Induction Video
(Written: July 2018)
Merilee (Healy) Cardinal was a member of UW-River Falls’ women’s gymnastics team from 1992-95 and a nine-time National Collegiate Gymnastics Association All-American. In 1994, she secured the national title in the uneven bars and followed with a national championship in the balance beam in 1995. She is the only individual in program history to win a conference title in the all-around, accomplishing the feat in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, she was also a conference champion in the uneven bars and earned all-conference recognition in all five events.
Cardinal was inducted into the NCGA Hall of Fame in 2017 and UW-River Falls Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2012, she was selected to the WIAC Women’s Gymnastics All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration – the only individual in program history to earn a spot on the team.
Cardinal earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. She resides in Forest Lake, Minn.