DENVER – The University of Denver gymnastics team has added Ava Mabanta as an assistant coach, Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart announced on Monday.
 
Mabanta was a student-athlete on the team for three seasons before medically retiring from the sport and transitioning to DU's student assistant coach in 2025-26. She will join the full-time coaching staff as Denver begins preparation for the 2027 gymnastics season.
 
"Ava embodies an unrelenting pursuit of excellence and a genuine investment in this program," Kutcher-Rinehart said. "Over the past four years, she has set herself apart in the way she carries herself with grace, grit, discipline and positivity while consistently showing up for others and elevating everyone around her. She is a collaborator, a competitor and a person of genuine character. Having lived this program as a student-athlete, she brings invaluable, first-hand knowledge of our university and our team culture, making this a seamless transition into coaching. The future of our program is bright with Ava on board."
 
Mabanta first joined Denver as a first-year student-athlete during the 2023 season in which DU won its second NCAA Regional title and advanced to the NCAA National Championships. She competed in the full beam lineup twice, registering a high score of 9.850, and added four combined exhibition appearances on beam and floor.
 
An injury cost her the 2024 season, and she was primed for a breakout season in 2025 before another injury setback forced her to sit out a second season. Ahead of her senior season in 2026, she made the decision to medically retire from gymnastics and took on a new role within the program as a student assistant coach. In 2026, she assisted with coaching primarily on beam and floor while also taking on administrative responsibilities.
 
"This program, this team and this coaching staff mean everything to me. It is truly an honor to continue this journey as an assistant coach at the University of Denver," Mabanta said. "I am incredibly grateful for the trust and opportunity to represent this program in a new role. I care deeply about the people who make this place special and am fully committed to helping our student-athletes excel while continuing to build on the strong tradition and legacy of Denver Athletics. This is only the beginning. I am so excited for what lies ahead."
 
Mabanta will graduate with her bachelor's degree in business information & analytics and marketing in June, 2026. During her time as a student at Denver, she completed an internship with USA Hockey in membership services.
 
The University of Denver gymnastics team is coming off its 27^th consecutive appearance at NCAA Regionals in 2026 and extended its streak of finishing with a top-25 final national ranking to 28 years. Mabanta will help lead DU as it seeks to build off the experience gained by a young and new roster in 2026 as it shifts focus to the 2027 season.