Skip To Main Content

Lindenwood University Athletics

Scoreboard

Jen Llewellyn
Don Adams Jr.

Women's Gymnastics (Discontinued)

Gymnastics Adds Three Freshmen for 2019

Lindenwood head gymnastics coach Jen Llewellyn has announced the signing of three newcomers for the 2019 season. Nikki Baars (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove), Hadley Roberts (St. Louis, Mo./Kirkwood) and Paige Sorensen (Tempe, Ariz./Corona del Sol) all begin competition next season and will have four years of eligibility with the Lions.

"We are incredibly thrilled to welcome these three young ladies to Lindenwood," Coach Llewellyn said. "As we graduated two very decorated and high performing athletes in Kierstin and Kayla, we expect Nikki, Paige, and Hadley to make an immediate impact throughout our lineups and within our program. They are dedicated to the future of Lindenwood and we cannot wait to have their energy and talent on campus this fall."

 
22988

Nikki Baars
Cary, Ill. (Cary-Grove)

Baars is a high school three-time state, three-time sectional, four-time regional qualifier, as well as a two time Junior Olympic national qualifier. As a senior, she finished first on the vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around in the sectional meet. Baars followed that performance with first-place finishes in the vault, bars, floor and all-around at the regional meet. She is a 2017 graduate, but still competed Level 10 last season, qualifying for the 2018 Junior Olympic nationals and finishing eighth on the floor and earning a personal best all-around score of a 37.150.

Coach Llewellyn on Baars:
"Nikki has been on our radar for quite some time. I remember the first time I met her and saw how vivacious her personality, passion and commitment for the sport was. She has an extreme dedication to all that she sets her mind to and a 'whatever it takes' attitude. Nikki is committed to the pursuit of excellence both in and out of the gym. Over this past year we have seen a tremendous growth in her gymnastics ability and a maturity in her focus on the competition floor. I have no doubt Nikki will be a fierce collegiate competitor and will have a large impact on the team"

Baars on choosing Lindenwood:
"I chose Lindenwood the day Coach Llewellyn came into my gym to speak with my team. A few months after she came in to talk to us, I went to Lindenwood to look at the campus. When I saw it, I immediately felt like I was at home. A few months after that I went to my first Lindenwood meet and saw how everyone interacted with each other and how the coaches interacted with the team and knew that was exactly what I wanted in continuing my gymnastics career. As I started looking into the program more and what the school had to offer on the academic side, I fell more in love with Lindenwood. Now that I am officially a part of the Lindenwood Lions Gymnastics team, I am excited to help the team reach their goals. I can't wait to make everlasting friendships and know that I have so many people to call my family."

 
22987
Hadley Roberts
St. Louis, Mo. (Kirkwood)

Roberts is a 2016 Junior Olympic national qualifier and a 2014 state and regional champion. In 2016, she finished third in the all-around at the Missouri state championship and sixth in the all-around at regionals. Hadley finished 47th in the all-around at the 2016 JO Nationals Level 10 with a score of 35.825, a personal best for her.

Coach Llewellyn on Roberts:
"Hadley is a powerful athlete with a graceful presence. She is local talent that has found great success and we are very excited she has chosen to stay close to home where I know she will thrive. Hadley never goes without a smile and brings a positive and coachable attitude with her in all she does. With her dynamic approach to her craft, we expect Hadley to make an immediate impact on all four of her events."

Roberts on Lindenwood:
"I started going to Lindenwood gymnastics meets when I was about 14. The fans were so much fun and the team was more amazing every year and the girls just really seemed to genuinely have fun and look up to their coaches. After I had the opportunity to tour campus and go to camp and meet everyone in person, I realized that I did not just want to be a fan, I wanted to be a teammate. So I chose Lindenwood. The team has come so far since their first year and I cannot wait to be a part of what comes next. I am so proud to be able to compete on the team of my dreams next year and to see what amazing things we will accomplish next."

 
22989
Paige Sorenson
Tempe, Ariz. (Corona del Sol)

 Sorenson is a two-time Junior Olympic national qualifier. Last season, she finished fifth in the all-around and third on the beam at the Arizona state championships. At regionals, Sorenson placed ninth in the all-around, sixth on the floor and ninth on bars. She qualified for JO nationals, finishing 34th in the all-around competition. Sorenson recently competed in the 2018 Nevada Regional Championships Level 10, finishing sixth on the floor with a 9.525 and 11th in the all-around at 37.150

Coach Llewellyn on Sorenson:
"I am thrilled to welcome Paige to our Lion family. Paige landed on our radar at the end of last summer, and since then we have seen tremendous growth throughout her senior season. The more we got to know Paige, the more we knew her values and work ethic were in perfect alignment with our program's philosophy. Over this last season, she has taken it upon herself to hone in on the details of her skills and gain strength in fine-tuning her gymnastics abilities. Paige's personality is going to shine bright when she makes her college debut and I cannot wait for our fans to see her contributions to this program."

Sorenson on Lindenwood:
"I chose Lindenwood because of the countless academic opportunities, the amazing gymnastics coaches and team, and the beautiful campus. There was just no other school that could compare."
Print Friendly Version