@MizzouGym Adds Six Tigers to Program
11/14/2018 2:01:00 PM | Gymnastics
Mizzou’s six newcomers will join the team for the 2020 season
COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Mizzou gymnastics program added six future Tigers on Wednesday, Head Coach Shannon Welker announced. Helen Hu (Chicago, Ill.), Adalayna Hufendiek (Columbia, Mo.), Grace Kaiding (Clarkston, Mich.), Anna McGee (Athens, Ga.), Hollyn Patrick (Lafayette, Colo.) and Sienna Schreiber (Cumming, Ga.) will all enroll at the University of Missouri and join the Tigers for the 2020 campaign.
"I'm so excited for this class to join us next year," Welker said. "They bring so many 'wow' routines to the competition arena. The blend of fun personalities, leadership abilities and competitiveness is going to drive Mizzou Gymnastics to even more success."
HELEN HU
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
Parents: Terry and Justine
High School: Latin School of Chicago
Club: IK Gymnastics
Club Coach: Irina Kudina
- Three-time J.O. National beam champion
- Also claimed the 2018 J.O. National bars title
- Finished second in the all-around and on floor at 2018 J.O. Nationals
- Owns career-best scores of 9.825 on floor, 9.775 on beam, 9.75 on bars, 9.675 on vault and 38.875 in the all-around
Coach Welker on Helen:
"Helen is a beautiful gymnast. She has a uniqueness about her that will certainly be hard to miss. Her routines are some of the best in the country."
ADALAYNA HUFENDIEK
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Parents: Matthew and Lynnea
High School: Rock Bridge
Club: Elevate Gymnastics and Fitness
Club Coach: Rodney Gust and Adrianne Perry
- Two-time J.O. National qualifier
- Placed second on bars and third on vault at the 2018 Region 4 Championships
- Finished second on vault at the 2017 Region 4 Championships
- Owns career-best scores of 9.55 on vault and 9.25 on bars
Coach Welker on Adalayna:
"Adalayna is such a wonderful person. She has improved drastically in the past couple of years and now can help her hometown Tigers reach new heights."
GRACE KAIDING
Hometown: Clarkston, Mich.
Parents: Derek Kaiding and Cheraye Miller
High School: Clarkston
Club: Stars and Stripes Gymnastics
Club Coach: Cassie Davis and Nathan Davis
- Won the beam and floor titles at the 2016 Michigan State Championships
- Took third on vault at the 2016 Region 5 Championships
- Owns career-best scores of 9.75 on vault, 9.675 on floor, 9.425 on beam, 9.050 on bars and 37.000 in the all-around
Coach Welker on Grace:
"Grace is such a wonderful and mature person. We are fortunate to have her as a Tiger and she will certainly be able to make us better on all events."
ANNA MCGEE
Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Parents: Ryan and Bekah
High School: Oconee County
Club: Georgia Elite Gymnastics
Club Coach: Pete Arenas
- Two-time J.O. National qualifier
- Tied for second on bars at J.O. Nationals in 2017
- Placed second on vault at the 2018 Georgia State Championships
- Owns career-best scores of 9.65 on bars, 9.6 on beam, 9.5 on floor, 9.475 on vault and 37.8 in the all-around
Coach Welker on Anna:
"Anna has been a leader for us in this recruiting class. She is a team player and a consistent competitor and will be a key to our future success."
HOLLYN PATRICK
Hometown: Lafayette, Colo.
Parents: Brian and Jen
High School: Fairview
Club: Airborne Gymnastics and Dance
Club Coach: Melissa Luedtke and Alex Bala
- Two-time J.O. Nationals qualifier
- Placed second on bars at the 2018 Colorado State Championships
- Also finished tied for third in vault at the 2018 Colorado State meet
- Owns career-best scores of 9.775 on vault, 9.625 on bars, 9.6 on floor, 9.275 on beam and 37.8 in the all-around
Coach Welker on Hollyn:
"Hollyn has been an excellent addition to this class. She is going to wow some people, especially on uneven bars. We're excited to have this young lady as a Tiger."
SIENNA SCHREIBER
Hometown: Cumming, Ga.
Parents: Michael and Jill
High School: West Forsythe
Club: Infinity Gymnastics
Club Coach: Elena Piskun
- Two-time J.O. National qualifier
- Finished fourth on beam at the 2017 J.O. National Championships
- Took second in the all-around at the 2018 Georgia State Championships
- Has career-best scores of 9.8 on vault, 9.725 on beam, 9.6 on floor and 9.525 on bars
Coach Welker on Sienna:
"Sienna has a fun personality and will certainly bring a lot to our team. Her gymnastics blend of power and grace, she has such a nice line."
