Lindenwood gymnastics head coach Jen Kesler announced today that seven student-athletes have signed to join the Lady Lions program for the 2017 season. The newest team members are Katie Bailey, Mackenzy Chavez, Taylor Colwell, Breanna Franklin, Georgina Harris, Ryan Henry, and Emily Milliet.
 
"We are thrilled to announce the addition of seven student-athletes for the coming 2016-17 school year," said Kesler. "This is our biggest recruiting class since the inaugural year, and the gymnasts are full of intelligence, talent, and determination. Their passion to be a part of history and join our family is evident, and they are eager to step foot on campus.
 
"We have high expectations for this class, as they will be replacing the inaugural team. We know these seven young women will continue to carry on the legacy and traditions set by the inaugural class."
 
The Lindenwood gymnastics team won the 2015 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships in just its third year as a program. The Lady Lions begin the 2016 season on Jan. 8 at Southeast Missouri.
 
Katie Bailey (Fishers, Ind./Guerin Catholic HS/DeVeaus School of Gymnastics)
Katie Bailey has much experience as she is a four-year level 10 competitor. She was the 2015 Indiana beam state champion, Region 5 beam champion, as well as a Junior Olympic National qualifier. Katie is daughter of Ange and Steve, and plans to study in health and human services.
 
"Katie is a fierce competitor and will bring added depth to our bars, beam, and floor line ups," said Kesler. "She brings life into her beam and floor choreography, and will have a show stopping performance for our home crowd. Katie has so much potential and we can't wait to see what she achieves at Lindenwood."
 
Mackenzy Chavez (Apopka, Fla./Lake Brantley HS/Ace Gymnastics)
Mackenzy Chavez is a level 10 competitor. During her time at that level, she qualified to the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Region 8 Regional Championships, as well as placed second on the floor exercise in the 2014 and 2015 Florida State Championships. Mackenzy is the daughter of Laura and Patrick, and she plans to study early childhood education. 
 
"Mackenzy has a light about her that will inspire the team," said Kesler. "She is determined to be successful in all she sets her mind to both in and out of the classroom. She has some very unique skills on beam that will bring a fun twist to our line up."
 
Taylor Colwell (Plainedge, N.Y./Island Trees HS/New Image)
Taylor Colwell is a level 10 competitor. She competed at the 2015 Region 6 regional championships and qualified onto the NIT championships where she competed in the all-around. Taylor is the daughter of Kevin and Tracey, and she plans to major in biology.
 
"Taylor is the definition of passion," said Kesler. "Her desire to be a Lindenwood Lion sets her apart and it is student-athletes like her that will help push us to the next level. She is eager to get better and is always yearning to improve in and out of the gym."
 
Breanna Franklin (Regina, Saskatchewan/Dr. Martin Leboldus HS/Marian Gymnastics)
Throughout her level 10 career, Breanna Franklin has earned many accolades including placing second all-around, second on floor, third on beam, fourth on vault, and sixth on bars at the 2015 Western Canadian Championships. She was named the Saskatchewan Provincial all-around champion in 2015 where she went on to place second on vault, and first on bars, beam, and floor. She also earned the "Best Provincial Choreography Award on Beam" two years in a row in 2014 and 2015, and was the Top Saskatchewan Top Female National Athlete of the Year. Breanna is the daughter of Bruce and Sherie, and she aspires to go into dentistry.
 
"Breanna is the second Canadian gymnast to join our program," said Kesler. "She is a powerful athlete that will make an immediate impact on our vault and floor line ups. With her international experience, she will help bring a fierce competitive drive to the team as well as the experience of competing on a big stage."
 
Georgina Harris (Halifax, England/Brighouse HS/City of Manchester Gymnastics)
Goergina Harris has had much international experience including being named to the England International Team from 2013-2015. Her parents are John and Carolyn, and she plans to study exercise science.
 
"Georgina is a well-rounded competitor with an array of international experience," said Kesler. "She has a finesse in her gymnastics that college judges love and a presence that Lindenwood has never seen before. Her poise is evident through all of her gymnastics, and we look forward to incorporating her gymnastics into each of our line ups. Georgina brings a wealth of experience and confidence."
 
Ryan Henry (Oklahoma City, Okla./Southmoore HS/Bart Connor Gymnastics)
Ryan Henry is a former level 9 competitor, where she placed fourth all-around at the Western National Championships. She worked hard to move up to level 10, where she qualified to the 2015 Junior Olympic National Championships. Ryan is the daughter of Steve and Beth, and she is looking to focus her studies on business administration.
 
"Ryan is an all-around stand out and will make an immediate impact on all four events," said Kesler. "Her level of difficulty on each event will help push this team to new heights and successes. Her gymnastics is calming and she makes it effortless when you watch her."
 
Emily Milliet (Denton, Texas/Denton Calvary Academcy/Achievers Gymnastics Center)
Emily Milliet is a level 10 competitor where she was a 2015 regional and NIT qualifier. Emily is the daughter of John and Christine, and her sister, Abby, is a sophomore on the Auburn gymnastics team. She plans to study pre-med at Lindenwood.
 
"Emily brings a spunk to the program that will light up the team," said Kesler. "Her spirit and passion for life is evident in all she does. Her gymnastics showcases her beautiful lines and grace that will enhance our line ups on bars, beam, and floor."
 
 

	Katie Bailey
	Mackenzy Chavez
	Taylor Colwell
	Breanna Franklin
	Georgina Harris
	Ryan Henry
	Emily Milliet