Kindler Signs Incredible Group for 2021

NORMAN — Head coach K.J. Kindler and the Oklahoma women's gymnastics program announced the signing of four incredible gymnasts Thursday. Jordan Bowers, Danae Fletcher, Moorea Linker and Danielle Sievers will join the Sooners for the 2021-22 season.

"We are honored to announce these four amazing women today as future Sooners," Kindler said. "This group has been remarkable during the past year as challenges and obstacles were thrown their way. They have explored new ways of training, found optimism in uncertain situations, and revitalized their passion for the sport. They have navigated unique schooling and testing and have risen above all the chaos. The adversity they have faced in 2020 will strengthen them and give them invaluable perspective as they embark on their collegiate journey."

"It is easy to read the accolades of this class and be impressed. We have been persuaded not only by their accomplishments, but by their unbelievable potential to continue to achieve. They are self-starters. They are leaders. To say this is a class unlike any other is legitimate. As we continue to find our way in this unusual time, we want to commend them all for the brightness and positivity they radiate. Even following the cancelation of their official visit this fall, they responded with hopefulness and enthusiasm. We are so proud that this opportunity continues to spark their sense of adventure. And now the journey truly begins!"

2020 WGYM BOWERS

Jordan Bowers / Lincoln, Neb. / Triniti Gymnastics / Photos

Bowers, a Lincoln, Neb., native is an elite level gymnast currently training at Triniti Gymnastics under the direction of Dawn and Vern Moore. Bowers joins an elite group of former Junior and Senior National Team Members who have also been Sooners including former gymnasts Hollie Vise, Natasha Kelley, Rebecca Clark, Brenna Dowell, McKenzie Wofford and Maggie Nichols and current Sooners Olivia Trautman, Ragan Smith and Audrey Davis.

"Jo was driven at a very young age," Kindler said. "She attended OU camps when she was barely a young girl in double digits, and I recall her wanting to do and try anything you could throw her way. Fast forward a couple years when I visited her gym in Lincoln, and I was mesmerized by the variety of skills she was capable of performing with precision and ease. Her tumbling resume was beyond most I had ever seen in person. She was eager and passionate then, and these qualities have followed her throughout her young career. It was after this point that Jordan achieved a personal goal and made the National Team, competing internationally for the USA and at the USA Championships. Now, two years later, we are excited to announce she is signing with the Sooners."

Bowers brings extensive international experience to Oklahoma. A national team member from 2017-2018, she competed at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships where she earned a gold medal in the all-around, floor and the team competition. Bowers also earned a bronze medal on bars. She brought home five medals at the Pan American Championships, earning a team gold along with gold on bars, floor and the all-around and a bronze medal on beam.

"Jordan and her family's loyalty have never wavered during this process, even with the COVID roadblocks we have encountered this past year. Her strength of character and genuine excitement to be a Sooner will strengthen our team from the inside out. She is undoubtedly a four event athlete who will compete all-around for the Sooners. Our fans will identify with her charisma and leadership on the competition floor. We are honored she has chosen OU to continue her remarkable career."

Bowers is the daughter of John and Tracy Bowers and has one sister, Felicity. She plans to major in nutrition and exercise science.

"I chose to come to Oklahoma because it felt like home," Bowers said. "I feel like I can excel in all aspects of my life here at OU."

THE BOWERS FILE
2018 Pacific Rim Championships Team Gold Individual Gold in all-around and floor Individual Bronze on bars 2018 Pan American Games Team Gold Individual Gold in all-around, bars, floor Individual Bronze on beam 2017-2018 National Team Member 2013-2016 Developmental Team 2017-2019 National Team Camp

2020 WGYM FLETCHER (UPDATE)

Danae Fletcher / Philadelphia, Pa. / MG Elite / Photos

Fletcher, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., is a current level 10 gymnast at MG Elite where she trains under Victoria Levine. Fletcher will join the Sooners early for the 2021 season.

"She excels on all four events and her technique is precise and detailed," Kindler said. "She has a strong work ethic and an inextinguishable spirit. She is disciplined, devoted, and driven. She will travel across the country to join the Sooners and her excitement to arrive on campus is contagious! Danae is expected to contribute on all four events for the Sooners. Her technique is enviable on bars where her swing and excellent line make her a standout. As national champion on floor, it is obvious that she will excel on this event. I believe Danae's ability to put things in perspective and push through adversity will make her an excellent and motivating example to her teammates."

Fletcher is a 2019 National Level 10 JO National Team Member after placing fourth in the all-around and winning the floor championship.. As a young athlete she attended USA developmental camps. In 2019 she also earned first place on bars, floor and the all-around at the New Jersey State Championships, along with first place finishes on the same events at regionals.

"Danae has traveled a path unlike many others in our 2020 signing class. She has shown a resilience and strength that can only come from approaching and conquering obstacles with optimism and vigor. After losing her father this past spring, she made the choice to join the Sooners in early 2021. This decision was encouraged by her family who have provided an incredible example and support to Danae. We are pumped for her arrival."

Fletcher is the daughter of Shina Mitchell and the late David Fletcher. She has four siblings: Zahera, Raisjah, Eric and Atiya. She plans to major in international business and sports management.

"From the first moment I spoke with KJ, she took the time to get to know me more on a personal level rather than just as an athlete," Fletcher said. "The amount of compassion she has shown my family, in some of our darkest times, has shown how open their hearts are in welcoming me to the Sooner family. After getting to know Tom, Lou, Jenn, and the rest of the staff and team I knew I could spend the next four years at the University of Oklahoma. The campus is stunning and I fell in love with the warm atmosphere. I'm so grateful to be a part of such a legacy!"

THE FLETCHER FILE
2019 JO Nationals First on floor; fourth in the all-around 2019 State First on bars, floor and the all-around 2019 Regionals First on bars, floor and the all-around JO Region 7 All-Star Team JO National Team

WGYM 2020 LINKER

Moorea Linker / Tampa, Fla. / LaFleur's / Photos

Linker hails from Tampa, Fla., where she trains as a level 10 gymnast under Alecia Polina and Jeff LaFleur. Linker will be reunited with former teammate and current Sooner freshman Julianne Fehring.

"Moorea is a motivated athlete, an independent thinker and a tremendous talent," Kindler said. "When she competes, her aggressiveness and confidence shine through. She has an impact on her audience, captivating the attention in the room. According to her coaches, Moorea is the absolute epitome of competitive and is in a league of her own when it comes to goal setting and achievement. She has traveled internationally to the Maccabiah Games in Jerusalem, Israel. This experience fell right into line with Moorea's personal goals. In our conversations she has indicated that she has a sense of adventure and a desire to travel and explore throughout her collegiate experience."

Linker is a member of the USA Junior National Level 10 Team and was a standout in 2019 when she performed a tumbling pass and vault that are rarely competed at that level. Her double twisting double back and double twisting Yurchenko allowed her to earn the title of JO Champion on both these events.

"Moorea and her family have displayed great resilience through this unusual COVID recruitment. She has shown a maturity and confidence beyond her years. We are thrilled for her to join this class as a leader and visionary. She will undoubtedly contribute on all four events for the Sooners possessing the power and quickness for floor and vault and the steady calm confidence on Beam and Bars. Her fiery and outgoing personality will endear her to our Sooner fanbase."

She is the daughter of Josh and Brooke Linker and has two siblings: Mason and Carson. She plans on majoring in pre-med to study veterinary science.

"I decided to attend OU because of how much I liked the coaches and how much I felt at home as soon as I walked on campus," Linker said. "The gymnastics program is amazing and they will help me achieve my ultimate goal of winning an NCAA title."

THE LINKER FILE
2019 JO Nationals First on vault and floor Beam medalist National Team Champion 2018 JO Nationals First on floor Vault medalist National Team Champion 2017 JO Nationals Floor medalist2017 2017 Maccabiah Games (Israel) Gold on vault Team Silver

Danielle Sievers / Gary, South Dakota / All American Gymnastics Academy / Photos

A level 10 gymnast out of All American Gymnastics Academy in Gary, South Dakota, Sievers trains under Gene Luke and Keli Kitaura.

"Dani is always striving to reach new heights in our sport," Kindler said. "She sets ambitious goals and reaches them year after year. It is rare to repeat as a National Champion and Dani has achieved this for three consecutive seasons in a row on floor at the Level 10 National Championship. She has proven that she is consistently the best in the country on this event with her combination of powerful tumbling and captivating dance. She has shown continuous growth throughout her career thus far. She is capable of high-level elite skills on all four events and has continued to upgrade her routines and skill resume during the past 18 months."

Sievers is a three-time national floor champion, claiming the title in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In 2018, she was named to the JO National Team when she earned a fourth place finish in the all-around and a fifth-place finish on vault at nationals. Sievers has excelled at the state and regional levels, earning a first place finish on floor at regionals three years in a row. At the state level, she earned first place on vault, bars, floor and the all-around in 2018 and first place on floor, vault and the all-around in 2019.

"Dani is expected to compete as an all-arounder for OU. As a Region 4 athlete, she has gymnastics in her blood. Her sister Meaghan was a standout at Iowa State University and Dani will continue the family tradition as a Sooner! Her family bond is strong and the choice to step this far away from home was a bold and ambitious one. Our goal is to become her family away from home as she pursues her collegiate dreams."

Sievers is the daughter of Dan and Karen Sievers and has three siblings: Aidan, Meaghan and Devon. Her major is undecided.

"I chose OU because of the coaches, the team and the amazing academic programs," Sievers said. "When I first stepped on campus, I knew that I could call this place home. I'm super excited to get started! Boomer Sooner!"

THE SIEVERS FILE
Three-time JO National Floor Champion 2017, 2018, 2019 2019 Regionals First on vault, floor; Fourth in the all-around 2019 State First on floor, vault, all-around 2018 Regionals First on floor; third in the all-around 2017 Regionals First on floor and all-around; second on bars; third on beam 2017 State First on vault, bars, floor and all-around 2015 US Secret Classic HOPES Qualifier