Illinois State gymnastics has strengthened its coaching staff with the hiring of Makayla Curtis as an assistant coach. Head coach Cassandra Ringer expressed enthusiasm about Curtis's arrival, highlighting her philosophy and passion for developing student-athletes. Curtis joins after a successful season at Ohio State, where she contributed to a team ranking of No. 16 nationally. She brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at SUNY Brockport and extensive training achievements as a gymnast at Nebraska.

By the Numbers
  • Last season, Curtis helped Ohio State achieve a team score of 197.150.
  • During her time at Nebraska, she scored a personal best of 9.950 on Beam and 9.900 on Floor.
Yes, But

While Curtis brings significant experience and accomplishments, transitioning to a new program can be challenging. Establishing chemistry with the Redbirds team dynamics and enhancing performance in a competitive conference may require time.

State of Play
  • Curtis is expected to influence the coaching strategies in Beam and Floor exercises.
  • She will also oversee operations including travel and team events for the Redbird gymnastics program.
What's Next

As the gymnastics season approaches, expect Curtis to implement her training philosophies and maintain the momentum from Ohio State, aiming for the Redbirds to compete at high levels. Building relationships within the team will be critical in shaping a successful campaign.

Bottom Line

Curtis鈥檚 addition is poised to enhance the Redbirds' gymnastics program significantly, blending her coaching expertise with a culture of excellence. Her commitment to fostering growth in student-athletes suggests a promising future for the team.