New ISU coaches Katie Minasola and Kristen Maloney, along with volunteer coach Danielle Guider, have big plans for the ISU gymnastics team.
After Minasola spent seven years as an assistant coach at Michigan State, Jay Ronayne is glad to have her on his coaching staff.
“I was watching Katie for years,” Ronayne said. “I was aware of her as an athlete. So she’s been in my consciousness since [she was in college]. I knew she could help our team immediately.”
Minasola helped lead the Michigan State Spartans to six straight NCAA Regional appearances, but she was ready to move forward and gain experience elsewhere.
“At first I didn’t want to be a head coach. Over my period [at Michigan State] I realized that I do,” Minasola said. “I needed to move on to another university to learn from other coaches and see what other institutions do.”
Her first year at Iowa State is just a stepping stone for her goals in the future.
“I want to go to nationals as a team, get to the Super Six, and become part of a team that is on the national level on a regular basis,” Minasola said. “What don’t I want to do as a coach?”
After only coaching for one season, Maloney is another coach Ronayne graciously brought aboard.
“She knows what it’s all about,” Ronayne said. “She came from a program at UCLA that has a long history and tradition of success. To bring that experience to us, so we can learn from that? That was a no brainer.”
NCAA champion, Olympic bronze medalist and Cirque du Soleil performer are a few bullet points on her resume that Maloney brings to Iowa State.
Maloney said she has a lot to learn about the coaching aspect of the sport after being coached for most of her life.
“I’ve been looking to make coaching in college gymnastics my career,” Maloney said. “I started at UNH [University of New Hampshire]. I thought this was a good step. A bigger program and better resources.”
Guider is looking to get her foot in the door at Iowa State as well.
“Everyone has to pay their dues,” Ronayne said. “She wants to coach really bad. She’s doing a great job. We’re very fortunate to have her here.”
The 2011 Missouri graduate is ready to take on the responsibilities of coaching and also currently leads the Cardinal Gymnastics Academy in Ames.
“I knew this summer that I wanted to go into coaching,” Guider said. “[Iowa State] was my best opportunity to get my foot in the door.”
With the additions Ronayne made in the offseason, he said he and his team are trying to get to the NCAA Championship this year and prove to others and themselves that they are a force in college gymnastics.
