University of Minnesota Athletics
'U' Adds Two More to 2025 Class
2/6/2025 9:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
Lacie Saltzmann and Lilly Gullickson are both North Carolina natives
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota gymnastics program has announced the addition of two student-athletes to the signing class of 2025, head coach Jenny Hansen announced on Thursday.
Lacie Saltzmann (Charlotte, N.C.) and Lilly Gullickson (Oak Ridge, N.C.) are set to join Minnesota for the 2025-26 season. Both will be here in the summer of 2025 to begin training.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lacie and Lilly to the Gopher family," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "Both are amazing young women, terrific students and are determined to make an impact with Gopher gymnastics."
Lacie Saltzmann | Texas Dreams Gymnastics | Laurel Hills High School | Charlotte, N.C.
Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Saltzmann moved to Coppell, Texas when she was in middle school. She competes for Texas Dreams Gymnastics and is coached by Kim Zmeskal.
"I chose Minnesota because it truly felt like home," said Saltzmann. "From the tight-knit team, supportive and encouraging coaches, to the incredible academic resources, Minnesota provided me with an opportunity to excel both athletically and academically."
At the 2024 Maccabi Pan Am Games, she took first in the all-around, uneven bars and floor while placing second on beam and vault, helping her team win the meet. For her senior elite season, she competed in the Winter Cup, American Classic and Core Classic. The freshman-to-be finished eighth in the all-around and third on beam at the 2023 U.S. Championships. A 2023 Texas State Beam Champion (9.875), she also competed at the 2022 U.S. Championships and 2021 DP Nationals.
"From my very first conversation with Lacie, I knew she would be an incredible fit with our program," said coach Hansen. "She is incredibly focused and determined to reach her fullest potential in all areas of her life while also showing great care and enthusiasm to all those around her. She has trained and competed at a very high level and we can't wait to have her join our program."
The daughter of Michelle Spak and Rob Saltzmann, Lacie is an only child. An AP Scholar and National Honor Society member, she hopes to study biomedical engineering at the 'U'.
"During my time at Minnesota, I hope that we can go to NCAAs and win a national championship. More than that, however, I hope that we can continue to foster the already incredible team culture while striving for both academic and athletic excellence," she said.
Lilly Gullickson | High Point Gymnastics Academy | North Carolina Cyber Academy | Oak Ridge, N.C.
An Oak Ridge, N.C., native, Lilly Gullickson comes to Minnesota after competing for High Point Gymnastics Academy. There, she was a Region 8 Champion on bars, beam and all-around. A two-time Eastern Nationals qualifier, she took second on the uneven bars and was top-five in the all-around last year.
"I chose Minnesota because I love the personality of the team and the coaches are so welcoming," Gullickson said. "The University has so many resources and opportunities. My decision feels like going back home, because I lived in Minnesota for the first 10 years of my life."
Gullickson was coached in club gymnastics by Buddy Thorburn and was named Comeback Gymnast of the Year in 2024. A member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, she plans on majoring in business at Minnesota.
"Lilly came onto our radar a little later in the recruiting process but as soon as we saw her gymnastics and her potential, we knew she would be a great fit with our program," said coach Hansen. "It's incredibly exciting to be able to bring her back to Minnesota where she will be surrounded by family and friends on her collegiate journey."
The daughter of Erica and Travis Gullickson, she has one older sister, McKenna.
"I hope to grow as a gymnast and as a person and contribute to the team as much as possible in college," she said.
Lacie Saltzmann (Charlotte, N.C.) and Lilly Gullickson (Oak Ridge, N.C.) are set to join Minnesota for the 2025-26 season. Both will be here in the summer of 2025 to begin training.
"We are thrilled to welcome Lacie and Lilly to the Gopher family," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "Both are amazing young women, terrific students and are determined to make an impact with Gopher gymnastics."
Lacie Saltzmann | Texas Dreams Gymnastics | Laurel Hills High School | Charlotte, N.C.
Originally from Charlotte, N.C., Saltzmann moved to Coppell, Texas when she was in middle school. She competes for Texas Dreams Gymnastics and is coached by Kim Zmeskal.
"I chose Minnesota because it truly felt like home," said Saltzmann. "From the tight-knit team, supportive and encouraging coaches, to the incredible academic resources, Minnesota provided me with an opportunity to excel both athletically and academically."
At the 2024 Maccabi Pan Am Games, she took first in the all-around, uneven bars and floor while placing second on beam and vault, helping her team win the meet. For her senior elite season, she competed in the Winter Cup, American Classic and Core Classic. The freshman-to-be finished eighth in the all-around and third on beam at the 2023 U.S. Championships. A 2023 Texas State Beam Champion (9.875), she also competed at the 2022 U.S. Championships and 2021 DP Nationals.
"From my very first conversation with Lacie, I knew she would be an incredible fit with our program," said coach Hansen. "She is incredibly focused and determined to reach her fullest potential in all areas of her life while also showing great care and enthusiasm to all those around her. She has trained and competed at a very high level and we can't wait to have her join our program."
The daughter of Michelle Spak and Rob Saltzmann, Lacie is an only child. An AP Scholar and National Honor Society member, she hopes to study biomedical engineering at the 'U'.
"During my time at Minnesota, I hope that we can go to NCAAs and win a national championship. More than that, however, I hope that we can continue to foster the already incredible team culture while striving for both academic and athletic excellence," she said.
Lilly Gullickson | High Point Gymnastics Academy | North Carolina Cyber Academy | Oak Ridge, N.C.
An Oak Ridge, N.C., native, Lilly Gullickson comes to Minnesota after competing for High Point Gymnastics Academy. There, she was a Region 8 Champion on bars, beam and all-around. A two-time Eastern Nationals qualifier, she took second on the uneven bars and was top-five in the all-around last year.
"I chose Minnesota because I love the personality of the team and the coaches are so welcoming," Gullickson said. "The University has so many resources and opportunities. My decision feels like going back home, because I lived in Minnesota for the first 10 years of my life."
Gullickson was coached in club gymnastics by Buddy Thorburn and was named Comeback Gymnast of the Year in 2024. A member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars, she plans on majoring in business at Minnesota.
"Lilly came onto our radar a little later in the recruiting process but as soon as we saw her gymnastics and her potential, we knew she would be a great fit with our program," said coach Hansen. "It's incredibly exciting to be able to bring her back to Minnesota where she will be surrounded by family and friends on her collegiate journey."
The daughter of Erica and Travis Gullickson, she has one older sister, McKenna.
"I hope to grow as a gymnast and as a person and contribute to the team as much as possible in college," she said.
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