SEMO NAMES WOMEN'S GYMNASTICS COACH

Patricia Stotzheim, who has coached at Division III Hamline University in Minnesota since 1993, has been named the new head coach of the Southeast Missouri State University women's gymnastics program.

Stotzheim replaces Kris Buchheister, who resigned to become an assistant coach at the University of Iowa.

In five seasons as head coach at Hamline, Stotzheim developed a consistent contender for the NCAA Division III championship. She had 25 gymnasts earn All-American awards.

"We feel fortunate to be able to hire a coach with Stotzheim's credentials," said Lana Richmond, senior women's administrator at Southeast. "She is a proven head coach who has run a quality program. I know she is looking forward to taking over our fine gymnastics program at Southeast."

Stotzheim was a collegiate gymnast at Hamline, where she earned Academic All-American honors in 1991 and was voted Hamline's Most Dedicated Female Athlete the same year. She also competed as a gymnast at Winona State in 1987 and 1988.

As owner and operator of Spirit Gymnastics Inc. for the past six years, Stotzheim managed all aspects of the private gymnastics club that offered year-round instruction for all levels of gymnastics at the Hamline gym.

Stotzheim will assume her duties at Southeast on Sept. 15.