PROVO, Utah – BYU gymnastics head coach Guard Young has announced that Abby Boden-Stainton and Abbey Miner-Alder are the captains for the 2021 season.
"We are excited to have Abby Boden-Stainton and Abbey Miner-Alder as our two captains," Young said. "They really exemplify what this team is in terms of their work ethic and leadership in the gym. As freshmen they were starters and so now with three years of competition experience under their belts they are going to be great mentors to the freshmen and sophomores who are trying to learn what it's like to be BYU gymnasts."
In 2020, Stainton made her all-around debut as she posted a career-best 39.175 against both Nebraska and UCLA/Utah State. She also competed on the uneven bars and floor in all ten meets for the Cougars. As a junior she recorded career-highs on the beam (9.950), uneven bars (9.925) and floor (9.875). At the close of the season, the Roseville, California native was named to the All-MRGC First Team on bars.
"This year is going to be something special," Stainton said. "I'm honored to be a captain this year with Abbey. She is a great leader and the team is making our role feel too easy because of the work ethic and grit that each member has. I'm excited to see us build on the strong foundation we've built during the first month of official training. Everyone is making the most of every day, no matter the circumstance. We're giving our all every day in the gym and I am so excited to see that work transfer into the best season we've had yet!"
Alder's success in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference began in 2019 after she received a pair of Specialist of the Week honors and was named to the All-MRGC First Team for vault and Second Team for beam. As a junior, the Mapleton, Utah native earned a handful of MRGC weekly rewards and finished the season being named All-MRGC First Team on floor and in the all-around and Second Team on beam. She also achieved an impressive career-high beam score of 9.950.
"I am so excited to be a captain on this team with Abby," Alder said. "We've become great friends over the years and I'm eager to see how we can help the team together, along with all of our other seniors! We've been in the gym training harder than ever these past few months and can't wait for it to pay off this season. I love this team and I'm so grateful to be a part of it."