Former UK Gymnast Annie Riegert Shares Her Recruiting Journey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Annie Riegert was a college gymnastics fan from the very beginning. Even through a TV screen, she could feel the sheer joy and energy that college gymnast exuded when they hit a routine. Little did she know that one day, she would experience that same feeling herself.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those experiences came at the University of Kentucky, where Riegert competed from 2022–2025. Her collegiate career was filled with accomplishments both inside and outside the gym, including competing at the SEC Championships and qualifying for NCAA Nationals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Recruiting Process &amp; Finding the Right Fit </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At just 13 years old, Riegert began receiving recruiting mail and questionnaires from multiple colleges. While those early opportunities introduced her to the recruiting process, she credits attending Region 5 recruiting camps for helping her get noticed by the programs she was interested in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I'd go to recruiting camps hosted by my region and select college camps of places I was highly interested in.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the recruiting process continued, Riegert knew she needed to find a school that matched the fire she had as a young athlete.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She found exactly that at Kentucky.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“For starters, Kentucky Gymnastics is one heck of a program. Like the army, with glitter. I have the fire in me and I needed my school to match it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That competitive environment allowed Riegert to push herself while becoming part of a team that shared her same passion and drive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking back on her career and time in Lexington, Riegert feels she was able to accomplish everything she hoped for and more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I did everything I could've ever dreamed of. I competed at SECs, qualified to NCAA Nationals, studied abroad (by myself with a host family) in Barcelona, interned at Nike in New York City for two months (1 of 200 interns; 50k applicants), and got a job I love right out of college."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Her time at Kentucky not only allowed her to chase her dreams in the gym but it also allowed her to enjoy once a lifetime opportunities outside of the gym.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":63003,"width":"336px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"0.6686329554742191","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","align":"center"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgymnastics.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2026/08/Annie-Riegert-FUN-.jpg?w=684" alt="" class="wp-image-63003" style="aspect-ratio:0.6686329554742191;width:336px;height:auto" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Making her Opportunity Count&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Riegert her journey was even more meaningful because competing in college was never guaranteed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As a walk on, she knew earning a spot in the lineup would be a battle. Rather than allowing that to discourage her, Riegert continued to work and improve to make sure she was ready whenever her name was called.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I was a walk-on, so the thought of me ever competing seemed like a long shot; until I weaved my way into it each of my four years.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Reflecting on the feeling of competing in packed arenas across the country, Riegert described the experience as:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's the closest I've ever felt to God. I prayed during every routine I competed.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every time she stepped onto the competition floor, she understood how much work had gone into getting there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Every time I saluted, I would physically say, ‘I am so grateful.'”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That gratitude became a defining part of her college experience.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Advice that changed her recruiting Mindset </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riegert received one piece of advice from the coach who recruited her at Kentucky that completely changed the way she approached the recruiting process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was simple:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Show progress. Show that you're teachable.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Riegert , that advice became meaningful during her recruitment process. Instead of focusing on what other gymnasts were doing, Riegert focused on showing coaches that she was willing to work and improve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She even took the unconventional step of sending coaches videos of herself falling while attempting upgrades.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Riegert , the lesson was that coaches don't always need to see perfection. Sometimes, they need to see potential, progress and a willingness to learn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Looking Back on the Journey </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From watching college gymnastics through a TV screen as a young fan to eventually standing on the competition floor herself, Riegert's journey came full circle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>She arrived at Kentucky with a dream of experiencing the energy she had admired when she was a kid. She left with SEC and NCAA memories, lifelong friendships, experiences beyond gymnastics and a career waiting for her after graduation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though her competitive career is over, NCAA gymnastics still holds a special place in Riegert's heart. More than the routines, competitions and accomplishments, the experience taught her that she was capable of chasing whatever it is she wants.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It means I can follow any dream my heart longs for.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a lesson Riegert continues to carry with her and it's a reminder that sometimes a small ounce of believe in the beginning is what allows us to accomplish our biggest dreams.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->