DENVER – University of Denver gymnastics alumna Mia Sundstrom has been promoted to assistant coach, Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart announced on Wednesday.
 
Sundstrom spent the 2023 season as the program's volunteer assistant coach after competing for the team from 2018-22.
 
"I am incredibly excited to continue to have Mia Sundstrom as a member of our coaching staff," Kutcher-Rinehart said. "Through both her words and actions, Mia demonstrates our philosophy of character, teamwork and excellence. As a team member and a volunteer coach, she's been instrumental in our program's success over the last six years; and her passion and commitment to Denver Gymnastics has never wavered. She will continue to bring energy, intelligence, positivity and a relentless work ethic to our program in her new role, and I'm excited to see her grow and flourish."
 
Prior to transitioning into a coaching role last season, Sundstrom was a student-athlete for five seasons at Denver and helped lead the team to a record-shattering fourth-place finish at the 2019 NCAA Championship Final. In 2021, it was her bars routine that mathematically clinched Denver's Big 12 Conference Gymnastics Championship.
 
"I'm so humbled and honored to continue an incredible journey with Denver Gymnastics," Sundstrom said. "When I stepped on campus as a student-athlete six years ago, I believed in this program. Being part of it lit a spark inside me, and my belief and passion has only continued to grow.
 
"I'm beyond grateful to continue learning from the best staff in the country and student-athletes who embody character, teamwork and excellence, grow together stronger and inspire the next generation of female athletes along the way."
 
During her collegiate career, the Boulder, Colorado, native set personal bests of at least 9.900 on all four events. She competed in a total of 140 routines including in the all-around 23 times.
 
Additionally, she excelled in the classroom, capturing Academic All-Big 12 and WCGA Scholastic All-America honors in every season that she was eligible. In 2021, she completed her bachelor's degree in business information and analytics, and she graduated with her master's degree in public policy in June 2023.
 
Denver is coming off an historic 2023 season during which the team returned to the NCAA National Championships after winning its second NCAA Regional Championship, upsetting then-No. 3 Michigan, No. 6 LSU and No. 11 Oregon State in the NCAA Regional Final. At the end of the year, DU was ranked No. 8 in the country, its second-highest final ranking (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season).
 
DU returns 11 student-athletes from its 2023 roster including three WCGA All-Americans – seniors Jessica Hutchinson and Rosie Casali, and sophomore Kiley Rorich – as well as 2023 Big 12 vault champion, senior Rylie Mundell.

Season tickets and season ticket renewals for the 2024 season will go on sale in September. Stay up to date on DenverPioneers.com for more information.
 
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