ute bios • dominique d’oliveira

UTAH: Part-time lead-off on bars in each of her three seasons at Utah DOMINIQUED’ OLIVEIRA … has “hit” 20-26 career routines … member of Utah’s Student Athlete Mentors (SAMS). 2005–Competed on bars in six meets … season-best 9.875 on Jan. 28 … Senior, 5’5” “hit” 4-6 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. Johannesburg, South Africa Redhill HS 2004–Competed on bars in every meet but one and led off 11 times … Visions Academy of Utah’s first competitor at the NCAA Championships scored a 9.80 on Sociology the bars … tied career bar high of 9.90 twice—one of those coming at the NCAA regional championships … scored 9.80 or better 10 times … competed to count twice on … “hit” 11-15 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2003–Came back from December ankle surgery to make Utah’s NCAA uneven bar lineup … scored 9.825 as Utah’s very first competitor at the NCAA Championships … also scored 9.825 from lead-off position in the Super Six … in abbreviated season, “hit” 5-5 in routines and aver- aged 9.85 … NACGC Scholastic All-American.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Member of South African National Team from 1998-2003 … fifth in the all-round at 2002 Como Cup in … in 2001 SA International Cup, placed second all-around, first on bars and second on … South Africa’s top finisher at 2001 World Champi- onships in Ghent, Belgium … at 2000 South African Nationals, placed third all-around, won floor, was second on bars and third on vault … at 2000 National Trials, won all-around, vault, beam and floor and finished second on bars … team won gold at African Championships in 1998 and 2000 and she was fourth on beam … competed in the 2000 Como and Monte Forte Cups in Italy … placed fourth on beam and helped team to third-place finish at 1998 Pre-Commonwealth Games … fourth all-around, third on beam and bars at 1999 Leverkusen Cup … trained for Visions Academy of Gymnastics in Johannesburg, South Africa, for coach Michelle Theocharis … won awards for math, science, biology and Afrikaans as a student at Redhill High School … matriculated with four distinctions.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Catherine Errington and William D’Oliveira … last name is pronounced doll-a-veer-a … enjoys music, reading, dancing and outdoor activities … interested in becoming an airline pilot or a career in forensics and criminal investigation … sociology major is minoring in psychology … born Jan. 19, 1984 in Cape Town, South Africa.

D’Oliveira’s Career Highs Bars 9.90 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 28, 2003 9.90 vs. Oregon State, Mar. 12, 2004 9.90 at NCAA Regionals, Apr. 3, 2004 Nickname: Dom, D-Mo, ’Nique Hobbies: Skydiving, dancing, outdoor activities Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Gum: Orbit Spearmint Favorite Musical Group: Green Day Favorite Subject in School: Anatomy Favorite Actor: Matthew Perry Favorite Actress: Sandra Bullock Favorite Person in History: Nelson Mandela Favorite Gymnast: Theresa Kulikowski

20 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • gritt hofmann

UTAH: All-American was granted an additional year of eligibility by the GRITTHO FMANN NCAA for medical hardship (competed just one routine as a freshman in 2002 before missing the rest of the season with a back injury) … one of the most exciting floor performers in the nation … Utah’s only returning Senior, 5’1” first-team All-American on the floor will also vie for a position in the Berlin, Germany Werner-Seelenbinder HS beam and vault lineups … has “hit” 59-69 career routines … five career Sport Club Berlin victories. Interior Design 2005–First-team All-American on the floor placed 10th in event finals (9.80) and scored a 9.90 on both nights of team competition … NCAA regional runner-up on floor scored a 9.925 … Utah’s “closer” on floor competed sixth for most of the season … full-time starter on floor also competed part-time on vault and beam … missed one meet with a wrist injury and competed in several meets with a broken finger … tied career highs on vault (9.875) and floor (9.975) … season-best 9.90 on beam … 3 victories … “hit” 22-27 routines … won the Dahl Award, honoring her as Utah’s top gymnastics scholar-athlete … NACGC Scholastic All- American. 2004–Tied for NCAA regional floor title with a 9.90 … finished the season strong after spending six weeks on the sidelines with hip and back injuries … performed on floor at the NCAA Championships and scored a 9.825 in Super Six competition … 9.975 floor routine on Mar. 19 was career best … 2 victories were both on floor … member of beam lineup prior to injuries scored season-best 9.85 on Jan. 10 … “hit” 11-11 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2003–Utah’s Most Improved Gymnast contributed regularly for beam and floor lineups … scored 9.90 on beam at regionals … 9.825 on floor during NCAA Super Six … career high 9.925 on beam at Utah State on Feb. 7 … season-best 9.85 on floor and 9.80 on vault … “hit” 27-32 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2002–Joined team at semester break … vaulted in the second meet … back injury ended her season … NACGC Scholastic All-American had 4.0 GPA.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Member of German National Team from 1994-2001 … competed at 2001 World Championships … placed first on floor, second on beam and fourth in all-around at 2000 German Cham- pionships … second on vault, beam and floor at 1998 national champi- onships … 14th all-around at 1998 European Championships … 1997 German all-around champion also won vault, bars and floor … 1995 junior national all-around champion … competed for Germany at Eu- ropean Championships in 1996, ’98 and 2000 … club team Sport Club Berlin (SCB) was national team champion in 1995, ’96, ’97 and 2000 … trained with Sport Club Berlin (coaches Wolfgang Riedel and Heidrun Effler), same club as former Ute All-American Angelika Schatton.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Ruth and Dietrich Hofmann … parents are Nickname: Gritty engineers … mother is a former gymnast … enjoys drawing and reading Hobbies: Drawing, traveling, photography … one brother (Frank) … interior design major … nickname is Gritty … Favorite Foods: Italian, chocolate chip cookies full name is Gritt Alexandra Hofmann … born Aug. 17, 1980. Favorite Musician: Celine Dion Favorite Subjects in School: Architecture and art Favorite TV Show: Will and Grace Hofmann’s Career Highs Vault 9.875 vs. UCLA, Jan. 7, 2005 Favorite Book: Gymnastics for Dummies 9.875 vs. Michigan, Jan. 28, 2005 Favorite Animal: Dolphin Beam 9.925 vs. Utah State, Feb. 7, 2003 Favorite Car: BMW Mini Cooper Floor 9.975 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Favorite Person in History: Greg Marsden (“his achieve- 9.975 vs. Florida/Stanford/Cal, Mar. 4, 2005 ments are amazing!”)

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 21 ute bios • natalie nicoloff

UTAH: Extremely consistent worker hopes to regain the NATALIE NICOLOFF lead-off spot she held on the beam as a freshman and sophomore … has “hit” 18 straight routines dating back to the 2003 season and is 32-34 in career routines … member of Utah’s Student Athlete Mentors (SAMS). Senior, 5’1” 2005–Began the season as Utah’s first competitor on the beam, but could Hermitage, Pa. Hickory HS not break back into the lineup after missing four meets with illness or in- Flytz USA Gymnastics jury … competed on beam three times … season-best 9.75 vs. UCLA … Behavioral Science and Health scored a 9.725 vs. Michigan … “hit” 3-3 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2004–Did not count a fall the entire season … did a great job leading off the beam lineup, scoring a 9.80 or higher in eight meets … 9.775 on beam in NCAA Super Six competition … season-best 9.875 on Mar. 19 … competed on floor at Michigan and scored career-tying 9.80 … “hit” 15-15 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2003–Competed in every meet but two to count and went exhibition in other two meets … “hit” both beam routines at the NCAA Champion- ships as Utah’s lead-off performer … career-best 9.90 on beam at NCAA regional championships … did three bar, eight beam and five floor rou- tines total … made lineup on bars, beam and floor against Arizona State on Jan. 24 and scored season highs bars (9.825) and floor (9.80) … “hit” 14-16 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Two-year Level 10 national qualifier … 2002 Level 10 region balance beam champion also placed third on floor … 2002 Level 10 Ohio state all-around, beam and floor champion (second on vault and third on bars) … 1999 state floor exercise champ and 2001 state balance beam champ … Pennsylvania resident trained for club team Flytz USA Gymnastics in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, under coaches Terry Gray and Irina Milogradova … graduated from Hickory High School (Pa.) … set school record (boys and girls) for most push-ups with 200 … National Honor Society … French National Honor Society … Presidential Fitness Award.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Cindy and Dave Nicoloff … youngest of three children … has brother Jason and sister Jennifer … enjoys piano and putting scrapbooks together … behavioral science and health major … nickname is Nat … full name is Natalie Rose Nicoloff … born May 22, 1984.

Nicoloff’s Career Highs Bars 9.825 vs. Arizona State, Jan. 24, 2003 Beam 9.900 at NCAA Regionals, Apr. 12, 2003 Floor 9.800 vs. Brigham Young, Jan. 17, 2003 9.800 vs. Arizona State, Jan. 24, 2003 9.800 vs. Michigan, Feb. 14, 2004

You might find this interesting: I played the piano for 11 years Favorite Color: Red Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Gum: Gumballs Favorite Musical Group: Coldplay Favorite Subject in School: Nutrition Favorite Book: The Da Vinci Code Favorite Animal: Dog Favorite Actor: Brad Pitt Favorite Actress: Angelina Joli

22 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • gabriella onodi

UTAH: Coming off a breakout season … outstanding beam worker is GABRIELLAONO DI also a contender to start on vault and floor … has “hit” 32-39 career routines. 2005–Outstanding as Utah’s beam lead-off and a part-time starter on Senior, 5’1” both vault and floor, she competed in twice as many events as a junior Budapest, Hungary Ujpesti Torna Egylet than in her first two seasons combined … at the NCAA Championships, Kova’cs Pa’l Gimna’zium she contributed to Utah’s team score on beam both nights of team com- Communication petition, scoring a 9.80 and a 9.75 … competed on floor in nine meets and on vault seven times … missed two meets with an ankle injury … had career-bests on all three events on Mar. 11 (9.80 on vault, 9.875 on beam and 9.875 on floor) … “hit” 25-28 routines … won the Coaches’ Award as Utah’s Most Improved Gymnast … NACGC Scholastic All- American. 2004–Part-time starter competed on beam in 10 meets and had four 9.85 scores … Utah’s second performer on beam both days at the NCAA Championships scored a 9.8 on opening night … competed to count on floor on Feb. 27 but fell … “hit” 7-11 routines. 2003–Arrived in Salt Lake City on Christmas night and joined the team for second semester … competed in exhibition on beam on Feb. 14 at Arizona and received 9.725 … back problems kept her out for remainder of the season … NACGC Scholastic All-American.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Member of Hungarian National Team from 1995-2003 was a three-time Hungarian Masters all-around champion (Masters includes the best six junior and senior national team members) … won Hungarian all-around titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000 … also won 1998 floor and beam titles, 1999 floor, beam and bar titles and 2000 floor title … placed sixth on floor and 12th all-around at the 1998 European Championships … 49th all-around at the 1999 World Championships … competed at the 2000 European Championships and 2002 World Championships … took 2001 season off after attempting to qualify as an individual to the … trained for club team Ujpesti Torna Egylet (UTE) under coaches Judit Juha’sz and Kaptay Jozsef … gradu- ated from Kova’cs Pa’l Gimna’zium.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Gabriella Sipos Onodine and the late Odon Onodi … name is pronounced Gab-ree-ella OH-no-dee … younger sister Erika plays handball, a sport also played by her mother … enjoys read- ing, embroidering, dancing and skating … communication major and marketing minor … nickname is Gabi … full name is Gabriella Onodi … born Nov. 2, 1982.

Onodi’s Career Highs Vault 9.80 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Beam 9.875 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Nickname: Gabi Floor 9.875 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Hobbies: Dancing, ice skating Favorite Color: Pink Favorite Food: Hungarian Fruit Soup Favorite Musician: Scooter Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Book: Harry Potter Favorite Place to Travel: London Favorite Events: Beam and floor Favorite Gymnast:

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 23 ute bios • kristen riffanacht

UTAH: Two-time All-American was voted team co-captain for the KRISTEN RIFFANACHT second year … tough competitor hopes to crack the all-around lineup as a senior … has competed on every event in her career, with her most successful event the balance beam … has “hit” 98-108 career routines Senior, 5’3” … elected vice president of Utah’s Student Athlete Advisory Council Cheshire, Conn. Cheshire HS (SAAC). Gymnastics Revolution 2005–Starter on beam and floor also made the vault and bar lineup Exercise and Sport Science three times each … quest for all-around berth was delayed by ongoing hamstring and shoulder injuries … missed one meet with injury … out- standing in her role as the leadoff on floor and the No. 2 beam worker … placed third on floor at regionals, scoring a 9.90 … competed on beam in every meet except Michigan (injured) and made the floor lineup 10 times, including both nights of team competition at the NCAA Champi- onships … scored a 38.875 in her only all-around of the season vs. Utah State … “hit” 26-30 routines. 2004–Second-team All-American on the balance beam scored a 9.85 on opening night of the NCAA Championships … 9.85 tied for eighth in the evening session and ninth across both sessions of NCAA opening day competition … “hit” 6-7 routines at the NCAA Championships and her fall on bars was her only fall all year … three-event regular (vault, beam and floor) went all-around once (at the NCAA Championships) … won the Diane Ellingson award as Utah’s Most Inspirational Gymnast “hit” 35-36 routines. 2003–Second-team All-American on vault tied for sixth in qualifying session at NCAA Championships … 9.875 vault score ranked ninth across both sessions … scored a 9.85 on vault in Super Six … Utah’s most productive freshman competed on three events at regionals and received a 9.80 on vault and bars and 9.75 on floor … scored 9.90 on vault (4 times) and floor … 9.85 high on bars … won vault at Utah State on Feb. 7 (9.90) … “hit” 37-41 routines.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year qualifier to Junior Olympic na- tional championships … two-year International Elite qualifier … ninth all-around and second on vault at 2002 J.O. national championships … 2002 region all-around, vault, bars and beam champion was runner-up on floor … 2002 state all-around, vault and beam champion placed sec- ond on floor … third all-around, second on bars and vault at 1998 J.O. national championships … trained for club team Gymnastics Revolution in Brookfield, Conn., under coaches Brian Bakalar and Russell Wallace … graduated from Cheshire High School with honors … President’s Award for Academic Excellence … honored for making honor roll every semester for four-year high school career.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Nancy and James Riffanacht … last name is pronounced riff-in-ack … one sister, Karen … enjoys volleyball, watch- ing tennis and art … exercise and sport science major … nickname is Nickname: Riff, Riffy Riff or Riffy … full name is Kristen Blair Riffanacht … born March 25, You migh find this interesting: I have competed together 1984. with Nicolle Ford since we were 10 years old. Favorite Color: Purple Favorite Food: Broccoli Riffanacht’s Career Highs Favorite Gum: Gumballs All-Around 38.875 vs. Utah State, Jan. 14, 2005 Favorite Subject in School: Science Vault 9.95 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Bars 9.850 vs. Arizona State, Jan. 24, 2003 Favorite Book: The Da Vinci Code Beam 9.90 vs. Washington/Iowa/I-C, Mar. 5, 2004 Favorite Event: Floor Floor 9.95 vs. Arizona State, Mar. 18, 2005 Favorite Gymnast: Megan Marsden Favorite Athlete: Venus Williams

24 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • nicolle ford

UTAH: Four-time All-American is nationally competitive in the all- NICOLLE FORD around and on all four events … voted the team co-captain … has it all: power, dance, execution and difficulty … 17 career victories … extreme- ly consistent athlete has “hit” 99-106 (93%) career routines. Junior, 5’2” 2005–Second-team All-American on the (9.85) … Utah’s Binghamton, N.Y. Windsor HS highest all-around finisher in the NCAA Super Six scored a 39.55, which Southern Tier Gymnastics tied for sixth overall … tied for the best beam score of any competi- Physical Therapy tor in the Super Six (9.95) … competed all-around in every meet but one (bruised heel in warm-ups at Minnesota limited her to bars) … set all-around best in back-to-back meets, scoring a 39.625 on Mar. 4 and a 39.65 on Mar. 11 … 39.65 career mark is tied for the 10th best in school history … 14 victories … “hit” 55-57 routines … co-recipient of Utah’s Diane Ellingson Award, which goes to the most inspirational gymnast … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2004–Utah’s only two-time first-team All-American also won second- team honors in the all-around … tied for fourth on bars and finished 12th on beam in NCAA event finals … in team qualifying competition at the NCAA Championships, tied for eighth across both sessions with a 39.525 all-around score … qualified for finals on bars and beam with 9.925 and 9.875 scores, respectively … won the Coaches’ Award, which honors the team’s most improved gymnast … went all-around in the first seven meets until a back injury on Feb. 27 caused her to miss one meet and limited her to bars and beam in two meets … in her first all-around competition in five weeks, she placed third at regionals with a 39.550 … season-best 39.625 all-around vs. Iowa … other big scores included a 39.575 at BYU and 39.525 at Arizona State … 3 victories … scored 9.925 or better on all four apparatus … “hit” 44-49 routines.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year International Elite competed at 2000-01 U.S. National Championships … 20th in the all-around at the 2001 U.S. National Championships … competed at J.O. nationals four years … as national elite, placed fifth in the all-around at the U.S. Chal- lenge … fourth all-around at the 2002 SCEGA Invitational … trained for coaches Daile VanPatten and Natalia Laschenova at Southern Tier Gymnastics.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Lori and Charles Ford … one brother, Matt … pre-physical therapy major … nicknames are Nikki and Queenie … full name is Nicolle Marie Ford … born March 29, 1985.

Ford’s Career Highs All-Around 39.65 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Vault 9.925 vs. Brigham Young, Jan. 23, 2004 9.925 vs. Minnesota, Jan. 30, 2004 9.925 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 9.925 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 26, 2005 Bars 9.95 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Nicknames: Nikki, Queenie 9.95 at NCAA Regionals, Apr. 3, 2004 Three Words that Describe Me: Determined, queen, attitude Beam 9.95 vs. Utah State, Jan. 14, 2005 Favorite Color: Red 9.95 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Favorite Food: Chicken 9.95 at NCAA Championships, Mar. 22, 2005 Favorite Musicians: The Killers, Kelly Clarkson Floor 9.925 vs. Michigan, Feb. 14, 2004 Favorite Animal: Dog 9.925 vs. Florida/Stanford/Cal, Mar. 4, 2005 Favorite Events: Beam, bars 9.925 vs. Arizona State, Mar. 18, 2005 Favorite Gymnast: Natalia Laschenova Favorite TV Show: Laguna Beach Favorite Song: Live like you were dying (Tim McGraw)

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 25 ute bios • rachel tidd

UTAH: Three-time All-American ... health issues could prevent her RACHEL TIDD from competing this year ... back injury did not heal over the summer and she was unable to train in the preseason ... when healthy, she is a contender to win the NCAA all-around championship ... one of the Junior, 5’2” nation’s top uneven bar competitors, she is capable of improving on Fallbrook, Calif. her third-place finish at last year’s NCAA Championships … 25 career Calvary Christian HS Southern California Elite Gymnastics Academy victories included the best score in the opening round and in team finals French at the NCAA Championships … has “hit” 82-91 career routines. 2005–First-team All-American on the bars tied for third at the NCAA Championships … earned second-team All-America honors in the all- around (12th) and on vault … incredible showing at the NCAA Champi- onships included all-around scores of 39.40 and 39.50 in the two days of team competition … “hit” 9 of 9 routines at the NCAA Championships … won the all-around at BYU with season best 39.575 … 17 victories (10 on bars, 2 all-around) … “hit” 46-49 routines … co-recipient of Utah’s Diane Ellingson Award, which goes to the most inspirational gymnast … CoSIDA ESPN The Magazine All-America District VIII At- Large Academic All-American had a 3.87 cumulative GPA … NACGC Scholastic All-American. 2004–Incredible freshman campaign was marred by shin injury and mono—the latter which cost her a chance to compete at nationals … region vault champion tied for first with a 9.95 … also scored a 9.90 on bars at regionals … Dahl Award winner as the team’s most accomplished combination student-athlete, she earned a 4.0 GPA her first semester and finished the year with a 3.91 cumulative GPA … all-arounder when healthy … 39.675 all-around best is tied for ninth all-time at Utah …10.0 on vault vs. BYU on Mar. 19 … two 9.975 vault scores … other personal bests included a 9.95 on bars, 9.925 on floor and 9.90 on beam … despite injuries, finished third on team in victories with 8 (4 on bars, 3 on vault, 1 on beam ) … “hit” 36-42 routines … NACGC Scholastic All-American.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Three-year U.S. National Team member … placed fourth in the all-around at the 2001 USA Championships and was on U.S. World Championships team that took bronze at World Cham- pionships … placed eighth on beam at 2001 World Championships … 10th all-around at 2000 Olympic Trials … 12th all-around at 2000 USA Championships and 15th in 1999 … other international competitions in- clude 1999 USA vs. and 2000 Blue Water Invitational … trained at Southern California Elite Gymnastics Academy (SCEGA) … club coaches included former Utah All-American Meredith King-Paulicivic, as well as Tim Garrison and Kathy Strate.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Susan and Michael Tidd … one of 10 chil- dren: sisters are Mikala, Samantha, Olivia, Ashley, Holly and Nicole; brothers are Steven, Taylor and Brian … enjoys singing … full name is Rachel Michelle Tidd … born May 20, 1984.

Hobbies: Singing, playing pool Tidd’s Career Highs Favorite Food: Pizza bender All-Around 39.675 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Favorite Musical Groups: The O.C. Supertones, Rascal Flatts Vault 10.0 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Favorite Subject in School: French Bars 9.95 vs. Utah State, Feb. 27, 2004 Favorite Book: Left Behind 9.95 vs. UCLA, Jan. 7, 2005 Favorite Animals: My dog Charlie Brown and monkeys 9.95 vs. Michigan, Jan. 28, 2005 Favorite Jeans: Lucky 9.95 vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 11, 2005 9.95 at NCAA Championships, Apr. 22, 2005 Favorite Place to Travel: France Beam 9.90 vs. Nebraska, Jan. 16, 2004 Favorite Event: Bars 9.90 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 19, 2004 Favorite Gymnast: 9.90 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 26, 2005 Floor 9.925 vs. Arizona State/Air Force, Feb. 20, 2004

26 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • jessica duke

UTAH: Powerful gymnast earned a starting job on vault and bars as a JESSICA DUKE freshman and will vie for an all-around position this season … competes well under pressure … member of Utah’s Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC). Sophomore, 5’4” 2005–Went the entire season, including four routines at the national Sandy, Utah The Waterford School championships, without a fall … cracked the vault lineup one month Olympus School of Gymnastics into the season and earned the No. 2 spot on bars at the midway point … Family & Consumer Studies scored a 9.85 on vault and a 9.825 on bars (tying her career high) during the NCAA Super Six … won vault vs. Arizona State with career-best 9.925 … had three 9.90 or better vault scores … “hit” 19-19 routines.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: International Elite qualifier in 2000 … 2000 Junior Olympics national all-around champion … 10th in the all-around at the 2003 JO Championships and 14th in 2004 … competed for Region I team that took first at both the 2003 and ’04 JO Championships … sixth on bars and eighth on floor at 2004 JO’s … won floor and placed third on bars and fifth in the all-around at the 2003 Utah-Moscow Games in Moscow, … trained at Olympus School of Gymnastics under coaches Mary Wright (also a Ute volunteer coach) and Ryan Kirkham … graduated from The Waterford School.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Joy and Jeff Duke … both parents graduated from BYU … three brothers (David, Daniel, Matthew) and two sisters (Jamie, Madeline) … nickname is Jess … full name is Jessica Marie Duke … born Oct. 5, 1985 in Illinois.

Duke’s Career Highs Vault 9.925 vs. Arizona State, Mar. 18, 2005 Bars 9.825 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 26, 2005 9.825 at NCAA Championships, April 4, 2005

Nicknames: Dukie, Jessie, Jess You might find this Interesting: My parents graduated from BYU and two brothers are currently BYU students. Hobbies: Photography, piano Favorite Color: Red Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Gum: Juicy Fruit Favorite TV Show: Laguna Beach Favorite Movie: The Notebook Favorite Actress: Rachel McAams Favorite Animal: Mallard duckling

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 27 ute bios • katie kivisto

UTAH: Key performer as a freshman last year expects to contribute KATIE KIVISTO even more as a sophomore … best event is bars, but she is a leading can- didate to make the floor and beam lineups as well … has a skill on the balance beam named after her (the Kivisto) that is wildly popular with Sophomore, 5’0” fans everywhere … member of Utah’s Student Athlete Mentors (SAMS). Boca Raton, Fla. Pope John Paul II HS 2005–Began the season as the second competitor on bars, but soon American Twisters developed into a high-scoring lead-off on the event … was Utah’s very Pre-Law first competitor on opening day of NCAA Championships’ competition … scored a 9.70 on bars opening night and followed with a 9.825 effort in the NCAA Super Six … competed on bars in every meet and made the starting lineup twice on beam and four times on floor … placed second on bars vs. BYU on Feb. 11, scoring a career-best 9.90 … career- high 9.725 on floor and 9.70 on beam … “hit” 18-21 routines and was 14-15 on bars.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Five-year International Elite gymnast com- peted for the U.S. Senior National Team from 2001-02 … 11th in the all-around at the 2001 USA Gymnastics Championships … member of the USA Junior National Team from 1999-2000 … 1999 JO floor exer- cise champion … third in the all-around at 1999 JO Championships … placed third all-around and first on beam at the Puerto Cup … trained for coaches Tim and Toni Rand at American Twisters … American Twisters is the club that produced former Ute All-American Suzanne Metz (1992- 95). Ute assistant coach Aki Hummel coached there prior to coming to Utah in 1993.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Sharon and Jussi Kivisto … last name is pronounced ka-visto … sisters both compete in gymnastics … Brigitte, 15, is Level 10; Hanna, 10, is Level 5 … academic goal is to attend law school … has a skill (the Kivisto) on balance beam named after her … full name is Katia Helena Kivisto … born Dec. 10, 1985.

Kivisto’s Career Highs Bars 9.90 vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 11, 2005 Beam 9.70 vs. Utah State, Jan. 14, 2005 Floor 9.725 vs. Brigham Young, Feb. 11, 2005

You may find this Interesting: My dad is from Finland Favorite Color: Pink Favorite Food: Cereal Favorite Musicians: Tim McGraw, Shania Twain Favorite Subject in School: Psychology Favorite Movie: Wedding Crashers Favorite Person in History: Princess Diana Favorite Place to Travel: New York, Chicago Favorite Events: Beam, bars Favorite Gymnast: Jana Bieger

28 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • ashley postell

UTAH: The 2002 World Balance Beam and 2003 U.S. Floor Exercise ASHLEY POSTELL Champion is a five-time NCAA All-American after just one season … remarkable competitor is a favorite to win the NCAA all-around championship after placing third as a freshman last year … seven-year Sophomore, 5’2” U.S. Senior National Team member enjoys the team concept of college Burke, Va. Alpha Omega HS gymnastics. Capital Gymnastics NTC 2005–Five-time All-American won the all-around competition with Undeclared a 39.575 in opening round competition at the NCAA Championships before placing third after the higher scoring evening session was totaled in … first-team All-American in the all-around (third), bars (third, tie), beam and vault … second-team All-American on the floor … forced to withdraw from individual finals on the beam and vault due to a foot injury suffered during the NCAA Super Six warm-ups (did do a bar rou- tine and tied for third) … a night earlier, she competed in the all-around despite the injury and scored a 39.325 in the Super Six … NCAA North Central Region gymnast of the year … won the NCAA regional bar championship with a 9.925 … career all-around best of 39.775 on Mar. 11 is tied for the fifth best in school history and was the best by a Ute in 2004 … won the all-around in her very first college meet vs. UCLA and her 39.625 score set a Ute freshman record for best all-around debut … two 10.0 scores on the balance beam in back-to-back weeks was a Utah first … team-best 23 victories included 7 all-around wins (did not go all- around vs. Utah State due to illness) … “hit” 43 straight routines before a fall on floor in the final regular season meet … “hit” 56-58 routines … voted Utah’s co-Most Valuable Performer.

CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: U.S. Senior National Team member from 1998-2004 was the World balance beam champion in 2002 … competed at both the 2002 and 2003 World Championships … 2003 U.S. champion on floor exercise also placed second on beam and fourth in the all-around and on bars at the 2003 USA Championships … trained for coaches Tatiana Perskaia, Victor Vetrov and Marina Gerasimova at Capital Gym- nastics NTC … home schooled (received degree from Alpha Omega High School).

PERSONAL: Daughter of Linda and Gary Postell … brothers Eric and Kyle and sister Territa … Kyle has a football scholarship to Duquesne University … career goal is to become a doctor … full name is Ashley Blair Postell … born June 9, 1986.

Postell’s Career Highs All-Around 39.775 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Vault 9.95 vs. Brigham Young, Mar. 26, 2005 Bars 9.95 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 Nickname: Ash Beam 10.0 vs. Washington, Mar. 11, 2005 You may find this Interesting: My brother, Kyle, is on a 10.0 vs. Arizona State, Mar. 18, 2005 football scholarship at Duquesne University. Floor 9.95 vs. UCLA, Jan. 7, 2005 Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Gum: Extra Polar Ice Favorite Musician: Avril Lavigne Favorite Subject in School: Math Favorite Animal: Dog Favorite Actress: Julia Roberts Favorite Event: Floor Favorite Gymnast:

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 29 ute bios • kristina baskett

UTAH: 2005 USA Junior Olympic all-around, floor exercise and vault KRISTINA BASKETT champion has loads of potential … is both powerful and artistic … eager to compete in front of Utah’s large home crowds.

Freshman, 5’0” CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Was the all-around, vault and floor cham- Normandy Park, Wash. Mt. Rainier HS pion at the 2005 USA Junior Olympic Championships … qualified for Puget Sound Gymnastics the 2003 USA Championships, but broke her foot two days before the Undeclared meet … took 18th in the all-around at the 2002 USA Championships … placed fourth on vault at the 2004 U.S. Classic … impressive interna- tional results included all-around golds at the 1999 Copa Invitational in Monterey, Mexico, and the 2002 Costa Rica Invitational … trained at Puget Sound Gymnastics under coaches Brad Loan and Candyce Chit- tinden … graduated from Mt. Rainier High School.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Jean and Randy Baskett … mother was a high school basketball player in Bethel, Alaska, and she now referees basketball … father is a pilot for United Airlines … one brother (Ricky) … enjoys wakeboarding, dancing, camping and photography … career goal is to become a professional photographer … full name is Kristina Marie Baskett … nickname is Kris … born June 5, 1987.

“I believe Kristina is one of the top gymnasts coming into college this year. She is really the complete package: tiny, powerful and elegant. She is a real showman and will enjoy the atmosphere of our home meets.”

Head Coach Greg Marsden.

Nickname: Kris You might find this Interesting: My mother is a basketball referee and my father is a pilot. My Goal in Life is: To become a professional photographer Hobbies: Dancing, wakeboarding, camping Favorite Food: Rice Favorite Subject in School: Photography Favorite Movie: Ace Ventura Favorite Animal: Dolphin Favorite Events: Floor, vault Favorite Gymnast: Andrea Raducan

30 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com ute bios • nina kim

UTAH: Four-year U.S. National Team member and world-class gymnast NINA KIM comes to Utah as one of the most highly recruited freshman in the coun- try … expects to challenge immediately for an all-around position and to be a contender at the NCAA Championships. Freshman, 5’3” Houston, Texas Alpha Omega Academy CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year USA National Team member was World Olympic Gymnastics Academy named to the “Olympic Hot List” by Inside Gymnastics … did not com- Undeclared pete in 2005 … placed first on the balance beam at the 2004 American Classic and won the all-around at the 2003 Podium Meet and the 2002 Crystal D’Arc in France … also earned top six finishes at the 2002 USA Gymnastics Championships (6th), the 2003 Golden Lilia in the (5th) and the 2004 FL Gymnastics Open in Luxembourg (3rd) … won the uneven bar title in Luxembourg … finished 16th in the all-around at the 2004 U.S. National Championships … Houston native moved to Rowlett, Texas (near Dallas) to train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy under coaches Evgeny Marchenko and Natasha Boraskya. … home schooled (received degree from Alpha Omega High School).

PERSONAL: Daughter of Sanya and Jong Wook Kim … parents are Korean immigrants … sister Jenny and brother John … enjoys drawing … speaks Korean fluently … full name is Nina Song Yi Kim … born Nov. 3, 1986.

“After taking last season off, Nina is working her way back into routine shape. Once she does that, she has the potential to be as good as any athlete in college gymnastics. Her style and international experience will set her apart.”

Head Coach Greg Marsden

Nickname: Niner An Interesting Thing About My Family is: My parents are from Korea I can: Speak Korean fluently Favorite Food: Frozen yogurt with sprinkles Favorite Musicians: Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne Favorite Subject in School: Science Favorite Movie: Mean Girls Favorite Animal: Giraffe Favorite Event: Beam Favorite Gymnast:

10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com 31 ute bios • beth rizzo

UTAH: Walk-on is Utah’s diamond in the rough … very powerful BETH RIZZO gymnast’s best events are vault, beam and floor. CLUB/HIGH SCHOOL: Level 10 competitor from 2002-05 … Level Freshman, 5’0” 9 national floor exercise champion in 2001 also finished third in the all- Hoffman Estates, Ill. William Friend HS around … 2001 Illinois state Level 9 all-around champion … trained at Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Buffalo Grove Gymnastics Center under Teri Crumley and Tony Toms Exercise & Sport Science … graduated from William Friend High School.

PERSONAL: Daughter of Mary Ellen and Sal Rizzo … both parents graduated from the College of New Jersey, where her father was on the wrestling team … brother Joe plays lacrosse at Western Illinois … en- joys dancing … hopes to coach gymnastics and own her own gymnastics club some day … full name is Elizabeth Ellen Rizzo … born June 12, 1987.

“Beth was determined to join our team. I think she has a great deal of raw talent that just needs to be refined. She has very good skills, es- pecially on vault, beam and floor. In time, I think she’ll be able to smooth the rough edges and become a consistent contributor.”

Head Coach Greg Marsden

Favorite Food: Italian Favorite Musician: Sara Evans Favorite Subject in School: English Favorite Book: The Last of the Really Great Wangdoodles Favorite TV Show: Boy Meets World Favorite Animal: Duck Favorite Actor: Sylvester Stallone Favorite Place to Shop: Michigan Ave. Favorite Place to Travel: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Favorite Gymnast: Dominique Dawes

32 10-time national champion • www.utahutes.com