MARNEEN FIELDS - CLASS ONE ADVANCED ALL-AROUND GYMNAST

In 1973, Marneen Fields was one of three women to receive a full ride athletic scholarship in gymnastics to Utah State University, a monumental accomplishment because they didn't give many athletic scholarships to women back then, especially in gymnasts. Marneen also received an academic scholarship to be used in conjunction with the athletic scholarship from high scores off her SAT Achievement Tests. From 1974-1976, with a 3.8 grade point average, Marneen was the top gymnast at Utah State University competing as a Class One advanced all-around gymnast ranked 3rd in the entire state of Utah, with an intercollegiate and national ranking of 3rd on floor exercise and 5th on balance beam. In 1976 she survived a nasty fall off the balance beam that ended her competitive collegiate gymnastic career. She underwent a major ankle reconstruction surgery where a calf's tendon was inserted into her right ankle in place of the ligaments. She moved home to Ventura, California to recover from the surgery and within a few months after the surgery she was discovered by famous stuntman and stunt coordinator, Paul Stader, founder of Paul Stader's Stunt School. By 1977 she was one of Hollywood's top stunt girls in the world. Enjoy these amazing photos (recently restored by John Harrison), of Marneen on the balance beam. We have many more photos and newspaper clippings to come.



Utah State University Aggie's Newspaper (1975),
announcing Marneen was ranked 3rd in the state.

Photos taken for the Simi Valley Examiner
Newspaper in 1973

Marneen practicing her balance beam routine.
Royal High School gymnasium 1973.