Clemson Gymnastics has announced its 2026 signing class, featuring six talented gymnasts. This is the inaugural full class under newly appointed co-head coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell. The talented recruits bring a wealth of experience and accomplishment from various gymnastics backgrounds. They will officially begin their athletic journey at Clemson University in the fall of 2026, competing in Spring 2027.
Clemson Gymnastics’ 2026 Signing Class
- Georgia “Yuri” Dunlap – Houston, Texas, Stars Gymnastics
- Helen Geiger – Callahan, Florida, World Class Gymnastics
- Ella Oprea – Bucharest, Romania, Dinamo Bucharest Sports Club
- Morgan Reihl – Linden, California, Royal Gymnastics & Sports Academy
- Sydney Snyder – Annapolis, Maryland, Thrive Gymnastics
- Makayla Torres-Melton – Tracy, California, Royal Gymnastics & Sports Academy
Individual Accomplishments
- Georgia “Yuri” Dunlap: In 2025, she was the Region 3 Level 10 vault champion and recorded a career-best score of 9.975 on vault at the Yellow Rose Invitational.
- Helen Geiger: Achieved silver on vault and fourth on bars at the 2025 Region 8 Championships, winning multiple Level 10 titles.
- Ella Oprea: A Romanian National Champion in bars, she has competed internationally, including a fourth-place finish at the 2025 European Championships.
- Morgan Reihl: A five-star prospect, she is a two-time national beam champion and holds seven Level 10 All-Around meet titles.
- Sydney Snyder: A standout competitor at the 2022 American and US Classic, she was the 2025 Region 7 Level 10 All-Around Champion.
- Makayla Torres-Melton: Known for her strong performance at Development Program Level 10 Nationals, she also secured a Top 100 ranking at multiple age levels.
Why Clemson?
Each recruit has expressed strong reasons for choosing Clemson. Common themes include a profound sense of community, exceptional coaching, and a supportive environment.
– Dunlap highlighted the warm atmosphere and top-tier academic programs.
– Geiger felt an instant connection, stating Clemson felt like home.
– Oprea appreciates the balance of academic and athletic opportunities.
– Reihl praised the impressive coaching staff and community support.
– Snyder emphasized the state-of-the-art facilities and welcoming environment.
– Torres-Melton noted the extensive resources for athletes and the strong support system.
Future Implications for Clemson Gymnastics
Clemson Gymnastics is poised for a bright future with this new signing class. The program, which has achieved significant milestones in its early years, including two NCAA Championship appearances, aims to build on this success. The co-head coaches believe these recruits embody the program’s values and will enhance both performance and team culture. As the first full signing class, they are expected to set a strong standard for future athletes at Clemson University.
