University of Minnesota Athletics
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Photo by: Kelly Lynn
Minnesota Staff Named WCGA Coaching Staff of the Year
4/24/2026 12:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
The Gophers posted their best finish in program history
Pittsburgh, Pa. -- The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) is proud to announce the recipients of their 2026 Coach of the Year Awards, honoring excellence across collegiate gymnastics. Minnesota head coach Jenny Hansen has been named WCGA Head Coach of the Year, while assistants Mya Hooten, Kiki Parenteau and Sam Scherwinski were named WCGA Assistant Coaches of the Year.
It's coach Hansen's first ever national coach of the year award and the program's second in existence (2013). It's the third time in program history that a Gophers assistant has won assistant coach of the year and first time since Jenny Hansen in 2013.
Minnesota had a banner season, posting a program-best 30-13 (7-2 B1G) record. The Gophers made a historic run to Four on the Floor, becoming the lowest seeded team (13) to ever make it. Minnesota finished with a WCGA Ranking of 4, another best in program's history. Minnesota was picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten regular season standings and placed second, before getting third at the Big Ten Championships.
After being down nearly .200 in the regional semifinals, Minnesota rallied back with a stellar beam rotation to make the regional final. In the regional finals, they joined No. 4 UCLA as the second team to advance out of the Corvallis Regional, upsetting No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Utah. At the national semifinals, the Cinderella story that was came from behind again to advance to Four on the Floor. The Gophers topped No. 4 UCLA and No. 9 Arkansas with a score of 197.4625 to complete and unbelievable run to the nation's biggest stage.
The 'U' had three All-Big Ten honorees in 2026, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year for the fourth time in program history. Minnesota had a program-best six NCAA Championships All-Americans, including the second-ever national champion in school history, with Brooklyn Rowray winning the balance beam title (9.9625).
These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievement and leadership in coaching across the sport. WCGA Coach of the Year Awards Each year, the WCGA Awards committee recognizes the WCGA Head Coach and Assistant Coaches of the Year, as determined by a vote of the full Association membership.
All Head Coaches or Co-Head Coaches who are members of the Association in good standing are eligible for the head coach award, while all associate head coaches and assistant coaches in good standing are eligible for the assistant coach award. Assistant coach candidates may only be nominated by the Head Coach of their institution. These awards shall be presented to the recipients at the annual meeting and announced the week following the NCAA Championships at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
"The passion, commitment, and drive these coaches bring to their craft have not only developed champions, but lifted up everyone around them," said Casey Jo MacPherson, Chair of the WCGA Board of Directors. "This recognition celebrates the impact they've made on their student-athletes, the standard of excellence they continue to elevate, and the lasting legacy they are creating." Congratulations to the 2026 WCGA Award recipients listed below. They will be formally recognized at the Annual Meeting later this year.
About the WCGA
The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation's intercollegiate women's gymnastics coaches within Division I, II & III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They work to promote and elevate the sport at all levels of collegiate competition.
It's coach Hansen's first ever national coach of the year award and the program's second in existence (2013). It's the third time in program history that a Gophers assistant has won assistant coach of the year and first time since Jenny Hansen in 2013.
Minnesota had a banner season, posting a program-best 30-13 (7-2 B1G) record. The Gophers made a historic run to Four on the Floor, becoming the lowest seeded team (13) to ever make it. Minnesota finished with a WCGA Ranking of 4, another best in program's history. Minnesota was picked to finish fourth in the Big Ten regular season standings and placed second, before getting third at the Big Ten Championships.
After being down nearly .200 in the regional semifinals, Minnesota rallied back with a stellar beam rotation to make the regional final. In the regional finals, they joined No. 4 UCLA as the second team to advance out of the Corvallis Regional, upsetting No. 5 Alabama and No. 12 Utah. At the national semifinals, the Cinderella story that was came from behind again to advance to Four on the Floor. The Gophers topped No. 4 UCLA and No. 9 Arkansas with a score of 197.4625 to complete and unbelievable run to the nation's biggest stage.
The 'U' had three All-Big Ten honorees in 2026, including the Big Ten Freshman of the Year for the fourth time in program history. Minnesota had a program-best six NCAA Championships All-Americans, including the second-ever national champion in school history, with Brooklyn Rowray winning the balance beam title (9.9625).
These prestigious awards recognize outstanding achievement and leadership in coaching across the sport. WCGA Coach of the Year Awards Each year, the WCGA Awards committee recognizes the WCGA Head Coach and Assistant Coaches of the Year, as determined by a vote of the full Association membership.
All Head Coaches or Co-Head Coaches who are members of the Association in good standing are eligible for the head coach award, while all associate head coaches and assistant coaches in good standing are eligible for the assistant coach award. Assistant coach candidates may only be nominated by the Head Coach of their institution. These awards shall be presented to the recipients at the annual meeting and announced the week following the NCAA Championships at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
"The passion, commitment, and drive these coaches bring to their craft have not only developed champions, but lifted up everyone around them," said Casey Jo MacPherson, Chair of the WCGA Board of Directors. "This recognition celebrates the impact they've made on their student-athletes, the standard of excellence they continue to elevate, and the lasting legacy they are creating." Congratulations to the 2026 WCGA Award recipients listed below. They will be formally recognized at the Annual Meeting later this year.
About the WCGA
The Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association is a membership-led, professional association representing the nation's intercollegiate women's gymnastics coaches within Division I, II & III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. They work to promote and elevate the sport at all levels of collegiate competition.
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