University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Three Added to Gopher Gymnastics for 2025 Signing Day
11/14/2024 11:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
All three will join the 'U' in the summer of 2025
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota gymnastics program has announced the addition of three student-athletes to the signing class of 2025, head coach Jenny Hansen announced Thursday.
Isabella Nguyen (Minnetonka, Minn.), Arianna Ostrum (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) and Christiane Popovich (West Des Moines, Iowa) will all join the Golden Gophers in the summer of 2025.
"We are thrilled to welcome Arianna, Christiane and Isabella to the Gopher family," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "All three are amazing young women, incredible students and are very determined to make an impact with Gopher gymnastics."
Isabella Nguyen | Legacy Gymnastics | Hopkins High School | Minnetonka, Minn.
A Minnetonka, Minn., native, Nguyen is the younger sister of current Gophers gymnast Sophia Nguyen. She signed an acceptance of admission letter on Nov. 13.
She competed in club at Legacy Gymnastics, coached by Kari and Will Vaughn. A four-time regionals qualifier, Nguyen tied for fourth on vault and got seventh on floor at regionals last year. In 2022, she earned fifth place on bars at the state meet.
"I chose Minnesota because the team atmosphere is so welcoming and the team works so hard," Nguyen said. "I've grown up watching all the Gopher meets and it feels like home."
Her high scores include 9.4 on vault, 9.15 on bars, 9.0 on beam and 9.2 on the floor.
"Isabella continues a long line of local athletes that become difference makers here at Minnesota," Hansen said. "She has made great improvements over the past year and has great potential to compete as soon as she arrives on campus."
The daughter of Tracey and Son Nguyen, Sophia has two older brothers, Jack and Nick, and an older sister, Sophia. Both of her parents attended the University of Minnesota for school in addition to Sophia. She's undecided on what her major will be at the 'U.'
"My goals at Minnesota are to contribute to the team as much as possible, become the best teammate I can be and winning Big Ten's!"
Arianna Ostrum | Russell Gymnastics | Lincoln H.S. | Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Out of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., Ostrum is a three-time Wisconsin All-Around State Champion and a five-time Wisconsin State Beam Champion. A three-time nationals' qualifier, Ostrum finished first on beam at development nationals and 10th in the all-around in 2024. In 2022, she was the Region 4 champion on the balance beam.
Ostrum was coached by Dave and Debra Russell at Russell Gymnastics Club. There, she helped the team get second place at nationals in Region 4 in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
"I chose Minnesota because on my visit everyone was so welcoming - I loved everything Minnesota had to offer," Ostrum said. "The coaches, gymnasts and everyone involved had a family-like atmosphere that made my decision super easy."
Her high scores include marks of 9.725 on vault, 9.75 on bars, 9.8 on beam and 9.85 on the floor.
"Arianna is a strong all-around athlete and has made tremendous strides over the last few years to become one of the best athletes in Region 4," Hansen said. "She has a natural ease about her gymnastics, making incredibly hard skills look easy."
The daughter of Ashley and Matthew Ostrum, Arianna has a younger sister, Aliya, and younger brother, Korbyn. Academically, she ranks in the top 20% of her high school class. She's undecided on what her major will be at Minnesota.
"My goals at Minnesota are to make forever friendships and to win nationals!" Ostrum said.
Christiane Popovich | Emerge Gymnastics | West Des Moines City School HSAP | West Des Moines, Iowa
The West Des Moines, Iowa native comes to Minnesota as an all-around gymnast. Popovich competed for Emerge Gymnastics Club, where she was coached by Hisham Ismail, Emma Brown and Spencer Johnson. Popovich was the 2024 national runner-up in the uneven bars.
In 2022, she finished third on vault at both the U.S. Championships and U.S. Classics events. She was selected for the 2022 Nationals Team Camp and Pan American Games Select Camp.
"I prayed over this, and there was a definitive sense of peace surrounding my decision," Popovich said. "I feel like I fit in very well with the team, their standards, and their focus. The coaches work well with the girls and respect the athletes in the process—you feel that. This is a program that produces extremely consistent, beautiful and classy gymnasts. I am here for it and am excited to contribute!"
Her top scores as a level 10 gymnast include a 9.675 on vault, 9.75 on uneven bars, 9.575 on beam and 9.75 on the floor.
"Christiane is a focused and well-prepared athlete," said Hansen. "She trains at a very high level and has experience competing at the elite level here in the U.S. She is a strong all-around athlete and has a tremendous passion for the sport."
The daughter of Mike and Jill Popovich, she has two younger brothers, Matthew and Nathan. She's undecided on what her major will be at Minnesota.
"My goals at Minnesota are to be better prepared than any other team, enjoy the work and one another, to love the competition and work hard every day. I know that God is so worthy of my best effort, always!"