The Maneater · May 13, 2017
Former gymnasts come forward against coach Shannon Welker
After a season in which Mizzou gymnastics reached its highest ranking in program history, the program now faces questions surrounding head coach Shannon Welker.
On Thursday, KOMU 8 News’ Mark Kim and Mitchel Summers reported that eight Mizzou gymnasts have left the program for reasons unrelated to injury since Welker took over in 2013-14. Kim and Summers spoke to former Mizzou gymnast Lark Pokladnik, who expressed concerns about the team environment Welker created.
“There was not a day I walked into the gym excited to be there. Every day I went in I was like, ‘What torture am I going to experience today?’” Pokladnik told KOMU 8 News.