As a teen, Wieber endured abuse and toxicity to win gold at the 2012 Olympics. Now she’s the beloved coach of an Arkansas team fighting for national relevance.
One day five years ago, Hunter Yurachek, the athletic director at the University of Arkansas, agreed to meet with a young gymnastics coach about the head coach opening at his school.
Wieber had won the world all-around title in 2011 and then an Olympic gold medal at the 2012 London Games. She had Now the Razorbacks are: the first team to reach the NCAA semifinals under Wieber and the first at Arkansas to eclipse a team score of 198, a benchmark that only the best programs can reach. The top four scores in Arkansas history have come this season.
She also could coach, commanding respect and earning trust even as a 21-year-old. Kondos Field said she pulled from her experiences — positive and negative. Wieber is a survivor of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse, and her longtime club coach John Geddert, a friend of the former national team doctor, was accused of enabling Nassar’s crimes and abusing gymnasts himself. Geddert died by suicide in 2021 as he faced criminal charges.
Arkansas commit Joscelyn Roberson, a member of last year’s U.S. world championships team, said Wieber is one of her favorite gymnasts. Arkansas’ 2025 recruiting class is considered one of the best in the country.Wieber loves how multifaceted her job is — she has everyone do an Enneagram test so they understand one another’s personalities — but her favorite time of day is still practice. Her gymnasts describe her as technical and detail-focused.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
United Way of Northeast Arkansas accepting grant funding applicationsUnited Way will accept applications seeking a community impact grant from nonprofits across northeast Arkansas. Applications are due April 19.
Read more »
Keep Arkansas Beautiful promoting a student video competition for high schoolersKAB and the Fort Smith International Film Festival are teaming up to sponsor a student video contest for 9-12 graders.
Read more »
Arkansas State and Bethune-Cookman play in CBI Tournament matchupThe Arkansas State Red Wolves and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats play in the College Basketball Invitational. The teams play Saturday for the first time this season. Arkansas State is 13-8 against the Sun Belt, and Bethune-Cookman is 12-8 against the SWAC.
Read more »
Towns all over the northeast are doing their part to Keep Arkansas BeautifulKeep Arkansas Beautiful is an initiative that has really taken over the Natural State. Towns all over northeast Arkansas have begun scheduling their clean-up days to coincide with KAB.
Read more »
THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUN: Arkansas businesses prepare for influx ahead of eclipseNatural state businesses gear up for increased demand ahead of the total solar eclipse. They're stocking extra supplies and adjusting hours in anticipation of visitor influx.
Read more »
Entergy Arkansas preps for solar eclipseWith heavy traffic and countless visitors expected to arrive in the region, the utility company will station crews around their coverage area in case any outages occurs.
Read more »