2003 - 2004

Tiff Aungst, Stephanie Ball, Jesse Bowes, Kirk Breuninger, Kevin Chen, Robert Cochran, Jamie Copelin, Rochelle Day, Jon Engel, Elizabeth Estes, John Etzel, Sheena Flot, Steve Folkes, Darius Gaymon, Igor Geftman, Julianne Giles, Julie Gstalder, Tom Hamblin, Kristen Handy, Mike Hawkins, Brandon Hayes, James Hong, Tony Jefferson, Derek Johnson, Sean Kennedy, Dana Kogan, Chris Kosecki, Tracy Lambert, Tracy Lin, Steven Low, Martin Maier, Matt Mayer, Emily McLaughlin, Jess Mislevy, Mike Nazareno, Dror Orbach, Judith Ottley, Rachel Pedri, Nicole Porcaro, Nikki Saddic, Mo Salimian, Natalie Schiliro, Alison Schlenger, Samantha Smith, Susan Stern, Mikey Thompson, Jason Williams, Mark Wolfe, Antonio Worthington-May, Melissa Wright, Meredith Zaslow, Angie Zavaglia, Jess Zeiler

Coaches

  • Director & Head Coach: Scott Welsh 

  • Assistant Director: Josh Montfort

  • Assistant Coaches: Todd Supple, Robert Nelligan

Officer Body

  • President: Alison Schlenger

  • Vice President: Jamie Copelin

  • Secretary: Emily McLaughlin

  • Treasurer: Jess Mislevy

  • Historian:  Jon Engel

Award Recipients

  • Best Female Trouper: Jess Mislevy

  • Best Male Trouper: Tom Hamblin

  • Best Act:  Dance - Jason Williams, Tony Jefferson, Darius Gaymon, Jamie Copelin, Natalie Schiliro, Tracey Lin, Lynnette Raunder, Julie Gstalder, and Mathew Mayer

2003-2004

In the 2003-2004 season, Gymkana focused on raising money for the troupe. Along with its Saturday gymnastics classes, the team hosted two invitation gymnastics meets in the gym and many troupers worked in the Comcast Center (now called Xfinity Center) as guides and guards during events. 

Gymkana’s show season began with Midnight Madness, which was a success, to the dismay of a Diamondback reporter who wrote, after the performance, “Not since NASCAR has there been a sport so avidly watched by people who only want to see something awful happen. We love Gymkana. We love its hard work. We love its death-defying acrobatics that bring us so much enjoyment every year at Midnight Madness. And yet we would also really love it if, by some chance, something were to go horribly wrong and a University student would, possibly, oh we don’t know… catch on fire? Is that too much to ask? Give the fans what they want. Regardless, CHEERS to Gymkana.”

During the spring semester, the troupe was plagued with illnesses and injuries, but pulled through thanks to the dedication, enthusiasm, and flexibility of troupers. The show season included an overnight trip to high schools in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This year, Gymkana was thankful to be able to ride in the Maryland Terp buses used by the competitive teams due to a close affiliation with the Athletics Department.

Many acts made this year special for Gymkana. Contortion, group rhythmic, and a martial arts skit made the itinerary fresh and exciting. The uneven bars act this year was particularly impressive, with multiple unique releases such as straddle back, pak full, Jaeger, and Gienger. However, the most thrilling addition to Gymkana’s repertoire was the reintroduction of teeterboard. Although teeter had been part of Gymkana’s performances in the past, the board had been unused and forgotten for 30 years. Four troupers showcased the teeterboard act throughout the show season, breathing life into the apparatus for a second, long-appreciated existence.

Itinerary

  • 2/6/2004 – Arbutus Middle School

  • 2/8/2004 – UMD Men’s Basketball vs Florida State

  • 2/20/2004 – Calvert High School

  • 2/22/2004 – UMD Women’s Basketball vs Duke

  • 2/26/2004 – Milton Hershey High School

  • 2/27/2004 – Lawrence High School

  • 3/5/2004 – Hagerstown Community College

  • 3/12/2004 – Owing Mills High School

  • 4/2/2004 – Lime Kiln Middle School

  • 4/16/2004 – Great Mills High School

  • 4/23 - 4/24/2004 – Gymkana Home Show