University of Alaska Anchorage Athletics

Elena Tkacheva, of Volograd, Russia, completed her career in 1997 as the most decorated gymnast in UAA history. She became UAA’s first national champion in her sport, winning a share of the 1997 all-around title and claiming an outright win on floor exercise. Winner of a school-record 10 All-America awards, she was selected an Academic All-American in each of her first three years and was a four-time qualifier for the NCAA Div. I West Regional Championships. She still owns or shares school records on bars, beam and floor.