1 TABLE OF CONTENTS MINNESOTA QUICK FACTS

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS University of Minnesota Quick Facts, Media Information Minnesota Gymnastics Roster Season Outlook Co-Head Coaches Jim and Meg Stephenson Assistant Coach Doug Day...8 Minnesota Gymnastics Staff Golden Gophers Laura Johnson Maria Opsahl...12 Kelly Stout...13 Stephanie Funk...14 Kelly Ganchan...15 Kim Womack...16 Andy Cornelius...17 Ashley Stanton...18 Amanda Miles...19 Ashley Mutchler...20 Rehana Russell...21 Angela Walker...22 Jade Beattie...23 Carmelina Carabajal...24 Nouel Cason...25 Jackie Walkabout...26 Featured Alumnae...27 Peik Gymnasium...30 The Sports Pavilion...31 The 2005 Season In Review Year-by Year Results...35 Team Records...36 Sports Pavilion Records...36 Individual Records...37 Minnesota Gymnasts of Distinction University of Minnesota Women s Gymnastics Hall of Fame...39 All-Time Letterwinners...40 Minnesota, the Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota MEDIA INFORMATION The 2006 Minnesota Women s Gymnastics media guide is intended to answer questions about the upcoming season and assist the media in coverage of the team throughout the 2006 season. Requests for additional information should be made to Sara Berhow at Credentials: Requests for media credentials for home meets at the Sports Pavilion should be made in advance to Sara Berhow. In-season interviews: All requests for interviews with either gymnasts or coaches should be directed to the athletic communications office at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled interview time. ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS Gymnastics Contact: Sara Berhow Office Phone: Cell Phone: Mailing Address: 244 Bierman Field Athletic Building th Avenue SE Minneapolis, MN G O L D E N G O P H E R G Y M N A S T I C S Address: berho002@umn.edu Website: MINNESOTA QUICK FACTS Location: Minneapolis, Minn. Enrollment: 45,361 President: Robert Bruininks Founded: 1851 Nickname: Golden Gophers Colors: Maroon and Gold Affiliation: NCAA Division I Conference: Big Ten Athletics Director: Joel Maturi Home Arena: Sports Pavilion (5,700) Press Row Phone: Co-Head Coaches: Jim Stephenson (Iowa State, 1973) and Meg Stephenson (Iowa State, 1981) Assistant Coach: Doug Day (New Mexico, 1977) 2005 Record: Big Ten Championships: 3rd 2005 NCAA Regional: 4th 2005 NCAA Championships: individual only Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/1 Big Ten Champions Returning/Lost: 1/1 All-Americans Returning/Lost: 0/0 The 2006 Minnesota Women s Gymnastics Media Guide is published by the University of Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletics Communications Office. Additional copies may be purchased for $8 (shipping & handling included) by sending a check made payable to the University of Minnesota and mailing to: University of Minnesota Athletics Communications 244 Bierman Field Athletic Building th Ave. SE Minneapolis, Minn For more information, please contact the athletic communications office at: Phone: (612) Fax: (612) gophers@umn.edu CREDITS The 2006 Minnesota Women s Gymnastics Media Guide was written and compiled by Sara Berhow. Layout and design by Sara Berhow. Cover concept by Jim Stephenson, cover design by Jeff Keiser. Photography: Jerry Lee, Eric Miller, Stewart Buck, -and Randy Johnson Printing: University of Minnesota Printing Services. Special thanks to Bob Swoverland and the staff at University of Minnesota Printing Services. The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation. GOLDEN GOPHER ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT To serve as a window to the University, in an environment of integrity and equity, that enables student-athletes to achieve excellence in their academic and athletic pursuits. 1

4 T E A M R O S T E R 2006 GOLDEN GOPHERS Front Row (from left): Amanda Miles, Stephanie Funk, Nouel Cason, Jackie Walkabout, Kim Womack, Laura Johnson, Jade Beattie Back Row: Ashley Stanton, Carmelina Carabajal, Kelly Ganchan, Kelly Stout, Angela Walker, Maria Opsahl, Rehana Russell, Ashley Mutchler, Andy Cornelius 2006 MINNESOTA WOMEN S GYMNASTICS ROSTER NAME YEAR ACADEMIC MAJOR HOMETOWN HIGH SCHOOL/CLUB Jade Beattie Fr. Pre-Dentistry Bismarck, N.D. Bismarck/Bismarck Gymnastics Academy Carmelina Carabajal Fr. Kinesiology Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva/Albuquerque Gymnastics Nouel Cason Fr. Fashion Design Sparks, Nev. Reed/Flips USA Andrea Cornelius So. Nutrition Woodinville, Wash. Woodinville/Cascade Elite Stephanie Funk Jr. Liberal Arts Lake Oswego, Ore. Lake Oswego/Metro Gymnastics Kelly Ganchan Jr. Kinesiology Reno, Nev. Reno/Flips USA Laura Johnson Sr. Public Relations/Marketing Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva/Albuquerque Gymnastics Amanda Miles So. Psychology Chaska, Minn. Chaska/TAGS Eden Prairie Ashley Mutchler So. Nursing Coon Rapids, Minn. Spring Lake Park/Twin City Twisters Maria Opsahl Sr. Elementary Education Forest Lake, Minn. Forest Lake/Twin City Twisters Rehana Russell So. Communications Oshkosh, Wis. Oshkosh West/Oshkosh Gymnastics Center Ashley Stanton So. Elementary Education Centennial, Colo. Smoky Hill/Colorado Gymnastics Institute Kelly Stout Sr. History/Political Science Albuquerque, N.M. Albuquerque/Duke City Gymnastics Academy Jackie Walkabout Fr. Undecided Hilo, Hawaii Hilo/Pantheon Gymnastics Angela Walker So. Neuroscience Houston, Texas Langham Creek/Champion Gymnastics Kim Womack Jr. Kinesiology Huntsville, Utah Weber/USA Gymnastics Co-Head Coaches: Jim and Meg Stephenson Assistant Coach: Doug Day Volunteer Coach: Alicia Opsahl Saari Manager: Megan Appell Athletic Trainer: Erika Esterby 2

5 T E A M R O S T E R Jade Beattie Freshman Bismarck, N.D. Carmelina Carabajal Freshman Albuquerque, N.M. Nouel Cason Freshman Reno, Nev. Andy Cornelius Sophomore Woodinville, Wash. Stephanie Funk Junior Lake Oswego, Ore. Kelly Ganchan Junior Reno, Nev. Laura Johnson Senior Albuquerque, N.M. Amanda Miles Sophomore Chaska, Minn. Ashley Mutchler Sophomore Coon Rapids, Minn. Maria Opsahl Senior Forest Lake, Minn. Rehana Russell Sophomore Oshkosh, Wis. Ashley Stanton Sophomore Centennial, Colo. Kelly Stout Senior Albuquerque, N.M. Jackie Walkabout Freshman Hilo, Hawaii Angela Walker Sophomore Houston, Texas Kim Womack Junior Huntsville, Utah 3

6 S E A S O N O U T L O O K The Golden Gopher women s gymnastics team has many things to be proud of after the 2005 season, and the gymnasts and coaches have taken the success of last season and transformed it into great motivation to reach even higher in the 2006 season. We are very pleased with last season, especially after losing Angela Walker and her four routines early in the season, explained co-head coach Jim Stephenson. Other gymnasts stepped up, and improved the quality of their performances, and gained valuable experience. Everyone s dedication and hard work allowed us to move up 11 spots in the season s final rankings, and moved us back into the top 25. Not only did the Gophers move up in the national rankings, they also moved up two places at the NCAA Regional Championship, finishing fourth, and moved up one spot to third at the Big Ten meet. The sense of accomplishment from last season has sparked the team, said co-head coach Meg Stephenson. The team is so motivated, they stayed on campus all summer to get ready for this season. They are very prepared to take another jump this year. This year s squad has a different look than last season, despite losing only one gymnast to graduation. The reason is that the Gophers have added four freshmen to the mix, making for a team of 16 gymnasts, equaling the largest team that the Stephensons have coached at Minnesota. We have four spectacular freshmen, and the quality and depth of this year s team has pushed everybody to get better, said Meg Stephenson. Our athletes are performing beautiful gymnastics, and the difficulty in our routines is comparable to any team in the country, added Jim Stephenson. The senior class this season consists of three very seasoned gymnasts in Laura Johnson, Maria Opsahl, and Kelly Stout, and all of them are leaders. Our seniors are all such strong leaders this season, in and out of the gym, commented Meg Stephenson. Johnson has been an All-Big Ten performer in every year of her career. Last season, qualified to compete in the NCAA Championships as an individual, and hot all four routines at the national meet. She had the team s highest average score on bars last year, and was the team s only all around competitor after losing Angela Walker to injury. Laura was absolutely stellar at the NCAA Championship last season, raved Jim Stephenson. She had the best meet of her season, she rotated with Georgia, the team that won the national title, and she held her own with them. She was an excellent representative for Minnesota. Opsahl will again serve as a team captain, marking the first time in the Stephenson era that there has been a two-year captain. Opsahl had the team s highest average floor score last season, and is working three events with upgraded difficulty in all her routines. Stout served as a back-up on floor and vault season, and will fill the same role in 2006 with an upgraded vault. Kelly provides such great leadership for our team, said Meg Stephenson. She is a great example for our underclass athletes. Stephanie Funk, Kelly Ganchan, and Kim Womack make up this year s junior class. Funk leads this group, as the coaching staff calls her the most consistent performer. She is training on the bars, beam, and floor, and has upgrades to all her routines, including a new floor routine. Ganchan is also training on three events, the beam, vault, and floor, and has increased the difficulty of her vault. 4

7 S E A S O N O U T L O O K Like Funk, Womack has a new floor routine this season, and has upgraded her vault. She was a regular performer on the bars, vault, and floor last season, and is training all three events again this year. Andy Cornelius and Ashley Stanton are the team s redshirt-sophomores. Both sat out the 2004 season to rehabilitate injuries, and competed for the first time last season. Cornelius was a regular performer on the bars last season, but is now training on all four events. We are the most excited about Andy s progress, she is a possible all arounder for us this year, said Jim Stephenson. She has worked so hard, we are so proud of her. Stanton had the team s highest average beam score last season, and was also a consistent performer on the floor. She has upgraded the tumbling in both routines to compliment her outstanding dance and performance skills. Stanton is also training on the vault, learning a new vault after recovering from her knee injury two years ago. The rest of the sophomore class consists of Amanda Miles, Ashley Mutchler, Rehana Russell, and Angela Walker. Three of these four are training on all four events. Amanda Miles was a regular in the beam lineup last season, and is training all four events this year. The coaches are very pleased with her steady improvement. Ashley Mutchler won a Big Ten title on the vault in 2005, and competed in three events, the vault, beam, and floor as a freshman. She is now training on the bars as well, and the coaching staff believes there s a good possibility that Mutchler will compete in the all around. Russell was a consistent competitor on the bars last year, and is training on the bars and the floor in preparation for the 2006 season. She is working to upgrade her bars routine. Walker suffered a knee injury in the competition at Washington last year, and missed most of the season to have her knee repaired and start rehabilitation. She is training on all four events, and has managed to add difficulty to her routines, even while dealing with her injury. Angela is back, and she s capable of competing on all four events, said Meg Stephenson. She s working to get back into the all around, and we are very pleased with her progress, we re very proud of her committment. The Gophers add four freshmen to the squad this season, and the coaches couldn t be more pleased with their rookie class. Meg Stephenson is very complimentary of the dance abilities of the newcomers, noting that good dance ability really helps in choreographing floor and beam routines. Three of the four freshmen are training in all four events. We had to grow into the position we re in now, after having to piecemeal a lineup with event specialists for so long. Now we re attracting strong all around competitors, said Jim Stephenson. Jade Beattie is a gymnast who the coaches call an untapped talent. She is training on all four events, and the coaches are happy with her rapid improvement in technique and execution. Jade s vault and bar routines are excellent, said Jim Stephenson. Nouel Cason joined the Gophers this fall while still rehabilitating a back injury she suffered during her junior year of high school. We want to focus on resolving her injury, along with training gymnastics, said Jim Stephenson. Nouel is very capable on all four events, she s incredibly talented. Carmelina Carabajal joins seniors Laura Johnson and Kelly Stout as Albuquerque, N.M., natives on Minnesota s team. She is also training on all four events, and is strongest on vault and floor, matching the two open lineup spots left by Carolyn Yernberg s graduation. Carmelina comes in with abilities that rival Carolyn s, she is very good on all four events, and has really improved on beam, Jim Stephenson commented. Jackie Walkabout is training on the vault, beam, and floor. Jackie is a very nice addition to the team, said Meg Stephenson. She has untapped potential, and is a strong vaulter. Good team chemistry will also work to Minnesota s advantage in the upcoming season. The team chemistry is fantastic this season, explained Meg Stephenson. The team has never centered on one individual, and that made a huge impact last season. The whole team is good, and all the athletes are happy to have a strong team, they want to do everything they can to help their team be successful. Minnesota s coaches believe that with the personnel on the team, the state-of-the-art training facility in Piek Gym, and a coaching staff that truly loves gymnastics, the best is yet to come for the Golden Gopher women s gymnastics program. 5

8 C O A C H I N G S T A F F JIM & MEG STEPHENSON co-head coaches 14th season at Minnesota This season marks 24 years of partnership for co-head coaches Jim and Meg Stephenson. The Stephensons have combined both knowledge and experience to create a successful coaching team year after year. On a personal note, we feel fortunate to find a unique situation where we can continue to work together in something that we are both passionate about, said Meg Stephenson who specializes in choreography and dance, working with the balance beam and floor exercise. We get to do the things we want to do the most and on top of that we get to do it together. We ve been coaching for 24 years because it works so well, said Jim Stephenson who works with vault, tumbling and the uneven bars. We share the same philosophies and methodologies in teaching and goals. The Stephensons believe that the athletes on their team should continue to improve their gymnastics throughout their collegiate careers, and that the gymnasts should expect more than just maintaining their current skills. The co-head coaches take pride in running a teaching program, and the success of their gymnasts shows that the program works. The most recent example of skill improvement under the Stephensons leadership is 2005 Big Ten Gymnast of the Year Carolyn Yernberg. Yernberg joined the team as a walk-on in 2002, and went on to become the first gymnast in Minnesota history to score a 10.0, and became a Big Ten Champion in the floor exercise. The coaching strengths of the Stephensons were evident in their athlete s performances in 2002 when Minnesota achieved its highest national finish (9th) in the history of the program. Minnesota s tandem received 2002 Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, their second (1998), as well as Regional Coach of the Year honors. The duo has led the Golden Gophers to NCAA regional competition the past 10 seasons, capturing top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships twice. They have an record in their eight years as co-head coaches at Minnesota. The Stephensons: Meg, Jim, Jack, and Sierra 6 THE STEPHENSONS AT MINNESOTA YEAR BIG TEN REGION NCAA rd 4th DNQ* th 6th DNQ th 5th DNQ nd 2nd 9th rd 3rd DNQ* rd 4th DNQ* th tie-4th DNQ st 5th DNQ nd 4th 10th th 6th DNQ th DNQ DNQ rd 5th DNQ th DNQ* DNQ * Team did not qualify for competition, however individual gymnasts qualified and competed Jim Stephenson enters his 14th season as the head coach of the Golden Gopher women s gymnastics team and his eighth as co-head coach with wife and former assistant Meg Stephenson. He has a record in his 13 years as head coach at Minnesota. In addition to the two Big Ten Coach of the Year honors he shared with Meg Stephenson, Jim was also honored as the league s coach of the year in 1997 and After reaching the NCAA Championships in Gainesville, Fla., in 1997 and coaching the Golden Gophers to a 10th-place finish, Stephenson said he has reached one of the goals he set out to accomplish at Minnesota. After beating that performance with the 9thplace national finish in 2002, he now looks to guide the team to a return trip to the NCAA Championships in The Stephensons have worked to increase meet attendance at the Sports Pavilion and to uphold and better the University of Minnesota s gymnastics reputation locally and nationally. Jim Stephenson knows all about coaching a team to national success. Before coming to Minnesota, Stephenson spent four years at the University of Utah as the first assistant coach. He helped coach the women s program to national titles in 1990 and Before going to Utah, Stephenson was an assistant men s coach at the University of New Mexico. There he coached NCAA vault champion Chad Fox and NCAA rings champion Paul O Neill. From , Jim and Meg Stephenson owned and coached at the Pantheon School of Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova, Calif., where they produced 98 individual state champions, two national Junior Olympic champions and seven state team champions. Outside of coaching, Stephenson has an accomplished history on the collegiate competitive level as well. Stephenson was a member of Iowa State s NCAA championship teams in 1971 and 1973, and earned All-America honors in Prior to college, he won Southern California High School all-around titles in 1967 and Stephenson competed internationally in the 1974 World University Games in Moscow and represented the United States in the 1974 South African World Cup. In addition to his outstanding coaching success, Stephenson is an accomplished artist and has worked as a technical illustrator for numerous U.S. Sports Federations, along with sculpting various bronze pieces for both public sights and private collections.

9 Born in Ann Arbor, Mich., and moving to San Diego at age 10, Stephenson graduated from Iowa State in 1973 with a bachelor s degree in physical education. Meg Stephenson is in her 14th year coaching the Golden Gopher women s gymnastics team and her ninth as co-head coach. Before becoming a co-head coach, Meg Stephenson had been an assistant in the program for five years. Meg primarily works with the balance beam and floor exercise teams. She is responsible for the choreagraphy of the team s beam and floor routines, as well as arranging the musing for floor exercise. She has helped guide two Gophers to Big Ten balance beam titles (Mindy Knaeble in 1997 and Cathy Keyser in 1998), and one gymnast to a Big Ten title in the floor exercise (Carolyn Yernberg in 2005). In 2002, she guided two athletes (MaryAnne Kelley and Annie Laatsch) to All-America performances on the floor exercise. Outside of Golden Gopher gymnastics, Meg has been very active in the gymnastics community, on a local and national scale. She served as the president of the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches for Women from After completing her third year in the position, she declined to run again in order to focus more completely on coaching and return to school, but continues to serve on the executive board. Meg is a member of the USAG Board of Directors. She has served as the chair of the Big Ten women s gymnastics coaches, and is also a member of the NCAA Gymnastics Championships Committee. Prior to coming to Minnesota, Meg was a consultant for four years at the University of Utah, where she assisted in both balance beam and floor exercise. From , Meg served as a gymnastics official and was an executive board member of the Northern California Coaches Association from Stephenson was the owner, co-head coach and business manager of the Pantheon School of Gymnastics in Rancho Cordova, Calif., from Meg was an accomplished gymnast in her collegiate days at Iowa State University from She served as the team captain for the Cyclones in 1980 and She was also a four-year regional competitor. Before Stephenson attended Iowa State, she was a four-year competitor for Evanston Township High School. In 1998 Stephenson was named to the Evanston Township High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She was named the Colgate High School Woman Athlete of the Year in 1977 and the AMF Illinois Outstanding Senior Gymnast. Stephenson earned a bachelor s degree in elementary education in 1981 from Iowa State and received her master s degree in human resource development at the University of Minnesota in The Stephensons live in Plymouth, Minn., with 18-year-old son, Jack, and 15-year-old daughter, Sierra. C O A C H I N G S T A F F QUOTING THE STEPHENSONS The Stephensons on working as co-head coaches: This situation allows us to focus more intensely on separate, specific aspects of the program. By capitalizing on our individual strengths, we can pay greater attention to detail and create a broader influence. The Stephensons on the Golden Gophers training philosophy: Training in an environment where staying safe, having fun and improving are the prioritized objectives. The University of Minnesota women s gymnastics team works to continually increase difficulty value without sacrificing form, execution or consistency. We hold a philosophy closely aligned to the concepts of classic, artistic gymnastics and pride ourselves on substantial improvement through positive coaching. The Stephensons on the future of Golden Gopher gymnastics: Our continually improving national ranking has made us more visible to the top talent. Our recruitment from that pool is evidence that Minnesota has become a big-league player in collegiate women s gymnastics. We are at a world-class university that is not only on the cutting edge of intercollegiate athletics, but whose financial support and long-range commitment is equalled by few other institutions. This program is a complete package, possessing all of the key ingredients needed for continued success. 7

10 C O A C H I N G S T A F F DOUG DAY Doug Day enters his ninth year as the assistant coach for Minnesota women s gymnastics. Day brings a host of technical, judging and coaching experience to the Golden Gophers. Prior to coming to Minnesota, he served as the assistant men s gymnastics coach at the University of New Mexico from During his time at New Mexico, he also taught physical education courses. In 2002, Day earned the second NCAA National Assistant Coach of the Year honor of his career (first was in 1995 for New Mexico men s gymnastics). He was also bestowed with the 2001 Regional Assistant Coach of the Year award. At New Mexico, he coached 10 individual national champions, 21 NCAA All-Americans and 36 individual event conference champions while helping the Lobos to five Western Athletic Conference team titles. In January 1997, Day was inducted into the University of New Mexico Gymnastics Hall of Fame for his contributions as an athlete and as a coach with the men s gymnastics team for 15 years. On a national scale, Day was the event director of three NCAA Western Regional Gymnastics Championships and was the assistant event director of the NCAA Men s Gymnastics Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., in Day was the co-owner of Duke City Gymnastics School, a private gymnastics club in Albuquerque, where he produced numerous state and regional individual and all around champions. From , he assistant coach ninth season at Minnesota The Day family: Doug, Lynn Marie and Sierra served as the president of the New Mexico Judges Association, and from 1996 to 1997, he served as the treasurer/secretary of the College Gymnastics Association. Day has more than 25 years of judging experience, including the 1996 Olympic Trials in Boston and nine USA Championships. He served as the high bar technical secretary for the 1996 Olympic Games. Day was the national apparatus leader on parallel bars in 1997 and the technical assistant on high bar from for USA Gymnastics. Internationally, he has judged dual meets for the U.S. against China, Romania, Bulgaria, Japan, Australia and Germany. Day also judged at the World University Games in Fukuoka, Japan. Day acted as the commissioner of gymnastics for the New Mexico State Games from Before going to New Mexico, Day was the owner and director of Artistic Gymnastics, Inc., in Long Island, N.Y. From , he served as the program director for the U.S. Gymnastics Training Center Camp in Mt. Herman, Mass. Day was also the Director of Adapted Physical Education for Half Hollow Hills School District No. 5 in Dix Hills, N.Y., from Sixteen of Day s former Junior Olympic athletes have received full athletic scholarships to major universities. Athletes trained by Day have competed in the 1992 and 1988 Olympic Games, the 1999, 1995, 1994, 1991 and 1979 World Gymnastics Championships and the USA McDonald s American Cup. Day served as coach for the U.S. at the 1989 Golden Sands Invitational in Varna, Bulgaria, and at the 1995 and 1994 Blanc Mesnil Invitational in Paris, France. He also served as an assistant coach for Slovenia at the 1999 World Gymnastics Championships in Tianjin, China. Day received his bachelor s degree in physical education from New Mexico in 1977 and his master s degree in adapted physical education from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass., in Day and his wife, Lynn Marie, have a 14-year-old daughter, Sierra. 8 Co-Head Coaches Jim and Meg Stephenson on Doug Day: Having coached both men s and women s gymnastics for more than 30 years, Doug has a vast knowledge of the sport. His international experience and well-deserved reputation as a spotter and teacher make him the ideal complement to our coaching staff.

11 ERIKA ESTERBY athletic trainer S U P P O R T S T A F F Erika Esterby is in her sixth year as an athletic trainer at the University of Minnesota. Esterby earned her bachelor of science degree in athletic training from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1998 and her master s degree in biomechanics from Ball State University in May Prior to starting at Minnesota in August 2000, Esterby was a graduate assistant certified athletic trainer at Ball State University. At Minnesota, she works specifically with the women s gymnastics and golf teams. Esterby and her husband, Matt, reside in Apple Valley. Dr. Elizabeth Arendt Medical Director Sara Berhow Athletic Communications Deborah Diamond Marketing & Promotions ALICIA OPSAHL SAARI volunteer assistant coach Lisa Hardy Administrative Specialist Dick Mattson Equipment Manager Dr. Pat Morris Team Physician Alicia Opsahl Saari is in her first year as a volunteer assistant coach after serving as a student assistant coach during the 2005 season. Opsahl Saari competed for the University of Minnesota gymnastics team from 2001 to She earned multiple awards during her collegiate career, including first-team All-Big Ten honors her senior season. As a junior, she shared the team s Most Valuable Performer Award with teammate Laura Johnson, and won the award again as a senior. She currently ranks second on Minnesota s all-time best scores list on two events, with a career-high of on both the uneven bars and the floor exercise. Opsahl Saari earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times, and was a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American. She completed her degree in family social science at the University of Minnesota last spring. Her husband, Nick, is a University of Minnesota student, and is in his second year in the dental school. The couple is expecting their first child in March. Robin Siedman Event Manager Kelly Watson Meet Manager MEGAN APPELL team manager Megan Appell is in her second year as a student manager for the women s gymnastics team at the University of Minnesota. She was a two-time Level 10 national qualifier while competing for Oshkosh Gymnastics. She is a sophomore majoring in communications, and has a minor in Spanish. She is the daughter of Tom and Joy Appell. 9

12 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S LAURA JOHNSON Senior Albuquerque, N.M. LaCueva HS Albuquerque Gymnastics 2005 Junior Season: Represented Minnesota at the NCAA Championships, earning an all around score of to place 16th in her session, 26th overall placed third among individual competitors in the all around at the national meet earned scores of on the vault, beam and floor, and tallied a on the bars at nationals placed fourth in the all around (39.150) at the NCAA Regional Championship earned scores of on the vault and bars, on the beam, and on the floor at the regional meet a first-team All- Big Ten honoree for the second straight season competed in the all around at every meet during the season, earning her best score (39.250) against Iowa finished second in the all around vs. Arizona State (39.175), at Washington (39.075), and at Ohio State (38.850) won the all around with a in the season opener against Arkansas tallied her best floor score of the season with a to place second in the meet against Arkansas earned a 9.875, her best vault score of the season, to tie with teammate Carolyn Yernberg for first place at Ohio State earned a on vault to tie with Yernberg for first vs. Arizona State placed fourth with a on the bars at Washington Minnesota's top performer on vault at Iowa State with a to tie for third was Minnesota's top vaulter against Utah with a to tie for fourth place was also Minnesota's top scorer on bars against Utah (9.675) tied with teammate Maria Opsahl for third place on the floor against Utah won the all around at the Best of Minnesota meet with a won the bars title at the Best of Minnesota meet with a score of scored a at Denver to tie for second place on bars tied with teammate Carolyn Yernberg for second on vault against Iowa (9.850) set a season-best mark with a on bars against Iowa to win the event matched her season-best (9.850) on bars to finish second against Arizona State earned a to tie with Maria Opsahl for second place on floor in the meet against Iowa won her fourth all around title of the season at Nebraska with a tied with teammate Maria Opsahl for third place on the floor at Nebraska with a score of was Minnesota's top scorer on the bars in 11 of 13 meets notched a on beam in the meet against Arizona State to mark her best score of the season on the event and tie for third place earned a to finish fifth in the all around at the Big Ten Championship was Minnesota's top bars performer at the Big Ten meet, earning a to match her season-high score honored with the team's Most Valuable Performer award varsity letterwinner an Academic All-Big Ten honoree recipient of the Kathleen C. Ridder Endowed Scholarship Sophomore Season: Earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades the only Golden Gopher gymnast to compete in the all around at every meet of the season placed in the top three on the vault at six meets, including a win in the event with a at the Best of Minnesota meet scored her career-best score of at two meets, against Nebraska and at Arizona State tied with Carolyn Yernberg for the team's highest average score on the vault during the season with an average score of matched the school record of on the bars at the Best of Minnesota meet placed in the top three on the bars at seven meets, winning the event twice tallied the best average bars score on the squad with a average set a new career-high score with a on the beam at Iowa had four top-three beam finishes, with two wins in the event won the floor exercise at two meets notched a career-high on the floor at Arizona State, helping the team to its best floor score of the season scored the second-best all around score in school history with a at the Best of Minnesota meet scored a in the all around at Arizona State My favorite thing about Minnesota gymnastics is that we are much more than a gymnastics team, we are a family with three parents and 16 sisters. We love, laugh, fight, and truly care for one another, which has made my collegiate experience much more profound. 10

13 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S to lead the Golden Gophers to their best team score in program history ( ) won the all around competition at four meets an Academic All-Big Ten award winner earned her second varsity letter Freshman Season: Competed on bars and beam in every meet and was an all-arounder in 10 meets earned second-team All-Big Ten honors tied for team lead for highest score on vault this season with a and tied Mary Skokut for the highest all-around total with a had career bests on vault (9.825) and bars (9.775) against Arizona, placing sixth and fourth, respectively set career-high on beam with a against Michigan to place sixth was sixth on vault with a against Michigan had fifth-place finish on vault at Florida with a competed as an all-arounder for the first time in her career against Utah, scoring a had career-high scores of on beam and on the floor against Utah as an all-arounder at the Best of Minnesota, she set career highs by winning vault (9.925) and bars (9.775) and finishing sixth on floor (9.800) set her best allaround score at Best of Minnesota with a had a career high on bars with a 9.80 and finished second on vault (9.875) and third in the all-around at Illinois continued to set career highs against Iowa State with a on bars (fifth), 9.85 on beam (fourth), 9.80 on floor (10th) and in the all-around (second) finished second in the all-around at Wolfpack Invite with a and finished third on bars with a career-high score of 9.85, fourth on vault (9.80) and sixth on floor (9.775) finished in a tie for fourth on vault at UNC Quadrangular with a took second on vault against Penn State with a had her second-best all-around meet at Iowa State, placing third with a and earning career highs on beam with a and floor with a finished fourth on both vault (9.85) and bars (9.875) vs. Iowa and recorded career bests on bars and floor exercise (9.825). High School/Club: Competed at the Level 10 Junior Olympic national meet five times finished among the top 12 all arounders at nationals five times was the West Regional Level 10 vault champion three of her last four years was the 2002 New Mexico state champion in the all around, vault and floor exercise, and took second on the bars and third on beam finished second on vault, fifth on bars and sixth in the all around at the 2002 Level 10 nationals won the all around, vault and bars at the Level 10 Junior Olympics Regional was the 2001 New Mexico state champion in every event except balance beam where she placed second placed sixth in the all around at the Level 10 Junior Olympic Nationals as a freshman in 1999 recognized as one of the strongest all-around competitors in the national Junior Olympic Program. Personal:Born July 24, 1984 majoring in marketing and public relations daughter of Ken and Mary Jane Johnson. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Best of Minn., 2/8/03 Bars , at Best of Minnesota, 2/7/04 Beam , at Iowa, 2/27/04 Floor , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 All Around , Best of Minnesota, 2/7/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Ohio State, 1/15/05 Bars , three times, last at Big Tens, 3/26/05 Beam , vs. Arizona State, 3/12/05 Floor , vs. Arkansas, 1/8/05 All Around , vs. Iowa, 2/26/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , twice, last at Arizona State, 3/12/04 Bars , at Best of Minnesota, 2/7/04 Beam , at Iowa, 2/27/04 Floor , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 All Around , Best of Minnesota, 2/7/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , Best of Minnesota, 2/8/03 Bars , at Big Ten Championship, 3/29/03 Beam , twice, last at Iowa State, 3/16/03 Floor , twice, last vs. Iowa, 3/22/03 All Around , vs. Iowa State, 2/22/03 11

14 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S MARIA OPSAHL Senior Forest Lake, Minn. Forest Lake HS Twin City Twisters 2005 Junior Season: Served as the team captain competed on the vault and bars in every meet earned her best vault score of the season against Iowa (9.775) scored a on the bars versus Iowa State earned a on bars at Nebraska to set a careerhigh and tie for second place in the event was in the floor line up in the last 12 meets of the season, earning her best score of three times placed second in the floor exercise at the Best of Minnesota meet was Minnesota's highest finisher on the floor at Denver, tying for third place tied with teammate Laura Johnson for second on floor against Iowa (9.875) tied for third place on floor at Nebraska with a competed in three events at the Big Ten meet, earning a on the vault, a on the bars, and a on the floor also competed in three events at the NCAA Regional Championship, earning scores of on vault, on bars, and on the floor varsity letterwinner an Academic All-Big Ten honoree a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American reicpient of the Eckman Endowed Scholarship Sophomore Season: Competed on the bars, beam and floor, setting career-high marks in all three events during her sophomore campaign competed on the floor at all 13 meets of the season, scoring a career-high at home against Iowa State, placing second in the event was in the lineup on the beam in all but the first meet of the season set her career-best with a on beam at Arizona State, helping the team to its best beam score in school history tallied a career-best on the bars twice, at the Best of Minnesota meet, and against Nebraska Academic All-Big Ten varsity letterwinner Freshman Season: Competed for the first time in her career against Utah, with a 9.10 on the beam and a on floor set new career highs with a on beam and a to take fifth on floor exercise at Best of Minnesota set a season high on floor with a against Iowa State set season high score on beam at Wolfpack Invite with a High School/Club: Tied for second place at the 2001 Minnesota State Championships qualified for and participated in the Junior Olympic Level 10 Nationals all four years of high school. Personal: Born Feb. 14, 1984 majoring in Elementary Education sister of former Minnesota gymnast Alicia Opsahl daughter of Tom and Sharon Opsahl. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Iowa, 2/26/05 Bars , at Nebraska, 3/6/05 Beam , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 Floor , vs. Iowa State, 2/21/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Iowa, 2/26/05 Bars , at Nebraska, 3/6/05 Floor , three times, last vs. Iowa, 2/26/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , twice, last vs. Nebraska, 3/6/04 Beam , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 Floor , vs. Iowa State, 2/21/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Beam , at North Carolina State, 2/28/03 Floor , vs. Iowa State, 2/22/03 I love that I have gotten to be on the Gopher gymnastics team. It has been a goal of mine since I was a little girl, and every time I am out on the Gopher floor competing, I think about how amazing it is to be here! I love it. 12

15 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S For my last season as a Golden Gopher, I am most looking forward to displaying the tremendous talent and hard work that comprises the team this year. I can't wait for this team to turn some heads and prove our selves on the competition floor. KELLY STOUT Senior Albuquerque, N.M. Albuquerque HS Duke City Gymnastics 2005 Junior Season: Compted on the vault at Iowa State, earning a honored with the Mariam Award an Academic All-Big Ten honoree a NACGC/W Scholastic All- American varsity letterwinner Sophomore Season: Competed on the vault in 12 of 13 meets during the season scored a season-best on vault at three meets, at home against Iowa State, against Nebraska, and at the Big Ten Championship earned Academic All-Big Ten honors a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American earned her second varsity letter Freshman Season: Competed in her first career meet against Arizona scoring a on floor performed on vault for the first time ever, scoring a 9.60 at Iowa State recorded a career-high score of on vault against Iowa. High School/Club: Was the 2001 Level 9 regional champion on the vault the 2001 AA Level 9 state champion on the vault a member of the Duke City Gymnastics Club for 12 years. Personal: Born July 14, 1984 majoring in history, with a minor in political science a four-time academic letterwinner honor society member daughter of David Stout and Kathleen Minoli. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Iowa, 3/22/03 Floor , at NCAA Regionals, 4/12/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Iowa State, 3/18/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , three times-last at Big Tens, 3/20/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Beam , at North Carolina State, 2/28/03 Floor , at NCAA Regionals, 4/12/03 13

16 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S The most exciting moment of my Gopher gymnastics career so far was at Big Ten Championships last year. It was really exciting. We all did really well and didn't have to count a fall. None of us could quit smiling. STEPHANIE FUNK Junior Lake Oswego, Ore. Lake Oswego HS Gymnastics Metro 2005 Sophomore Season: Competed on the bars and beam at every meet scored a season-best to place third on the bars against Iowa matched her season-high with a on bars at Nebraska tallied a on the bars at Ohio State was Minnesota's top finisher on bars at Iowa State, placing sixth with a scored a to place third on the beam at Washington also scored a on beam against Utah and at Denver matched her career-best with a on beam against Arizona State to tie for third place competed on the floor in seven meets, earning her best score of the season against Arizona State (9.850) earned a on the bars to tie for ninth place at the Big Ten meet also competed on the beam (9.675) and floor (9.750) at the Big Ten Championship competed in three events at the NCAA Regional Championship, earning scores of on the bars, on the beam, and on the floor earned her second varsity letter Freshman Season: Competed on balance beam in every meet of the season scored a season-high on the beam with a at Arizona State, helping the team to its best beam score of the season was in the lineup on bars in 12 of 13 competitions during the season earned her top bars score of the season with a against Nebraska competed on the floor in six meets, with her best performance coming at Arizona State where she scored a earned her first varsity letter. High School/Club: Was a member of the Metro gymnastics team placed in the top 10 on bars at the Junior Olympic Nationals in 2001 and 2002, taking seventh place in 2002 and 10th place in 2001 was 11th in the all-around competition at Junior Olympic Nationals in Personal: Born March 28, 1985 plans to major in elementary education lists music as her hobby is the fifth of six children in her family has four sisters, Christine, Carolyn, Trish and Lizzy, and one brother, Joe sister Trish is a member of the swimming and diving team at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania daughter of Kathy Funk. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Bars , vs. Nebraska, 3/6/04 Beam , twice, vs. Arizona State, 3/12/05 Floor , at Arizona State, 3/12/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , twice, last at Nebraska, 3/6/05 Beam , twice, vs. Arizona State, 3/12/05 Floor , vs. Arkansas, 1/8/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , vs. Nebraska, 3/6/04 Beam , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 Floor , at Arizona State, 3/12/04 14

17 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S KELLY GANCHAN Junior Reno, Nev. Reno HS Flips U.S.A Sophomore Season: Compted on the balance beam in 12 of 13 meets, earning her best score (9.800) at Nebraska and at home against Arizona State was inserted into the vault line up at Washington and scored a then-season high notched a on the vault at Denver set a career-high with a on vault at Iowa State competed in two events at the Big Ten Championship, scoring a on the vault and a on the beam also competed on the vault and beam at the NCAA Regional Championship, earning scores of and 8.650, respectively earned her second varsity letter an Academic All-Big Ten honoree Freshman Season: Competed on the balance beam in all 13 meets during the season set her career-best score with a against UCLA, then matched that score against Nebraska was in the lineup on vault in five meets scored a twice on the vault, at Iowa State and against Nebraska earned her first varsity letter. High School/Club: Was a member of the Flips USA gymnastics team was a Level 9 Western National Floor Champion in 2001 and was a second-place finisher in the allaround competition at the Western Nationals was a three-time recipient of the Best Sportsmanship Award and a twotime Most Improved Gymnast Award winner from Flips USA Gymnastics. Personal: Born March 23, 1985 plans to major in biology ranked first in her high school class with a 4.0 grade point average her hobbies are listening to music, watching movies and shopping has two sisters, Laura and Meg, and one brother, Michael daughter of Richard and Debbie Ganchan. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Iowa State, 3/18/05 Beam , twice, last vs. Nebraska, 3/6/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Iowa State, 3/18/05 Beam , twice last vs. Ariz. State, 3/12/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , twice, last vs. Nebraska, 3/6/04 Beam , twice, last vs. Nebraska, 3/6/04 The most important thing I have learned during my time as a Golden Gopher is that doing the best you can possibly do is the greatest reward of all. If you have given it your all, you cannot ask for more. 15

18 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S KIM WOMACK Junior Huntsville, Utah Weber HS USA Gymnastics 2005 Sophomore Season: Competed on the vault and bars at every meet earned a in the season opener against Arkansas earned her best vault score at Denver with a tallied her best bars score at Denver (9.750) was inserted into the floor line up for the meet against Utah, and earned a earned a season-high on floor against Iowa competed in the vault (9.650), bars (9.650) and floor (9.700) at the Big Ten Championship also competed in three events at the NCAA Regional Championship, earning a on vault, a on bars, and a on floor varsity letterwinner Freshman Season: Appeared on the vault, bars, and floor during the season, competing on the floor in every meet scored a season-best at four consecutive meets, at Iowa, at Iowa State, against Nebraska, and at Arizona State competed on the bars at nine meets, scoring a season-best at Arizona State and at the Big Ten Championships made the lineup on the vault six times, earning a season-best at Iowa State earned her first varsity letter. High School/Club: A member of the USA Gymnastics World team finished 24th in the all-around competition at the 2001 Level 10 Nationals was a 10th-place finisher in the all around at nationals in Personal: Born June 14, 1985 plans to major in kinesiology hobbies are hiking and watching movies has a sister, Lucinda, and a brother, Neil daughter of Ben and Margaret Womack. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Denver, 2/19/05 Bars , twice, last at Big Tens, 3/20/04 Floor , four times, last at Ariz. State, 3/12/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Denver, 2/19/05 Bars , at Denver, 2/19/05 Floor , vs. Iowa, 2/26/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Iowa State, 2/29/04 Bars , twice, last at Big Tens, 3/20/04 Floor , four times, last at Ariz. State, 3/12/04 The best part about being a part of the Minnesota women's gymnastic team is the sense of being a part of a family. This is nice especially when you're far from home. 16

19 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S Our team is full of bright and talented people who care about each other so much. Seeing sixteen people working hard everyday together to accomplish the same goal is pretty incredible, and I am so proud to be a part of it. ANDY CORNELIUS Sophomore Woodinville, Wash. Woodinville HS Cascade Elite 2005 Freshman Season: Made her collegiate debut at Washington, scoring a on bars scored a on the bars at the Best of Minnesota meet to tie with teammate Rehana Russell for second place earned a against Iowa to mark her best score of the season tallied a on bars at the Big Ten Championship an Academic All-Big Ten honoree varsity letterwinner Season: Redshirted the season to rehabilitate an injury sustained while in high school. Personal: Born Jan. 13, 1985 plans to major in nutrition a National Honor Society member in high school hobbies are listening to music, bike riding, and spending time with friends has a brother, Kyle, and a sister, Rebecca daughter of Craig and Vicki Cornelius. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Bars , vs. Iowa, 2/26/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , vs. Iowa, 2/26/05 17

20 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S My favorite thing about the Minnesota gymnastics program is the opportunity to dedicate myself to a team and a goal. It is really fun to see yourself and your teammates improve on that goal. AMANDA MILES Sophomore Chaska, Minn. Chaska HS TAGS Eden Prairie 2005 Freshman Season: Competed on the balance beam in every meet earned her season-high score of at Denver to place tie for fourth in the event earned a on the beam at the Big Ten meet recorded a at the NCAA Regional Championship was inserted into the bars line up at Washington for the injured Angela Walker earned her first varsity letter a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American. High School/Club: Placed third on the beam and floor exercise and finished fourth in the all around at the 2004 level 10 state meet finished sixth on floor and fourth on beam at the level 10 state meet in 2003, and went on to place fourth on beam at the Junior Olympic Nationals won the level 10 state championship on beam in 2002 finished third on floor at the 2002 level 10 regional meet won state titles at level 9 on the vault, beam, floor, and all around in 2000 was the level 9 regional champion on beam and in the all around in Personal: Born June 11, 1986 plans to major in psychology lists painting, going to movies and listening to music as her hobbies has one brother, Matt daughter of Thomas and Vicki Miles. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Bars , at Washington, 1/28/05 Beam , twice, last at Iowa State, 3/18/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , at Washington, 1/28/05 Beam , twice, last at Iowa State, 3/18/05 18

21 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S ASHLEY MUTCHLER Sophomore Coon Rapids, Minn. Spring Lake Park HS Twin City Twisters 2005 Freshman Season: Competed on the vault in every meet scored a on the vault at Ohio State to tie for fifth place tallied her best floor score of the season with a against Iowa made her first balance beam appearance at Washington, and earned a scored a season-best on the beam at the Best of Minnesota to tie with teammate Ashley Stanton for first place earned a on beam at Denver to tie with Amanda Miles for fourth place led Minnesota on beam against Iowa with a to place fifth Minnesota's top performer on beam at Iowa State, tying for third with a to tie her career-best score in the event tied with Ashley Stanton for the team's best beam score at the Big Ten meet (9.775) won a share of the Big Ten title on the vault with a 9.900, her career-best score the first Minnesota freshman to win a Big Ten individual title since 1991 competed on the vault (9.775) and beam (9.625) at the NCAA Regional Championship earned her first varsity letter recipient of the Sophia Benaires Endowed Scholarship. High School/Club: Won the vault title and placed eighth in the all around at the level 10 national meet in 2004 placed second in the all around at the 2004 level 10 regionals placed first in the all-around in the senior national elite division at both the 2003 U.S. Challenge and 2002 American Challenge finished third on the vault at the level 10 nationals in Personal: Born December 10, 1985 plans to major in nursing has one sister, Crystal daughter of Theresa and Edward Mutchler. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Big Ten Championships, 3/26/05 Beam , twice, last at Iowa State, 3/18/05 Floor , vs. Iowa, 2/26/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , at Big Ten Championships, 3/26/05 Beam , twice, last at Iowa State, 3/18/05 Floor , vs. Iowa, 2/26/05 My favorite thing about being a apart of the Minnesota gymnastics program is the team! We all get along really well, and even though we practice everyday with each other, we still hang out on weekends too. I love the relationships I have with my teammates! 19

22 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S REHANA RUSSELL Sophomore Oshkosh, Wis. Oshkosh West HS Oshkosh Gymnastics 2005 Freshman Season: Competed on the bars in 12 of 13 meets during the season earned her best score of the year with a at Nebraska to tie with teammate Maria Opsahl for second place in the event tallied a score of against Iowa to take second place on bars earned a against Arizona State earned a at Denver tied with teammate Andy Cornelius for second place on the bars at the Best of Minnesota meet with a earned a at the Big Ten Championship and a at the NCAA Regional Championship earned a varsity letter. High School/Club: Competed nationally for the Oshkosh Gymnastics Center competed at the Junior Olympic Level 10 National Championship in 2001, 2003, and 2004 won the all around competition at the Wisconsin state meet in 2004 won the 2004 state title on beam placed second on vault and third in the floor exercise at state in 2004 an all-state honoree as a senior led her team to a state title in 2003 took first place on the bars at the state meet in Personal: Born August, 1985 graduated with honors from Oshkosh West High School plans to major in communications has three younger siblings, all gymnasts, Randi Jo, Cody, and Dusti daughter of Dave and Debbie Russell both parents were collegiate gymnasts at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Bars , at Nebraska, 3/6/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Bars , at Nebraska, 3/6/05 The coaches each take time to get to know each one of us individually, and respect us for who we are. Their actions and words show how much they care and love all of us. 20

23 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S The most exciting moment of my career as a Gopher would be Big Tens 2005! It was the most fun and energizing meet and everyone could feel it. It was the most fun I have had with a team, ever! ASHLEY STANTON Sophomore Centennial, Colo. Smoky Hill HS Colorado Gymnastics Institute 2005 Freshman Season: Competed on the beam and floor in every meet earned her season-best score of to win on beam at Denver tied with teammate Ashley Mutchler for first on the beam with a at the Best of Minnesota meet tied with teammate Laura Johnson for the team's best beam score at Ohio State (9.750) again led Minnesota on the beam against Iowa State with a to place sixth tallied her best floor score (9.850) at the Best of Minnesota meet to finish third in the event tied with Ashley Mutchler for the team's best score on beam at the Big Ten meet with a earned a on the floor at the Big Ten Championship competed on the beam and floor at the NCAA Regional Championship, earning scores of and 9.800, respectively varsity letterwinner earned the team's Most Improved Gymnast award Season: Redshirted the season to rehabilitate a knee injury. High School/Club: A 2001 regional beam champion finished ninth in floor exercise at the Level 10 Nationals in both 2001 and 1999 also placed sixth in the vault at nationals in 2001 took first place in the beam, vault and all-around competition at the 1999 Colorado State Championships. Personal: Born Sept. 16, 1984 plans on majoring in elementary education lists waterskiing and camping as her hobbies has one brother, Adam daughter of Douglas and Susan Stanton. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Beam , at Denver, 2/19/05 Floor , Best of Minnesota, 2/12/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Beam , at Denver, 2/19/05 Floor , Best of Minnesota, 2/12/05 21

24 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S The most important thing I've learned from being a part of the Gopher gymnastics program is how to be a true team player. I've learned how to support my team in ways other than getting a high score on a routine. Learning to provide a shoulder to lean on, helping keep others positive through struggles, or even just cheering as loud as you can are all components of a good teammate. ANGELA WALKER Sophomore Houston, Texas Langham Creek HS Champion Gymnastics 2005 Freshman Season: Appeared in the all around in the season opener against Arkansas and in the home meet versus Iowa State tied with teammate Carolyn Yernberg for first place on the vault in her first collegiate meet with a score of earned her best floor score with a in the season opener tallied her best bars and all around scores in the meet against Iowa State with a on the bars and a in the all around suffered a knee injury while dismounting the beam at Washington, and did not compete in any other events at that meet was diagnosed with a torn ACL, and missed the remainder of the 2005 season earned her first varsity letter a NACGC/W Scholastic All-American recipient of the Eckman Endowed Scholarship. High School/Club: Won every event at the 2004 Junior Olympic Region 3 competition was a Junior Olympic National Team member in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2004 placed first on the vault and third in the all around at the 2002 Junior Olympics National Championships came in first on the vault, third on the bars and floor, and fifth in the all around at the 2002 Junior Olympic Regionals finished fourth on the vault at the Junior Olympic Level 10 Nationals in 2000 won the all around and placed second on vault and bars at the Junior Olympic Regionals in 2000 competed at the Level 9 national championships in 1998 and Personal: Born February 26, 1986 plans to major in neuroscience graduated summa cum laude from Langham Creek High School, ranking third in a class of 721 member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society winner of multiple academic awards in high school, including the World History Medal of Excellence, the Geometry Medal of Excellence, and the English Medal of Excellence a finalist for the National Young Writer Award has two brothers, Jonathan and Jeremy daughter of Bret and Kathy Walker. CAREER-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Arkansas. 1/8/05 Bars , vs. Iowa State, 1/22/05 Beam , at Ohio State, 1/15/05 Floor , vs. Arkansas, 1/8/05 All Around , vs. Iowa State, 1/22/ SEASON-HIGH SCORES Vault , vs. Arkansas. 1/8/05 Bars , vs. Iowa State, 1/22/05 Beam , at Ohio State, 1/15/05 Floor , vs. Arkansas, 1/8/05 All Around , vs. Iowa State, 1/22/05 22

25 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S JADE BEATTIE Freshman Bismarck, N.D. Bismarck HS Bismarck Gymnastics High School/Club: Competed for the gymnastics team at Bismarck High School, as well as with the Bismarck Gymnastics Academy was the Junior Olympic state champion on floor in 2005, and finished second in the all around went on to the JO regional competition, where she finished seventh on vault, eighth on bars, and 10th in the all around competed at the Junior Olympic Level 10 Regionals in 2004, where she placed sixth on the bars and vault, and finished ninth in the all around competed at the Junior Olympic Level 10 Nationals in 2003 and placed 16th on the vault and bars as a member of the Bismarck High School Demons gymnastics team, Beattie won every event at the 2004 state championship, setting a state record in the all around won the state title on the bars as a senior in 2005 placed second in the all around at the 2002, 2003, and 2005 state meets led her team to championship titles in both 2002 and 2003, and a second-place finish in 2005 a seven-time letter winner at Bismarck High School, earning four letters in gymnastics (2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005), two in track and field (2004 and 2005), and one in orchestra (2002) qualified for the state track & field meet in 2004 and 2005 finished sixth in the long jump and triple jump, and placed seventh in the pole vault at the 2004 state track & field meet had the best state-qualifying mark in the pole vault in 2005 with a personal-best jump of 10 feet, 6 inches placed fifth in the triple jump at the 2005 North Dakota championship named the North Dakota Senior Athlete of the Year voted Team MVP and voted Most Inspirational in gymnastics as a senior a finalist for the Bismarck Tribune Athlete of the Year Award. Personal: Born September 14, 1987 a 2005 graduate of Bismarck High School valedictorian of her high school class, earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average a member of the North Dakota Silver All-State Academic Team named an AP Scholar with Distinction plans to major in pre-dentistry and would like to pursue a career as a pediatric dentist or orthodontist an accomplished dancer who has competed as a member of the Northern Plains Dance Academy a National Honor Society member, and a finalist for a National Merit Scholarship has one younger brother, Davis daughter of Brian and Sharon Beattie. The combination of the coaching staff, the team, the school, and the location made it hard for any other school to compare to the University of Minnesota. I felt at home right away, and I have loved every minute of my experience here. 23

26 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S CARMELINA CARABAJAL Freshman Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva HS Albuquerque Gymnastics High School/Club: Competed for the Albuquerque Gymnastics School won the vault and floor at all but three meets she competed in during the 2005 season earned a secondplace showing in the all around at the 2005 Kurt Thomas meet in Dallas, earning a 38.9 won the vault, beam, floor, and all around at the 2005 state meet, and placed second on the bars her score of 38.6 in the all around at the state meet set the state record finished fifth in the all around at the 2005 Region 3 meet to qualify for the Junior Olympic Nationals decided not to compete in the national meet her senior season to attend her high school graduation ceremony won the Junior Olympic state title a total of five times in her career, and competed at the Junior Olympic Regionals three times placed fifth at the Junior Olympic Nationals in 2004 in 2003, she finished 16th in the all around at Junior Olympic Regionals. Personal: Born April 29, 1987 plans to major in kinesiology a 2005 graduate of LaCueva High School, where she served on the School Senate for four years has one younger brother, Stephen daughter of Fred and Margaret Carabajal. I have wanted to be a part of a college gymnastics team my whole life and now it has happened! I am just so proud to be on a team with such amazing girls and coaches! 24

27 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S During my career at the U, I want to become the absolute best gymnast I can, which won t be hard, because our coaches are awesome. I also have such amazing and fun teammates, so that also makes it easier to get pumped and excited to work out every day. I would like to see our team make it to nationals, which I have full faith that we can do! NOUEL CASON Freshman Sparks, Nev. Reed HS Flips U.S.A. High School/Club: Competed for the Flips USA Gymnastics Club in Reno, Nev. placed second in the all around at the 2005 Junior Olympis regional competition advanced to the 2005 national meet, where she earned a ninth-place finished in the all around, 10th on the vault and floor, 15th on beam, and 18th on bars placed second on both the beam and vault at the 2004 level 10 state meet went on to win the all around at the 2004 Junior Olympic regional meet, qualifying her for the national meet sustained an injury while at the 2004 national meet and was unable to compete competed at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2002 and 2003, where she finished sixth in the floor exercise in 2002 and placed fifth in the floor exercise and all around in 2003 named the Team MVP at Flips for the 2004 competitive season. Personal: Born August 10, 1987 plans to major in fashion design an honor student at Reed High School won the 2004 Outstanding Performance Award in Interior and Architectural Design daughter of Paul and Gina Cason. 25

28 G Y M N A S T P R O F I L E S The coaches here are amazing! They are the most compassionate people and I love working with them. It s been nice getting to work with people that love what they do and are excited about each day. They really care about each gymnast and do their best to ensure that everyone has a great collegiate experience. JACKIE WALKABOUT Freshman Hilo, Hawaii Hilo HS Pantheon Gymnastics High School/Club: Competed for the Pantheon School of Gymnastics won the Hawaii Level 10 state championship on the floor in 2005 an alternate competitor for the Junior Olympic Level 10 National Meet a qualifier for the Junior Olympic Level 10 National Meet in 2004 won state titles on the vault, floor and all around in 2003 at Level 9 qualified to Level 9 Western Nationals in Personal: Born March 19, 1987 undecided on a major graduated magna cum laude from Hilo High School daughter of Jerry and Pattie Walkabout. 26

29 G Y M N A S T FEATURED ALUMNAE - WHERE ARE THEY NOW? P R O F I L E S Karie (Ploof) Tuttle ( ) Family: husband Bob Tuttle, children Samantha (13), Bobby (11), and Jack (5) Graduated: University of Minnesota, BS in Physical Education, 1984 Employment: Karie was the head gymnastics coach at Bloomington Jefferson and Wayzata high schools, as well as a coach at Park Gymnastics and Gleason s School of Gymnastics before leaving to become a full-time mom in Awards and honors received during her collegiate career: One of the first three full scholarship recipients for women s gymnastics at Minnesota second on beam at the 1980 Big Ten meet won the beam and placed sixth in the all around, leading her team to the 1980 regional title second on the beam at regionals in 1981 won the beam and finished fifth in the all around at the 1982 Big Ten Championship first on beam, and second in the floor and all around at the 1982 regional meet finished third on the beam and 10th in the all around at nationals in 1982 second on the beam and seventh in the all around at the 1983 Big Ten Championship three-time All-Big Ten honoree All-American in 1982 broke school and Big Ten records for the beam in 1982 Minnesota Senior Gymnast of the Year in 1983 Inducted into the Minnesota Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1999 inducted into the Shakopee High School Hall of Fame in 2000 inducted into the University of Minnesota M Club Hall of Fame in Mindy (Knaeble) Kiff ( ) Family: husband Tom Kiff Graduated: Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, 1999 Current Employment: Level 5-10 coach at TAGS South Gymnastics in Eden Prairie Current Residence: Minneapolis, Minn. Awards & honors during collegiate career: An All-American in 1997 a four-time All-Big Ten honoree (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998) three-time team MVP (1996, 1997, 1998) won a Big Ten title on the floor in 1996 won a Big Ten title on the beam in 1997 member of the team that won the Big Ten title in 1998 a member of the first Minnesota women s gymnastics team to qualify for the NCAA Championships in 1997 inducted into the Minnesota Gymnastics Hall of Fame in MaryAnne Kelley-Elzen ( ) Family: husband Owen Elzen (University of Minnesota wrestler, ), daughter Madelyn May, born Sept. 27, 2005 Graduated: Bachelor of Science in Family Social Science, 2003 Current Employment : TOPS team coach and director, Twin City Twisters Gymnastics Club. Current Residence: St. Anthony Village, Minn. Awards & honors during collegiate career: Three-time All-American (all around, floor, vault) three-time All-Big Ten honoree 2000, 2001, 2002) 2002 Honda Award nominee Big Ten Gymnast of the Year in 2002 Minnesota Female Athlete of the Year in 2002 a three-time team MVP team captain in 2002 won the floor title at the 2002 NCAA Regional Championship 2002 Noth Central Region Gymnast of the Year member of the 2002 team that has the best national finish (ninth) in school history qualified for the 2001 NCAA National Championship as an individual currently holds a share of the school record in the floor exercise (9.975), and holds the program s record in the all around with a

30 GOLDEN

31 GOPHERS

32 T R A I N I N G F A C I L I T I E S A first-class training facility, Peik Gym includes a fully equipped gym with Resi Pits, creative teaching stations, including video-review stations at each event, and AAIspecified equipment. The approximately 18,000 squarefoot facility also features coaches offices, a private locker room, a team lounge and study area, and rooms specific to video viewing and athletic training. 30 A remodeled locker room is for the exclusive use of the women s gymnastics team. The gymnasts can study in two separate rooms off the locker room at Peik Gym, including a computer lab with internet access.

33 S P O R T S P A V I L I O N Minnesota Top 10 Attendance Records 1. 3,422 vs. Alabama 1/10/ ,154 vs. Iowa State 3/13/ ,004 Best of Minnesota 2/10/ ,917 vs. #12 Iowa State 2/6/ ,778 Best of Minnesota* 2/9/ ,775 vs. #2 Utah 1/23/ ,711 Best of Minnesota 2/12/ ,685 Best of Minnesota 1/11/ ,536 vs. Michigan* 3/13/ ,510 Best of Minnesota 2/12/05 * Meet at Williams Arena The Golden Gophers in the Sports Pavilion Year Attendance Meets Avg. Attendance , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , National Attendance Rankings Rank Team Name Average Home Attendance 1. Utah Alabama Georgia Michigan Florida Arkansas Oregon State L.S.U UCLA Kentucky Penn State Auburn Nebraska Minnesota Missouri Stanford Brigham Young Utah State Washington Boise State North Carolina State Iowa State Denver Kent State Illinois 1016 The Sports Pavilion is the competition home to the Golden Gopher women s gymnastics team. The Pavilion is the site of the annual Best of Minnesota meet, and was the home of the 2004 Big Ten Women s Gymnastics Championships. The Sports Pavilion has been home to the women s gymnastics team for the last 11 years and in that short span of time, The Pav is well on its way to becoming one of the best places in the country to see great collegiate gymnastics. An average of 1,717 fans attended each Golden Gopher gymnastics meet during the 2005 season. The Golden Gophers finished the season ranked 14th in the nation in average attendance. The Sports Pavilion at the University of Minnesota is a testament to the commitment of this University to its women s athletics teams, co-head coach Meg Stephenson said. We are fortunate to have this state-of-the-art arena. A gymnastics meet at the Sports Pavilion is more than just a gymnastics outing, it s an event for the entire family. In addition to great competition between many of the top teams in the nation, an evening with the Golden Gophers also includes other festivites. Minnesota s mascot Goldy Gopher, a fan favorite, is always on hand to direct the fun. Between rotations, audience members can participate in promotional games and contests. The building previously housed the ice hockey arena and was remodeled and reopened in Before moving into the Pavilion, the gymnastics team called Williams Arena home. In addition to the arena, the Sports Pavilion encompasses several other comforts of home. Seven-foot, white oak lockers grace the gymnastics locker room. Each gymnast s personal locker is individually lighted with its own shelving and power outlets. Directly off the locker room is a spacious team room. The team room contains an auditorium-like meeting area and a video-viewing facility, as well as luxurious team lounge and study areas. The Club Room overlooks the Sports Pavilion arena and is truly a special place for post-meet receptions or booster club outings. The Sports Pavilion also houses a media meeting room with easy access to the competition floor. Visiting locker rooms, an equipment room, athletic training facilities and a weight room are located in the lower level of the Sports Pavilion. The Sports Pavilion is also home to the Golden Gophers men s gymnastics, wrestling and volleyball teams. 31

34 I N R E V I E W MINNESOTA AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP Minnesota was represented by junior all around performer Laura Johnson at the NCAA Championship. Johnson finished 16th in the all around in her session, and 26th overall. Among the individual qualifiers for the NCAA meet, Johnson finished second in the all around. Her all around score was at the national meet, with event scores of on the vault, and on the bars, beam, and floor exercise. THE GOPHERS AT THE NCAA NORTH CENTRAL REGION CHAMPIONSHIPS The Golden Gophers earned a fourth-place finish at the NCAA North Central Regional Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah. The competition marked Minnesota s 10th-consecutive NCAA Regional Championship appearance. Utah won the regional competition with a mark of , followed by Brigham Young who placed second with a Oregon State placed third with a , followed by Minnesota ( ), Southern Utah ( ), and Iowa ( ). Laura Johnson and Carolyn Yernberg each led Minnesota on two events to pace the Gophers. Johnson was Minnesota s top performer on the bars (9.800) and beam (9.700), while Yernberg was the team s top performer on the floor (9.900) and the vault (9.825). Johnson placed fourth in the all around with a score of , and earned a trip to to the NCAA Championship. Minnesota started the meet with a bye in the first rotation, and moved to the bars in the second rotation. The Gophers earned a on the event, led by junior Laura Johnson who tallied a score of to tie for seventh place. Laura Johnson again led the Gophers in their second event, earning a on the balance beam to tie for 16th place. Minnesota was forced to count a fall on the event en route to a team score of After another bye rotation, Minnesota had its highest score of the evening on floor, earning a Carolyn Yernberg led the way for the Gophers, earning a to tie for third place. Also placing in the top 10 was Laura Johnson, who earned a to tie for ninth place. The Gophers finished the meet on the vault, earning a Carolyn Yernberg was the top scorer for Minnesota with a to tie for 10th place. MINNESOTA AT THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS Minnesota finished in third place at the 2005 Big Ten Championships, which were held at the University of Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Gophers earned a team score of for their highest Big Ten finish since coming in second at the 2002 championship. Minnesota had more than one individual event champion for the first time since the 1991 season, as freshman Ashley Mutchler tied for first on the vault, and senior Carolyn Yernberg tied for first on the floor. Mutchler is the first Gopher freshman to win a Big Ten title since Jessica Wolf won the Big Ten vault title as a freshman in The Golden Gophers started the meet on the balance beam, and were led by freshmen Ashley Stanton and Ashley Mutchler, who each earned a score of to tie for 10th place. The team score for Minnesota on the beam was The floor exercise was the second event of the evening for Minnesota. The Gophers earned a team score of Minnesota's top finisher was Carolyn Yernberg, who earned a to tie for first place with Michigan's Becca Clauson. Also in the top 10 for Minnesota on the floor was Laura Johnson, who finished in a tie for eighth place with a The Gophers scored a season-best on the vault in their third event of the competition. Ashley Mutchler was the top scorer for Minnesota, earning a career-best to tie for first place. Also scoring to tie for first place were Michigan's Katie Lieberman and Jenny Deiley. Minnesota's other top-10 finishers on the vault were Carolyn Yernberg, who tallied a to tie for fourth, and Laura Johnson who posted a to tie for sixth. Minnesota's last event was the uneven bars, where the Gophers scored a Laura Johnson was the top scorer for Minnesota, tying for fourth place with a score of Stephanie Funk was the other Minnesota gymnast in the top 10, earning a to tie for ninth place. In the all around, Laura Johnson finished fifth with a total score of JOHNSON AND YERNBERG MAKE REPEAT APPEARANCES ON ALL-BIG TEN HONOR TEAMS Two Minnesota gymnasts earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, announced at the conference championship banquet. Laura Johnson was a first-team honoree for the second-consecutive season, and made her third appearance on the all-conference list. Carolyn Yernberg was honored on the first team for the first time in her career after being a second-team All-Big Ten honoree in her sophomore and junior seasons. YERNBERG CO-BIG TEN GYMNAST OF THE YEAR Golden Gopher senior Carolyn Yernberg was named the Co-Big Ten Gymnast of the Year. She shares the honor with Michigan s Elise Ray. Yernberg won her first Big Ten individual title when she tied for first place in the floor exercise at the 2005 conference meet. Yernberg has been an All-Big Ten honoree three times, earning second-team honors in her sophomore and junior seasons, and garnering first-team all-conference acclaim as a senior. Yernberg competes on the vault and floor exercise, and owns a share of the school record in both events. As a freshman, she was the first Golden Gopher to score a perfect 10.0, doing so on the vault. In the first meet of her senior season, she tied the school record on the floor with a This season, Yernberg has won floor exercise titles seven times, and won the vault at five meets. Ashley Mutchler, 2005 Big Ten Co-Champion on vault Yernberg was the third Golden Gopher gymnast to win the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year award. MaryAnne Kelley earned the award in 2002, and Marie Roethlisberger won the honor in 1987, 1988 and BIG TEN GYMNAST OF THE WEEK HONORS Gopher senior Carolyn Yernberg was honored as the Co- Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the week of March 14. She garnered the honor after winning both the vault (9.850) and floor titles (9.875) in the dual meet with Arizona State on March 12. The vault title was her fifth of the season, and the floor title was her sixth of the 2005 campaign. Yernberg was also named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Week for the week of Jan. 10. Yernberg won both events in which she competed in the meet against Arkansas. She shared first place with teammate Angela Walker on the vault with a 9.80, and won the floor exercise with a school-record score of CHANGING THE RECORD BOOK EARLY Senior Carolyn Yernberg tied the school record in the floor exercise in the season opener against Arkansas. The judges awarded her scores of 10.0 and 9.95 to bring her average to in the event. The school record was first set by MaryAnne Kelley in a meet versus North Carolina in the 2002 season. Yernberg s score earned her a No. 2 ranking in the Jan. 10 edition of the national rankings. MINNESOTA S LONE ALL AROUND PERFORMER Laura Johnson was Minnesota s only gymnast to compete in the all around at every meet this season. Teammate Angela Walker competed in the all around twice before injuring her knee at Washington on Jan. 28. Johnson was also the only Gopher who competed in the all around at every meet in the 2004 season. 32 Laura Johnson, 2005 NCAA Championships qualifier

35 2005 TEAM SCORES Date Opponent Vault Bars Beam Floor Team Score Jan. 8 Arkansas Jan. 15 at Ohio State Jan. 22 Iowa State Jan. 28 at Washington Feb. 5 Utah Feb. 12 Best of Minnesota Feb. 19 at Denver Feb. 26 Iowa Mar. 6 at Nebraska Mar. 12 Arizona State Mar. 18 at Iowa State Mar. 26 at Big Ten Championships Apr. 9 at NCAA Regionals Apr at NCAA Championships individual only (season-best scores in bold) I N R E V I E W Kim Womack 2005 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES Arkansas - Jan. 8, Sports Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Walker Womack Yernberg Ohio State Quad Meet - Jan. 15, Columbus, Ohio Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Walker Womack Yernberg Iowa State - Jan. 22, Sports Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Walker Womack Yernberg Washington Quad Meet - Jan. 28, Seattle, Wash. Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Walker Womack Yernberg Utah - Feb. 5, Sports Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg Best of Minnesota - Feb. 12, Sports Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg

36 I N R E V I E W 2005 MEET-BY-MEET SCORES, CONTINUED Denver - Feb. 19, Denver, Colo. Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg Iowa - Feb. 26, Sports Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg Nebraska Triangular - March 6, Lincoln, Neb. Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg Arizona State - March 12, Sport Pavilion Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg Iowa State - March 18, Ames, Iowa Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Stout Womack Yernberg Big Ten Championships - March 26, Iowa City, Iowa Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg NCAA Regional Championships - April 9, Salt Lake City, Utah Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Cornelius Funk Ganchan Johnson Miles Mutchler Opsahl Russell Stanton Womack Yernberg NCAA Championships - April 21-23, Auburn, Ala. Gymnast Vault Bars Beam Floor All Around Johnson Kelly Stout 34

37 Y E A R - B Y - Y E A R R E S U L T S YEAR-BY-YEAR RESULTS Year Big Ten Championships Regional Championships NCAA National Championships Overall Record rd th IND th th DNQ th th DNQ nd nd th rd rd IND rd th IND th t4th DNQ st th DNQ nd th th th th DNQ th DNQ - DNQ rd th DNQ th IND - DNQ th IND - DNQ st IND - DNQ rd rd IND st th IND st th IND rd th IND nd IND - IND rd IND - DNQ nd th DNQ nd nd IND Big Ten Championships Regional Championships AIAW National Championships Overall Record th st th DNC 2nd IND rd st th th th IND nd th DNQ th th DNQ rd rd rd NA 1975 DNC 5th IND - NA 1974 NA 5th IND - NA 1997 Golden Gopher team Left to right: Jonda Hammons, Melissa Chang, Lacey Purkat, Jenny Mazzone, Stacey Batza, Kristen Vandersall, Molly Umland, Kim Sveum, Mindy Knaeble, Cathy Keyser, Kristi Selinger, Mindy Myhre, Cami Phillippi 2002 Golden Gopher team Left to right: Alicia Opsahl, Kelly Watson, Jenny Alf, Annie Laatsch, Carolyn Yernberg, Megan Beuckens, Tara Schroeder, Nicole Yunker, Carrie Hortsch, Courtney Norman, MaryAnne Kelley, Catie Christensen, Mary Skokut, Leigh Dixon 35

38 T E A M A N D F A C I L I T Y R E C O R D S MINNESOTA S TOP TEAM SCORES Team Score at Arizona State 3/12/ at Arizona 3/14/ vs. Arizona 3/10/ at Iowa 2/17/ vs. Nebraska 3/6/04 Vault at UCLA 3/3/ at Arizona 3/14/ at Arizona State 3/12/ at Big Ten Champ. 3/24/ vs. Arizona 3/10/01 Uneven Bars Best of Minnesota 2/7/ vs. Iowa State 2/24/ at Arizona State 3/12/ vs. Denver 3/21/ at Iowa State 2/16/01 Beam at Arizona State 3/12/ at Big Ten Champ. 3/22/ at Iowa State 3/16/ at North Carolina 3/2/ vs. North Carolina 3/2/03 Floor Exercise vs. Iowa State 2/22/ at Arizona State 3/12/ vs. Iowa State 3/11/ at Arizona 3/14/ vs. Utah 2/1/ vs. North Carolina 3/9/02 MINNESOTA S BIG TEN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS Year Score Meet Site Iowa City, Iowa Champaign, Ill Iowa City, Iowa Champaign, Ill. Cathy Keyser SPORTS PAVILION RECORDS Team Score Michigan Big Ten Championship 3/20/04 Team Vault Michigan Big Ten Championship 3/22/97 Team Uneven Bars Michigan Big Ten Championship 3/20/04 Team Balance Beam Michigan Big Ten Championship 3/20/04 Team Floor Exercise Minnesota vs. Iowa State 2/22/03 Judi Klein Individual Vault Alexia Maday Iowa 3/20/04 Individual Uneven Bars Elise Ray Michigan 3/20/04 Individual Balance Beam Elise Ray Michigan 3/20/04 MaryAnne Kelley Minnesota 3/9/02 Shannon Bowles Utah 1/23/99 Mindy Knaeble Minnesota 3/22/97 Beth Amelkovich Michigan 3/22/97 Lisa Simes Michigan 3/22/97 Laurie Kaiser Individual Floor Exercise Carolyn Yernberg Minnesota 1/8/05 MaryAnne Kelley Minnesota 3/9/02 All Around Elise Ray Michigan 3/20/04 36 Carolyn Yernberg

39 Minnesota s Top All-Time Performers (highest scores only) Vault Score 1. Carolyn Yernberg, at UCLA (3/3/02) Courtney Norman, at UCLA (3/3/02) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/8/03) Leigh Dixon, at Arizona (3/14/02) Kim Sveum, at Missouri (3/9/97) Ashley Mutchler, at Big Ten Championships (3/26/05) Carrie Hortsch, at Arizona State (3/12/04) MaryAnne Kelley, twice, last at Arizona (3/14/02) Shanyn Lancaster, at Iowa (3/5/99) Stacey Batza, at Massachusetts (2/22/97) Uneven Bars Score 1. Mary Skokut, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) Alicia Opsahl, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) Annie Laatsch, at Big Ten Championships (3/23/02) Judy Cavazos, at Big Ten Championships (3/21/98) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Melissa Chang, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Catie Christensen, three times, last at Big Ten Champ. (3/24/01) Megan Skokut, three times, last vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Cathy Keyser, at Big Ten Championships (3/30/96) Molly Umland, at Big Ten Championships (3/21/98) Kristen Vandersall, three times (last on 3/30/96) Marie Roethlisberger, three times (last on 4/7/90) Balance Beam Score 1. Mary Skokut, at Arizona State (3/12/04) MaryAnne Kelley, twice, last vs. North Carolina (3/9/02) Mindy Knaeble, Big Ten Championships (3/22/97) Jenny Alf, at Boise State (3/2/01) Cathy Keyser, twice, last vs. Denver (3/22/99) Ashley Stanton, at Denver (2/19/05) Laura Johnson, at Iowa (2/27/04) Maria Opsahl, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Alicia Opsahl, three times, last at Arizona State (3/12/04) Annie Laatsch, three times, last vs. Arizona (1/11/03) Kelly Watson, Best of Minnesota (2/8/03) Megan Beuckens, at Auburn (3/17/01) Floor Exercise Score 1. MaryAnne Kelley, vs. North Carolina (3/9/02) Carolyn Yernberg, vs. Arkansas (1/8/05) Alicia Opsahl, vs. Iowa State (2/22/03) Annie Laatsch, at Arizona (3/14/02) Judy Cavazos, vs. Iowa State (3/14/97) Kristen Vandersall, vs. Iowa State (3/14/97) Maria Opsahl, vs. Iowa State (2/21/04) Jenny Alf, twice, last vs. Iowa State (2/22/03) Megan Beuckens, three times, last vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Mindy Knaeble, twice, last vs. Iowa State (3/13/98) All Around Score 1. MaryAnne Kelley, at Iowa (2/17/02) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) Alicia Opsahl, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Megan Beuckens, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Judy Cavazos, vs. Utah (2/15/97) Annie Laatsch, vs. Arizona (1/11/03) Mindy Knaeble, vs. Iowa (2/24/96) Marie Roethlisberger, at NCAA Central Regional (4/7/90) Zsuzsanna Csisztu, vs. Michigan (3/14/92) Kim Sveum, at Michigan State (1/13/96) I N D I V I D U A L R E C O R D S Minnesota s Top All-Time Scores Vault 1. Carolyn Yernberg, at UCLA (3/3/02) Courtney Norman, at UCLA (3/3/02) Carolyn Yernberg, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/8/03) Carolyn Yernberg, Best of Minnesota (2/8/03) Carolyn Yernberg, vs. Arizona (1/11/03) Leigh Dixon, at Arizona (3/14/02) Courtney Norman, vs. Iowa State (2/23/02) Courtney Norman, at Big Ten Championships (3/24/01) Kim Sveum, at Missouri (3/9/97) Uneven Bars Score 1. Mary Skokut, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) Alicia Opsahl, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) Mary Skokut, vs Utah (2/1/03) Annie Laatsch, at Big Ten Championships (3/23/02) Judy Cavazos, at Big Ten Championships (3/21/98) Mary Skokut, at Arkansas (1/9/04) Mary Skokut, vs. Iowa (3/22/03) Mary Skokut, vs. Iowa State (2/22/03) Annie Laatsch, Best of Minnesota (2/9/02) Annie Laatsch, vs. Iowa State (2/24/01) Mary Skokut, vs. Iowa State (2/24/01) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Melissa Chang, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Judy Cavazos, vs. Denver (3/21/99) Judy Cavazos, vs. Illinois (2/27/99) Balance Beam Score 1. Mary Skokut, at Arizona State (3/12/04) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. North Carolina (3/9/02) MaryAnne Kelley, at Iowa State (2/15/02) Mindy Knaeble, Big Ten Championships (3/22/97) Jenny Alf, vs. Iowa (3/22/03) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (2/23/02) MaryAnne Kelley, at Iowa (2/17/02) Jenny Alf, at Boise State (3/2/01) Cathy Keyser, vs. Denver (3/21/99) Cathy Keyser, vs. Utah (3/17/96) Floor Exercise Score 1. MaryAnne Kelley, vs. North Carolina (3/9/02) Carolyn Yernberg, vs. Arkansas (1/8/05) Carolyn Yernberg, at Arizona State (3/12/04) Carolyn Yernberg, vs. Nebraska (3/6/04) Alicia Opsahl, vs. Iowa State (2/22/03) Carolyn Yernberg, at Illinois (2/15/03) Annie Laatsch, vs. Arizona (1/11/03) Annie Laatsch, at Arizona (3/14/02) MaryAnne Kelley, at NCAA Regionals (4/6/02) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (2/23/02) MaryAnne Kelley, at Iowa (2/17/02) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00) Kristen Vandersall, vs. Iowa State (3/14/97) Judy Cavazos, vs. Iowa State (3/14/97) All Around Score 1. MaryAnne Kelley, at Iowa (2/17/02) Laura Johnson, Best of Minnesota (2/7/04) MaryAnne Kelley, at Arizona (3/14/02) Laura Johnson, at Arizona State (3/12/04) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. North Carolina (3/9/02) MaryAnne Kelley, at Stanford (2/2/01) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Iowa State (2/23/02) Alicia Opsahl, at Arizona State (3/12/04) MaryAnne Kelley, at UCLA (3/3/02) MaryAnne Kelley, vs. Arizona (3/10/01) Megan Beuckens, vs. Iowa State (3/11/00)

40 A W A R D S & H O N O R S GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America 1990 Marie Roethlisberger (1) 1989 Marie Roethlisberger (3) 1988 Marie Roethlisberger (3) NACGC/W Academic All-America 2005 Amanda Miles, Maria Opsahl, Kelly Stout, Angela Walker 2004 Carrie Hortsch, Alicia Opsahl, Mary Skokut, Kelly Stout 2003 Jenny Alf, Mary Skokut, Carolyn Yernberg 2002 Megan Beuckens, Catir Christensen, Mary Skokut 2001 Megan Beuckens, Catie Christensen, Alicia Opsahl, Mary Skokut 2000 Judy Cavazos, Catie Christensen, Leigh Dixon, Shanyn Lancaster, Kristi Selinger, Megan Skokut NCAA Regional Champions 2002 MaryAnne Kelley FX (tie) 2000 Megan Beuckens FX (tie) 1990 Marie Roethlisberger AA, UB 1989 Marie Roethlisberger AA, UB (tie), BB (tie) 1987 Marie Roethlisberger UB 1986 Shelley Brown BB 1983 Robin Huebner AA, UB, FX MaryAnne Kelley 38 Marie Roethlisberger NCAA National Champion 1990 Marie Roethlisberger UB NCAA All-Americans (team) 2002 MaryAnne Kelley (1) t-4th FX 9.90 MaryAnne Kelley (2) t-5th AA Annie Laatsch (1) t-4th FX MaryAnne Kelley (2) 5th V Mindy Knaeble (1) 9th FX 9.70 Judy Cavazos (2) UB M. Roethlisberger (1) 7th AA M. Roethlisberger (1) 1st AUB M. Roethlisberger (1) t-4th FX M. Roethlisberger (1) 2nd UB 9.65 AIAW All-Americans 1982 Robin Huebner 5th AA Robin Huebner 2nd UB Robin Huebner 2nd FX Judi Klein 4th V Karie Ploof 10th AA Karie Ploof 3rd BB National Senior Gymnast of the Year 1990 Marie Roethlisberger Honda Inspiration Award 1990 Marie Roethlisberger NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship 1990 Marie Roethlisberger 2004 Mary Skokut National M Club Hall of Fame 2005 Karie Ploof Tuttle ( ) Women s Athletics Hall of Fame 1995 Marie Roethlisberger ( ) 1990 Robin Huebner ( ) AIAW Regional Champions 1982 Robin Huebner AA, V, UB, FX Karie Ploof BB 1981 Robin Huebner UB 1980 Teresa Schneider AA, V, UB, FX Karie Ploof BB Big Ten Gymnast of the Year 2005 Carolyn Yernberg 2002 MaryAnne Kelley 1989 Marie Roethlisberger (tie) 1988 Marie Roethlisberger (tie) 1987 Marie Roethlisberger Big Ten Freshman of the Year 1989 Gena Palm Regional Coach of the Year 2002 Jim and Meg Stephenson Big Ten Coach of the Year 2002 Jim and Meg Stephenson 1998 Jim and Meg Stephenson 1997 Jim Stephenson 1995 Jim Stephenson (co) 1991 Katalin Deli 1989 Katalin Deli National Assistant Coach of the Year 2002 Doug Day Regional Assistant Coach of the Year 2001 Doug Day U of M Senior Athlete of the Year 2002 MaryAnne Kelley 1990 Marie Roethlisberger 1983 Robin Huebner U of M Big Ten Medal of Honor 1990 Marie Roethlisberger Big Ten Individual Champions 2005 Ashley Mutchler (V - tie), Carolyn Yernberg (FX - tie) 2002 Annie Laatsch (UB) 1998 Cathy Keyser (BB) 1997 Mindy Knaeble (BB - tie) 1996 Mindy Knaeble (FX - tie) 1991 Kathy Ness (BB - tie), Jessica Wolf (V), Cathy Zolkowski (FX) 1990 Marie Roethlisberger (UB), Cathy Zolkowski (FX) 1989 Gena Palm (FX), Marie Roethlisberger)AA, UB (tie), BB, V), Lisa Wittwer (UB - tie) 1988 Lisa Wittwer (AA - tie) 1987 Marie Roethlisberger (AA, UB) 1986 Shelley Brown (AA), Laurie Kaiser (FX) 1984 Laurie Kaiser (V, FX) 1983 Robin Huebner (FX) 1982 Robin Huebner (AA, FX), Judi Klein (UB), Karie Ploof (BB) 1980 Robin Huebner (AA, UB, FX) 1978 Lynn Ellingsen (V) All-Big Ten (team or event) 2005 Laura Johnson (first), Carolyn Yernberg (first) 2004 Laura Johnson (first), Alicia Opsahl (first), Mary Skokut (first), Carolyn Yernberg (second) 2003 Mary Skokut (first), Laura Johnson (second), Carolyn Yernberg (second) 2002 Megan Beuckens (UB), MaryAnne Kelley (FX), Annie Laatsch (UB), Mary Skokut (UB) 2001 Jenny Alf (BB), Catie Christensen (UB), Leigh Dixon (V), MaryAnne Kelley (AA, FX), Courtney Norman (V, FX), Mary Skokut (UB, BB) 2000 Megan Beuckens (FX), Judy Cavazos (UB), Leigh Dixon (V), MaryAnne Kelley (AA) 1999 Megan Beuckens (BB, FX), Judy Cavazos (UB) Catie Christensen (UB) 1998 Cathy Keyser (BB), Judy Cavazos (UB), Lacey Purkat (BB), Mindy Knaeble (FX) 1997 Mindy Knable (BB) 1996 Cathy Keyser (BB, UB), Mindy Knaeble (FX), Kristen Vandersall (UB) 1995 Mindy Knaeble (BB) 1991 Monika Juhasz-Nagy (AA), Kathy Ness (BB) Jessica Wolf (V), Cathy Zolkowski (AA, FX) 1990 Marie Roethlisberger (UB), Cathy Zolkowski (FX)

41 A W A R D S & H O N O R S 1989 Gena Palm (FX), Marie Roethlisberger (AA,V, UB, VV), Lisa Wittwer (UB), Cathy Zolkowski (FX) 1988 Marie Roethlisberger (AA), Lisa Wittwer (AA) 1987 Marie Roethlisberger (AA, UB, FX) 1986 Shelley Brown (AA, V, BB, FX), Laurie Kaiser (UB, FX), Mary Jo Mastel (FX) 1985 Laurie Kaiser (BB) 1984 Laurie Kaiser (V, BB, FX), Wendy Dorsey (AA) 1983 Robin Huebner (AA, FX), Wendy Dorsey (AA, BB, V), Karie Ploof (V) 1982 Robin Huebner (AA, FX), Judi Klein (UB), Karie Ploof (BB) Academic All-Big Ten 2005 Andy Cornelius, Kelly Ganchan, Laura Johnson, Maria Opsahl, Kelly Stout, Carolyn Yernberg 2004 Carrie Hortsch, Laura Johnson, Erin Murphy, Alicia Opsahl, Maria Opsahl, Mary Skokut, Kelly Stout, Carolyn Yernberg 2003 Jenny Alf, Leigh Dixon, Alicia Opsahl, Mary Skokut, Kelly Watson, Carolyn Yernberg 2002 Jenny Alf, Megan Beuckens, Catie Christensen, Leigh Dixon, Carrie Hortsch, Alicia Opsahl, Mary Skokut 2001 Jenny Alf, Megan Beuckens, Catie Christensen, Leigh Dixon, Shanyn Lancaster, Megan Skokut 2000 Megan Beuckens, Judy Cavazos, Melissa Chang, Catie Christensen, Shanyn Lancaster, Kristi Selinger, Megan Skokut 1999 Judy Cavazos, Melissa Chang, Shanyn Lancaster, Mariam Pourshoushtari, Kristi Selinger, Megan Skokut 1998 Judy Cavazos, Jenny Mazzone, Mindy Myhre, Lacey Purkat, Kristi Selinger, Kim Sveum 1997 Jonda Hammons, Jenny Mazzone, Mindy Myhre, Lacey Purkat, Kristen Vandersall 1996 Susan Castner, Jonda Hammons, Mindy Myhre, Lacey Purkat, Kristen Vandersall 1995 Susan Castner, Jonda Hammons, Steph Polly, Kristen Vandersall 1994 Susan Castner, Lori Kindler 1993 Kristin Allstadt, Monika Juhasz-Nagy 1992 Kristin Allstadt, Zsuszanna Csisztu, Monika Juhasz-Nagy, Lori Kindler, Kelly McConnell 1991 Kristin Allstadt, Monika Juhasz-Nagy, Kathy Ness 1990 Kathy Ness, Julie Newman, Marie Roethlisberger 1989 Kathy Ness, Marie Roethlisberger, Lisa Wittwer 1988 Julie Newman, Marie Roethlisberger, Linda Umhoefer, Lisa Wittwer 1987 Marie Bandrowski Minnesota Most Valuable Performer 2005 Laura Johnson 2004 Alicia Opsahl 2003 Alicia Opsahl, Laura Johnson 2002 MaryAnne Kelley 2001 MaryAnne Kelley 2000 MaryAnne Kelley 1999 Melissa Chang 1998 Mindy Knaeble 1997 Mindy Knaeble 1996 Mindy Knaeble 1995 Kristen Vandersall 1994 Jennifer Mabley 1993 Dawn Ketcher 1992 Zsuzsanna Csisztu 1991 Cathy Zolkowski 1990 Marie Roethlisberger 1989 Marie Roethlisberger 1988 Lisa Wittwer 1987 Marie Roethlisberger 1986 Shelley Brown 1985 Wendy Dorsey 1984 Wendy Dorsey, Laurie Kaiser 1983 Robin Huebner Mindy Knaeble Mary Skokut Robin Huebner Honorary Athletes Kolleen Casey Shields Rhonda Faehn Jenny Hansen Mariam Pourshoushtari Alumnae Shelly Brown Gannon Judy Cavazos Pederson Robin Huebner Laurie Kaiser Judi Klein Kuelbs Mindy Knaeble Kiff Karie Ploof Tuttle Marie Roethlisberger Theresa Schneider Lisa Wittwer Pitlick Cathy Zolkowski Wilson 1988 Big Ten Team Service Award Greg and Julia Aretz Nancy Baker Mary Ann Case Lance and Jan Crowley Deb Driscoll Larry Gleason George & Roe Kreutzer Pat Lamb Milan Mader Dorothy McIntyre Mary Jane Olson Linda Thorberg Linda Wallenberg Bragg 39

42 A L L - T I M E L E T T E R W I N N E R S AAA Jenny Alf ( ) Kristin Allstadt ( ) Betsy Anderson (1977) Bonnie Anderson (1970) Michelle Arbogast (1998) BBB Marie Bandrowski ( ) Gennie Bannie ( ) Stacey Batza ( ) Linda Bednar ( ) Bonnie Berning ( ) Catherine Berry (1982) Megan Beuckens ( ) Shelley Brown ( ) Julie Brush (1982) Yvonne Brutger ( ) Cindy Budenske ( ) Dona Rae Burkhardt (1976) CCC Susan Castner ( ) Judy Cavazos ( ) Ida Chang ( ) Melissa Chang ( ) Catie Christensen ( ) Katie Coenen (1978) Andy Cornelius (2005) Zsuzsanna Csisztu (1992) DDD Leigh Dixon ( ) Candace Doell ( ) Wendy Dorsey ( ) Jill Duffey (1966) Cathy Keyser ( ) Patti Kile ( ) Elizabeth Kilgore (1979) Lori Kindler ( ) Judi Klein ( ) Mindy Knaeble ( ) Jennifer Kraling (1991) Sandy Krantz ( ) Julie Kot ( ) LLL Annie Laatsch ( ) Ann Lameka (1980) Shanyn Lancaster ( ) Donna Lichttenegger ( ) Ika Lindholm ( ) MMM Jenny Mazzone (1997) Kelly McConnell ( ) Karen McElhatton ( ) Jennifer Mabley ( ) Mary Jo Mastel ( ) Jean Meyer ( ) Amanda Miles (2005) Lianne Morland (1983) Kathleen Morrison (1976) Erin Murphy ( ) Ashley Mutchler (2005) Mindy Myhre ( ) NNN Sheryl Nelson ( ) Julie Newman ( ) Kathy Ness ( ) Courtney Norman ( ) Ashley Stanton (2005) Katie Stevens ( ) Kelly Stout ( ) Kit Stoutenburgh ( ) Kim Sveum ( ) TTT May Leann Trask (1955) UUU Linda Umhoefer (1986) Molly Umland ( ) Linda Usem (1976) VVV Kristen Vandersall ( ) WWW Angela Walker (2005) Maxine Wandersee (1956) Amy Ward (1975) Kelly Watson ( ) Randi Wilhelm LaFleur ( ) Bobbie Wills (1979) Michelle Wise (1987) Lisa Wittwer ( ) Jessica Wolf ( ) Kim Womack ( ) YYY Carolyn Yernberg ( ) Dawn Young (1962) Aileen Yurek (1976) ZZZ Cathy Zolkowski ( ) Cathy Zolkowski EEE Patriciaa Eibrink ( ) Caren Elin (1968) Lynn Ellingsen ( ) Janice Englander ( ) FFF Peggy Fifield (1975) Kathleen Finnegan (1987) Shannon Fisher ( ) Blayne Frantzen (1976) Laura Franz (1980) Leah Fujimoto ( ) Stephanie Funk ( ) GGG Nancy Gadd (1969) Kris Gallagher (1986) Kelly Ganchan ( ) HHH Jonda Hammons ( ) Elizabeth Headley (1976) Laura Hicks ( ) Carrie Hortsch ( ) Robin Huebner ( ) OOO Lee-Ellen Odegaard (1982) Alicia Opsahl ( ) Maria Opsahl ( ) PPP Gena Palm (1989) Michelle Peacock ( ) Julie Palen ( ) Particia Peroutky ( ) Cami Phillippi ( ) Karie Ploof ( ) Marcia Plummer (1978) Steph Polly ( ) Mariam Pourshoushtari (1999) Lacey Purkat ( ) RRR Lin Reller (1974) Cindy Richhart ( ) Michelle Rieger ( ) Denise Rivet (1979) Pam Robillard (1975) Marie Roethlisberger ( ) Jean Rondano ( ) Rehana Russell (2005) Stephanie Funk 40 JJJ Laura Johnson ( ) Janelle Joubert (1969) Monika Juhasz-Nagy ( ) KKK Laurie Kaiser ( ) MaryAnne Kelley ( ) Dawn Ketcher ( ) SSS Paula Sandler ( ) Teresa Schneider ( ) Linda Schott ( ) Kerry Scott ( ) Kristi Selinger ( ) Linda Simon (1975) Mary Skokut ( ) Megan Skokut ( ) Judy Cavazos

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58 Robert H. Bruininks was appointed the 15th president of the University of Minnesota on Nov. 8, He has served the University for 38 years, previously as professor, dean, and executive vice president and provost. Positioning for the future Bruininks is managing a major strategic positioning effort aimed at making the University one of the top three public research universities in the world within a decade. In many ways, we are already a leading research university, but the rapidly changing world of higher education requires that we not rest on our laurels and instead anticipate future needs and opportunities for education and research, Bruininks said. If we do not become more intentional about priorities and directions, our ability to serve our students and Minnesota will suffer. Bruininks vision for the University includes continued improvements to the student experience, building on recent successes such as special programming for first-year students, new and newly renovated residence halls and classrooms, improved academic counseling, and streamlined registration and financial aid processes. These innovations have helped fuel increased student satisfaction rates, increased numbers of applicants for admissions and enrollment, and significantly improved graduation rates. With more than 50,000 students enrolled in , the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is the second largest campus in the nation. To maintain that level of access for students there and at the University s three coordinate campuses, Bruininks has made funding for scholarships his No. 1 private fundraising priority. That includes a major new scholarship program for low income students called the Founders Opportunity Scholarship. Students at the University have unparalleled opportunities from which to choose among, from laboratories on the cutting edge of science to study abroad experiences to the chance to serve their communities through service learning. I want to be sure they re able to choose the University of Minnesota, he said. About President Bruininks Initially joining the University s faculty as an assistant professor of educational psychology, Bruininks s career has centered on accountability, policy research and development, and strategic improvement in the fields of prekindergarten to grade 12 and higher education. As a researcher, he has authored or coauthored nearly 90 journal articles and more than 70 book chapters, as well as training materials and several nationally standardized tests. Throughout his tenure at the University, he has founded and co-founded centers including the National Center on Educational Outcomes, the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Community Living, and the Institute on Community Integration. Bruininks has been honored with numerous awards, including a Kellogg Foundation National Leadership Fellowship. He is president emeritus of the American Association on Mental Retardation, serves on the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, and is a member of the Board of the National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges. Bruininks and his wife, Dr. Susan Hagstrum, have three grown sons, two of whom played sports at the Division I level, one grandson and another on the way in late July. Athletics Administration Senior Associate Athletics Director (Sport Administrator) Regina Sullivan Senior Associate Athletics Director (Finance & Administration) Liz Eull Associate Athletics Director (Development) Mike Halloran Associate Athletics Director (Championships & Sports Administration) Marc Ryan Associate Athletics Director (Facilities & Sports Administration) Scott Ellison Associate Athletics Director (External Relations) Gregg Shimanski Director of Athletic Compliance Frank Kara Director of Academic Counseling & Student Services Mark Nelson Director of Administrative Projects Sue Graupmann Faculty Athletic Representatives Richard Weinberg, Linda Brady In just three years as Director of Athletics at the University of Minnesota, Joel Maturi has develop the Golden Gopher athletic department into one of the elite programs in the country while maintaining a vision for a bright future. This past year, Maturi was instrumental in getting Gopher football one step closer to returning to campus when Twin Cities Federal (TCF) agreed to a $35 million corporate sponsorship, the largest corporate sponsorship of its kind involving college football. Gopher athletics is a window to our great university and we are fortunate that TCF realized the importance of what we are trying to accomplish, Maturi said. Bringing football Saturday s back to campus will not only reward our football program, but the students, alumni, fans and anyone else associated with the event. Maturi has led a department that has produced 412 Big Ten All-Academic selections the past two years, the highest two-year total in the history of athletics at Minnesota. Over 50 percent of Gopher student-athletes maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. Since Maturi s arrival, more than 20 Gopher student-athletes have earned Academic All-America honors. During the academic year, the Gophers climbed to sixth-place in the NACDA Director s Cup standings following the winter sports season, the highest ranking ever for Minnesota in the competition. The Director s Cup recognizes overall athletic excellence by awarding points for NCAA competition in 10 men s and 10 women s sports. Eight Gopher teams advanced to NCAA post-season competition; with six teams ending the year with top 20 national finishes. Among the highlights from the past year was the football program s accomplishment of earning its third consecutive bowl win for the first time in school history with a victory over Alabama in the Music City Bowl. The Gopher women s hockey team won its second consecutive NCAA championship by defeating Harvard, 4-3, while the men s hockey team reached its third NCAA Frozen Four in the past four seasons. The Gopher women s volleyball team advanced to its second consecutive Final Four and reached the national championship game for the first time in school history. After a six-year absence from the NCAA Tournament, the men s basketball team returned to the NCAA tournament, while the women s basketball team reached its third consecutive Sweet 16. Two other Gopher teams finished the season in the top 20 with men s swimming & diving earning an 11th-place finish and men s cross country had an 18th-place showing at the NCAA Championships. Everyone associated with Golden Gopher athletics should be proud of our accomplishments this past year, Maturi said. The student-athletes, coaches, campus community and people of Minnesota all had a hand in our success. It is a credit to the quality student-athletes we have at Minnesota when you are able to combine academic accomplishments with athletic success. Maturi increased his leadership role within the Big Ten and NCAA during the past couple of years by being named to several prominent committees, most notably the NCAA Division I Management Council. He will serve as the Management Council s liaison to the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Maturi is also a member of the NCAA Division I Men s Ice Hockey Committee. Maturi was named the Director of Athletics at the U of M on July 12, The University s Board of Regents unanimously voted to name him the first Athletics Director of a combined athletics department. Maturi, a native of Chisholm, Minn., came to the U of M from Miami University (Ohio). He was the Director of Athletics at Miami since At Miami, Maturi was responsible for the management and leadership of 19 sports programs; all support staffs and nearly 600 student-athletes. His first season at Miami was an extremely successful one. The synchronized skating team won a national championship, the men s basketball team reached the NCAA Sweet 16, the volleyball team earned its first NCAA Tournament win, the men s cross country team advanced to the NCAA meet and the football team won 10 games against an impressive schedule. That year, six teams won Mid-American Conference titles while five coaches garnered Coach of the Year honors. The men s program captured the school s 20th Reese Trophy, an award that measures overall success of men s teams in the MAC. During his tenure at Miami, Maturi spearheaded fund-raising efforts for two important and necessary projects. In his final year, the Walter L. Gross Jr. Family Student-Athlete Development Center was opened and a new baseball field, McKie Field at Hayden Park, was dedicated. Prior to Miami, Maturi served as the Director of Athletics at the University of Denver from At Denver, Maturi led the school s move from Division II to Division I and oversaw the search for Division I conference affiliation. Maturi also assisted in the planning and the development of a $50 million Sports and Wellness Center and a $2.1 million tennis complex. Maturi is no stranger to the Big Ten. From , he worked at the University of Wisconsin. While there, he assisted in taking the financially challenged and struggling athletics program to profitability and unparalleled success. From , he was the Associate Director of Athletics with direct responsibility for all aspects of the football, ice hockey, wrestling, softball, men s and women s cross country, men s and women s rowing, men s and women s indoor and outdoor track and field, and the office of academic affairs. Maturi was named the Wisconsin Sports Person of the Year in Before entering the college ranks, Maturi spent 19 years as a high school coach and administrator at Madison Edgewood High School. He coached football, basketball, baseball and track and field, leading his teams to 10 state tournaments. Maturi was inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Hall of Fame in Maturi received a B.A. in government from the University of Notre Dame in He also served on the support staff of Ara Parseghian s first national championship team. He earned a master s degree and certification for educational administration from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville in Maturi and his wife, Lois, have three children, Mark (29), Katie (28) and Anne (25).

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