Oct. 18, 2001

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Alanna Trimble, a four-year member of the UC Santa Barbara women's gymnastics team, has been selected as the program's new head coach, Athletic Director Gary Cunningham announced today.

Trimble competed for UCSB from 1996-2000, and this will be her first experience as a head coach. Last year, she assisted former head coach Megan Fenton at home meets.

"Everything has come full circle for me," began Trimble. "My final season is fresh in my memory, so I believe that will help. I still can relate to what the need as gymnasts, and I hope that will be a positive."

UCSB announced in August that it would discontinue sponsorship of men's and women's gymnastics as NCAA sports following the 2001-02 campaign. Trimble commented on the upcoming season.

"My last season was my best season, and if this is going to be their last year, I hope to make it their best," she said. "We need to push through it. There is nothing to lose, and we need to use it as our inspiration."

As a senior in 2000, Trimble competed in four events for the Gauchos, recording season-highs of 9.650 on the floor exercise, 9.625 on the balance beam, and 9.425 on the vault.

Trimble graduated from UCSB in 2000, with Bachelor of Arts degrees in psychology and art studio. She replaces Mari-Rae Sopper, who was appointed head coach on August 31, but was aboard the September 11 American Airlines flight that was hijacked and crashed into the Pentagon.