Completed Event: Women's Gymnastics versus Auburn on April 4, 2025 , Win , 198.025, to, 196.950
Final
Women's Gymnastics
198.025
vs Auburn
196.950
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Kindler Inks Dynamic Group for 2024
November 08, 2023 | Women's Gymnastics
NORMAN – Head coach K.J. Kindler announced the signing of four incredible gymnasts to the Oklahoma women's gymnastics program Wednesday. Elizabeth Blessey, Elle Mueller, Lily Pederson and Kelsey Slade will join the Sooners for the 2024-2025 season.
"We are so excited to announce the signing of this amazing class," Kindler said. "The accolades of these women are lengthy and exceptional, but it is their character and passion that sealed the deal for us! It seems like yesterday when they committed to be Sooners and now the day is finally here."
"All four bring something unique and special to our program and at the same time they are very similar in their ambition and drive. I have already seen an unwavering loyalty in them and a sense of pride to continue moving our program forward. Their emphasis on community and family are a perfect fit."
Elizabeth "Lizzy" Blessey | Mandeville, La. | Mandeville High School | North Shore Gymnastics
Blessey, a native of Mandeville, La., is a level 10 gymnast out of North Shore Gymnastics where she trains under the direction of Nataliya Golberg, Orry Mejia, Minnie Nunez, Amy Krotser and Saundi Lambertson.
"After scouting at a college showcase, Coach Ball came back with one name highlighted on his sheet, "Kindler said. "The name was Lizzy Blessey. He described her as having something special, and an unexpected power and quickness. He saw talent and most importantly, potential."
Blessey competed at the 2023 Women's Development Program Level 10 Nationals as a vault specialist, earning a 10th place finish on the event in her first year as a level 10 gymnast. She was the Level 9 Eastern Nationals Vault Champion in 2022, while also earning second place on floor and third in the all-around. She was the 2022 Region 8 Level 9 vault and floor champion and the 2022 Level 9 Louisiana State All-Around Champion.
At North Shore Gymnastics, she has been honored with the Bruce McGartlin Award for demonstration of leadership skills and sportsmanship, is a three-time recipient of the Coaches Leadership Award and two-time recipient of the Sportsmanship Award.
"As I learned more about her, I discovered that Lizzy was determined," Kindler said. "She is a hard worker and has well thought out goals. It is clear she is passionate about the sport. She was quick to engage with our team and will be a trustworthy and inspiring teammate. We can't wait to welcome her to Norman!"
A star in the classroom, Blessey boasts a 4.35 GPA and has been a Skipper Scholar Award Recipient with a GPA over 3.5 for the last four years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and has been the Mandeville High School Student Council Homeroom Senator for the past two years.
Blessey is the daughter of Peter and Kelli Blessey and has three siblings: Emmy, William and Caroline. She plans to major in health and exercise science at OU.
"I chose to attend OU because I felt a positive connection with the coaching staff and all the girls on the team," Blessey said.
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 9.75 | 8.975 | 9.225 | 9.175 | 36.325 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram
| THE BLESSEY FILE |
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Elle Mueller | Ham Lake, Minn. | Blaine High School | Twin City Twisters
Mueller, a native of Ham Lake, Minn., is a current senior elite gymnast training at Twin City Twisters under coaches Sami Wozney, Sarah Jantzi, Steve Haffeman, Kassandra Nathe, Seth Halland, Addison Hustad and Mike Hunger. Mueller joins OU legends Olivia Trautman and Maggie Nichols as gymnasts to come out of TCT.
"We are honored Elle selected OU as her future home and we know she will have a huge impact on our team in every way," Kindler said. "We have watched Elle's career for a long time. Her gymnastics is elegant, graceful, and technical. She has a bag of skills to pull from and is experienced competing on the biggest stages in the world."
Mueller brings a wealth of elite experience to Oklahoma. A two-time national team member, Mueller made her international debut at the 2022 City of Jesolo Trophy where she won a team gold. Mueller also competed at the 2022 Pan American Championships, earning a team silver. Most recently, she competed at the 2023 DTB Pokal Mixed Cup in Stuttgart Germany, placing fourth with the US National Team.
In February, Mueller finished fifth in the all-around, sixth on uneven bars and eighth on floor exercise at the 2023 Winter Cup. In 2022, she competed at the Winter Cup where she picked up a bronze medal on bars and the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, finishing seventh on floor and eighth in the all-around. In 2019, she was a national champion in the all-around and on beam at the Junior Olympic National Championships, while also finishing third on bars and seventh on vault.
"Elle exhibits leadership qualities and has a very organized approach to both gymnastics and her studies," Kindler said. "She is a loyal friend and supportive teammate and always the loudest voice in the gym. She hails from TCT in Champlin, Minnesota and though she has a legacy of teammates who were Sooners before her, this will be her own remarkable journey."
Also excelling in the classroom, Mueller attends Blaine High School where she has a 3.67 GPA and is on the A Honor Roll.
Mueller is the daughter of Jason and Tara Mueller and has one brother, Ethan. She plans to major in kinesiology at OU.
"I decided on OU because it has been my dream school since I was a little kid," Mueller said. "I love the small college town feel, and the people are so kind and supportive. You have your school that speaks to you and OU spoke to me."
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite | 13.900 | 14.100 | 13.750 | 13.450 | 53.150 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram| THE MUELLER FILE |
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Lily Pederson | White Bear Lake, Minn. | White Bear Lake Area High School | Flips Gymnastics
Pederson, a native of White Bear Lake, Minn., is a level 10 gymnast at Flips Gymnastics where she trains under Bart and Lori Roskoski.
"Lily caught our eye at a very young age," Kindler said. "She had spunk and fire as a young gymnast and as she has grown, those signature characteristics have turned into confidence. Lily is powerful and an entertaining performer. She has competed exceptionally at the National Championships and handles pressure with ease."
Pederson has had an exceptional level 10 career with plenty of national experience. In 2023, she earned gold on bars, silver on beam and the all-around and bronze on vault and floor at the Women's Development Program National Championship. She also took home first on vault, bars and the all-around at the Region 4 Level 10 Championships. At the Tim Rand Invite she scored not one, but two perfect 10s with a perfect mark on vault and bars.
At the 2022 Women's Development Program National Championships, she earned gold on beam and the all-around, silver on bars and bronze on vault and floor. She won gold on three of four events at the 2022 Region 4 Level 10 Championships, taking home the top mark on vault, beam, floor and in the all-around and swept the 2022 Minnesota Level 10 State Championships. Pederson also competed at the prestigious Nastia Liukin Cup where she finished third on vault and bars in the senior division.
"Her ability to prepare meticulously, paying attention to the details, sets her apart. Her smile and obvious joy could light up a room! She accepted our offer on our very first call and has been all-in since then! We are thrilled she has chosen OU!"
Pederson boasts a 3.65 GPA and plans to major in business at Oklahoma.
She is the daughter of Cory and Monica Pederson and she has a twin brother, Talon. Her dad played baseball and hockey at Augsburg College.
"Oklahoma felt like home and will be my family forever," Pederson said.
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.900 | 9.875 | 39.775 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram
| THE PEDERSON FILE |
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Kelsey Slade | Vail, Arizona | Cienega High School | Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics
Slade, an Arizona native, is a level 10 gymnast training at Arizona Dynamics Gymnastics under coaches Gina Mueller-Martin, Tricia Ogle and Ben Mueller-Martin.
"Kelsey has a genuine kindness toward others," Kindler said. "She embraces expectations and is methodical about her training. Her form and execution are exceptional. I am especially intrigued by her unique choreography on beam and floor as well as her sharp presentation and charisma."
Slade has had a strong level 10 career, including a national championship on vault in 2022 and two perfect 10s on the event. She also qualified for the prestigious 2022 Nastia Liukin Cup. In 2023, she won a trio of titles at the Arizona State Championships with first place finishes on vault, beam and the all-around, while also picking up a second place finish on bars and floor. At the 2023 Region 1 Level 10 Championships, she placed first on beam, second on vault and floor and sixth on bars.
Slade earned a first-place finish on bars and in the all-around, a second place finish on vault and floor and a fourth place finish on beam at the 2022 Region 1 Level 10 Championships. That same year, she was first on bars at the 2022 Arizona State Championships while also placing second on vault, beam, floor and in the all-around. In 2021, she placed first in the all-around at the Region 1 Championships and first on bars and beam at the Arizona State Championships.
"When Kelsey came to campus, you could see her face light up with possibility," Kindler said. "Kelsey is a person who is always striving to be better and improve, her drive is consistent. Her emphasis on family and growing relationships will only add to the OU culture!"
Also shining in the classroom, Slade attends Cienega High School where she has a 4.0 GPA and has been on the high honor roll.
Slade is the daughter of Jillian and James Slade and has one brother, Kenny. She plans to major in exercise science at Oklahoma.
"I decided to attend the University of Oklahoma because of the warm, fuzzy feeling I got as soon as I met with the coaching staff and the girls," Slade said. "I know that being away from home will be a major change and having about 20 sisters behind my back and supporting me is something I know I will receive at OU. I want to be a part of the Oklahoma legacy, knowing that we will always have each other's backs. OU is not just a college, it is family."
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 10.0 | 9.850 | 9.800 | 9.800 | 39.100 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram
| THE SLADE FILE |
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