Ashley Priess

Ashley Priess
Full nameAshley Elizabeth Priess–Johnston
Born (1990-03-08) March 8, 1990 (age 36)
Height5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Gymnastics career
DisciplineWomen's artistic gymnastics
Country represented
College team
Alabama Crimson Tide
ClubCincinnati Gymnastics Academy
Head coach
Mary Lee Tracy
Medal record
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Silver medal – second place2006 AarhusTeam
Representing Alabama Crimson Tide
NCAA National Championships
Gold medal – first place2012 DuluthTeam
Silver medal – second place2009 LincolnTeam
Bronze medal – third place2010 GainesvilleTeam
Bronze medal – third place2013 Los AngelesTeam
Current position
TitleHead coach
TeamAlabama Crimson Tide
ConferenceSEC
Biographical details
EducationUniversity of Alabama
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
2018Illinois Fighting Illini (Asst.)
2019–2021Auburn Tigers (Asst.)
2022Auburn Tigers (Associate HC)
2023–PresentAlabama Crimson Tide

Ashley Elizabeth Priess–Johnston (born March 8, 1990) is an American former artistic gymnast and the current head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide gymnastics team. She won a silver medal with the American team at the 2006 World Championships. She competed for the Alabama Crimson Tide, winning two NCAA Championship team titles and receiving ten All-America honors.

Gymnastics career

Priess began gymnastics at the age of three because her mother and sister were both gymnasts. She became age-eligible for senior elite competitions in 2006. At the 2006 Lyon World Cup, she won a gold medal on the balance beam and also won a bronze medal on the uneven bars. Then at the Ghent World Cup, she won a silver medal on the balance beam and a bronze medal on the floor exercise. She tied with Natasha Kelley for the all-around title at the 2006 U.S. Classic.

Priess was selected to compete at the 2006 World Championships. After falling off the balance beam in the qualification round, head coach Márta Károlyi removed her from the lineups in the team final. The United States won a silver medal in the team competition. Individually, she competed in the all-around final after teammate Chellsie Memmel withdrew and finished tenth.

Priess withdrew from the 2008 U.S. Championships and retired from elite competition due to ongoing back injuries. She joined the Alabama Crimson Tide women's gymnastics team for the 2009 season, following her older sister, who was also a member of the team. That year, she helped Alabama win the SEC Championships and place second at the 2009 NCAA Championships, where she individually finished third on the balance beam. At the 2010 NCAA Championships, she injured her ankle on the vault. She had surgery on both ankles and missed the 2011 season, where Alabama won its first NCAA gymnastics team title since 2002. She returned to competition for the 2012 season and helped Alabama successfully defend its NCAA title. She used a redshirt year to return for a fifth season in 2013, helping Alabama finish third at the 2013 NCAA Championships.

Coaching career

Priess returned to Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy to begin her coaching career. She spent the 2018 season as an assistant coach for the Illinois Fighting Illini. She was then hired by the Auburn Tigers for the 2019 season. She spent four seasons at Auburn, including Auburn's 2022 fourth-place NCAA finish. On May 23, 2022, she was named Head Coach of Alabama Gymnastics.

References

  1. 1 2 "Ashley Johnston". USA Gymnastics. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Priess, Tomita win gold medals at World Cup in Lyon, France". USA Gymnastics. March 18, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  3. ↑ "USA claims four medals at World Cup in Ghent, Belgium". USA Gymnastics. May 11, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ "WAG: Kelley, Priess Tie for U.S. Classic Title". USA Gymnastics. July 30, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ "China pulls a stunner, knocks off American women". Deseret News. The Associated Press. October 18, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Medalists at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships". USA Gymnastics. Archived from the original on June 17, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2010.
  7. ↑ "USA brings home six medals from the 2006 World Championships". USA Gymnastics. November 4, 2006. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ Walsh, Christopher (February 26, 2009). "A fresh new face". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ Galloway, Jason (February 25, 2010). "Ashley Priess living her dream at Alabama". The Crimson White. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Alabama signs three national team members". The Tuscaloosa News. November 27, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ "SEC Champions - Gymnastics". Southeastern Conference. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Priess places third on beam". The Tuscaloosa News. April 18, 2009. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ Phillips, Anne (April 30, 2012). "Ashley Priess Back for a 5th Season". FloGymnastics. FloSports. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ Hendrickson, Brian (October 22, 2012). "A perfect landing". NCAA. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Ashley Johnston". Alabama Crimson Tide. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Walsh Completes Staff with Addition of Priess-Johnston". Illinois Fighting Illini. August 1, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Ashley Priess-Johnston Named Assistant Coach". Auburn Tigers. June 5, 2018. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ Tsoukalas, Tony (May 23, 2022). "Ashley Priess-Johnston Named Head Coach of Alabama Gymnastics". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ Kelly, Nick (May 23, 2022). "Alabama gymnastics hires Auburn associate head coach Ashley Priess-Johnston to be next coach". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved April 28, 2026.