2024 hasn’t been all that great for Minnesota’s women’s gymnastics team. With an 11-5 overall record, the Gophers have found it difficult to retain their winning ways for too long. Only a week ago, the team was handed a defeat by Biose State (196.825-196.425). However, Minnesota’s girls are determined to turn things around as it faces a triumvirate of challenges this weekend.

The upcoming quad meet will wrap up the Gophers’ non-conference run of the season. Facing No. 9 Alabama, the Minnesota gymnastics team will have their work cut for them. With the Big Ten Championships also around the corner (March 23), the team is determined to get back its mojo. Considering the squad’s 5-2 record against non-BIG opponents in 2024, the upcoming challenge just might be the thing to boost their confidence.

Minnesota Gymnastics braces up for big bounty

A recent post on X (previously known as Twitter) by the official Minnesota Women’s Gymnastics account seeks to give fans insight into what lies ahead for the Gophers. “𝓜𝓮𝓮𝓽 𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀“, reads the caption of the post which is accompanied by an image of an exuberant Minnesota squad, seen celebrating a victory. “No. 17 Minnesota is set for a quad meet tomorrow night at No. 9 Alabama!” further elaborated the post.

The match will see Minnesota in action from 7:00 PM CT on March 8. While Alabama obviously poses the biggest threat in the upcoming meet, Illinois and Talladega are also formidable opponents who can easily cast a daunting shadow upon Minnesota’s BIG dreams. Under the tutelage of Nadalie Walsh, Illinois is currently running an 11-9 record, while Talladega is sitting atop a 5-8 record this season. Talladega has competed against some true heavyweights in 2024 and can make things incredibly difficult for Minnesota should they manage to.

With the last quad meet at Boise State saw Minnesota placing third behind Washington and the hosts, the upcoming one presents the perfect opportunity to up their ranking as the BIG Ten’s calling gets stronger. Despite last weekend being disappointing for the Gophers, head coach Jenny Hansen refuses to be entirely pessimistic about it.

The Gophers have something to fall back on

“I think the team responded really well after a tough first rotation“, said Hansen in an interview after last week’s match, and she’s not too wrong. The Minnesota gymnastics team took home event titles on vault and floor thanks to Mya Hooten. Senior Gianna Gerdes recorded a career-high score in all-around with 39.575. While some of the athletes stumbled along the way, Hansen thinks the Gophers’ focus on their landing routine will definitely bring good news in the coming days.

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With all three of Minnesota’s upcoming opponents having several aces up their respective sleeves, it waits to be seen if the Gophers have what it takes to walk away from Alabama as the victors.