The Minnesota Gymnastics Judges Association (MGJA) has over 40 members serving the state of Minnesota. We have a strong and diverse group of officials with experience from 1 to 40 years! We are proud of the wealth of knowledge our association encompasses and look forward to continue to grow and expand our team!
Ellie Berg - President and MAGA Assignor
Ellie has been judging since 1984. Ellie was high school athlete at Jackson, a college gymnast at Gustavus Adolphus, a certified USA judge, coaching stints in Mankato, St. Peter, Duluth, Stillwater, a meet referee we assign to the most highly competitive Sections and True Team, voted coach of the year four separate years in two separate association, inducted into the MGGCA coach’s hall of fame, was a member of the MSHSL Officials Advisory Committee. Since 2008, Ellie has dedicated her “gymnastics time” solely to judging for the MHSL, MAGA. She has judged the MSHSL State Tournament several times and is a perennial Div MAGA state tournament judge/meet referee.
Ellie has been judging since 1984. Ellie was high school athlete at Jackson, a college gymnast at Gustavus Adolphus, a certified USA judge, coaching stints in Mankato, St. Peter, Duluth, Stillwater, a meet referee we assign to the most highly competitive Sections and True Team, voted coach of the year four separate years in two separate association, inducted into the MGGCA coach’s hall of fame, was a member of the MSHSL Officials Advisory Committee. Since 2008, Ellie has dedicated her “gymnastics time” solely to judging for the MHSL, MAGA. She has judged the MSHSL State Tournament several times and is a perennial Div MAGA state tournament judge/meet referee.
Laura Busch - Treasurer
Laura Hegland - Secretary
Laura started gymnastics at the age of six in 1994. She trained and competed at Turners through 2002. For the 2003-2005 seasons Laura was a gymnast at Perpetual Motion, competing at USAG Level 9. She qualified to Western Nationals as an alternate in 2004 and in her senior season was the Level 9 Western National Beam Champion and runner-up on Bars and in All-Around. Laura competed all four years of her college gymnastics career at Gustavus Adolphus College and qualified as an individual to DIII Nationals all four years, twice on Beam and twice on Bars. Her all time favorite gymnastics skill is a double back off bars! Laura began officiating girls high school gymnastics in 2007 and has looked forward to being back in the gym each winter season. She's officiated at the top High School and MAGA meets throughout Minnesota!
Laura started gymnastics at the age of six in 1994. She trained and competed at Turners through 2002. For the 2003-2005 seasons Laura was a gymnast at Perpetual Motion, competing at USAG Level 9. She qualified to Western Nationals as an alternate in 2004 and in her senior season was the Level 9 Western National Beam Champion and runner-up on Bars and in All-Around. Laura competed all four years of her college gymnastics career at Gustavus Adolphus College and qualified as an individual to DIII Nationals all four years, twice on Beam and twice on Bars. Her all time favorite gymnastics skill is a double back off bars! Laura began officiating girls high school gymnastics in 2007 and has looked forward to being back in the gym each winter season. She's officiated at the top High School and MAGA meets throughout Minnesota!
Kelsie Koppel - Onboarding Specialist
Kelsie has been judging since 2005. Kelsie grew up as a gymnast at Twin City Twisters, competed at Elk River High School from 2000-2004 and Gustavus Adolphus College from 2004-2008. She also coached throughout her high school and college career. She judged with SOGJA from ‘05 to ‘08 and the MJGA association for over 12 years. She has judged at several high school sectionals, large invites, MAGA state tournaments, and the MSHSL state tournament.
Ali Niesen - Rules Clinician
Ali has been judging since 2013. She grew up as a gymnast at Classic Gymnastics and competed at Watertown High School from 2009-2011. Ali has judged at several high school sectionals, invitationals, MAGA state tournaments, and the MSHSL state tournament.
Krysta DeLong - High School Meet Assignor
Krysta has been judging since 2012 and coaching since 2003, most recently at the High School level. She was named the 2019-2020 Class AA State Coach of the Year. Prior to coaching and judging, Krysta grew up as a gymnast at Jam Hops, competed at Blaine High School, and wrapped up her career at UW-Stout. Krysta has judged multiple High School Sectionals, top Invitationals in the state, and MAGA State Tournaments.
