Paulicivic Receives Contract Extension
1/12/2022 2:00:10 PM | Women's Gymnastics
RELATED INFO: Ohio State Roster | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State women’s gymnastics head coach Meredith Paulicivic has signed a contract extension with Ohio State, running through the 2025 season. In her first four seasons leading the Buckeyes, Paulicivic has guided the team to the NCAA Regional Final and program record scores.
“Meredith has been a great leader and advocate for our student-athletes within the women’s gymnastics program since she arrived on campus,” Shaun Richard, executive associate athletic director, said. “During her tenure, we have already seen great achievements both inside and outside of the competition arena and in the classroom. I’m very excited to have Meredith lead this program and our student-athletes into the future.”
Last season, the Buckeyes advanced to the NCAA Regional Final for the first time since the new regional format was implemented in 2019. The team earned its regional final berth with a regional second-round score of 196.525, good for the 10th best team score in program history. The score is also the highest score at an NCAA Regional in program history.
“It means everything to have been given a contract extension to continue the vision I have started here,” Paulicivic said. “Becoming a dominant force in the Big Ten and NCAA while being able to have a focus on the relationships and mentoring of my student-athletes is everything I have ever wanted as a coach. And there is no better place to do that than here at Ohio State.”
During Paulicivic’s tenure at Ohio State, the team has hit program top-10 scores on four occasions. At least seven gymnasts have scored a 9.900 or higher in each of the last four seasons, with a program-record 10 different gymnasts reaching the score during the 2020 season.
In Paulicivic’s first season as head coach, Buckeyes Jamie Stone (vault) and Olivia Aepli (uneven bars) became the 13th and 14th Big Ten champions in program history. They brought home the program’s first Big Ten titles since 2013.
“My expectation for the next four seasons is for continued growth each year and, with that, being able to be competitive at the highest level, whether it be in the Big Ten or at the national level,” Paulicivic said. “At the same time, I want to continue to grow the program in other areas outside of the gym. Most importantly, I want to continue mentoring confident women who graduate to a job they are passionate about and who will continue to love gymnastics as a fan for life.”
In addition to success in the gym, Paulicivic’s student-athletes have set a standard of excellence in the classroom. Forty-two Academic All-Big Ten honors have been awarded to the Buckeyes since the 2018 season and 22 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar awards have been earned by Ohio State women’s gymnasts.
#GoBucks
.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
