Sooners Sign Dynamic Group for 2021

NORMAN —Head coach K.J. Kindler and the Oklahoma women's gymnastics program announced the signing of six incredible gymnasts Thursday. Audrey Davis, Julianna Fehring, Bell Johnson, Katherine LeVasseur, Quinn Smith and Meilin Sullivan will join the Sooners for the 2020-21 season.

"We are so proud to have these six remarkable athletes join the OU gymnastics program," Kindler said. "There is an overwhelming sense of synergy from this group. They all have tight family bonds and have carried this into their personal relationships with one another. Already there are inside jokes and a camaraderie that as a coach, you hope to see among your players. The chemistry will be invaluable as they approach their first collegiate season."

"This group of signees will account for 30 percent of our team roster. We will rely on each of them to continue the culture and tradition of excellence here at OU. Our goal as a staff is to deliver an invaluable life experience that will remain with them forever."

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Audrey Davis / Frisco, Texas / WOGA / Photos

Davis, a native of Frisco, Texas, is an elite level gymnast currently training at WOGA Gymnastics under the direction of Tatyana Shadenko and Yevgeny Marchenko.

"As an elite athlete at WOGA, Audrey developed impeccable form and execution at a young age," Kindler said. "Her bar swing is absolutely captivating, and she performs beam with a softness and beauty that is unusual. Audrey has an older brother, Mathew, competing gymnastics in the collegiate ranks as well. Getting to know her has been so fun and our talks are always very animated. She has a resilient spirit and an optimistic point of view. We cannot wait for her arrival!"

Davis competed at the 2018 GK U.S. Classic, placing fourth on uneven bars, sixth in the all-around and seventh on the balance beam. At the 2018 American Classic, she picked up a fifth-place finish in the all-around and uneven bars, along with an eighth place finish on floor. As a junior elite in 2017, she placed fourth on uneven bars, sixth in the all-around, seventh on vault and eighth on balance beam at the P&G Championships.

Davis is the daughter of Parker and Katherine and has three siblings: Tanner, Samuel and Mathew.

THE DAVIS FILE
2018 U.S. Classic Fourth on bars; sixth in all-around; seventh on balance beam 2018 American Classic Fifth all-around, uneven bars; eighth on floor. 2017 P&G Championships Fourth on bars; sixth in all-around; seventh on vault; eighth on balance beam

Julianne Fehring

Julianne Fehring / Tampa, Fla. / LaFleur's / Photos

Fehring, a native of Tampa, Fla., is a current level 10 gymnast at LaFleur's gymnastics under the direction of Jeff LaFleur, Alecia Polina and Billy West.

"Julianne made it no secret that OU was her top choice," Kindler said. "The dynamics in her gymnastics are electric, very team oriented and it is an incredible starting point for the collegiate transition. Julianne is always smiling and positive and her joy is contagious. As I got to know her, it was apparent that she loves the sport and the moments she shares with her teammates. She is a stunner on all four events and performs a 10.0 vault which is golden in the collegiate world."

In both 2017 and 2019, Fehring was a member of the Junior Olympic National Team. She competed at the 2019 JO Nationals, earning a first place finish on vault, third in the all-around, sixth on beam and seventh on bars. At the regional level, she was first on bars, second in the all-around and on vault, fourth on beam and fifth on floor.

She is the daughter of Mark and Michele and has three siblings: Evan, Olivia and Gabrielle.

THE FEHRING FILE
2019 JO Nationals First on vault; third in all-around; sixth on beam; seventh on bars 2019 Regionals First on bars; second in all-around and vault; fourth on beam; fifth on floor 2019 State Fourth on bars and beam

Bell Johnson

Bell Johnson / Norman, Okla. / Bart Conner Gymnastics / Photos

Johnson is a level 10 gymnast from Norman, Okla., training at Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy under the direction of Christian Ivanov.

"Tradition and family legacy led Bell to the doors of the OU practice facility," Kindler said. "Bell is our hometown athlete: Sooner born and Sooner bred. She is strong on all four events with bars leading the way. She is a high achiever, an amazing student, a goal setter and an ambitious thinker. She is always showing initiative to improve in every aspect of her life. Her kindness and ability to inspire others around her can be witnessed in her daily interactions at practice. We are elated for this Oklahoman to join us! "

Johnson competed at the 2019 JO Nationals, earning 15^th place finishes in the all-around and uneven bars. She has been a four-time all-around state champion, earning the top spot in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2019, she also placed first on bars, beam and floor at state competition. At regionals, she was third on both bars and in the all-around. She was a 2018 JO National qualifier after earning a third place finish on vault, fourth on bars and fifth in the all-around at regionals.

She is the daughter of Kim and Derrick Johnson and has three siblings: Beth, Becca and Brandt.

THE JOHNSON FILE
2019 JO Nationals 15^th on bars and all-around 2019 Regionals Third on bars, all-around 2019 State First on bars, beam, floor and the all-around

Katherine LeVasseur / San Antonio, Texas / Mavericks Gymnastics / Photos

LeVasseur is a current level 10 gymnast training at Mavericks Gymnastics in San Antonio, Texas, under the direction of Steve and Gabi Arkell.

"When we first saw Katherine workout, we knew there was something superior about her," Kindler said. "Since committing to the Sooners, Katherine has shown tremendous growth on all four events. She is pure power. She has received a perfect 10.0 score on vault as a JO athlete which is a rare accomplishment! Beyond the gym, Katherine excels in the classroom, has an incredible bond with her sisters and loves to travel and explore! She has been all in for several years and we are so excited this day has finally arrived."

LeVasseur competed at the 2019 JO Nationals, earning a third place finish on vault. At regionals, she earned a perfect 10 on vault to take home first place, while also adding a first place finish on floor, second place in the all-around and a fifth-place finish on beam. At the state championships, she was second on bars, third on vault and the all-around, fourth on beam and fifth on floor. At the 2018 JO Nationals, she picked up a fourth-place finish on bars and beam, a fifth-place finish on vault and a seventh-place finish in the all-around.

She is the daughter of John and Karen LeVasseur and has two siblings: Jennifer and Jaclyn.

THE LeVASSEUR FILE
2019 JO Nationals Third place on vault 2019 Regionals First on vault and floor; second in the all-around; fifth on beam 2019 State Second on bars; third on vault and the all-around; fourth on beam; fifth on floor

Quinn Smith

Quinn Smith / Phoenix, Ariz. / Arizona Sunrays / Photos

Quinn Smith, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., is a level 10 gymnast training at Arizona Sunrays under Dan Witenstein and Pam Evans.

"From the first moment I spoke to her coach about her, I knew that she was unique," Kindler said. "Quinn is witty, intelligent, driven and hard working. She places great emphasis on education and her goal to become an engineer is inspiring! She is especially strong on vault and floor, but that power can be seen in bar releases and beam dismounts as well. What I love about Quinn is her energy, her consistency and her cool nature. She takes things in stride and creates solutions."

Smith competed at the 2018 JO Nationals, earning a first-place finish on vault, a second-place finish on floor, sixth-place on bars and ninth in the all-around. At the Arizona State Championships in 2018, she took home first on vault, bars, floor and the all-around, while adding a fifth place finish on beam. In 2017, she competed at JO Nationals, earning a first place finish in the all-around and on vault, while also placing fourth on beam.

She is the daughter of Rhonda Smith.

THE SMITH FILE
2018 JO Nationals First on vault; second on floor; sixth on bars; ninth in all-around 2018 State First on vault, bars, floor, all-around; fifth on beam 2017 JO Nationals First on vault, all-around; fourth on beam

Meilin Sullivan

Meilin Sullivan / Parkville, Mo. / Fuzion Gymnastics / Photos

Meilin Sullivan is a current level 10 gymnast at Fuzion Gymnastics in Kearney, Mo., where she trains under former OU gymnasts Jackie Flanery-Heredia and Mike Heredia.

"Meilin comes to OU from Fuzion Gymnastics, the gym of former Sooner gymnastics All-American Jackie Heredia (Flanery)," Kindler said. "She is exceptional in the classroom and incredibly creative and artistic. Meilin has beautiful lines and unique skills that make her a standout in the sport. She performs with a calmness and confidence that is innate. Her gymnastics appears effortless and we believe her potential is limitless. We are ecstatic to add her to the 2020 class."

Sullivan competed at the 2019 JO National Championships where she earned a fifth place finish on bars. At regionals, she placed first on bars and beam, third on vault and third in the all-around. At the Missouri State Championships, she was second on bars and the all-around, third on vault and beam and fifth on floor. At the 2018 Jo Nationals, she placed fifth on floor and eighth in the all-around.

She is the daughter of Tom and Tonya Sullivan and has one sister: Maya.

THE SULLIVAN FILE
2019 JO Nationals Fifth on bars 2019 Regionals First on bars, beam; third on vault and all-around 2019 State Second on bars and all-around; third on vault and beam; fifth on floor