HBCU Legends

Gold Medalist Kyrstin Johnson Vaults From HBCU To Division I Gymnastics

The 2024 USA Gymnastics Women’s Collegiate National Championships' Vault champion will take her talent to a Division I program.
Kyle Mosley|
Kyrstin Johnson
Kyrstin Johnson | USA Gymnastics

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Temple OwlsTemple Owls

HOUSTON - After the Talladega Women's Gymnastics program closed, its first commit and star gymnast Kyrstin Johnson announced she would join the Temple Owls Women's Gymnastics team in the fall of 2024.

She and her teammates worked to maintain the second HBCU Women's Gymnastics program with a funding campaign despite the lack of full support from the financially struggling institution.

The Baltimore native clinched gold in her historic debut season as the 2024 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships' Vault champion with a 9.875 vault. Johnson finished third (39.050) in the all-around competition behind Fisk University's National Champion, Morgan Price (39.225).

Johnson fell in love with the vault exercise and has successfully added the Yurchenko 1 and 1/2 vault to her repertoire. 

"Some people can actually take them a minute because you're literally running towards an object," Johnson told HBCU Legends about learning the vault in February. She continued, "Which can actually be hard for people. Honestly, I just happened to be really good at that event, and it's my favorite event."

The Fisk program will enter its third season with Morgan Price leading the charge in Nashville, Tennessee. Price is primed to return and repeat as the National Champion in her third season.

Johnson will compete in Division I, hoping to bring the Owls program to new heights. Last season, the gymnasts earned the Academic Progress Rate Public Recognition Award

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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