In 1996, Kentucky Wildcat Jenny Hansen Hecht (née Hansen) finished her time as a gymnast, cementing herself as an all-time great by earning a record 28 perfect 10s during her NCAA career. That feat remained unmatched until 2004 when UCLA’s Jamie Dantzscher finished her college career with the same number. This shared record remained untouched until 2023 when Florida’s Trinity Thomas notched her 28th perfect score, making it a three-way tie for most 10s in an NCAA career.
So what does someone do after becoming one of the most successful NCAA gymnasts of all time? Well, for Hansen Hecht the answer is: you do a lot! She’s worked on the set of Ninja Warrior demonstrating obstacles and constructing the sets; she runs her own business, coaches Xcel at Pinnacle Gymnastics Academy, looks after her horses, and still stays up to date with NCAA gymnastics and the Kentucky program that shaped her. She even made a run at the London 2012 Olympics with an elite comeback at age 37. The list of her varied life experiences would make anyone exhausted, but speaking from her home in Golden, Colorado, it’s clear that she thrives on being active and busy. Her energy is infectious and the warmth she exudes in conversation makes her a perfect role model for current and future…
