Spartan Gymnastics Signs Five Gymnasts for 2021 Season

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State gymnastics head coach Mike Rowe announced the signings of five incoming freshmen to the Spartans' 2021 roster.

"This incoming freshmen class has met the bar we've set for our current Spartans, but will definitely be challenging them to push everyone to their best potential, keeping us on track with pushing through the expectations and goals we surpassed last season," Rowe said.

Baleigh Garcia • Boca Raton, Fla. • West Boca Raton High School • American Twistars Gymnastics Club

Rowe on Garcia: "Baleigh comes to us from American Twisters in Coconut Creek, Florida, as a former teammate of our own senior success, Lea Mitchell. Baleigh has had a very consistent J.O. career in that she's a dynamic, powerful factor on the leg events, but is also very technical, with great artistry, always competing with poise and confidence. Her natural ability and technical fundamentals drilled over the course of her career have primed Bay to be a great all-around contributor and impact player for the Spartans this year."

Prior to MSU: Attended West Boca Raton Community High School … Trains at American Twistars Gymnastics Club in Coconut Creek, Fla., and coached by Christy Ramierez and Gary Anderson … Seven-year level 10 … 2014 U.S. Secret Classic Vault Champion … 2015 Hopes qualifier … Placed first on vault and floor and second all-around at the 2020 Magical Classic … Won the all-around with first place finishes on vault, bars and floor and third on beam at 2020 Elevate the Stage … Placed first on floor, second on beam and third on vault and all-around at the 2020 Tim Rand Invitational … Placed sixth on vault at the 2019 J.O. National Championships … Finished fourth on beam and all-around at the 2019 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals … Earned an all-around title and placed first on beam, second on bars and third on vault at the 2019 Florida Level 10 State Championships … Finished third on beam at the 2018 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals … Placed second all-around at the 2018 Florida Level 10 State Championships with a first place finish on vault … Finished seventh on vault at the 2017 J.O. National Championships … Placed third on all-around and vault and first on beam at the 2017 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals … Placed fourth all-around with second place finishes on vault, bars and beam at the 2017 Florida Level 10 State Championships … Placed 10^th in the all-around competition at the 2016 J.O. National Championships … Finished second on vault and all-around and third on beam at the 2016 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals … Won the all-around competition with first place finishes on vault, bars and beam and placed sixth on floor at the 2016 Florida Level 10 State Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Danielle and Alex Garcia … Has a sister, Hannah.

Naomi German • Bloomfield Hills, Mich. • Bloomfield Hills High School • Olympia Gymnastics Academy

Rowe on German: "Naomi comes to us from Olympia Gymnastics Academy, where she has been competing four years at Level 10. Naomi trains all-around with strong potential on competing all-around. Her immediate strengths are on vault and bars, but we see a lot of unbridled potential on beam and floor as well. We are excited for potential upgrades on every event that will definitely keep her a strong contender, challenging her teammates and accentuating the strength in depth we are striving to attain."

Prior to MSU: Attended Bloomfield Hills High School … Trains at Olympia Gymnastics Academy, coached by Lori Koch … Four-year level 10 competitor … Placed first on beam and third on vault and floor at the 2020 Athlete Warrior Challenge … Placed third on vault, fourth on bars and all-around at 2020 Elevate the Stage … Finished second in the all-around with a second place finish on floor and tying for first on beam at the 2019 Michigan Level 10 State Meet … 2019 Region 5 Level 10 Regional qualifier … Placed second in all-around with a first place finish on beam and second on floor at the 2019 Michigan Level 10 State Championships … 2018 J.O. National qualifier … 2018 Region 5 Regional qualifier.

Personal: Daughter of Luska and Alston German … Has a sister, Anna, and brother, Andre.

Delanie Harkness • Leslie, Mich. • Leslie High School • Twistars Gymnastics Club

Rowe on Harkness: "A five-time Junior Olympic National qualifier with a National Champion accolade on the uneven bars and also in the all-around, Delanie comes to us with a resume including State, Regional, National and even Elite honors. 'D' brings a high technical skill level, along with her natural ability to make our sport look easy. Her artistry and grace, along with her contagious personality will make her another important all-around contributor and fan favorite, ultimately strengthening next season's line-ups."

Prior to MSU: Attended Leslie High School … Trained at Twistars Gymnastics Club, coached by Brett Wargo and Kathryn Geddert … Eight-year level 10 competitor … Three-time Level 10 Region 5 Regional All-Around Champion and All-Star Team member … 2014 Uneven Bars and All-Around Junior Olympic National Champion … Five-time J.O. Nationals qualifier and as an Elite in 2014, qualified to the U.S. Covergirl Classic and P&G Championships … Named the 2014 J.O. Athlete of the Year … Represented Region 5 and the USA on All-Star team assignments to the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica and Puerto Rico … Placed second all-around, first on bars, second on vault and first on bars at the 2020 Circle of Stars … Finished first in the all-around competition, first on bars, second on floor and third on vault at the 2020 Born to Fly … Placed second on bars and floor at the 2020 Winter Cup Classic … Placed ninth on floor at the 2019 J.O. National Championships … Finished first in all-around and on bars and beam, second on floor and third on vault at the 2019 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals … Placed first on bars and third on floor at the 2019 Michigan Level 10 State Meet … Placed ninth on bars at the 2018 J.O. National Championships … Finished first on floor and sixth all-around at 2018 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals … Placed third all-around, second on bars, beam and floor and fourth on vault at the 2018 Michigan Level 10 State Meet … Placed second on bars, fifth on floor at the 2017 J.O. National Championships … Placed second on bars, fifth on floor at the 2017 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals … Finished fourth all-around, first on bars and fifth on floor and vault at the 2017 Michigan Level 10 State Meet … Placed third on bars and ninth on floor at the 2016 J.O. National Championships … Won the all-around competition with first place finishes on floor, beam and bars at the 2016 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals … Placed first on floor, fourth on bars at the 2016 Michigan Level 10 State Meet … Placed ninth on bars at the 2014 P&G Championships … Placed ninth on bars at the 2014 U.S. Secret Classic … Won the all-around competition with first place finishes on floor and bars at the 2014 J.O. National Championships … Tied for fifth in the all-around, with a first place finish on floor and tying for first on bars at the 2014 Region 5 Level 10 Regionals … Placed third in the all-around, with a first place finish on floor, second on bars and fifth on beam at the 2014 Michigan Level 10 State Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Shannon and Jim Harkness.

Sydney Hayashi • Westerville, Ohio • Westerville Central High School • Buckeye Gymnastics

Rowe on Hayashi: "Sydney hails from Buckeye Gymnastics in Westerville, Ohio and has competed for five years as a level 10. Her strengths lie on bars, beam and floor and her skills, artistry and confidence make her a strong force that, without a doubt will also be vying for line-ups this season. Vault is coming along and don't be surprised as Sydney's striving for all-around status as well."

Prior to MSU: Attended Westerville Central High School … Trains at Buckeye Gymnastics … Five-year level 10 competitor … Placed fifth all-around and fourth on bars at the 2020 California Grand Invitational … Placed fourth on bars at the 2020 Elevate the Stage … Finished fourth in the all-around and on bars at the 2020 Metroplex Challenge … 2019 Level 10 J.O. National Qualifier … Placed first on vault and beam at the 2020 Region 5 Level 10 Championships … Placed third in the all-around, composed of first on bars, third on beam, fourth on floor and seventh on vault at the 2019 Ohio Level 10 State Championships.

Personal: Daughter of Anson Hayashi and Jill Teruya.

Giana Kalefe • Corona, Calif. • Santiago High School • Wildfire Gymnastics

Rowe on Kalefe: "Giana Kalefe will be joining an already strong incoming freshman class and I am confident that she will also be vying for an all-around spot. She exhibits power and great technique on the leg events, along with her consistency and overall artistry on all four events. Giana will be another standout and great asset to our program."

Prior to MSU: Attended Santiago High School … Trained at Wildfire Gymnastics, coached by Whitney Dames and Rick Watson … Five-year level 10 competitor … Placed fourth all-around including third on beam and floor and fourth on vault at the 2020 Carol Galetta Classic … Finished fourth in the all-around competition, composed of first on floor, second on beam and fourth on vault at the 2020 Pacific Classic … Earned second place in all-around with second on bars and beam and third on floor at the 2020 Spirals Beach Classic … Earned second place in the all-around and floor, third on vault at the 2020 San Diego Classic … 2019 J.O. Nationals qualifier … Placed sixth in the all-around competition at the 2019 Region 1 Level 10 Regionals … Finished fourth in all-around and on floor, second on bars at the 2019 SO-CA Level 10 State Meet … 2018 Region 1 Level 10 Regional qualifier … Placed fourth in all-around and bars, third on beam and floor at the 2018 Pacific Classic … Earned the all-around title and titles on bars and beam, with a fourth place finish on floor at the 2017 Daytona Beach Classic.

Personal: Daughter of Lucky Luch and Renee Kalefe … Has a sister, Sophia.

Players Mentioned

Lea Mitchell

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