Angie Kern - Born to Be a Tiger
5/25/2017 1:47:00 PM | Gymnastics
Jack Bernstein, Mizzou Strategic Communications Student Assistant
Angie Kern was born to be a Missouri Tiger. Growing up in Columbia, Kern lived mere miles from the Hearnes Center, where she went on to be a vital member of the Tiger gymnastics program over the past four seasons.
"I would go to every home meet growing up," Kern said. "My parents went to Mizzou, so I bled black and gold before I could even walk. When I was able to officially sign four years ago, it was extremely exciting."
Kern was a key piece in the recent competitive revitalization of the gymnastics program, competing in a remarkable 51 out of 52 meets over her four year career. She made the Tigers vault lineup in every meet during her 2014 freshman campaign and led the team on vault and floor five times. She excelled on floor and vault her sophomore season, reaching 9.800 on floor four different times. Kern didn't let up at all in her junior season, again competing in all 13 meets. She recorded nine scores of 9.800 or higher, including a career high 9.850 on floor at the State of Missouri Meet. Injuries plagued Kern throughout her senior season, but she still managed to compete in 11 meets to finish up her career as a Tiger.
However, the former Tiger's favorite moments as a Mizzou gymnast came in the bonding times with her teammates outside of the gym.
"I look back and I think about all the bus rides, airport adventures, the fun times with my teammates in the hotels and locker rooms," Kern said. "Those are the memories I will cherish forever."
Angie Kern not only excelled in the gym, but also in the classroom. She recently graduated from Missouri with a degree in Health Sciences and was a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll recipient. She will continue her education in the University of Missouri Positive Coaching Master's Program this summer.
"I love gymnastics so much, I watch it for hours because I really enjoy looking at skills and understanding how the mechanics work. So being a visual learner, I am able to combine those skills along with my understanding of the fundamentals and translate that to coaching."
The former Mizzou gymnast also spends her post-grad free time coaching at Show-Me Gymnastics, the gym where she used to train.
"I get to close the door on my four years here as a Missouri gymnast and move into a role where I am able to help younger gymnasts. It is special working in my hometown because a lot of people I am working with now have helped me in the past. Going back and helping in my community now is a great feeling."
Kern says she eventually wants to coach at the collegiate level because she can help young gymnasts improve in the gym but also will have the unique ability to relate to their lives as college athletes.
"I understand that they'll have hard days in the gym, but being there and helping them push through those hard days is something that I want to be a part of."
Although Kern's days as a Mizzou athlete are over, her impact on the Missouri gymnastics community will continue to be felt for years to come.
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