many incredible individuals that have come before you and that will come after you. The experience you had and the impact you made on the program will last forever. Once a Gopher, always a Gopher.
HR: The phrase "the 'M' never comes off" to me means that the values and lessons that I have learned at the University of Minnesota will stay with me forever. The relationships and friendships that I have formed during my four years will be lifelong. Although I won't be at the University of Minnesota forever, it will always be a part of me.
AS: To me, "the 'M' never comes off" means you are always part of the Gopher family. It doesn't matter when you graduated or when you leave the U, you always have the M with you.
HW: To me, "the 'M' never comes off" means that you will always be a Gopher. Whether you're a current athlete or an alumni, whether you're in the gym, in the classroom or out in the community, you are and always will be part of Gopher Athletics. This program revolves so much around family, and I think "the 'M' never comes off" means that from the first moment you step on campus, you are a part of the Gopher family and that will never change.