Iowa City Today

The University of Iowa has announced the addition of five gymnasts to its women’s gymnastics program for the 2026 season. Head coach Jen Llewellyn confirmed the signings of Sophie Cassese, Lindsey Merdes, Mackenzie Osborne, Leah Urnikis, and Sydney Williams.

Sophie Cassese, from Princeton, New Jersey, attends Princeton High School and trains at Arena Gymnastics. She is a two-time New Jersey state champion on vault and a three-time regionals medalist in the same event. In 2025, she earned a regionals medal on beam and was runner-up in the all-around at the state level. Coach Llewellyn said, “Sophie’s showed commitment to Iowa from the beginning of her recruitment process. Going back to summer camps, Sophie was committed to joining us regardless of the obstacles and adversities thrown her way. Her work ethic, focus, and steady presence will add an enormous amount to our culture. Sophie will bring us depth on vault, beam, and floor. Her calm logical presence mixed with a fierce spirit will add energy to the team. We are so glad she is a GymHawk!”

Lindsey Merdes comes from Mequon, Wisconsin, where she attends Divine Savior Holy Angels High School and competes for Lafleur’s Academy of Gymnastics. Merdes is a three-time USAG D.P. National Qualifier and won the 2025 Region 4 All Around title with a score of 38.425. At the 2024 D.P Nationals, she finished sixth in all around competition and also placed seventh on vault and ninth on floor. She was runner up in Region 4 all around in 2024 as well as champion on beam that year with a score of 9.600. Additional achievements include being a Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier in 2023 along with academic honors such as First Honors (four times) and membership in National Honors Society. Llewellyn commented: “Lindsey was our first verbal commitment from this class and was all in helping us build our culture from the start. She is loyal and committed to the mission and will bring a steady poise and presence to the line ups. She is a 3-star recruit that will bring athletic prowess in the all-around. She will empower the line ups with grace, and experience in all 4 events. Her consistent and competitive drive will pay dividends for herself and Iowa Gymnastics. We are excited to officially welcome Lindsey to the Hawkeye Family.”

Mackenzie Osborne joins from Alpharetta, Georgia’s Centennial High School where she represents Georgia All Star Gymnastics. Osborne qualified for nationals in 2025 under D.P., twice qualified for Region 8 Championships, was Georgia State runner up (all around) for 2025, made Honor Roll four times, belongs to National Honors Society, and served as team captain three times during high school gymnastics career.“Mackenzie’s gymnastics is beautiful to watch," Llewellyn said."She makes it look effortless and has a graceful presence in her ability.She will immediately add strength into all 4 events by bringing consistency in the bar line up.It has been fun to watch her growth through the recruiting process,and I can’t wait to see how far she can climb.Mackenzie is full of potential with a very high ceiling.The best is yet to come for Mackenzieand we cannot wait to get to watch her success unfold as a GymHawk!”

Leah Urnikis hails from O’Fallon Missouri's Francis Howell High School where she competes for GymQuarters Gymnastics Center.Urnikis became a national qualifier (D.P.) for 2025.Further results include third place on vault at Missouri State Championships (2025), fourth place on floor at regionals (2025), runner-up finishes at both Regionals (vault)and Missouri State(beam)in 2024.She won Western Nationals vault title(9.60)in 2023,and was state runner up(all around)that year.She also achieved Honor Roll status four times while belongingto National Honors Society.Llewellyn stated:“Leah is an all-around,incredible human being.She has impressed us so much through her growth in therecruiting processwith herdiligenceand work ethic.She has flown under theradarandwill blossom inthe coming years.We are grateful togetto workwithherand see how muchof an impactshewill bringtoour program.Herhumbleandkind spiritwill be magneticin addingtoour teamcultureandto thosearoundher.We are thrilledto have Leahas amemberofour Hawkeye Family!”

Sydney Williams arrives from Vallejo California's Elise P Buckingham Charter Magnet High where she trained at Dream Xtreme.Williams is athree-time D.P.National Qualifier.Invitational highlights include winning Lady Luck Invitational(vault)in2025with acareer-high9.9,sixth place(all around)at Northern California State Championships(2025),fourth(all around)at Region1 Championships,and two appearanceson Honor Roll.“Sydney is a POWERHOUSE.She is versatileandwillbring avarietyofunique skillsto the lineups.When you see ‘Dubz’in Carver,she will bringa WOW factorwithher funand energetic personalitythatwill shineonthe competition floor.Dubzis relentless inher pursuitandis determinedto achievethe goals shesets hersights on.Her driveand motivationwill be acatalystforher continuedgrowthand upward trajectoryofour entireprogram!We are thrilledsheis officiallyjoiningthe Hawkeye Family!” said Llewellyn.