What did you accomplish at Arizona as a GymCat?
As a GymCat, I was fortunate enough to compete on Vault, Beam and Floor for my team. I was the team captain my senior year, and was awarded the Mary Roby Academic Achievement Award from 1998-2001. I received the CATS Award, the Jim Gault Coaches Award, and was an Academic All-American. I also represented my team on the Student-Athlete Advisory Board. I was happy to continue my gymnastics career while at the same time extending my education at the University of Arizona. It was an experience that I wouldn't trade for anything.
 
What have you been up to since Graduation?
Since graduation, I have done many things! Directly after my four years of eligibility was up as a GymCat, I was the undergraduate assistant coach. I then was the head coach and program director for a local gym here in Tucson. I then became the press intern for then-Congressman Jim Kolbe, and moved up to Phoenix to work for the Secretary of State and then became a lobbyist for Maricopa County. During that time, gymnastics was still in my blood, as I continued to coach at a club in Phoenix and did floor and beam choreography for local clubs in Tucson. After my stint in politics, I returned to Tucson, and began writing my children's book series about gymnastics, Gym Rats. (The fourth book will be published this week!) I married my husband, Marc, and we had our daughter, Lola. We then opened Tucson Gymnastics Center in August 2012, and I have been a gym owner ever since.
 
How do you feel Arizona helped you grow as a person? 
I was fortunate enough to represent the GymCats both inside and out of the gym. I learned what it was like to really be a teammate and work for something larger than myself. Outside the gym, I succeeded academically and was a representative of my team for community service and leadership activities. I would not be the person I am today, a business owner and leader, if it weren't for my experiences at the University of Arizona.
 
Are you still involved in gymnastics? What do you miss most about the University of Arizona?
I am still quite involved with the GymCats program. As a local gym owner, I make sure that my gymnasts understand the importance of going to the GymCats' meets and supporting such a great local team. I also provide the web commentary during the home meets. I truly do miss competing for the U of A. Once I understood what it was like to be a part of such a great team, I just didn't want the experience to end.
 
What about Arizona stood out to you while being recruited?
The weather! I was born and raised in Minnesota, and when it was 90 degrees in January on my recruiting trip, I was sold. In all seriousness, I actually met Coach Bill Ryden at a summer camp in Wisconsin when I was 13. He spent a lot of time coaching me during that week. It was then that I decided that I wanted to be a GymCat. The stars aligned, and here I am!
 
What do you miss most about being a student athlete?
I miss being a part of the team and working toward something larger than myself. Gymnastics is such an individual sport, and to make it a team sport in the end really made it a great experience for me.
 
What are some of your favorite memories at Arizona with the GymCats? 
My favorite memories are from traveling for meets. It was then that we really felt like we were family and we had a great time - visiting landmarks like Fisherman's Warf, or even just as simple as going to dinner or sitting in our hotel rooms.
 
What advice would you give to the current GymCats?
Be sure to take the time to enjoy yourself while you're on the team. It is the end of your career; make it the best you can possibly make it. Work hard in the gym and in the classroom so you have no regrets!