Aug. 18, 2010

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri State gymnastics head coach Kristi Ewasko completed her coaching staff with the hiring of Jessie Kinder. She joins fellow new hire Will Stokley on the staff.

Kinder will serve as the balance beam coach and assistant floor coach. She will also serve as the practice coordinator and the team’s choreographer.

She will be the team’s recruiting coordinator, where she will oversee all aspects of the team’s recruiting process.

“I am looking forward to Jess continuing the success of our beam team,” said Coach Ewasko. “She will also be instrumental as recruiting coordinator with her experience and organization in handling prospective student-athletes.”

The Kansas City, Missouri native, has over 18 years of gymnastics training and coaching.

This past season she was a graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Oklahoma University under the tutelage of K.J. Kindler. She assisted in the Sooners recruiting process and was in charge of organizing team events.

Kinder was a three-year letterwinner for the Sooners gymnastics squad where she helped the team to back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2008 and 2009. In 2008 the team finished a program-best eighth at the NCAA National Championships.

Originally a walk-on, she earned a scholarship her senior season as one of the team’s top all-arounders. She was a two-time Academic All-Big 12 and NACGC Scholar Athlete.

Jessie Kinder placed 11th on the floor at the NCAA National Championships as a junior

As a junior, she finished 11th on the floor at the NCAA National Championships with a score of 9.85.

Her senior season she recorded a career-best 9.9 on the floor against Arkansas for her first collegiate individual title. In that same meet she scored a 39.175 in the all-around to set a career best.

As a prep, she trained at Best Gymnastics and was coached by Bill Witthar. She was a four-time Junior Olympic Nationals qualifier.

She earned her Bachelor’s in Heath and Exercise Sciences in 2008 before receiving her Master’s in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration this past spring.

“Jess began her collegiate career as a walk-on who later earned a scholarship. She has a true understanding of hard work and determination,” commented Coach Ewasko. “She has very strong technical understanding for balance beam and floor choreography. This will help get the crowd really involved in the fun and excitement of the routines.”