Huron Zurbrigen inducted into South Dakota Gymnastics Hall of Fame

BY MIKE CARROLL
OF THE PLAINSMAN

HURON — Since the age of 5, Jonna Zurbrigen has been involved with the sport of gymnastics in one way or another.

The Huron High School graduate and long-time Huron gymnastics coach will be inducted into the South Dakota Gymnastics Hall of Fame during the 2026 State Gymnastics Meet, which concludes today in Mitchell.

“It’s a true testament to the journey, the people who’ve supported me and the passion that got me here,” Zurbrigen said of her induction into the Hall of Fame. “I started this journey when I was 5-years-old, falling in love with sport – it’s been an incredible ride.”

Zurbrigen competed at the junior varsity or varsity level from seventh grade to her senior year.

“The highlight teamwise was placing fifth at the state meet back in the 80’s and going as an individual to state also,” Zurbrigen said of her gymnastics career. “The many teammates I had throughout high school are still very close friends today.”

Following her graduation from college, Zurbrigen returned to Huron began her coaching career. She took over the head coaching duties for the Huron Tigers in 1996 and remained in the position until 2009, when current Huron coach and high school teammate Julie King took over the helm of the team.

“I loved the sport and coaching high school girls,” Zurbrigen said. “I had many very talented young ladies, who have gone on to be physical therapists, doctors, dentists, teachers and nurses.

“One highlight for any coach is to have a gymnast receive the Sara Nitz Award and Kimberly Hilton received this at state during their senior year,” she said. “Kimberly had all five records in Huron High School, only to be broken by another great gymnast, Erica Zell, who now has all records.”

Since relinquishing the head coaching duties to King, who she describes as her coaching “buddy”, Zurbrigen had remained active in the sport, serving as an assistant coach for the Tigers.

Zurbrigen received the Coaches Leadership Award in 2006 from the South Dakota Gymnastic Judges Association and has received the group’s Assistant Coach of the Year honor. Additionally, she received the Assistant Coach of the Year honor from the South Dakota Gymnastics Coaches Assoction for the 2010-11 season.

“I’ve poured my heart into coaching for nearly four decades – only stepping away a couple of times,” Zurbrigen said. “This Hall of Fame honor is not just a milestone; it’s a celebration of a lifetime spent doing what I love.”