Gopher Gymnasts Band Together After Coaching Controversy
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The University of Minnesota gymnastics program got a shocker before the season started. Meg Stephenson and her husband and volunteer assistant, Jim, were removed from their duties amid some controversy.
They turned the program over to assistant Jenny Hanson. It turned out to be all part of trying to keep a proud program moving in the right direction.
There is a new vibe in Gophers gymnastics. Jenny Hanson competed here, then was an assistant here before taking over as head coach abruptly to start this season.
"It has been a little bit of a rollercoaster. We didn't get our coaching staff here until the end of October so that was a little bit of a challenge," Hanson said. "But we kind of just dove right in."
That's the key to a new culture and proud tradition: Keep athletes focused on what they have control over.
"It's been a little challenging but like everything, you just take one day at a time. So far we've been really successful past the first two meets with little hiccups," Jenny Covers said.
A top-25 team right now, they will need to be better by season's end. Lindsey Mable is the key to that. The conference Gymnast of the Week multiple times is the one driven for more.
"I think kind of the key for us is just having the same goal and passion, and really relying on each other and our love for not only each other, but the sport and for our goal of nationals," Mable said.
Because doing this is long and intensive, and requires a certain stick to-it-ness that can test your resolve.
"We're all determined to get that final goal of going to the nationals and being Big Ten champions, so we can stay pretty focused," Covers said.
That's what the head coach is here for, to make sure this team stays focused on what can be, not caught up in what has been.
"We all have obstacles and it's a matter of how we respond. I think they've been responding really well," Hanson said.
The Gophers travel to Iowa State this weekend and head to Michigan for the Big Ten Championships March 21.
