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
Photo by: photo shevaun williams
Kindler Signs Nation’s No. 1 Class for 2026
November 12, 2024 | Women's Gymnastics
NORMAN – Head women's gymnastics coach K.J. Kindler announced the signing of four dynamic gymnasts to the program Wednesday. The 2025 class, ranked No. 1 nationally by CollegeGymNews.com, includes Mackenzie Estep, Ella Murphy, Kamila Pawlak and Blakely Roten.
"WOW. This is the word I immediately think of when referencing this signing class," Kindler said. "The talent, character, loyalty, comradery and pride they all exhibit is remarkable. The ability these four women possess is obvious, but the real win is their unmistakable bond. The moment they all accepted our offer, they organically joined forces in friendship. There are a lot of strategies you can use in recruiting, but the ability to put a group together that is as tight knit as this group is like winning the lottery."
"I cannot express how honored we are that they have selected and trusted us with their future endeavors in gymnastics and in life." Kindler continued, "A special thank you to the families and the amazing support they provided as these women made life changing decisions. Sooner fans will be head over heels immediately, just like we were."
Mackenzie "Kenzie" Estep | Auburn, Wash. | Auburn High School | Ascend Gymnastics
Estep, a native of Auburn, Wash., is a level 10 gymnast out of Ascend Gymnastics where she trains under the direction of Brett Wargo, Sarah Korngold and Chris Pitre.
"Kenz was fiercely pursued by every program in the country," Kindler said. "She has intangible qualities that enhance her physical talents and make her incredibly special. She is driven, confident, dedicated and full of life. She is always going over and above what is expected or required."
A four-time Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier, Estep comes to Norman with an impressive array of experience, including five national championships and 10 medal finishes at national competitions. In 2023, she won three national titles on beam, floor and in the all-around. In 2022 she was the national vault champion and in 2021 she claimed the title on bars. Estep is a three-time national vault medalist and two-time medalist on bars, beam and floor. She has earned 15 top 10 finishes in her four Nastia Cup appearances, including a second-place finish on floor and fourth-place finish on vault in 2024.
Estep has an extensive resume at the regional and state level to compliment her national success. A 15-time regional champion, she has earned three-regional crowns on every event and in the all-around, including three-straight from 2021-23 on vault and floor. At the state level, she is a 12-time Washington State Champion, earning three titles on vault and in the all-around and two titles each on bars, beam and floor.
"As I got to know her, it was clear that she was mature beyond her years, thoughtful in her every action and kind to the bone," Kindler said. "I am eager to see the impact she will have on our culture and chemistry at OU when she arrives."
Also excelling in the classroom, Estep attends Auburn High School where she boasts a 4.0 GPA and is on the Green River College Deans List.
Estep is the daughter of Blair and Karen Estep and has one sister, Katie. Her father, Blair, played rugby at the University of Washington and her sister is a Team USA weightlifter. Estep plans to major in business at OU.
"I chose Oklahoma because the team's dynamic is unmatched and exactly what I was looking for in my future home," Estep said. "The coaching staff is incredible, and I wholeheartedly believe they have the tools to help me continue improving as a gymnast and person. Every time I step on campus, I just feel at home. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to join this team. I'm looking forward to joining the team and being surrounded by so many inspirational people on a daily basis. I'm excited to be a part of the Sooner family and to help continue the legacy of OU gymnastics!"
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 9.950 | 9.875 | 9.750 | 9.850 | 39.225 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram (Gymnastics) | Instagram (Personal)
| THE ESTEP FILE |
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Ella Murphy | Frisco, Texas | Prestonwood Christian Academy | World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
Murphy, a native of Frisco, Texas, is a former elite and current level 10 gymnast training at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) under Haiou Sun and Yevgeny Marchenko. Murphy will follow in the footsteps of current OU gymnast Audrey Davis and former Sooners Lara Albright, Natalie Brown, Taylor Spears and Hollie Vise as gymnasts to come to Oklahoma from WOGA.
"Ella's presence in competition is exquisite and captivating," Kindler said. "She has impeccable form and execution which allows her to be nearly flawless in her performances. As the lone former elite in this class, Ella has extensive experience in the most pressure-filled circumstances."
Murphy brings a wealth of elite experience to Oklahoma. A member of the 2022 Junior National Team, she made her international debut at the 2022 DTB Pokal Cup where she won a team gold. Murphy also competed at the 2022 City of Jesolo Trophy, earning another team gold. A two-time competitor at the U.S. Junior Championships, Murphy also competed at the 2022 Winter Cup where she placed second in the all-around, third on beam and fourth on bars.
As a level 10 gymnast this past competitive season, Murphy qualified for the 2024 Nastia Liukin Cup where she finished second on beam, third in the all-around and on bars and fourth on floor. She placed fourth on vault at the Women's Development Program National Championships. She was the gold medalist on beam at the Region 3 meet, while adding a second-place finish in the all-around, third place finish on bars and fourth place finish on floor. At state, she earned gold on beam and added a second-place finish on vault and in the all-around and a third-place finish on bars.
"When I first met Ella, it was impossible not to see her joyous spirit shine through," Kindler said. "She is kind and generous and always has a positive word to share. She will undoubtedly have a magnetic effect on our team's cohesiveness."
Murphy attends Prestonwood Christian Academy where she has been on the AB Honor Roll all four years and boasts a 3.7 GPA.
She is the daughter of Robin and Todd Murphy and has two siblings, Jake and Tyler. She plans to major in sociology with an emphasis in criminology at OU.
"Growing up, OU has always been my favorite team to watch, and I attended all the home meets I could make," Murphy said. "I have always looked up to the OU athletes and wanted to be just like them one day. Once recruiting started, I had one school in mind and that was OU. My first call of the recruiting process was with OU and it was so surreal. Talking to KJ and all the coaches felt so natural and easy. I was so nervous, but they made me feel so special and I instantly fell in love with them all. On my official visit, I knew immediately where I wanted to be and felt at home. The atmosphere and the family feeling at OU is like no other. It was an easy decision and can't wait to be a Sooner and be part of such an amazing program and school."
r. It was an easy decision and can't wait to be a Sooner and be part of such an amazing program and school."
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 9.850 | 9.950 | 9.900 | 9.900 | 38.975 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram| THE MURPHY FILE |
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Kamila Pawlak | Melissa, Texas | Texas Connections Academy | Metroplex Gymnastics
Pawlak, a native of Melissa, Texas, is a level 10 gymnast at Metroplex Gymnastics where she trains under Anna Pawlak, Brian Gemberling and Nikki McElroy.
"Kamila is touted as a top recruit in the nation for the 2025 class and there is no doubt she has lived up to that hype," Kindler said. "She is directed and intentional when she trains and competes. She shows passion and devotion in her daily life."
Pawlak has had an exceptional level 10 career with significant national experience and a perfect 10 on vault and floor. A four-time Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier, she was the 2022 Nastia Cup Champion in the junior division. In her most recent appearance this past year, Pawlak earned gold on beam and finished fourth in the all-around. A four-time national champion, Pawlak earned her first all-around national title at the 2024 Women's Development Program National Championships. She is a three-time Development National Team member.
At the regional and state levels, Pawlak has excelled as a four-time Texas State All-Around Champion and three-time Region 3 Champion. In 2024, Pawlak earned a perfect 10 on floor to win gold at Region 3 Championships, while also placing second on bars and vault and third on beam. In 2023, she also brought home regional titles on bars and floor, while placing second on beam and third on vault.
"One thing that stood out to me during this process was how well she knows herself and what she wants, and how she unapologetically makes decisions that support her plans," Kindler said. "Her tenacity and leadership will immediately inspire our team."
Pawlak is on the honor roll and boasts a 4.0 GPA and plans to major in business at OU.
She is the daughter of Bart and Anna Pawlak and has one sister, Natalia. Her mother, Anna, was on the gymnastics team at Northern Illinois and her sister is a current gymnast at the University of Alabama.
"I decided to commit to OU because as soon as I stepped onto campus, it felt like home," Pawlak said. "The bond between the girls on the team and the coaching staff was just so special and their constant support and encouragement was something that stood out to me. I also wanted to be a part of the legacy of Oklahoma Gymnastics and continue the program's success. I'm looking forward to being a part of a team that feels like family and growing as a person and gymnast. Working hard to strive for a goal with my teammates beside me and representing the program is something I'm so excited for!"
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 10.0 | 9.975 | 9.800 | 10.0 | 39.225 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram (Gymnastics) | Instagram (Personal)
| THE PAWLAK FILE |
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Blakely Roten | San Antonio, Texas | Pieper High School | Southern Gymnastics Club
Roten, a San Antonio, Texas, native is a level 10 gymnast at Southern Gymnastics Club under the direction of Erine Veit, Jeremy Veit and Leonie Gast.
"Blakely has impressed me so much through her resilience and hard work," Kindler said. "You can see that she is a team player through and through and when faced with adversity she will either find a way or make one. She is humble and her faithful spirit allows her to be courageous in times of challenge."
Roten has had a strong level 10 career, including a national championship on floor in 2021 and a spot on the 2022 Development Program National Team. In 2024, she finished fifth on floor at the Women's Development Program National Championship after earning a fourth-place finish on both floor and vault at the Region 3 Championships.
In 2022, she won a trio of titles at the Texas State Championships with first place finishes on vault, bars and the all-around, with a third-place finish on floor and fifth-place finish on beam. Roten was also the 2022 regional champion on floor and placed third in the all-around at nationals. In 2021, Roten was the national champion on floor, while also adding a first-place regional finish on the event to her resume. At regionals in 2021, she also finished third on vault and fourth in the all-around.
"I have seen her progress during this process and am excited to watch her continue to grow," Kindler said. "She impresses on vault and floor with her unhinged power and will be a key contributor out of the gate."
Also shining in the classroom, Roten attends Pieper High School where she is a National Honor Society member, on the A Honor Roll and boasts a 4.0 GPA.
Roten is the daughter of Jay and Wendy Roten and she has two siblings, Rylan and Parker. She plans to major in physical therapy at OU.
"I decided to commit to The University Of Oklahoma because it felt like my home away from home," Roten said. "The coaching staff and team felt like an instant family for me. Nothing could beat the atmosphere of the school and I am so excited to be a part of such an incredible program."
| Personal Bests | Vault | Bars | Beam | Floor | All-Around |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | 9.875 | 9.875 | 9.450 | 9.900 | 38.600 |
PHOTOS: Gallery
SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram | Instagram (Personal)
| THE ROTEN FILE |
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