University of Minnesota Athletics

2018-19 Men's Gymnastics Roster

Ben Winkel

Ben Winkel

  • Class:
    Senior
  • Hometown:
    Afton, Minn.
  • High School:
    Stillwater Area HS
2019 | SENIOR SEASON 
Competed in all but one meet in the regular season on parallel bars as the event lead-off • Academic All-Big Ten selection • earned Minnesota's Top Five Award, given to male athletes with the five-highest grade point averages • debuted at the Rocky Mountain Open, scoring 13.500 on p-bars • placed sixth at Windy City Invitational (13.550) • scored 13.300 vs. Michigan • earned fifth place at Iowa (13.650) • took home first podium finish of the season vs. Arizona State and UMN Club with a third-place mark of 13.750 • earned a season-high score of 13.900 for sixth place at Nebraska • scored 13.350 at Ohio State • notched 12.700 vs. Air Force • scored 13.300 in regular season finale vs. Penn State and Iowa • scored 13.233 in career finale at Day 1 of NCAAs

2018 | JUNIOR SEASON
Competed on p-bars • had a 13.600 at Windy City Invitational • earned a 13.450 against Illinois Feb. 10 • recorded a 13.000 on p-bars against Iowa on Jan. 27 • had a season-high 14.100 March 4 against UIC • had a 13.350 against Penn State Feb. 24

2017 | SOPHOMORE SEASON
Named Rookie of the Year • competed on parallel bars during finals at the NCAA Championships • competed on parallel bars at Nebraska • placed second on parallel bars with a 13.900 against UIC • competed on parallel bars vs. Iowa and ASU • recorded a personal record on parallel bars with a 14.500 at Arnold Challenge • competed on parallel bars vs. Iowa/Oklahoma • competed on parallel bars against Nebraska/UMN Club • competed on rings and parallel bars against Illinois • Earned a 13.450 on parallel bars vs. Air Force • made collegiate debut at Windy City Invite, recording a personal record on still rings with a 10.300  and scoring a 13.700 on parallel bars.

2016 | FRESHMAN SEASON
Did not compete. 

HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB
Graduate of Stillwater Area High School • honor roll student in high school • competed for Classic Gymnastics for coaches Matt Frey and Steve Lippoli • named an Academic All-American in 2014 and 2015 • named to the Academic All-State team all four years of high school • finished second on the still rings, parallel bars and high bar and took third on the pommel horse and in the all-around at the 2015 Minnesota State Championships • took second at the 2015 Region 4 meet on parallel bars, third on still rings and high bar and fourth in the all-around • finished sixth on still rings, ninth on parallel bars, 10th on high bar and 11th in the all-around at the 2015 Level 10 Junior Olympics • Floor Exercise and Still Rings Champion at the 2014 Minnesota State Championships • took third on the high bar at the 2013 Level 10 Junior Olympics • club teammate of Gophers Zach Liebler, Ryan Bergman, Jordan Poganski and Ryan Wangler.

PERSONAL
Son of Bruce and Donna Winkel • has one sister (Becky) • enjoys watching movies and TV shows, video editing and listening to music • electrical engineering major.

Winkel's Season High Scores 
Event Floor Pommel Horse Rings Vault Parallel Bars High Bar All-Around
2016 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2017 -- -- 13.100* -- 14.500* -- --
2018 -- -- -- -- 14.100 -- --
2019 -- -- -- -- 13.900 -- --

* denotes career high
Coach Plitzuweit Previews First Practice
Tuesday, September 23
CHS Home Grown Gophers: Mallory Heyer
Tuesday, September 23
Gopher Players Preview First Practice
Tuesday, September 23
Coach Medved Previews First Practice
Monday, September 22