April 12, 2011
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - This is the fifth and final installment of a new series focusing on the achievements of former Penn State women's gymnasts called, "Where Are They Now?"
Stephanie Sullivan - '07
Stephanie was a member of the Nittany Lion Gymnastics team from 2003-2007. She is currently in her last year of medical school at Penn State's Hershey Medical Center. Although her free time is limited, she still stays involved in gymnastics by doing private lessons on the side. A stalwart on balance beam, Stephanie served as co-captain her senior year. She was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and was a four-time NACGC/W Scholar Athlete.
Of her time at Penn State, Stephanie says, "There will be no other time in my life when I will be part of such an amazing group of women. Sharing a common dream and working towards it is incredible. I love gymnastics, I always have, but I learned to love being a part of a team when I came to Penn State."
Coby Silver Pighetti - '94, M. Ed '96
Coby Silver was a solid performer on the team from 1990-1994. She is currently employed as a school counselor at the Bellefonte Area Middle School in Bellefonte, Pa. She is married to former Penn State Wrestler Skip Pighetti (`94). They currently live outside of State College in Howard, Pa. with their two beautiful daughters, Gabrielle (11) and Keeli (8). She is still involved in gymnastics where she is prep optional and Level 7 team coach for the Bellefonte YMCA.
Of her time at Penn State, Coby says, "Penn State Gymnastics means hard work, dedication, unity and sense of belonging. It means upholding a tradition of excellence and having pride in those who have come before or those who are the future of Penn State Gymnastics. It means being part of a special family."
Nikki Smith Wick - '01
Nikki was a gymnast for the Nittany Lion Gymnastics team from 1996-2000. In 2005, she married a former Penn State Ice Hockey player, Ryan Wick ('00). They have two little boys, Connor (2) and Aidan (1). Nikki is a stay-at-home mom and resides in Lausanne, Switzerland. They are traveling all over Europe as a family. Nikki has taken up photography as a hobby and enjoys taking pictures of the many countries they visit.
Of her time at Penn State, Nikki recalls, "My Penn State experience made a huge impact in my life. It taught me so much and shaped my life into what it is today. Being a Penn Stater is one of my biggest and proudest accomplishments, besides my family, still today."
Nikki says one of her favorite memories is competing in Rec Hall and listening to the crowd chant "We Are ... Penn State!" An All-American on balance beam in 1999, Nikki is one of the very few Penn State gymnasts to receive a 10.0! She earned her perfect score on beam at the Big Ten Championship meet on March 18, 2000 and was crowned the Big Ten Beam Champion.
Linda Tardiff Briggs - '84
Linda came to Penn State as an international competitor and highly regarded recruit. She was a top competitor for the Nittany Lion Gymnastics team from 1980-1982. After a career-ending knee injury, she became a student assistant coach. Today she has two children, a daughter Cindy (17) and a son Danny (14). Cindy is a Level 9 gymnast and will compete in college. Danny enjoys snowboarding, soccer, and baseball. Linda is currently a Brevet, the highest ranked gymnastics judge that one can be. She is also a gymnastics coach at New England Gymnastics Express and ABC's Gymnastics.
On her time at PSU, Linda says, "It was a blessing to me to have a full scholarship to my `dream college and team', PSU. Penn State Women's Gymnastics was number one in the nation at that time."