University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gerdes and Hooten Named Big Ten Gymnasts to Watch
12/13/2023 2:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
Minnesota came in at No. 5 in the Big Ten Preseason Poll
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics program will begin their 2024 campaign ranked fifth in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Wednesday.
The Gophers were ranked fourth prior to 2023 and No. 2 in both 2021 and 2022.
All 10 Big Ten programs were ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) poll, led by No. 6 Michigan. Michigan State was next at No. 11, followed by No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 23 Iowa, No. 25 Maryland, No. 26 Illinois, No. 27 Nebraska, No. 28 Penn State, and Rutgers received votes.
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Half of the 20 student-athletes on the Gymnasts to Watch List are returning All-Big Ten selections from a year ago, including 13 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
For the second straight year, senior Mya Hooten was named a Big Ten Women's Gymnast to Watch. She is joined on the list by fellow senior Gianna Gerdes, who earned First Team All-Big Ten honors last year. Hooten joined her on the All-Big Ten First Team. She was also named a WCGA All-American in both floor (first team) and vault (second team). She won Big Ten individual titles in both events as well.
The Gophers open their 2024Â season at the Super 16 Gymnastics Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday, Jan. 6. Their home opener is set for Saturday, Jan. 13 against Eastern Michigan.
2023-24 BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON POLL
Amelia Knight, Sr., Illinois
Mia Takekawa, Gr., Illinois
Adeline Kenlin, Sr., Iowa
Karina Muñoz, So., Iowa
Natalie Martin, Fr., Maryland
Emma Silberman, Gr., Maryland
Sierra Brooks, Gr., Michigan
Gabby Wilson, Gr., Michigan
Gabi Ortiz, Fr., Michigan State
Nikki Smith, So., Michigan State
Gianna Gerdes, Sr., Minnesota
Mya Hooten, Sr., Minnesota
Csenge Bácskay, So., Nebraska
Emma Spence, Jr., Nebraska
Payton Harris, So., Ohio State
Tory Vetter, So., Ohio State
Kalea McElligott, Fr., Penn State
Isabella Salcedo, Jr., Penn State
Elia Aird, Jr., Rutgers
Emily Leese, Sr., Rutgers
For more information on Gopher women's gymnastics, follow the team on 'X' and Instagram (@GopherWGym), TikTok (@GophersWGym) and Facebook (facebook.com/GopherWomensGymnastics).  Â
The Gophers were ranked fourth prior to 2023 and No. 2 in both 2021 and 2022.
All 10 Big Ten programs were ranked or receiving votes in the preseason Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) poll, led by No. 6 Michigan. Michigan State was next at No. 11, followed by No. 14 Ohio State, No. 18 Minnesota, No. 23 Iowa, No. 25 Maryland, No. 26 Illinois, No. 27 Nebraska, No. 28 Penn State, and Rutgers received votes.
Â
Half of the 20 student-athletes on the Gymnasts to Watch List are returning All-Big Ten selections from a year ago, including 13 Academic All-Big Ten honorees.
For the second straight year, senior Mya Hooten was named a Big Ten Women's Gymnast to Watch. She is joined on the list by fellow senior Gianna Gerdes, who earned First Team All-Big Ten honors last year. Hooten joined her on the All-Big Ten First Team. She was also named a WCGA All-American in both floor (first team) and vault (second team). She won Big Ten individual titles in both events as well.
The Gophers open their 2024Â season at the Super 16 Gymnastics Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. on Saturday, Jan. 6. Their home opener is set for Saturday, Jan. 13 against Eastern Michigan.
2023-24 BIG TEN WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS PRESEASON POLL
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Ohio State
- Iowa
- Minnesota
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Penn State
- Nebraska
- Rutgers
Amelia Knight, Sr., Illinois
Mia Takekawa, Gr., Illinois
Adeline Kenlin, Sr., Iowa
Karina Muñoz, So., Iowa
Natalie Martin, Fr., Maryland
Emma Silberman, Gr., Maryland
Sierra Brooks, Gr., Michigan
Gabby Wilson, Gr., Michigan
Gabi Ortiz, Fr., Michigan State
Nikki Smith, So., Michigan State
Gianna Gerdes, Sr., Minnesota
Mya Hooten, Sr., Minnesota
Csenge Bácskay, So., Nebraska
Emma Spence, Jr., Nebraska
Payton Harris, So., Ohio State
Tory Vetter, So., Ohio State
Kalea McElligott, Fr., Penn State
Isabella Salcedo, Jr., Penn State
Elia Aird, Jr., Rutgers
Emily Leese, Sr., Rutgers
For more information on Gopher women's gymnastics, follow the team on 'X' and Instagram (@GopherWGym), TikTok (@GophersWGym) and Facebook (facebook.com/GopherWomensGymnastics).  Â
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Monday, April 14