GymHawks Add 6 for 2018 Recruiting Class

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa women’s gymnastics team welcomes six additions for the 2018 recruiting class, UI head coach Larissa Libby announced Thursday. Alexandra Greenwald, Bridget Killian, Lauren Guerin, Jax Kranitz, Allie Gilchrist, and Mackenzie Vance will join the GymHawks in the fall.
 
Alexandra Greenwald | All-Around
Coral Springs, Fla.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
 

  • Trained at American Twisters with coaches Christy Ramirez, Gary Anderson, and Louis Robinson.
  • Four-time qualifier for both level 10 state competition and Region 10 Championships.
  • Helped lead team to back-to-back state championships in 2016 and 2017.
  • State runner-up for Level 10 in Florida in 2015.
  • State champion on bars for Level 10 in Florida in 2016.
  • State champion on vault and floor, runner-up in the all-around for Level 10 in Florida in 2017.
  • Finished third on vault at Region 8 Level 10 Regionals in 2015.
  • Was Region 8 Level 10 champion on bars, beam, floor, and in the all-around in 2016 and maintained the title on bars, floor, and in the all-around in 2017.
  • Two-time qualifier for the Junior Olympic National Invitational Tournament.
  • All-around champion at the Tim Rand Invitational (37.875) and the Sand Dollar Invitational (37.650) in 2017.
  • Has a personal-best 9.750 on bars and floor, a personal-best 9.625 on beam, and a personal-best 9.600 on vault.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Alex was our first commitment in the 2018 class and she has bled Black and Gold since that day. She is the total package: an incredible student-athlete with exceptional leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the role she will fill as part of our family. Her consistency not only in gymnastics, but in all of her undertakings is one of her greatest strengths, and we are thrilled to have her join the GymHawks.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“When I first visited the University of Iowa, I immediately felt at home. The team was so positive, inspiring, and warm, and the coaches made me feel valued and shared as much enthusiasm and love for gymnastics as I have. I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. I am honored and so excited to have the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to my team at the University of Iowa.”
 
Bridget Killian | All-Around
Wheaton, Ill.
St. Francis High School
 

  • Trained at Legacy Elite Gymnastics with coaches Yuejiu Li and Jiani Wu.
  • Was the champion on floor and third in the all-around in the 2015 Illinois Level 8, 9, 20 State Championships.
  • Finished as state runner-up on floor and in the all-around in the 2016 illinois Level 8, 9, 10 State Championships.
  • Finished as regional champion in all-around and on floor, and runner-up on vault and beam in the 2016 Region 5 Levels 9-10 Championships.
  • Two-time qualifier for Junior Olympic Nationals Level 10.
  • Named to 2016 Region 5 All-Star Team.
  • Finished as runner-up in the all-around and on beam and third on vault at the 2017 Region 5 Level 9 and 10 Championships.
  • Member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society.
  • Has a personal-best 9.725 on beam and vault and a personal-best 9.625 on floor.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Bridget comes from a gym with a tradition of outstanding athletes and she certainly falls in line in maintaining that tradition. She is a truly conscientious young lady, and we believe she will take off in college. Her head and her heart are always in the right place, which bodes well for the culture of this program.
“While Bridget has long, beautiful lines, she is a power kid. Her natural strength on floor and vault will be a welcome addition to those lineups.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“I chose the University of Iowa because it offers a wide variety of academic programs and opportunities. I fell in love with Iowa’s Gymnastics program, the coaches, and culture of the program. I cannot wait to be a GymHawk next year.”
 
Lauren Guerin | All-Around
Austin, Texas
Texas Connections Academy
 

  • Trained at Olympia Hills Gymnastics with coach Jeff Beal.
  • Won the all-around at the Level 8 Texas State Championships and the Level 8 Region 3 Championships in 2012.
  • Two-time competitor (2016 and 2017) at the Junior Olympic Nationals, placing seventh on floor in 2017.
  • Finished third on floor at the 2016 Level 10 Texas State Championships.
  • Won the 2016 Level 10 Region 2 Championships on floor.
  • Finished fourth on vault and sixth in the all-around at the 2016 Level 10 Region 2 Championships.
  • Competed at the 2016 Junior Olympic Nationals.
  • Won the 2017 Level 10 Region 2 Championships on floor and finished runner-up on vault.
  • Has a personal-best 9.825 on beam, a personal-best 9.800 on floor and vault, and a personal-best 9.700 on bars.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Lauren has been a diehard Hawkeye since the first day she set foot on campus. She is a very focused and diligent young lady in all aspects of her life, and her passion for her sport and the Hawkeyes continues to drive her success. Her superb tumbling and vaulting will prove to be a huge asset to our lineups.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“When I first visited Iowa, I immediately felt comfortable around the team and coaches. They were all so kind and welcoming, and seemed to genuinely enjoy practicing and being together. After we left, I knew this was where I wanted to go. It’s hard to answer the question ‘Why Iowa?’ because there’s so much to say, but to put it simply, I fell in love with everything about Iowa, and I would never want to go anywhere else. “
 
Jax Kranitz | All-Around
Denver, Colo.
Highlands Ranch High School
 

  • Trained at Colorado Aerials with coaches Kathy Vigil and Jason Baits.
  • Won the 2015 Colorado Level 8, 9, 10 State Championships on beam and floor and placed third in the all-around.
  • Finished third on bars at the 2015 Region 3 Level 9, 10 Championships.
  • Won the bars, beam, and all-around at the 2015 Adrenaline Snowball Express.
  • Finished second in the all-around and third on the beam and floor at the Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational in 2015.
  • Finished second on beam and third in the all-around at the 2015 Gymnastics Legends.
  • Qualified for the 2015 Nastia Liukin Cup.
  • Placed first on bars and third in the all-around at the Pikes Peak Cup in 2017.
  • Won bars at both the 2017 Colorado Level 6, 9 and 10 State Championships and the 2017 Denver Winterfest Classic.
  • Has a personal-best 9.750 on bars, a personal-best 9.700 on beam, and a personal-best 9.575 on floor.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Jax will prove to be a truly exciting collegiate gymnast. Although plagued by minor setbacks, her determination and discipline keeps her moving forward. Her personality is far reaching and her talent untapped. Her beautiful lines on bars combined with high-level difficulty will help take our bar team to the next level. With a healthy season, we believe the sky is the limit.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“When I first visited the University of Iowa, I knew this was the place for me. From the atmosphere to the team and coaches, everything felt perfect. Iowa’s school spirit is so contagious. It is the most incredible thing I have ever experienced.”
 
Allie Gilchrist
Norwalk, Iowa
Norwalk High School
 

  • Trained at Chow’s Gymnastics with coaches Josh Overton, Rebecca Simbhudas, Mike Hillin, Liang Chow, and Liwen Zhuang.
  • Won the beam and floor and placed second in the all-around at the Chows 13th Annual 2016 Winter Classic Invitional.
  • Qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals in 2016 and 2017.
  • Won the 2017 Iowa Optional State Championships beam title and placed second in the all-around.
  • Won the 2017 Region 4 Championships beam title and was runner-up in the all-around.
  • Won the beam title, was runner up on floor, and placed third in the all-around at the 2017 Gymnastics Legends International.
  • Finished third in all-around and on floor at the 2017 Kim Zmeskal’s Texas Prime Meet.
  • Has a personal-best 9.5 on beam.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Allie Gilchrist commits to the University of Iowa as the Hometown hero. As part of the world renowned Chow’s Gymnastics program, Allie is well aware of the level of dedication it takes to be at your very best, and we believe she will truly flourish in a team environment. Allie was born and raised a pure Hawkeye and we are excited that she will carry on the tradition of Black and Gold.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“Being from Iowa, it has always been my dream to go to the University of Iowa. Both of my parents graduated from Iowa, so I grew up coming to games and meets. When I went on my visit, I loved the team, the coaches, and the atmosphere of the program.  I knew that I wanted to be part of this team and that Iowa was the place for me.”
 
Mackenzie Vance
Buda, Texas
Jack C. Hays High School
 

  • Trained at Olympia Hills Gymnastics with coaches Jeff Beal and Chris Connor.
  • Qualified for the 2015 Junior Olympic National Championships and finished seventh on floor and tenth in the all-around.
  • Placed fifth on vault, bars, beam, and floor and sixth in all-around at the 2015 Kansas State Championships.
  • Finished third in all-around and on vault, and fourth on bars, beam, and floor at the 2014 Kansas State Championships.
  • Won bars at the 2015 Pink Ribbon Invitational.
  • Placed third on beam and vault at 2015 Dynamo Classic.
  • Has a personal-best 9.850 on bars, a personal-best 9.600 on beam, and a personal-best 9.500 on floor.

 
HEAR FROM COACH LIBBY
“Mackenzie will join teammate Lauren Guerin to round out our 2018 class. Mackenzie, while an excellent gymnast with gorgeous long lines, possesses some qualities that undeniably fit the GymHawk culture. A brilliant student with an exceptional work ethic, she represents the ideal teammate.  We could not be more pleased with her choice to commit to the Hawkeyes.”
 
WHY IOWA?
“I chose the University of Iowa because it felt like home immediately. On my first visit, I was overwhelmed by the positive and supportive atmosphere of the program. The coaches and team were extremely welcoming, and I knew then that I wanted to be part of this team. I can’t wait to be attending my dream school next year.”