Gophers womens gymnastics wins Big Ten title; Ramler Gymnast of Year

For the first time since 2006, the University of Minnesota women’s gymnastics team captured the Big Ten tournament title as No. 7 Minnesota won first place at the Big Ten Championship on Saturday night in Minneapolis.

The Gophers tallied a program-record 197.50 to win their sixth conference championship, snapping Michigan’s streak of six consecutive titles.

"I am just so excited for the team and for this opportunity to compete at home," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "After everything we have gone through, and to have a performance like that tonight, I am just so happy for the team."

Overall, Minnesota led the way with four individual event champions. Senior Lexy Ramler won the all-around (39.725), bars (9.950) and beam title (9.975), while Ona Loper won the floor title (9.950).

With a team score of 197.750, the Gophers broke the program record previously set at 197.000 in 2004.

Senior Lexy Ramler was named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year immediately following the meet, her third consecutive year winning the award. Ramler earned the nomination in the midst of her stellar senior campaign. She has scored a perfect 10 on both vault and beam, and has also set a new program record in the all-around with a 39.850. Ramler has won 24 event titles so far this season and has been named the Big Ten Gymnast of the Week five times. She is currently tied for No. 1 in the nation on beam, No. 2 on bars, tied for No. 4 on vault, No. 23 on floor and No. 2 overall in the all-around. Ramler is also a finalist for the AAI Award, recognizing the most outstanding senior female gymnast in the country.

"We have just worked so hard this year, and for everyone to just come together, it is an overwhelming amount of emotions. We were yelling, screaming and jumping," Ramler said. "These nights are so special and the stars seem to align when things come together."

The 2021 Division I Women’s Gymnastics Regional Selection Show will take place on Monday, March 22 at 4 p.m. The stream is available on NCAA.com to see where the Gophers will be headed for Regionals, which will take place on April 2.