March 15, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - This is the third installment of a new series focusing on the achievements of former Penn State women's gymnasts called, "Where Are They Now?" Check GoPSUsports.com each week to meet another group of former gymnasts.
Genavieve Shingle - '07
Genavieve was known for her consistency on the balance beam where she hit every routine during her freshman and sophomore years (2004 and 2005)! She was a four-time NACGC/W Scholar-Athlete and a two-time member of the Academic All-Big Ten Team. Unfortunately, reconstructive shoulder surgery in her junior year ended her career as a gymnast. Currently living in New York, she is in her second year of law school focusing on criminal law and commercial litigation.
On her time at Penn State she writes: "The girls were my family - I really miss that feeling and experience. There were five of us my year and we were so close, but we're all over the country now. They were my support system and the sisters I never had. It strengthened me as a person. I was so grateful for my talent, my parents' support and encouragement and for my athletic scholarship to Penn State."
Meredith Hoover Yonushonis - '06
Meredith competed for the Nittany Lions from 2003-06. By her sophomore year she had worked her way to becoming an all-arounder and co-captain of the team and was named Second Team All-Big Ten. As a junior co-captain, she earned first-team All-Big Ten and competed in every meet in the all-around, earning her the Iron Horse Award. In her senior year and third year as co-captain, she was named a Big Ten Gymnast of the Week. Meredith was also a three-time Coaches Scholar Award recipient and Academic All-Big Ten honoree. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio and is married to James Yonushonis ('07), a former Penn State All-American wrestler. They have a seven-month old baby girl named Clare. Meredith is still doing what she loves as the assistant coach for Ohio State Women's Gymnastics.
On her time at Penn State, she says: "My experience meant having more opportunities than I could have imagined. It gave me the opportunity to compete at one of the best institutions in the country, have a top-notch degree, meet friends that will last a lifetime. The memories I have from the years are so special to me. It prepared me for my next steps in life, and especially for the role I have now coaching at the college level."
Cary Hoyt Fagan - '98
Carey competed for the Nittany Lions from 1995-98 and had a storied career at Penn State. Known early on for skills on vault, she served as anchor in her sophomore season. During her junior year she had what would have been for most a career-ending injury (a severely broken leg that required several surgeries). But through perseverance, Carey came back her senior year to be named captain and a specialist on the uneven bars. Because of her amazing hard work and positive attitude the team's annual Perseverance Award is named in her honor. During all four of her years the team won the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship and qualified for Nationals. Carey is now the head coach for women's gymnastics at Ohio State. She married Ryan Fagan (`99), a former PSU lineman. They have one child, Brady (9), and two wiener dogs, Frank and Eddie.
On her time at Penn State, Carey says: "The memories that I have from my time at Penn State are very dear to my heart. I loved representing PSU on the competition floor, and in the community. Many of my teammates and I are still very close, and built life-long friendships during our time at Penn State. Now that I am a Buckeye, people often ask me where I went to school, and it is with great pride that I say, 'Penn State'. Since my husband played football at PSU, he has had a tough transition into the Buckeye Nation, but we both still love Penn State, and cherish every moment we spent there."
Dr. Ellen Casey - '00
Ellen competed for Penn State from 1996-99. A five time All-American, she earned second-team honors in 1997 on vault and floor exercise and in 1999 on uneven bars, floor and in the all-around. In her senior year she won the Regional Championship on vault, bars, floor and in the all-around. Recognized as an Academic All-American in 1999, she became one of a handful of gymnasts to be awarded a perfect score of 10.0. Hers happened on floor exercise against Alabama! Ellen currently lives in Chicago, Ill. where she is married to Chris Hart and they have a four-year old black lab named Diesel. They enjoy traveling and triathlons. Ellen is a physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, specializing in Sports and Spine Medicine. She was recently hired at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to develop a clinical and research program focused on injury prevention and rehabilitation for female athletes. She is also the team physician for Lakeshore Gymnastics Academy in Chicago, and is researching ways to identify risk factors for injury in female college gymnasts. Recently she conducted a study with Big Ten gymnastics teams during the 2009-10 season.
On her time at Penn State, Ellen says: "I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to continue my gymnastics career in college. There are so many memories to cherish ... the pre-home meet gatherings at the shrine, the "triple" I shared with Missy and Janae, preseason conditioning (Shortlidge Road sprints, the Mt. Nittany climb and running the stadium steps), team dinners in the dining hall, Arts Fest, wearing sweats to class (almost every day!), 'turkoweenie' skits, coaching summer camp, signing the wall as a senior AND BEATING ALABAMA in the Bryce Jordan Center in 1999!!!"