Alex Hughes is by far the most powerful gymnast in the group. She returns as the best vaulter for the Pipers after taking fourth at nationals last year. Coaches expect her to repeat her performance from last year and take her power to the floor event…In 2005-06, Hughes had her two best vault performances at nationals. Both judges gave her a 9.6 in the finals and coupled with the 9.525 she received in the preliminaries, Hughes scored a 19.125 to tie for fourth place. Not only did she become the ninth athlete in Hamline history to become an All-American in the vault, but she also broke Hamline’s school record of 9.575…Hughes’s major is undecided. She is the daughter of Barb and Chuck Hughes.