Title: Assistant Coach
Email: cpatrickharrington@gmail.com
Title: Head Coach
Email: mike@minnesotagymnastics.org
Chris Harrington
Chris is a seasoned gymnast with a journey that traces back to his roots in Milwaukee, WI, where he honed his skills under the guidance of Coach Ralph Druecke at Salto Gymnastics.
In high school, Chris remembers attending a gymnastics clinic hosted by the University of Iowa where he first met the talented coach Mike Burns.
Despite facing setbacks like a dislocated ankle during his college years as a Golden Gopher gymnast from 1992 to 1996, Chris showcased resilience and determination that propelled him to excel in his collegiate career.
Although initially sidelined from tumbling and vaulting due to his injury, Chris's dedication to building his ring strength paid off, making him an invaluable asset to the team. Over time, he not only conquered the floor and vault but also earned multiple qualifications for prestigious competitions such as the Big Ten Finals and National Championships.
A defining moment in his career unfolded during the 1995 Big Ten Championship meet, where Chris's stellar performance on vault, floor, and rings played a pivotal role in securing the team's victory and clinching the Big Ten title against formidable rivals like Iowa, Ohio State, and Penn State.
Beyond his achievements as an athlete, Chris has also made significant contributions as a coach. From guiding the K-12 girls gymnastics program at the Brearley School in New York City to leading the Midwest Gymnastics boys team in Shoreview, MN, Chris has mentored promising talents like Adam LaFleur who became a strong competitor for the Golden Gophers and Nate Gessner who went on to compete for the Naval Academy.