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-
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 MSHSL and MAGA. She has judged the MSHSL State Tournament several times and is a perennial Div 1-2-3 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 MSHSL and MAGA. She has judged the MSHSL State Tournament several times and is a perennial Div 1-2-3 MAGA state tournament judge/meet referee.
Dan Dusel - Treasurer
Dan has been judging since 1986. He was a gymnast at Anoka High School and the University of Mankato. He has coached boys or girls high school gymnastics at Blaine from ‘75 to ‘86 and Andover from ‘04-‘10. Dan has judged at MAGA State tournaments, the MN Star of the North, high school invites, sectionals, and the MSHSL State tournament.
Amy Schmidt - Secretary
Amy was a USA club and Rockford High School gymnast. She was an all-around competitor at the ’97 MSHSL state tournament. She has a perspective as a coach for 7 years in Des Moines, IA and Maple Grove, MN. Amy has been judging and very dedicated since 2004. She has judged at a several section tournaments, numerous dual meets, and MAGA State Tournaments.
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.
Rockie Ramacher-Dye - MAGA Meet Assigner
Rockie has been judging since 2011. During this time she has judged invites, sectionals and MAGA state tournaments. Prior to becoming a judge, Rockie was a club and High School gymnast. Rockie coached St. Francis High School for 10 years and coached Level 4-10 USAG Gymnastics and a MAGA program before hanging up her coaching hat to become a judge.