CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson Gymnastics announced its six-member 2026 signing class — the first full class to officially join the program under the direction of co-head coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell. Georgia “Yuri” Dunlap, Helen Geiger, Ella Oprea, Morgan Reihl, Sydney Snyder, and Makayla Torres-Melton each officially signed full scholarship agreements in the November signing period and will enroll at Clemson University in Fall 2026 to compete in Spring 2027.
Clemson Gymnastics is entering its third competitive season in 2026 and has made an immediate impact upon its debut, reaching the NCAA Championships twice and ranking in the top ten nationally in attendance at Littlejohn Coliseum.
“This class represents everything we want Clemson Gymnastics to stand for,” said Co-Head Coaches Justin Howell and Liz Crandall-Howell. “Each of these young women brings elite skill, contagious energy, and a commitment to being exceptional in every facet of their Clemson Experience. The class combines elite international experience, championship-level performance, and a shared passion for our culture of excellence and growth. As our first full signing class, they’ll help set the tone for the program’s future — both in competition and in character.”
2026 Signing Class
Yuri Dunlap || Houston, Texas || Stars Gymnastics
Top Accomplishments:
- 2025 Development Program Level 10 Nationals and Region 3 Level 10 vault champion
- Level 10 state (TX) beam champion; Finished 2nd in All-Around at Texas State Championship
- Holds seven Level 10 vault titles
- Recorded a career-best 9.975 on vault at the 2025 Yellow Rose Invitational.
- Top 100 Gymnast by MyMeetScores.com at Level 8, Level 9 and Level 10 in Vault
Why Clemson:
“I chose Clemson because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt an overwhelming sense of acceptance. The coaches and team made me feel like family, and the support system they’ve built is truly special. That kind of warmth and genuine care wasn’t something I experienced anywhere else. Beyond that, Clemson’s campus is stunning, and the academic programs are top-tier. It was the perfect blend of athletic excellence, personal connection, and academic opportunity.”
Helen Geiger || Callahan, Fla. || World Class Gymnastics
Top Accomplishments:
- Earned silver on vault and fourth on Bars at the 2025 Region 8 Championships
- Won Level 10 titles in Vault (2), Bars (2), and Floor (1)
Why Clemson:
“I chose Clemson because It felt like home. The moment I stepped on campus I knew this was where I was meant to be.”
Ella Oprea || Bucharest, Romania || Dinamo Bucharest Sports Club
Top Accomplishments:
- Romanian National Champion in bars (2025) and beam (2023)
- Competed on bars, helping Team Romania to a fourth place finish at the 2025 European Championships
- Olympic team experience with Romania.
- Alternate for the 2023 Romanian World Championships team that qualified for Paris 2024
- Competed at the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia for Romania
- Won silver on bars and bronze on floor at the 2024 Romanian Individual Championships
Why Clemson:
“I chose Clemson because it offers a great balance of academics and athletics, and I love the family-like atmosphere where I can grow, excel, and challenge myself.”
Morgan Reihl || Linden, Calif. || Royal Gymnastics & Sports Academy
Top Accomplishments:
- Five-star prospect by College Gym News, the first in program history
- Two-time national beam champion at both 2024 and 2025 Development Program Level 10 Nationals
- Holds seven Level 10 All-Around meet titles, including 14 Beam titles, seven floor titles, and three apiece on vault and bars.
- Two-time Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier, including earning the 2024 All-Around bronze
- 2024 Region 1 All-Around Champion
- 2024 and 2025 Region 1 Beam Champion
- Two-time Top 100 Gymnast by MyMeetScores.com at Level 10 on Beam and All-Around
- Club teammate of Makayla Torres-Melton
Why Clemson:
“I chose Clemson because of the amazing coaching and work ethic of the team, the opportunity to be a part of a team that is building a new program, and the support from the community that made it feel like home – it made Clemson the perfect fit.”
Sydney Snyder || Annapolis, Md. || Thrive Gymnastics
Top Accomplishments:
- Three-star prospect by College Gym News
- Competed at 2022 American and US Classic as a Junior Elite
- Three-time Development Program Level 10 National Qualifier
- Developmental National Team for five years
- 2025 Region 7 Level 10 All-Around Champion (38.875) – Won vault and bars, 2nd on beam, 3rd on floor.
- Three vault and three bar titles at Level 10
- Top 100 Gymnast by MyMeetScores.com at Level 10 for Bars and All-Around
Why Clemson:
“The amazing facilities for the gymnastics program and the resources for the student-athletes are the best. All of the current gymnasts at Clemson welcomed me with open arms and kindness. Overall, it really felt like home, and I knew that if I went there, I would feel comfortable and have the tools to be successful.”
Makayla Torres-Melton || Tracy, Calif. || Royal Gymnastics & Sports Academy
Top Accomplishments:
- Three-star prospect by College Gym News
- Top-25 finish at Development Program Level 10 Nationals, qualifying in her first year at Level 10
- Won silver on vault and bronze on bars at the 2025 California state meet
- Score 9.525 or better on vault in all Level 10 meets, including a 9.8 at the state meet
- Had a dominant 2024 at Level 9, winning seven of eight All-Around titles and winning 16 of a possible 32 events
- Top 100 Gymnast by MyMeetScores.com at Level 7, 8 and 9 for Vault, Bars, Beam and All-Around
- Club teammate of Morgan Reihl
Why Clemson:
“I chose Clemson because there was an unbelievable amount of academic and athletic resources that are provided for their athletes. I also love the amount of support they get from their community and I wouldn’t trade it for anything else. Their coaching staff made me feel like this is a great place to grow as both a person and an athlete. Everything about Clemson felt like home.”
