2011 - 2012

Director & Head Coach: Scott Welsh (Fall), Josh Montfort (Spring)

Assistant Coaches: Todd Supple, Angie Prescott, Ben Prescott, Michael Thompson, Steve Low

Officer Body

  • President: Ashleigh Hyman

  • Vice President: Zoe Rosenblum

  • Secretary: Caite Fleming

  • Treasurer: Sami Ahmed

  • Historian: Vicky Baramki

Award Recipients

  • Best Act: Free Running - Jacob Chen, Rick Cruz, Alex Egorenkov, Brittany Huff, James Liu, Kieran McGuigan, Dominik Metzler, Harrison Pierce, Luke Valenta

  • Best Female Trouper: Zoe Rosenblum

  • Best Male Trouper: Alex Mateik


Big Shows, Big Changes

For many troupers, the season started early this year. Head Coach and Director Scott Welch had submitted a video of ladders for competition at America’s Got Talent early in 2011. The troupe got a call back and spent a month choreographing, rehearsing, and troubleshooting an act built for television. 

Although only 15 troupers actually performed in the show according to president Ashleigh Hyman, many other troupers contributed in numerous different ways. Ashleigh said troupers “helped out as substitutes [and] mat footers” as well as completing major truck loads with only a handful of people.

“We flew out to Los Angeles a week ahead of the show. The AGT staff set the troupers and Coach Welsh up at a four-star hotel near the studio, but we ended up spending almost as much time sitting in a tent that we affectionately called ‘The Kennel’ while waiting to practice on set. That wasn’t so easy, but one AGT crew member said we were the hardest working, most cooperative group they had ever seen. I couldn’t have been more proud.” – Ashleigh Hyman

Although Gymkana’s AGT journey ended in an unfortunate manner when the fire hoop was hit during the semi-finals, troupers remember the trip as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Ashleigh Hyman credits AGT for Gymkana’s popularity over the next few years, saying that the show’s reach opened up doors for the team, such as the opportunity to perform a Ladders halftime show for the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden, as well as joining the Cherry Blossom Parade in DC.

Between the fall and spring semesters, more shock and unexpected changes uprooted the team. Director Scott Welsh was suddenly and unexpectedly removed from all of his duties with Gymkana. School of Public Health Dean Robert Gold asked Assistant Director Josh Montfort to step into the role of Interim Director, which he did with ease to allow the show season to continue as seamlessly as possible. Despite the excitement and transformations of the year, the troupe successfully performed many types of shows and garnered lots of positive attention from audiences.

The spring alumni newsletter acknowledged the work and kindness of two honorary members of Gymkana: Eddie Young and Warren Balogh. Eddie remains a roadie for the team today, helping out with equipment changes during performances. Warren drives down to College Park from his home in New York State every year to help with lighting setup and Home Show. 

Itinerary

  • August 2011 - America’s Got Talent, YouTube Special & Semi-Final

  • 1/4/2012 - New York Knicks vs. Charlotte Bobcats Ladders Halftime Show - New York, NY

  • 1/25/2012 - Maryland vs. Duke Vaulting Halftime Show - College Park, MD

  • 2/3/2012 - Matapeake Elementary School - Stevensville, MD

  • 2/10/2012 - St. Agnes School - Baltimore, MD

  • 2/17/2012 - Hagerstown Community College - Hagerstown, MD

  • 2/24/2012 - Maryland vs. UNC DMT Women’s Basketball Halftime Show - College Park, MD

  • 3/4/2012 - Parisi Speed School - Edgewater, MD

  • 3/8/2012 - In-Gym Show - College Park, MD

  • 3/17/2012 - Fox 45 Health Expo - Baltimore, MD

  • 3/29/2012 - Odenton Elementary School - Odenton, MD

  • 4/13/2012 - Folly Quarter Middle School - Ellicott City, MD

  • 4/14/2012 - Cherry Blossom Parade - Washington, DC

  • 4/20 - 4/21/2012 - Home Show

  • 4/28/2012 - Maryland Day - College Park, MD