NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Laura Burns, who helped Iowa State post the best NCAA Regional score in program history last season as a volunteer assistant coach, has joined the Yale gymnastics staff as an assistant coach. Andy Leis, Yale's head coach, announced the hiring.

"I am very excited to announce Laura Burns as the new assistant coach of Yale Gymnastics," said Leis. "Laura brings an impressive skill set from her time as a volunteer coach and collegiate gymnast at Iowa State. From our initial conversations early on in the process I could tell she would be an excellent fit within our team culture and program. Her passion for gymnastics and providing an exceptional student-athlete experience here at Yale University will help her make an immediate impact on our team. I can't wait for her to get started and continue to build off of the success from last year. Go Bulldogs!"

Burns spent the past year as a volunteer assistant with Iowa State, helping the Cyclones beat Western Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Auburn Regional. They posted a score of 196.725 in the second round, the team's highest regional score ever. 
 
Burns competed for the Cyclones from 2017 through 2020, helping the team achieve a top 20 NCAA ranking. She contributed on bars, beam and floor, earning the team's Most Improved Gymnast Award and Sky High Award (highest individual score) in 2019. She made the Iowa State Dean's List four times and Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll for eight semesters. She earned induction to the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society in 2019. She was a WCGA Scholastic All-American in 2017 and 2020. 
 
Burns also participated in multiple community service initiatives, including food donation drives with Iowa State CyCans and youth reading programs with the City of Ames Public Library.
 
Burns joins the Bulldogs as they come off a record-breaking season that included an Ivy Classic championship. Leis earned coach of the year honors from both the Gymnastics East Conference and USA Gymnastics in his first season leading the team. The Bulldogs had the best bars score in team history (49.175) and the third-best team beam score in team history (49.100). Yale's National Qualifying Score of 194.110 was the third-best in team history.
 
In addition to Burns and Leis, Yale's coaching staff also includes returning volunteer assistant Charlotte Cooperman '21. 
 
Burns expressed her appreciation for the chance to be a part of the program. 

"I am extremely excited to join the Yale Gymnastics community! I would like to thank Head Coach Andy Leis and the hiring committee for the opportunity to join the Bulldog family," said Burns. "It was clear during the interview process that Yale's commitment to creating a successful environment in the classroom, on the competition floor and in life are top priorities. Andy's vision for the program aligns with my goals and I am looking forward to contributing to its continued success. I am honored to join the staff of one of the most prestigious universities in the world. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with our student-athletes. The future is bright for Yale Gymnastics and I can't wait to get started!"

Burns is a native of St. Charles, Ill., and graduated from St. Charles North High School. She earned a B.S. in marketing with a minor in business management from Iowa State in 2020. She earned an M.S. in sports management from Florida in 2021.