Alabama Gymnastics Signs Stellar Class

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama gymnastics signs six for next year's freshman class head coach Dana Duckworth announced Wednesday.

Karis German, Gabby Gladieux, Zoe Gravier, Lillian Lewis, Lauren Little and Rachel Rybicki are set to join the Crimson Tide next fall, giving the Alabama an outstanding rookie class.

Alabama Head Coach Dana Duckworth Said

"As a class these young women will bring power, athleticism, fierce competitiveness, elegance and passion to the arena floor. Individually, they each have unique gifts, talents and incredible personalities which they will express through their gymnastics, the skills they perform and their competitive excellence. These women want to win not only on the competition floor but in the classroom and the community as well. Their goals match the core values and building blocks of Alabama Gymnastics which continues to enhance our tradition of excellence and legacy of champions. This also means they are up to the challenge of manifesting the attention to detail, resilience and love it takes to be successful. As a staff, we are beyond excited and we know they will thrive and add tremendous depth to our program."

Karis German

5-2 | Spring, Texas | World Champions Centre

Dana Duckworth Said: "Our fans will be awestruck with Karis' explosiveness. A kind-hearted, driven young lady with a unique intensity about her, she is not only an awesome person and gymnast but a self-taught artist and photographer. I look forward to exploring her creative side. She has tremendous power and air awareness, and her tumbling resume has some of the most difficult passes in gymnastics today. She has so many strengths including a mental toughness developed through Elite gymnastics. She has overcome physical set-backs and challenges by leaning on her faith, hard work and genuine foundation of being a blessing to others. We look forward to Karis joining the Crimson Tide."

Karis German Said: "The school, gymnastics family and everything about Alabama instantly felt like home. I felt an instant connection the minute I stepped on campus."

The daughter of Danielle and Perry German
Competes for Laurent and Cecile Landi at the World Champions Centre
Qualified for the U.S. Championships in 2018, 2019, and 2021
2018 U.S. Junior Olympics National Championships All-Around silver medalist
2018 U.S. Junior Olympics National Team
Took sixth in the floor exercise at the 2021 U.S. National Championships
Slated to graduate from Ignite Christian Academy in May

Gabby Gladieux

5-4 | Greensboro, N.C. | High Point Gymnastics Academy

Dana Duckworth Said: "Mature beyond her years, Gabby is a gamer. She thrives under pressure, loves to compete, and has a fire that makes her self-motivated, disciplined and hungry for more. She has power on all four events. What always stood out for me watching her in the recruiting process is she cares about her teammates' success as much as she cares about her own. She has a calm, cool and collected personality which makes her extremely consistent. Gabby is one of those gymnasts who will lead by example, modeling the behaviors and mental strength of a champion. She has a faith, tenacity and perspective on life that I just love. Another four-event athlete with strong character, leadership and competitive charisma. We can't wait for her arrival and are beyond excited she chose Bama to continue her amazing career."

Gabby Gladieux Said: "The first time I stepped on campus at the University of Alabama, it immediately felt like home. The staff, coaches, team and family environment made me realize that I wouldn't want to spend the next four years anywhere else. The atmosphere that they set within their program would not only allow me to achieve my goals as a student-athlete but, help me grow to become the best version of myself."

The daughter of Jill and Sean Gladieux
Compete for Rob Travers, Buddy Thorburn and Drew Hendershot at High Point Gymnastics Academy
Three-time U.S. Junior Olympics National qualifier
2018 Junior Olympics National Team member
2019 Nastia Liukin Cup Jr. Champion
2019 U.S. National Vault Champion
Three-time Nastia Liukin Cup Qualifier
2019 North Carolina All-Around Champion
Two-time All-Around Regional Champion
Slated to graduate from Northern Guilford High School with a 4.0 grade point average

Zoe Gravier

5-2 | Holmedel, N.J. | First State Gymnastics

Dana Duckworth Said: "Beyond her accolades, Zoe has had a unique journey throughout her elite and developmental program gymnastics career and we are absolutely thrilled that she chose The University of Alabama to continue her dream to compete in college. She has shown incredible strength and resilience, approaching life with confidence and a deep belief in herself. She is not only a hard-worker in the gym but a supportive teammate. Along with her incredibly elegant style and graceful look, she is funny, witty and has an awesome sense of humor. With her clean form and pretty lines on bars and beam we expect her to be a competitor that brings a beautiful style and balance to this powerful class. She has done gymnastics her entire life, competed on some the biggest stages and her competitive mindset and experience will be an amazing addition to our team."

Zoe Gravier Said: "I chose Alabama because of the current and past accomplishments of the team along with the amazing college experience the school has to offer. It's an honor to know that I will be pushed academically and athletically to grow and develop personally in all areas of my life."

The daughter of Paulina and Christian Gravier
Competes for Slava Glazounov, Brooke Parker and Paige Schiavone
All-Around silver medalist at the 2017 U.S. Junior Olympics National Championships
Member of the 2017 U.S. Junior Olympics National Team
Trained Elite gymnastics starting with Junior Elite in 2018
American Classic, G.K. Classic and U.S. Championships qualifier
2021 U.S. Region 7 Champion in the uneven bars and vault and second place in the all-around
Qualified to 2021 U.S. Junior Olympics National Championships
Honor Roll student at Pearson Academy

Lillian Lewis

5-1 | Pleasanton, Calif. | San Mateo Gymnastics

Dana Duckworth Said: "Lillian is a smart, petite and mighty student-athlete with the biggest heart and a strong work ethic. She excels on all four events, has excellent lines and an athleticism that will stand out in college gymnastics. She will blossom in all areas of her life and make an impression with her infectious smile. Lillian connected with Alabama immediately and she recognized the vision of our program in our first conversation. She has been an awesome communicator since day one and I can't wait to see her confidence grow while competing under the bright lights. It is an honor to have her travel across the country to join the Bama Nation."

Lillian Lewis Said: "I chose Alabama because of the wonderful coaching staff, amazing gymnastics program, and the family-oriented team environment. When I stepped on the campus, I felt welcomed and at home. I know that this is a place where I will have the opportunity and support that I will need to to reach my fullest potential academically and athletically. I also know that I will be able to grow as a person and be prepared for life after college. I am so excited for my future at Bama."

The daughter of Milly and Andre Lewis
Competes for Armen Astonian and Oksana Bystrova at San Mateo Gymnastics
Won the balance beam and took third in the all-around at the 2018 U.S. Junior Olympics National Championships
2018 U.S. Junior Olympics National Team qualifier
Competed at 2018 G.K. Classic
Honor Roll student at Connections Academy

Lauren Little

5-3 | Mooresville, N.C. | Everest Gymnastics

Dana Duckworth Said: "Determined, laser focused and hardworking, Lauren Little has a fighter's mentality in her training with determination that comes deep from her heart. She is highly disciplined in all areas of her life and from her first visit to campus we felt strongly she could contribute on all four events and make an excellent teammate as she has learned to push through adversity and never waiver in her positive attitude and optimism. Because of her extraordinary technique and style, she has the potential to be one of the nation's best bar workers."

Lauren Little Said: "I have been a lifelong Crimson Tide fan! When visiting campus, I loved the environment and atmosphere of the University as a whole. I cannot wait to be a part of this top academic and athletic program.

The daughter of Anita and Frank Little
Competes for Qi Han and Yiwen Chen at Everest Gymnastics
Seven-year Elite gymnast, qualifying as a U.S. Junior Elite in 2016
Competed at the 2016, 2017 and 2019 U.S. Championships, taking seventh in the uneven bars in 2019 and fifth in the vault in 2016
Took ninth in the all-around at the 2016 Nastia Liukin Cup
Competed at the U.S. Classic from 2016-2021, posting top-10 finishes in the uneven bars and vault
A/B Honor Roll throughout her career at Pine Lake Preparatory
Key Club

Rachel Rybicki

5-1 | Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. | Olympia Gymnastics Academy

Dana Duckworth Said: "Becoming an Alabama gymnast has been one of Rachel's lifelong dreams and her drive to reach that goal has been unrelenting. She brings great quickness to vault and floor and is aggressive on all four events. She has an outgoing, bubbly personality and a great smile, and her excitement to join the Bama family is absolutely contagious. A larger-than-life performer, she brings great artistry to her gymnastics, which will quickly make her a fan favorite. She loves the sport of gymnastics, which shows in the way she has improved on every event year-after-year, and we are looking forward to continuing that progress."

Rachel Rybicki Said: "I loved the coaches and the family atmosphere between the team at Alabama. My personal goal is to continue to improve my gymnastics and I couldn't think of a better place with the technical, mental and emotional support they have within the program."

The daughter of Juli and Ben Rybicki
Competes for Jordyn Childers and Deanna Sigler at Olympia Gymnastics Academy
Two-time U.S. Championships qualifier
Led Olympia Gymnastics Academy to the 2020 Junior Olympics team championship
Michigan Floor champion
Eastern U.S. National Championships qualifier
Eastern U.S. National Champion in the balance beam and uneven bars
Led Olympia to the Michigan Level 10 State Championship
Member of the National Honors Society and National Spanish Honors Society at Grosse Pointe South High School

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