RIVERDALE, NY - Manhattan Acrobatics and Tumbling Head Coach
Hallie Fowler, in coordination with National Signing Day, has announced the first-ever signing class for the 2026-27 academic year. 28 prospective Jaspers look to join the program, with those names including Rylee Chance, Kara Codilla, Gracyn Davis, Rachel Dunlap, Abby Estepa, Ximena Fernandez, Jordyn Gehres, Juliana Hess, Daria Ingram, Emma Ivey, Kathryn Joy, Morgan Kemmerer, Ella Kennedy, Gabriela Kierskowski, Savanah Mahoney, Sadie Mattson, Krista Morrison, Erin O'Donnell, Rion Oxendine, Avery Poulin, Alicia Robillard, Hannah Robillard, Amy Rubinstein, Samara Sarep, Jane Snyder, Tatum Traficante, Kaylee Villareal, and Cora Wilkinson.
"We are beyond excited to welcome these incredible student-athletes to Manhattan University for our inaugural acrobatics and tumbling team. This group represents some of the best talent in the country, each bringing unique backgrounds, experiences, and strengths to our program. We can't wait to see them represent Manhattan and set the foundation for something truly special," commented Fowler.
Rylee Chance - Top - Lake Tappalingos, MO
Prior to College: Participated in dance along with varsity cheer in high school in addition to acrobatics ... USA Junior National Team Member (2022-2023) ... Region 4 Group of the Year (2022) ... Pan-Am Championships Silver and Bronze Medalist (2022) ... MAIA Cup Team Member (2023) ... International Competition Team Member (2023-2024).
Why Chance Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because I feel that it will give me a great opportunity for jobs in the future."
Kara Codilla - Top/Tumbler - La Palma, CA
Prior to College: Fifth place in varsity diving, second place vault at gymnastics state championships (2023) ... Fifth place all-around at state championships (2023).
Why Codilla Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University because of the uplifting and inspiring atmosphere. The academics at Manhattan are top notch as the class sizes are small so I get more one-on-one teaching. Coach Fowler is a very encouraging and supportive coach that makes me want to push myself daily to become a better version of myself as an athlete and a person. I am so thrilled to be a part of a growing team and see where the first season of acrobatics and tumbling at Manhattan take me."
Gracyn Davis - Base/Tumbler - Jefferson Township, PA
Prior to College: Participated in acrobatics and tumbling for all four years of high school.
Why Davis Chose Manhattan: "I have always loved New York, but when I heard that Manhattan was opening an acro and tumbling program and I met Coach Hallie, I knew I wanted to go there immediately. It's close enough to my home where if I ever needed them, my parents could come out and see me. After doing research, I knew how great of a school Manhattan would be for me."
Rachel Dunlap - Base - Winchester, MA
Prior to College: Participated in gymnastics for the last two years.
Why Dunlap Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because I have always wanted to go to school near New York City. I was drawn to the internship opportunities and alumni connections that Manhattan University has, which makes finding a job after college much easier. The smaller class sizes offer more one-on-one time with professors, and could better help me succeed throughout my college experience. I feel that Manhattan could help me grow both socially and academically."
Abby Estepa - Base/Tumbler - Duvall, WA
Prior to College: Participated in club gymnastics for 12 years ... Second at states with a 9.725 score on her floor routine ... 9.7 score on the beam, good enough for second at regionals ... Honor Roll all four years.
Why Estepa Chose Manhattan: "Right as I came onto campus I fell in love with it. The welcoming atmosphere and support from Coach Hallie and Kayla [Young, Assistant Coach] really stood out to me. I knew this is the right school for me to grow academically and as an athlete."
Ximena Fernandez - Base/Tumbler - The Woodlands, TX
Prior to College: Four years of gymnastics at The Woodlands High School ... Level 9 state qualifier (fifth place finish, second place floor, fourth place vault, fifth place bars, eighth place beam ... Level 9 regional qualifier (11th place finish, fifth place vault, eighth place beam) ... Level 10 competitor for the 2025-26 season.
Why Fernandez Chose Manhattan: "Manhattan University provides countless research and internship opportunities that assure you will be successful during and after college. The classes are small, ensuring for more personalized learning and a better relationship with professors. The campus is beautiful and it is very easy to get around. With the subway being close by as well, Manhattan has everything I want in a college and more, I'm so excited to attend!"
Jordyn Gehres - Base/Tumbler - Lancaster, PA
Prior to College: Participated in track and field and gymnastics for her freshman year ... solely acrobatics and tumbling from sophomore year until now.
Why Gehres Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan because they have strong academics and there is a lot of opportunity for job placement out of college since the city is so close by. Also, competing for a Division I team has always been a priority of mine, and now I get to do it alongside a new team."
Juliana Hess - Base/Tumbler - Wantagh, NY
Prior to College: Varsity cheerleading all four years ... Team Captain ... Dunns Scotus Award.
Why Hess Chose Manhattan: "Manhattan University stood out to me because the second I stepped onto the campus I had a gut feeling I was meant to be there. The campus being closer to home was a big part for me. Manhattan has a good program for what I want to do when I'm older and the team is something that really stood out for me, I'm so excited to try something new!"
Daria Ingram - Base/Tumbler - Spencerville, MA
Prior to College: Participated in cheerleading and gymnastics all four years of high school ... State and Regional champion for trampoline and tumbling ... MVP for gymnastics ... placed at county championships for vault
Why Ingram Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University because it has great opportunities such as being able to intern for or shadow lawyers, being able to have small classes, and being able to be a part of the new acrobatics and tumbling team."
Emma Ivey - Base/Tumbler - Davidson, NC
Prior to College: Gymnastics club member ... On diving team for a season ... Two-year National Honor Society member
Why Ivey Chose Manhattan: "The campus was amazing, the coaches made it feel like home, and the community of people was incredible."
Kathryn Joy - Base/Tumbler - Wilmington, NC
Prior to College: Three years of gymnastics in high school, one year of varsity diving ... First-ever diver for high school at the varsity level ... First-ever to go Division I from her club gym ... Two-time Level 10 Regional qualifier and medalist for gymnastics ... Second place beam State Champion ... First level 10 in Wilmington, NC to qualify for Regionals.
Why Joy Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan mainly because of the new acrobatics and tumbling program. This new program has brought me the opportunity to be able to compete at the Division I level. Not only have athletics helped my decision, but the amazing education that is offered at Manhattan is unlike any other college that was on my list. Lastly, ever since I was little I have always wanted to live close to NYC and this is the perfect opportunity to be able to do so."
Morgan Kemmerer - Base - Nazareth, PA
Prior to College: Participated in acrobatics and tumbling for four years ... Volunteered in a special education classroom.
Why Kemmerer Chose Manhattan: "The size and location of the school."
Ella Kennedy - Top/Tumbler - Fontana, CA
Prior to College: Actively participated in gymnastics for the last nine years ... 3.6 high school GPA ... Principal's Honor Roll
Why Kennedy Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because I enjoy the atmosphere of the school and I feel at home joining the acrobatics and tumbling team."
Gabriela Kierskowski - Base/Tumbler - Manalpan, NJ
Prior to College: Participated in varsity gymnastics all four years of high school ... National Honor Society, Math Honors Society, Latin Honors Society member.
Why Kierskowski Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because I wanted to be on the acrobatics team and I wanted to attend a school near NYC."
Savanah Mahoney - Top/Tumbler - Mount Juliet, TN
Prior to College: Participated in gymnastics all four years of high school ... Eastern Nationals Qualifier, Third on vault there ... 4.3 GPA ... Graduated summa cum laude.
Why Mahoney Chose Manhattan: "The campus was beautiful, it had exactly what I wanted to do as a job, the location allows me to grow and find a job, and the team was so nice and welcoming!"
Sadie Mattson - Base/Tumbler - Broomfield, CO
Prior to College: Varsity gymnastics team member in senior year, participated in club for first three years of high school ... Third place at States in level 9 uneven bars ... 3.8 GPA.
Why Mattson Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because of the excellent teaching program it offers, and the strong connection to community."
Krista Morrison - Base/Tumbler - Mount Airy, NC
Prior to College: State, Regional, and National qualifier for the past two seasons ... Floor Queen Award ... Unbreakable Spirit Award ... Science Olympiad Award ... Girl Scout Bronze Award ... Honor Roll selection.
Why Morrison Chose Manhattan: "I decided on Manhattan because I really connected with the coaches and loved their vision for the program. It's exciting to be a part of a history making team, and I'm also looking forward to experiencing life in a bigger city with incredible educational opportunities and access to amazing internships."
Erin O'Donnell - Base - Nazareth, PA
Prior to College: Participated in acrobatics and tumbling for many years prior ... Four and Five Element National Champion.
Why O'Donnell Chose Manhattan: "I feel Manhattan gives me a great opportunity for jobs in my future!"
Rion Oxendine - Base/Top - Myrtle Beach, SC
Prior to College: Participated in gymnastics throughout high school ... South Carolina state team ... Netted top 100 for vault on two occasions ... Team won second place at regionals ... Team ranked 12th in the nation for vault ... Spanish National Honors Society.
Why Oxendine Chose Manhattan: "Coach Hallie really stuck out to me and her personality made me feel right at home."
Avery Poulin - Base/Tumbler - Mesa, AZ
Prior to College: Participated in competitive club gymnastics for years prior ... Three-year NGA National Team member ... 3.6 GPA
Why Poulin Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because it feels like the perfect place for me to grow both personally and professionally. Being right in NYC means there are endless internship opportunities and chances to connect with professionals in all kinds of fields. I also love the strong sense of community on campus. Everyone is friendly, supportive, and genuinely wants to see each other succeed. Plus, the campus itself is beautiful and full of energy, making it a place where I can really see myself thriving."
Alicia Robillard - Top/Tumbler - Aldie, VA
Prior to College: Varsity gymnastics for three seasons ... Regional qualifier in high school for gymnastics ... Team qualified for states ... Xcel Regional Qualifier for three years ... A/B Honor Roll.
Why Robillard Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University because of the campus size, location, and all the opportunities."
Hannah Robillard - Top/Tumbler - Aldie, VA
Prior to College: Varsity gymnastics for three seasons ... State individual qualifier ... Xcel Regional qualifier for three years ... First place as a team at GMS Invitational ... Sixth place as a team at states.
Why Robillard Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because of the small campus size, and the sense of home when I walked onto campus. Also, being so close to the city is a great opportunity."
Amy Rubinstein - Base/Tumbler - Flanders, NJ
Prior to College: Level 10 in club gymnastics ... Varsity gymnastics for all four years ... Second place at states in Level 10, competed in beam .... First place at 2022 Level 8 states on the beam ... 2023 Level 8 states won first place on the bars and floor ... Gymnastics team went undefeated all four years in high school ... Varsity track and field from sophomore season through senior.
Why Rubinstein Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan because it offered me the best combination of academic and athletic opportunities. When I visited the campus, I immediately fell in love with the environment and felt that the school truly aligns with my values. I know that Manhattan will prepare me well for my future, and being a part of the acrobatics and tumbling team will provide me the structure and discipline I need to succeed as both a student and an athlete."
Samara Sarep - Base/Tumbler - Norco, CA
Prior to College: Participated in sideline cheer and flag football for a year ... Stunt for three years ... Stunt league champions in 2024 ... Most improved in sideline cheer for 2023 ... AP Scholar Award.
Why Sarep Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University because it is a great university overall, has the sport and major I want, and it's in a great location. I also think it is very exciting to be a part of an inaugural program."
Jane Snyder - Top/Tumbler - Grand Rapids, MI
Prior to College: Varsity golfer on top of participating in club gymnastics ... Four-time state qualifier ... Two-time regional qualifier ... 2023 Most Ambitious Athlete Award ... Honor Roll selection.
Why Snyder Chose Manhattan: "I loved the coach and thought it would be a place where I could truly succeed."
Tatum Traficante - Top - Plainville, MA
Prior to College: Two years of varsity cheerleading ... Rhode Island state champion in cheerleading.
Why Traficante Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan because I'm excited to be a part of not only a big team, but start a team from the very beginning."
Kaylee Villareal - Base/Tumbler - Overland Park, KS
Prior to College: Participated in four years of diving ... State and Regional champion for gymnastics during sophomore season ... 13th place at diving state championships during junior season ... Four-year Honor Roll selection ... 4.48 GPA.
Why Villareal Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University for the campus atmosphere, opportunities, and because of the acrobatics and tumbling coach."
Cora Wilkinson - Top - Shepherdstown, WV
Prior to College: Participated in club gymnastics throughout high school ... 4.0 GPA, good enough for top 15% in her class ... National Honors Society historian ... Science National Honors Society.
Why Wilkinson Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because I am so excited to become a founding member of what will be an amazing acrobatics and tumbling team. The academics align with all of my goals to become successful in the business world. I love being in the city and am so excited to be in New York!"
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