Completed Event: Gymnastics versus NCAA Championship Final on April 19, 2025 , , 4th of 4 (197.2375)
Final Score
Gymnastics
4th of 4 (197.2375)
vs NCAA Championship Final
Utah Gymnastics adds USA National Team coach Mike Hunger to Staff
5/9/2024 10:28 AM | Gymnastics
Dockendorf rounds out staff heading into the 2025 season
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Gymnastics head coach Carly Dockendorf has added renowned coach Mike Hunger to the Red Rocks staff, heading into the 2025 season.
"The addition of Mike to our program is monumental for Utah Gymnastics. His diverse experience and wealth of knowledge in the sport will greatly elevate our gymnasts and our staff," said Dockendorf. "Mike is passionate about continuing to foster and develop excellence in his athletes both in the gym and in life. Myia, Jimmy and I could not be more excited for this opportunity to have Mike join our team."
Hunger brings nearly 50 years of diverse coaching experience to the Utah staff, having worked with the developmental levels and all the way to the pinnacle of the sport with Olympic medalists and World Champions. He has served on the USA National team staff since 2016 and has been an active educator and clinician on the national and international stage.
Hunger has a widespread reputation throughout the gymnastics community as the founder and former owner of the Twin City Twisters Gymnastics Club in Champlin, Minn. Twin City Twisters produced a number of Red Rock greats such as, Abby Paulson, Grace McCallum, Abby Brenner, and Hunger's daughter Breanna Hughes.
Since he opened the club in 1987, Hunger has guided over 100 athletes to compete at the NCAA level. Hunger has coached seven national all-around champions and nine U.S. National Team members, world champions, and Olympic medalists.
Under Hunger's guidance as her personal coach, McCallum became an Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion with Team USA, as well as a four-time national team member.
The seven-time All-American Red Rock said, "Mike is such an amazing person and I am honored to have him as my coach again. He has so much to offer our program and will be a great addition to the staff. Not only is he a great coach, but he's also an amazing, kind, and genuine human. I'm excited for him to join our team."
In addition, recent Red Rock graduate Abby Paulson also went through her gymnastics career under the tutelage of Hunger. Paulson was a five-year international elite gymnast and member of the U.S. Senior National Team.
"I was lucky enough to have Mike as my club coach growing up," said Paulson. "He was not only a phenomenal coach, creating many elite and NCAA vault stars and champions, but has also always focused on character building. He emphasizes the importance of being a good person before an athlete and will be an amazing asset for building a positive culture in the gym. Mike also played a role in getting me to Utah, which I am forever grateful for! I am so excited for the team to get the opportunity to work with such a legend in the gymnastics world and can't wait to cheer them on from the stands."
Hunger will focus his attention on coaching the Utah vault team, while assisting with floor. With the addition of Hunger, the Utah staff is now fully re-loaded with fellow assistant coach Jimmy Pratt on bars, assistant coach Myia Hambrick on floor, and head coach Carly Dockendorf focusing on beam.
"I am beyond excited to join the Utah Gymnastics program," said Hunger. "I have been dreaming about coaching in this program for some time now, and I am looking forward to bringing new perspectives, ideas and aspirations to the team. Utah Gymnastics has and will always have a special place in my family's hearts, and now I get the opportunity to be more than just a fan in the stands. I cannot wait to get started!"
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"The addition of Mike to our program is monumental for Utah Gymnastics. His diverse experience and wealth of knowledge in the sport will greatly elevate our gymnasts and our staff," said Dockendorf. "Mike is passionate about continuing to foster and develop excellence in his athletes both in the gym and in life. Myia, Jimmy and I could not be more excited for this opportunity to have Mike join our team."
Hunger brings nearly 50 years of diverse coaching experience to the Utah staff, having worked with the developmental levels and all the way to the pinnacle of the sport with Olympic medalists and World Champions. He has served on the USA National team staff since 2016 and has been an active educator and clinician on the national and international stage.
Hunger has a widespread reputation throughout the gymnastics community as the founder and former owner of the Twin City Twisters Gymnastics Club in Champlin, Minn. Twin City Twisters produced a number of Red Rock greats such as, Abby Paulson, Grace McCallum, Abby Brenner, and Hunger's daughter Breanna Hughes.
Since he opened the club in 1987, Hunger has guided over 100 athletes to compete at the NCAA level. Hunger has coached seven national all-around champions and nine U.S. National Team members, world champions, and Olympic medalists.
Under Hunger's guidance as her personal coach, McCallum became an Olympic silver medalist and two-time World Champion with Team USA, as well as a four-time national team member.
The seven-time All-American Red Rock said, "Mike is such an amazing person and I am honored to have him as my coach again. He has so much to offer our program and will be a great addition to the staff. Not only is he a great coach, but he's also an amazing, kind, and genuine human. I'm excited for him to join our team."
In addition, recent Red Rock graduate Abby Paulson also went through her gymnastics career under the tutelage of Hunger. Paulson was a five-year international elite gymnast and member of the U.S. Senior National Team.
"I was lucky enough to have Mike as my club coach growing up," said Paulson. "He was not only a phenomenal coach, creating many elite and NCAA vault stars and champions, but has also always focused on character building. He emphasizes the importance of being a good person before an athlete and will be an amazing asset for building a positive culture in the gym. Mike also played a role in getting me to Utah, which I am forever grateful for! I am so excited for the team to get the opportunity to work with such a legend in the gymnastics world and can't wait to cheer them on from the stands."
Hunger will focus his attention on coaching the Utah vault team, while assisting with floor. With the addition of Hunger, the Utah staff is now fully re-loaded with fellow assistant coach Jimmy Pratt on bars, assistant coach Myia Hambrick on floor, and head coach Carly Dockendorf focusing on beam.
"I am beyond excited to join the Utah Gymnastics program," said Hunger. "I have been dreaming about coaching in this program for some time now, and I am looking forward to bringing new perspectives, ideas and aspirations to the team. Utah Gymnastics has and will always have a special place in my family's hearts, and now I get the opportunity to be more than just a fan in the stands. I cannot wait to get started!"
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