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University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Denick and Hundley Join UNC Gymnastics Staff
August 2, 2021 | Women's Gymnastics
CHAPEL HILL –University of North Carolina head gymnastics coach Danna Durante added to the 2021-22 gymnastics staff, which will include Marie Denick who has coached for four seasons with the Tar Heels and four-time All-America Amelia Hundley.
Denick, who served as UNC's interim head coach for the 2020-21 season, has been named assistant coach and will be charged with leading the Tar Heels' recruiting efforts.
"I'm thrilled to be working alongside Marie as I have been very impressed with the growth in the Carolina vault and floor teams under her guidance. She is incredibly passionate about UNC and its gymnastics program," said Durante. "Her knowledge, experience, and attention to detail will be very valuable as she continues to be an integral part of our program reaching new heights. Marie's consistent focus on student-athlete development and the student-athlete experience are vital to the continued success and growth of Carolina Gymnastics."
Denick has spent a year as an assistant coach, two as the associate head coach, and one as the interim head coach, Denick continues her tenure in Chapel Hill under Durante. Under Denick's direction in 2020-21, Carolina finished 11-2 and posted a 195.581 NQS, its best marks since 2004.
"I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to coach alongside Danna and Amelia," said Denick. It's been great to learn and understand Danna's vision of Carolina Gymnastics and to see the plans start forming. She is continuing the traditions of Carolina while also building and taking us to new heights."
In 2020-21, Denick mentored Elizabeth Culton, who earned Carolina's first All-America selection on beam since 2006. She was the EAGL Bar and All-Around champion - UNC's first EAGL All-Around champion since 2010.
"There is a lot to be excited for here and the program in Chapel Hill. I am extremely excited to stay at Carolina. It's been a wonderful four years building the relationships with our student-athletes and community. I'm thrilled to be able to continue to grow those relationships and see our women thrive as people, as students, and gymnasts," said Denick.
Despite the shortened 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Denick helped Khazia Hislop receive her third All-America recognition of her career and her first on vault. In both 2018 and 2019, Hislop earned second team All-America honors and the EAGL championship title on floor exercise. Denick also coached back-to-back EAGL champions on vault with Hislop winning the event in 2019 and Madison Nettles in 2018. In 2018, Carolina also finished the season ranked sixth in the nation in floor exercise.
Joining Durante's staff is Hundley, a four-time All-America at the University of Florida. A two-time All-SEC honoree, Hundley will lead the Tar Heels floor choreography.
"Marie and I are excited to have Amelia Hundley join us on this journey of building Carolina Gymnastics. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She will bring with her the experience of competing both as an elite and collegiate athlete," said Durante. "She was highly decorated as a student-athlete at Florida, but her greatest asset may very well be her ability to connect with people, see the best in them and join them in striving to reach their potential, all while putting their growth as young women first. This approach aligns perfectly with the mission and focus of Carolina Gymnastics."
A 2021 graduate of Florida, Hundley led the Gators to Southeastern Conference regular-season titles in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, she served as a student assistant coach as the Gators won the 2021 SEC title and NCAA team final.
"I am absolutely honored to have the opportunity to work with Danna and be a part of her coaching staff," said Hundley. "I have always admired her coaching style and believe she knows what it takes to create the best student athlete experience both on-and-off the competition floor."
Before her time as a Gator, Hundley won a gold medal in the 2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships as a junior international elite gymnast on Team USA.
A three-time gold medalist, she picked up her second and third gold medals as part of Team USA in 2014 Pan-American Championships in Mississauga and 2015 Pan-American Games.
"I have always admired the culture the UNC gymnastics program encompasses, and it has been impressive to watch it grow into what it is today. I am excited to continue on that legacy while helping the athletes reach their full potential," said Hundley.
Her decorated career continued with bronze medals at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto for her showing on uneven bars and the 2016 Stuttgart World Cup for her all-around performance.
"Marie and Amelia have a deep passion for coaching and joining our Carolina gymnasts on their development journey. We are blessed to have both of these coaches as part of the Carolina Family," said Durante.
Denick, who served as UNC's interim head coach for the 2020-21 season, has been named assistant coach and will be charged with leading the Tar Heels' recruiting efforts.
"I'm thrilled to be working alongside Marie as I have been very impressed with the growth in the Carolina vault and floor teams under her guidance. She is incredibly passionate about UNC and its gymnastics program," said Durante. "Her knowledge, experience, and attention to detail will be very valuable as she continues to be an integral part of our program reaching new heights. Marie's consistent focus on student-athlete development and the student-athlete experience are vital to the continued success and growth of Carolina Gymnastics."
Denick has spent a year as an assistant coach, two as the associate head coach, and one as the interim head coach, Denick continues her tenure in Chapel Hill under Durante. Under Denick's direction in 2020-21, Carolina finished 11-2 and posted a 195.581 NQS, its best marks since 2004.
"I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to coach alongside Danna and Amelia," said Denick. It's been great to learn and understand Danna's vision of Carolina Gymnastics and to see the plans start forming. She is continuing the traditions of Carolina while also building and taking us to new heights."
In 2020-21, Denick mentored Elizabeth Culton, who earned Carolina's first All-America selection on beam since 2006. She was the EAGL Bar and All-Around champion - UNC's first EAGL All-Around champion since 2010.
"There is a lot to be excited for here and the program in Chapel Hill. I am extremely excited to stay at Carolina. It's been a wonderful four years building the relationships with our student-athletes and community. I'm thrilled to be able to continue to grow those relationships and see our women thrive as people, as students, and gymnasts," said Denick.
Despite the shortened 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, Denick helped Khazia Hislop receive her third All-America recognition of her career and her first on vault. In both 2018 and 2019, Hislop earned second team All-America honors and the EAGL championship title on floor exercise. Denick also coached back-to-back EAGL champions on vault with Hislop winning the event in 2019 and Madison Nettles in 2018. In 2018, Carolina also finished the season ranked sixth in the nation in floor exercise.
Joining Durante's staff is Hundley, a four-time All-America at the University of Florida. A two-time All-SEC honoree, Hundley will lead the Tar Heels floor choreography.
"Marie and I are excited to have Amelia Hundley join us on this journey of building Carolina Gymnastics. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She will bring with her the experience of competing both as an elite and collegiate athlete," said Durante. "She was highly decorated as a student-athlete at Florida, but her greatest asset may very well be her ability to connect with people, see the best in them and join them in striving to reach their potential, all while putting their growth as young women first. This approach aligns perfectly with the mission and focus of Carolina Gymnastics."
A 2021 graduate of Florida, Hundley led the Gators to Southeastern Conference regular-season titles in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, she served as a student assistant coach as the Gators won the 2021 SEC title and NCAA team final.
"I am absolutely honored to have the opportunity to work with Danna and be a part of her coaching staff," said Hundley. "I have always admired her coaching style and believe she knows what it takes to create the best student athlete experience both on-and-off the competition floor."
Before her time as a Gator, Hundley won a gold medal in the 2012 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships as a junior international elite gymnast on Team USA.
A three-time gold medalist, she picked up her second and third gold medals as part of Team USA in 2014 Pan-American Championships in Mississauga and 2015 Pan-American Games.
"I have always admired the culture the UNC gymnastics program encompasses, and it has been impressive to watch it grow into what it is today. I am excited to continue on that legacy while helping the athletes reach their full potential," said Hundley.
Her decorated career continued with bronze medals at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto for her showing on uneven bars and the 2016 Stuttgart World Cup for her all-around performance.
"Marie and Amelia have a deep passion for coaching and joining our Carolina gymnasts on their development journey. We are blessed to have both of these coaches as part of the Carolina Family," said Durante.
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