University of Minnesota Athletics
'U' Adds Two to 2025-26 Roster
8/5/2025 11:30:00 AM | Gymnastics
Emma Slevin and Stella Kate Skenteris are the newest Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS -- The University of Minnesota gymnastics program has added two student-athletes to the signing class of 2025, head coach Jenny Hansen announced Tuesday.
Stella Kate Skenteris (Fayetteville,N.C.) and Emma Slevin (Galway, Ireland) will join the team at the end of August and be on the roster for the 2025-26 season.
"Both Emma and Stella visited campus this summer and were a tremendous fit with our team and culture," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "We can't wait to get them on campus in a few weeks!"
Stella Kate Skenteris | Team Attraction Gymnastics | Homeschooled | Fayetteville, N.C.
A Fayetteville, N.C., native, Stella Kate Skenteris signed with Minnesota after taking a visit in July and will have four years of eligibility beginning this season.
Before Minnesota, she competed in club Team Attraction Gymnastics under coach Monica Ward. Her club honors include placing fifth on bars at the 2024 North Carolina State Championships, fifth on bars and fourth on beam at the 2025 North Carolina State Championships. Skenteris also took 10th on all-around and sixth on floor at 2025 Region 8 Level 10 Regionals.
"From the moment I stepped on campus Minnesota felt like home," Skenteris said. "Everyone was so welcoming and the team culture really stood out to me. It also offers the perfect balance between high level academics and athletics. From the resources for student athletes to the city of Minneapolis, I have confidence that this is where I can thrive for the next four years."
Her high scores include 9.675 on vault, 9.575 on bars, 9.4 on beam and 9.450 on the floor. At her club banquet in 2024, she received the Coach's Award. In 2025, she earned Athlete of the Year and Best Performance in the regular season at her club.
"Stella is a tremendous athlete with great potential to make an impact right away," said coach Hansen. "She brings great power and beautiful lines when performing and has potential to contribute on all four events."
The daughter of Ashley Clayton and Jimmy Skenteris, she has one older brother, Michael. She also has her step-dad, Robert Clayton, in her life. Stella Kate plans on majoring in psychology at the 'U.'
"I really want to make lineup and produce scores that will help our team succeed," she said.
Emma Slevin | Renmore Gymnastics | Coláiste Bhaile Chláir H.S. | Galway, IrelandHailing from Galway, Ireland, Emma Slevin comes to Minnesota with two years of eligibility remaining after competing overseas. She signed with the Gophers last week after visiting in July. In club, she competed for Renmore Gymnastics under head coach Chris Muras.
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I genuinely loved my visit," Slevin said. "I felt an immediate sense of belonging. The campus environment, the faculty engagement and the program's facilities stood out to me. It was how welcoming everyone was, and how inspired I felt. It immediately felt like a place where I could thrive."
Slevin was the first Irish female gymnast to qualify for a senior all-around final at the European Championships and at the World Championships, doing both in 2021. She was also the 2022 and 2024 Northern European all-around champion and a medalist on bars, beam and floor in 2024. She also earned the bars title at the Irish National Championships in 2025.
"We're thrilled to welcome Emma to the University of Minnesota," said head coach Jenny Hansen. "She has impressive experience with the Irish National team and will shine in the NCAA with her high level of difficulty and beautifully executed gymnastics. We anticipate that she will push to make line-ups on all four events right away."
The daughter of Deirdre and Liam Slevin, Emma has an older brother, Mark, and a twin sister, Kate. Kate plays professional soccer in Ireland while her dad and brother played traditional Gaelic sports. She plans on majoring in sport and exercise science at Minnesota.
"I'm excited to start this next chapter at Minnesota and focus on growing every day, both as an athlete and a teammate. I want to bring my best to practices and competitions, help the team reach new heights and really just enjoy the journey with everyone along the way," said Slevin.