University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Women's Gymnastics Signs Four to Class of 2025
11/11/2020 4:00:00 PM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics program has signed four student-athletes to the class of 2025.
The University of Minnesota women's gymnastics program has signed four student-athletes to the class of 2025, head coach Jenny Hansen announced Wednesday.
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome this tremendous group of young women to the Golden Gopher Family," Hansen said. "These athletes compliment each other well while also bringing an incredibly high level of skill and consistency that will be instrumental in our future success."
Marissa Jencks - Twin City Twisters - Madison High School
Jencks is a native of Madison, S.D. She competes for the Twin Cities Twisters and attends Madison High School. Jencks placed second in the all-around at the 2018 and 2019 Regional Championship. At the 2019 JO National Championships, she scored 9.7 on bars to place ninth and had a 38.175 all-around score. Jencks is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks #1 in her senior class with a 4.05 GPA.
"Marissa is a very balanced all-around competitor and will challenge to make the line-up on every event," Hansen said. "She is incredibly mature and inquisitive, two wonderful qualities in helping her reach her potential."
"I chose the University of Minnesota for the excellent academics, paired with the welcoming coaching staff and team atmosphere," Jencks said. "I am most excited to continue my growth as a gymnast in a supportive team environment while simultaneously pursuing an education."
Lauren Pearl - Brestyan's American Gymnastics - Milford High School
Pearl is a native of Milford, Mass. She competes for Brestyan's American Gymnastics and attends Milford High School. Pearl has also trained with two-time Olympian Aly Raisman for four years. Pearl is a three-time regional champion on beam and vault, and a three-time JO national qualifier. At the 2017 Regional Championship she placed first on vault, beam, floor and all-around while taking a silver medal on bars. Pearl continued on to win the beam title at the 2017 JO National Championships. In 2018, she was a GK U.S. Classic Jr. Elite beam medalist and a state champion on vault, beam, floor, and all-around. Pearl won a silver medal on vault and bronze medal on beam at the 2018 JO National Championships.
"Lauren brings incredible difficulty and power to each one of her events," Hansen said. "We expect her to make an immediate impact on Vault, Beam and Floor while performing elite level skills with ease."
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I fell in love with the campus as soon as I saw it," Pearl said. "The coaching staff and team were so welcoming and I knew immediately that I fit in. I am so excited to compete and represent Minnesota in the Big Ten. I hope to do really well and make the Gopher fans proud."
Olivia Reed - Bull City Gymnastics - Charles E. Jordan High School
Reed is a native of Durham, N.C. She competes for Bull City Gymnastics and attends Charles E. Jordan High School. Reed was the 2018 North Carolina All-Around Champion and a 2018 JO National Qualifier. She was the bars title winner at the 2019 Regional Championships. After competing at Level 10 for five years, her high score on bars is 9.7 and all-around is 37.925.
"Olivia shines on uneven bars and balance beam with beautiful form and execution throughout her routines," Hansen said. "Olivia was an instant fit the moment she arrived on campus and we can't wait for her to join the team next fall."
"I initially became interested in Minnesota by following the team and their accomplishments on social media," Reed said. "About a year ago, Rich Stenger visited my gym, so I was really excited to learn more about the program. When I went on my official visit, I was immediately impressed by everything about the university and the gymnastics program. The campus was beautiful and there was such a welcoming and comforting atmosphere in the gym. Also, the U of M has unique academic programs, which is important to me."
Haley Tyson - Phenom Gymnastics - Waubonsie Valley High School
Tyson is a native of Aurora, Ill. She competes for Phenom Gymnastics and attends Waubonsie Valley High School. In 2018, Tyson was first in the all-around in her home state of Illinois and a 2018 JO National Floor Champion. She won 2019 State Championship titles on vault, bars and floor. Also in 2019, Tyson was the regional vault and all-around champion.
"Haley is a tremendous all-around competitor having finished on top of the podium at the Junior Olympic National Championships, making the National team in both 2017 and 2018," Hansen said. "She possesses an ease when performing that both our fans and judges will truly appreciate."
"The coaching staff is amazing and I fell in love with the University of Minnesota during my official visit," Tyson said. "I am most excited to bond with my future teammates and compete in the Big Ten."
"We couldn't be more excited to welcome this tremendous group of young women to the Golden Gopher Family," Hansen said. "These athletes compliment each other well while also bringing an incredibly high level of skill and consistency that will be instrumental in our future success."
Marissa Jencks - Twin City Twisters - Madison High School
Jencks is a native of Madison, S.D. She competes for the Twin Cities Twisters and attends Madison High School. Jencks placed second in the all-around at the 2018 and 2019 Regional Championship. At the 2019 JO National Championships, she scored 9.7 on bars to place ninth and had a 38.175 all-around score. Jencks is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks #1 in her senior class with a 4.05 GPA.
"Marissa is a very balanced all-around competitor and will challenge to make the line-up on every event," Hansen said. "She is incredibly mature and inquisitive, two wonderful qualities in helping her reach her potential."
"I chose the University of Minnesota for the excellent academics, paired with the welcoming coaching staff and team atmosphere," Jencks said. "I am most excited to continue my growth as a gymnast in a supportive team environment while simultaneously pursuing an education."
Lauren Pearl - Brestyan's American Gymnastics - Milford High School
Pearl is a native of Milford, Mass. She competes for Brestyan's American Gymnastics and attends Milford High School. Pearl has also trained with two-time Olympian Aly Raisman for four years. Pearl is a three-time regional champion on beam and vault, and a three-time JO national qualifier. At the 2017 Regional Championship she placed first on vault, beam, floor and all-around while taking a silver medal on bars. Pearl continued on to win the beam title at the 2017 JO National Championships. In 2018, she was a GK U.S. Classic Jr. Elite beam medalist and a state champion on vault, beam, floor, and all-around. Pearl won a silver medal on vault and bronze medal on beam at the 2018 JO National Championships.
"Lauren brings incredible difficulty and power to each one of her events," Hansen said. "We expect her to make an immediate impact on Vault, Beam and Floor while performing elite level skills with ease."
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I fell in love with the campus as soon as I saw it," Pearl said. "The coaching staff and team were so welcoming and I knew immediately that I fit in. I am so excited to compete and represent Minnesota in the Big Ten. I hope to do really well and make the Gopher fans proud."
Olivia Reed - Bull City Gymnastics - Charles E. Jordan High School
Reed is a native of Durham, N.C. She competes for Bull City Gymnastics and attends Charles E. Jordan High School. Reed was the 2018 North Carolina All-Around Champion and a 2018 JO National Qualifier. She was the bars title winner at the 2019 Regional Championships. After competing at Level 10 for five years, her high score on bars is 9.7 and all-around is 37.925.
"Olivia shines on uneven bars and balance beam with beautiful form and execution throughout her routines," Hansen said. "Olivia was an instant fit the moment she arrived on campus and we can't wait for her to join the team next fall."
"I initially became interested in Minnesota by following the team and their accomplishments on social media," Reed said. "About a year ago, Rich Stenger visited my gym, so I was really excited to learn more about the program. When I went on my official visit, I was immediately impressed by everything about the university and the gymnastics program. The campus was beautiful and there was such a welcoming and comforting atmosphere in the gym. Also, the U of M has unique academic programs, which is important to me."
Haley Tyson - Phenom Gymnastics - Waubonsie Valley High School
Tyson is a native of Aurora, Ill. She competes for Phenom Gymnastics and attends Waubonsie Valley High School. In 2018, Tyson was first in the all-around in her home state of Illinois and a 2018 JO National Floor Champion. She won 2019 State Championship titles on vault, bars and floor. Also in 2019, Tyson was the regional vault and all-around champion.
"Haley is a tremendous all-around competitor having finished on top of the podium at the Junior Olympic National Championships, making the National team in both 2017 and 2018," Hansen said. "She possesses an ease when performing that both our fans and judges will truly appreciate."
"The coaching staff is amazing and I fell in love with the University of Minnesota during my official visit," Tyson said. "I am most excited to bond with my future teammates and compete in the Big Ten."
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