As a Big Ten student-athlete, what were some of the life lessons you learned throughout your collegiate career?
"There were many lessons, but the most important were goal setting and time management. I just learned to develop a work ethic that helped me through all the injuries. My time at Minnesota taught me a lot and it really does lend over into my life and what I do in the medical field."

Talk about the demands of balancing schoolwork with being a Big Ten student-athlete...
"Time management was the key.  I had to understand my schedule and learn to plan everything out.  It was a busy life between being a student and an athlete.  Very busy!  You just had to schedule things out and get your sleep."

How did competing in the Big Ten help you gain success in the classroom?
"Wanting to do the best and be the best in the sport and on the stage just naturally lends over to everything that we do.  I don't think anyone can strive to be the best in one area and not strive to be the best in another.  You want to do be perfect and get those A's and get those 10's all at one time really." 

Looking back on your collegiate career, what are some of the things you are most proud of?
"Our team won the first-ever Big Ten Championship for Minnesota gymnastics.  Coming together as a team was really neat, because it was something that was new to me coming into collegiate matches compared to the national matches.  There's more of a team-orientated approach which made it a great experience for me."

What advice would you give to aspiring female student-athletes?
"Just work hard and have fun at the same time."

How did being part of a team and the Big Ten ease your transition into college?
"The transition was interesting because I didn't expect such a high level of competition at the collegiate level.  I had just come from a national team and competing overseas and here I was suddenly impressed with the level of competition.  I realized quickly I would have to work just as hard to compete on the collegiate stage."

How was it having your father and your brother at Minnesota?
"It was very supportive having my father (as a coach) and my brother (as a Gopher men's gymnast) there because they were involved in the same sport.  I knew what they were going through and they knew what I was going through.  It was great having that `Roethlisberger recognition' at the same time, because I had been away from them for so long prior to college."

What does it mean for you to represent Minnesota in the Big Ten's 25th Anniversary of Women's Championships?
"I just feel proud of being part of a collegiate experience and the Big Ten.   It's a strong conference with wonderful athletes and excellent schools.  I have such wonderful memories of college and I was so proud to be a part of Minnesota and the Big Ten."