BROCKPORT, N.Y. – After becoming an All-American in the all-around Friday at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Championships, Alex Kopp (Jr., Wayzata, Minn.) continued to impress Saturday during the individual events. Kopp tied for first on the floor with a program record 9.850, claiming the 32nd national event title in program history. Kopp is the first Gustie to win a national event since Alyssa Cox won the vault in 2003, and first to win the floor (eighth overall) since Molly Nemes in 2001.
“Coming into this weekend, I wanted to do my best but I never expected a national championship out of it,” Kopp said. “I hit my floor routine and I was so happy to see it rewarded with such a high score. It was the proudest moment I have had in my gymnastics career so far, and I couldn’t have done it without the constant support of my teammates and coaches.”
Alex Kopp is the 2016 NCGA floor national champion.
Kopp also placed 11th on vault with a score of 9.525, earning Second Team All-America status, and rounded out the day with a 9.200 on beam. For her performance, Kopp was named the National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches/Women (NACGC/W) Division III West Region Gymnast of the Year.
“Wow. I don’t know what else to say. For the first time I am speechless. Alex was on fire today,” Head Coach Aryn Bell said. “Her vault was solid, the way it has been all season. Her consistency helped her to the 11th place finish, earning the second team All American. Then we went on to floor. Alex was on point. It was another flawless routine tonight. I knew as the routine went on and she nailed her leap pass and her tumbling that this was going to be big. I just didn’t realize how big. Then I saw a 9.9 from one judge. I knew in that moment she had a shot. She earned that score and that school record this weekend. She moved on to beam before we knew the final outcome. Her routine started off huge and clean. Despite an unfortunate fall she finished strong.
“We told Alex this morning that today was for fun. Stay relaxed and positive no matter what because she got her season goal yesterday. Whatever happened today was icing on the cake. I think winning an event at nationals is more than icing on the cake. It was a dream come true.”
At the end of the meet, Gustavus seniors Rachel Dargis (Bloomington, Minn.) and Rachel Thiner (Sioux Falls, S.D.) were named NCGA All-America in Academics, which recognizes seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Dargis and Thiner are two of 34 recipients, representing 13 institutions.
Congratulations Alex! Congratulations to Rachel Dargis & Rachel Thiner also.