MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota gymnastics program has announced the addition of four student-athletes to the signing class of 2024, head coach Jenny Hansen announced Tuesday.
"All four of these athletes are tremendous students and young women of great character," head coach Jenny Hansen said.
McCauley Harrington - WOGA Gymnastics | Acellus Academy | Plano, Texas
The Plano, Texas native comes to Minnesota as an all-around gymnast who earned the 2023 Region 3 Championship on floor in addition to being the 2023 Texas state champion on the uneven bars. She signed her national letter of intent on Thursday, Nov. 9.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of how I connected with the atmosphere as soon as I stepped on campus," Harrington said.
Harrington on her visit to the Twin Cities.
Harrington finished fourth at the DP National Championships, which earned her a spot on the 2023 DP National Team. She is a two-time national team qualifier. Harrington competed in club for WOGA Gymnastics and was coached by Gretchen Richer and Tunde Pentek.
"McCauley enjoyed a breakout season last year and finished the season as a member of the DP National Team," said Hansen. "She combines a high level of difficulty with beautiful form and execution that will really stand out in the NCAA. She is someone we immediately connected with and felt like she was already a member of the team on her visit."
The daughter of Pete and Martha Harrington, McCauley is also joined by her step-mom, Rain Star, and step-dad, Juan Carlos Luna. She has two older brothers, Ryan and Wyatt, and one older sister, Megan. She has two younger sisters, Reann and Renae Morris, and two younger brothers, Coit and Elijah Harrington. She's currently undecided on what her major will be at Minnesota.
"My goals at Minnesota are to be an All-American, the Big Ten Athlete of the Year, to go to nationals with the team and win!"
Samantha Schneider - Connecticut Gymnastics Academy | Acellus Academy | Fairfield, Conn.
Out of Fairfield, Conn., Samantha Schneider will come to the 'U' as an all-around gymnast. Competing for coaches Brock Freehling and Dawn Albon at Connecticut Gymnastics Academy, Schneider was a six-time regional champion, including the 2022 Level 10 all-around, bars and beam championships. In 2023, she won both the Level 10 all-around and beam titles. She signed an acceptance of admission letter on Thursday, Nov. 9.
"I chose Minnesota because the culture is truly like no other," Schneider said. "I was inspired by this special group of coaches and girls that have created such an incredible team and family atmosphere. The balance of outstanding athletics and academics is unmatched and the opportunities at Minnesota are endless."
Schneider on her visit to Minnesota
A two-time DP National Qualifier (2022, 2023), she is also an eight-time Connecticut state champion and was the 2019 Eastern Nationals floor champion.
"Samantha has tremendous potential on all four events and we are thrilled she chose Minnesota," Hansen said. "She is a tremendous fit, as she is highly motivated to reach her potential and continue building upon the success of our program."
The daughter of Brett and Kirsten Schneider, she has two older brothers, Audran and Stefan. Schneider holds a 3.98 GPA in high school and intends to major in kinesiology at Minnesota.
"A goal for myself and the team is to end practice every day with one thing to be proud of and one thing to improve," Schneider said.
Lilly Timmerman - Classic Gymnastics | Rochester Mayo High School | Rochester, Minn.
A Rochester, Minn., native, Timmerman comes to Minnesota as a two-time Level 10 National Qualifier and a 2023 Level 10 beam champion. She was named the 2023 'Most Outstanding Gymnast' for Classic Gymnastics this year. Timmerman signed an acceptance of admission letter on Wednesday, Nov. 8.
"Lilly has been someone we have been watching for several years as a local Minnesota athlete," Hansen said. "She is a beautiful gymnast with a grace about her gymnastics that is hard to match." She will continue a long line of Minnesota athletes that make great contributions to our program.
As a student, Lilly holds a 4.64 GPA (4.0 unweighted) and is a member of Rochester Mayo's National Honor Society. She will be graduating with honors this spring. Timmerman plans on majoring in environmental engineering at Minnesota.
Lilly Timmerman poses next to the Minnesota backdrop on her visit
The daughter of Beth and Scott Timmerman, she also has an older brother, Ben.
"My mom always told me I would get the feeling a school would just 'feel right' by the time I stepped on campus, and this was true for the University of Minnesota," Timmerman said.
"On my first visit, the campus felt like home, and I saw many familiar faces on the team, as I already knew some gymnasts from the area through previous competitions and camps. I immediately felt comfortable with all of the Minnesota coaches and team due to their inclusive and family-like atmosphere."
Morgan Walsh - North Shore Gymnastics | Orono High School | Orono, Minn.
The Orono, Minn., native comes to Minnesota as an all-around gymnast. She competed for coach Brian Ottenhoff at North Shore Gymnastics Association, where she was the 2023 Region 4 vault and all-around champion and the 2023 Minnesota state bars and all-around champion. Walsh signed an acceptance of admission letter on Wednesday, Nov. 8
"I chose Minnesota because it gives me the athletic and academic opportunities I dreamed about," Walsh said. "It checked all my boxes of what I looked for in a school - great academic opportunities, team atmosphere that feels like a family, amazing support system, beautiful campus, amazing coaches who care about the person as a whole, super fun school spirit and the resources available to me post-college."
Also in 2023, Walsh finished third at the women's Western Gymnastics Championships in the vault, bars and floor. She placed seventh in the all-around.
"Morgan is an up and coming athlete with tremendous potential on all four events," Hansen said. "We are really excited about being a part of her journey to reach her potential and contributing to the success of the program."
Academically, she earned the 2023 Outstanding Academic Achievement honor at Orono High School and has been a National Honor Society member for the past three years. She plans on majoring in biology at Minnesota.
"My goals at Minnesota are to contribute to the team whatever my role may be, keeping up the awesome team GPA, becoming and making friendships to last throughout my whole life. Of course, I want to win championships!"
Morgan Walsh on her Minnesota visit earlier this year.
