GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN (May 1, 2009) - 20-year-old Aquinas College junior Katie Genther of Grandville (Michigan) has been selected as one of three inspirational women chosen by adidas from a nationwide contestant pool for the company's "Me, Myself" campaign. A former gymnastics coach and an avid gymnast herself, Genther's words and likeness will be used in the brand's summer advertising campaign online and with key retail partners.

Genther is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles in early May to take part in a photo shoot with Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) MVP Candace Parker of the Los Angeles Sparks. For the shoot, she and the other two winners from North Dakota and California are to be suited up from head-to-toe in exclusive outfits from the adidas women's training collections.

The new adidas "Me, Myself" campaign celebrates women's individuality, confidence and motivation in fitness. Genther is one of three winners to be selected from hundreds of entrants in the competition. She discovered the contest opportunity while searching online for shoes this past winter. Following the contest guidelines, Genther submitted ten photos and a one-hundred-character description of her athletics-related inspiration: "Sharing my passion for gymnastics with kids inspires me to never stop believing."

When Genther received the congratulatory email in mid-April, she says she read it six times before realizing it was authentic and breaking into tears. She says that she is "beyond excited" about the opportunity. Studying abroad in Spain this past fall and other responsibilities have prevented her from teaching this year, but Genther remains personally involved in gymnastics.

Genther received $500 visa card in addition to her all-expenses paid, three-day trip to Los Angeles and the opportunity to meet Candace Parker. "I am so honored to be included this campaign. Candace Parker is a huge inspiration to me both as a young woman and an athlete," Genther said in a quote from an adidas press release.
Genther's parents, David and Christine (Bartz), are both 1980 Aquinas graduates.

Adidas is a global designer, developer and marketer of athletic footwear, apparel and accessories with the mission to be the leading sports brand in the world.