Katie Olson Named Head Gymnastics Coach

St. Peter, Minn. – Gustavus Adolphus College has named Katie (Kortuem) Olson as interim head coach of its women’s gymnastics team.  Olson, a 2000 graduate of Gustavus with a major in elementary education, becomes the fourth head coach in the program’s history.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to give back to the program that has given me so much,” said Olson. “And I look forward to working with this dedicated group of athletes.  Our goal will be to add another exciting chapter to the rich history of Gustavus gymnastics.”

A native of Madison Lake, Minn., Olson co-owns K & G Gymnastics in Mankato with Gabe Essay. K & G Gymnastics offers a variety of classes available to boys and girls from infant to adult, and training/coaching for competitive teams and gymnasts.

A veteran gymnastics coach, Olson has served the Minnesota gymnastics community in a number of different capacities.  From 1993-2001, she was a coach at the Mankato Area Gymnastics School.  She also served as an assistant coach at Mankato East High School during the 2000-2001 school year, and then at Eastview High School in Apple Valley from 2001 to 2005.  In 2003, Olson received a master’s degree in education from Saint Mary’s University.

Prior to her coaching career, Olson enjoyed one of the most decorated careers in the history of Gustavus gymnastics earning All-America honors seven times from 1996 to 2000. She was named the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association (NCGA) Gymnast of the Year in 1999 after claiming national titles in the all-around, vault, and balance beam, while also helping the Gusties to a runner-up team finish at the NCGA Championships, which were held at Gustavus.  Olson qualified for the NCGA Championships in the all-around in each of her four seasons finishing fifth in 1997, fourth in 1998, first in 1999 and eighth in 2000.  She also helped the Gusties to three top six team finishes at the national meet including a sixth place finish in 1998, second in 1999 and sixth in 2000.  Olson still holds the school record on the balance beam with a mark of 9.750 (1998-99).

“We are extremely fortunate to have a coach the caliber of Katie Olson accept our offer to lead our women’s gymnastics program,” stated Athletics Director Tom Brown.  “A standout gymnast for the Gusties in the late 90’s, Katie brings a great deal of experience and excitement into the gym.”

Olson follows in the footsteps of former head coaches Nancy Baker, Jerry Connolly, and Kris Glidden.  The Gustavus gymnastics program is home to eight national championships, 54 All-Americans, and 18 national event champions.

Katie and her husband, Brent `00, live in Mankato with their three children, Emmett, Ella, and Weston.