Twin City Twisters

Twin City Twisters, commonly shortened to TCT, is an artistic gymnastics facility located in Champlin, Minnesota. It has produced a number of elite gymnasts, collegiate gymnasts and Junior Olympics national qualifiers. Some of its most notable members are Maggie Nichols, Jessie DeZiel, Abby Paulson, and Olivia Trautman.

History

Mike Hunger, a Utah State University graduate, opened the facility in September 1987.^[1][2] Since its foundation, TCT has grown to become the best gym in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area as well as one of the best in the state and Region 4.

Coaching staff

• Mike Hunger - Owner and Head coach - Minnesota Golden Gophers men's gymnastics team member^[3]
• Sami Wozney
• Sarah Jantzi
• Rich Stenger - Minnesota Golden Gophers assistant coach, former Roseville High School assistant coach^[4]

Notable alumni

The following gymnasts have come out of TCT's program:

2005-10 graduates

• Lucy Ennis - 3-time J.O. National qualifier, Minnesota Golden Gophers team member (2008–12) (Class of 2008)^[5]
• Kelly Galau - Iowa Hawkeyes team member (2008–10) (Class of 2007)^[6]
• Brie Olson - Oklahoma Sooners team member (2009–13) (Class of 2009)^[7]

2010-15 graduates

• Jessie DeZiel - 2011 U.S. National team member, 2011 Pan American Games team member and Nebraska Cornhuskers team member (Class of 2011)
• Hollie Blanske -
• Brenna Hughes - J.O. National team member (2010–12), Utah Red Rocks team member (2012–16) (Class of 2012)^[8]
• Hanna Nordquist - Minnesota Golden Gophers team member (2012–16) (Class of 2012)^[9]
• Gracie Cherrey - Georgia Gym Dogs team member (Class of 2015)^[10]

Current members

• Abby Brenner - Second at the 2015 J.O. Nationals,^[11] Michigan Wolverines team member (Class of 2018)^[12]
• Maddie Karr - 2015 Nastia Liukin Cup champion, Denver Pioneers team member (Class of 2016)8
• Maggie Nichols - U.S. National team member since 2013 (Class of 2016)^[13]
• Abby Paulson - Junior International Elite gymnast
• Maleah Pearson - California Golden Bears team member (Class of 2017)
• Olivia Trautman - Junior International Elite gymnast
• Tori Tatum - Junior International Elite gymnast

References