University of Minnesota Athletics
11/11/2026 8:53:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota gymnastics program has signed five student-athletes to its class of 2027, head coach Jenny Hansen announced Wednesday.
All will all join the Golden Gophers in the summer of 2027.
We're thrilled to welcome this signing class to our Gopher family, said head coach Jenny Hansen. They're outstanding students and a great fit for the culture we've built at Minnesota. Each of them brings something different to our lineup, and together they give us depth across all four events. I'm excited to see them grow as students and athletes and make their mark on this program.
Camila Betancourt |Metroplex Gymnastics | Plano, Texas | Texas Connections Academy
A Plano, Texas native, Betancourt comes to Minnesota after a stellar prep career at Metroplex Gymnastics She signed her commitment paperwork on Nov. 11, 2026.
Betancourt is a three-time national qualifier and a 2024 Nastia Cup qualifier, her high scores include marks of 9.675 on vault, 9.65 on bars, 9.6 on beam, and a 9.625 on floor.
I chose The University of Minnesota because the coaches, facility, and overall environment immediately made me feel at home, said Betancourt. From the moment I visited, the coaches and girls welcomed me with open arms and it felt like family. I was also impressed by the facilities and the resources available to support student-athletes succeed both in their sport and academically. It truly feels like a special place where I can grow both as an athlete and as a person.
What stands out about Camila is how well-rounded she is. She's strong on all four events, which gives us a lot of flexibility as we build our lineups, said coach Hansen. There's a special connection for us, too. Camila trains at Metroplex Gymnastics in Texas, where former Gopher standouts Paige Williams and Lexi Montgomery also trained.
Daughter of Carlos Betancourt and Araceli Betancourt, she also has two siblings Carlos and Esperanza Betancourt. Camila has been named a distinguished honor roll member in 2024, 2025, and 2026 and owns a 4.0 GPA. She plans on majoring in Kinesiology.
At Minnesota, my goals are to continue improving in my gymnastics while working hard to earn my spot in lineups. I also want to contribute to my team in every way possible, whether that's through my performance or supporting and encouraging my teammates, said Betancourt. Academically, I hope to maintain a strong GPA and to graduate with a degree that prepares me for success in my future career. Ultimately, I want to make the most of my college experience while successfully balancing my responsibilities as a student athlete.
Ashlyn Jensen | American Twisters | Juniper, Florida | Score Academy
A Juniper, Florida native, Jensen comes to Minnesota after a stellar prep career at American Twisters. She signed her commitment paperwork on Nov. 11, 2026.
Coached by Christy Ramirez and Annmarie Laporta, she is a 2024 and 2025 region eight beam champion and a national qualifier on beam in 2024 and 2025. Her high scores include marks of 9.95 on floor, 9.8 on beam, 9.675 on vault, 9.55 on bars, and a 38.075 all around score.
I chose the University of Minnesota because it feels like the right place for both my gymnastics and my future. My family has deep ties to Minnesota and the University, and being close to those connections while building my own path here means a lot to me, said Jenson. Beyond that, the Gophers' team culture and my future teammates stand out. They are supportive, competitive, and focused on lifting each other up. Academically, Minnesota offers strong programs that align with my goals, and the campus itself has a great balance of energy and community. The gymnastics facility is amazing, and the coaches have shown a genuine commitment to developing their athletes not just in the gym, but as people. That combination of family roots, team environment, academics, facilities, and coaching is exactly what I'm looking for and why Minnesota feels like home.
Ashlyn is an outstanding student and a strong all-around gymnast who fits right in with our team. After an injury kept her from competing last year, we can't wait to see her back out there this season and show what she can do across all four events, Hansen said. It's also special that she'll get to continue competing alongside her club teammate, Avalie Brinn, who's a freshman with us now.
Daughter of Lisa & Clint Jensen, she has a sister Cailen Jensen. She owns a 4.42 GPA and intends to major in Business.
My goals at Minnesota are to push myself to become the best athlete I can be while also making a real impact on the team. I want to be someone my teammates can always count on, whether that's during practice, competition, or outside of the gym, said Jenson. I'm really excited to learn from my coaches, challenge myself, and be part of a team that accomplishes big things together!
Darielis Aviles | Perfection Gymnastics | Liberty Township, Ohio | Lakota East High School
Out of Liberty Township, Ohio Aviles comes to Minnesota after a stellar prep career at Perfection Gymnastics. She signed her commitment paperwork on Nov. 11, 2026.
Coached by Lexie Heffron, Hailey Fairchild, and Enrique Trabanino, her high scores include marks of 9.8 on vault, 9.775 on floor, 9.65 on bars, and 9.625 on beam.
I chose the University of Minnesota because from the moment I stepped on campus, I felt welcomed and knew it was a place where I could belong, said Aviles. I fell in love with the positive and supportive team environment, the coaches, and the values that aligned with my own. I also loved the academic opportunities, the campus, and the structure of the gymnastics program. I could truly see myself growing both as a student and an athlete while building lifelong relationships. Overall, Minnesota felt like the perfect fit for me, both academically and athletically!
Aviles has been a part of the PR National Team since 2022, and is a five time USA Developmental Nationals Qualifier (2021-2026). She is a four-time state champion and three-time regional champion (region five) on vault. Darielis was a 2022 Junior Panamerican Championship bronze medalist. She also earned third on all around as a DP National Team member in 2022, Aviles was the vault champion and placed third on floor at the 2023 Central American and the Caribbean Championships. In 2024, she was a Regional all-around champion and placed seventh on vault at USA Developmental Nationals, she then placed fifth on vault in 2025. At USA Developmental Nationals in 2026, she placed third on vault, fifth on floor and all-around.
Dariellus has gained incredible international experience representing Puerto Rico as a member of its national team, said coach Hansen. She brings tremendous power to her gymnastics, and you see it most on vault and floor, where she can make a real impact for us.
Daughter of Aidaris Jimenez and Misael Aviles and has one sister Daniella Aviles. She is a high honor roll student and plans to major in Mechanical Engineering.
My goals at the University of Minnesota are to earn my degree, maintain a strong GPA, and prepare myself for a successful future career, said Aviles. Athletically, I want to continue improving in gymnastics, contribute as much as I can to the team, and build strong relationships with my teammates. Most importantly, I hope to challenge myself, grow, and become the best version of myself both in and out of the gym.
Claire Gilmer | Kidsport Gymnastics | Winona, Minnesota | Winona Senior High School
A Winona, Minnesota native, Gilmer comes to Minnesota after a stellar prep career at Kidsport Gymnastics. She signed her commitment paperwork on Nov. 11, 2026.
Coached by Lisa Walters, Gilmer has posted career high marks of 9.65 on beam, 9.55 on vault, 9.525 on floor, and 9.1 on bars. She is a two time national qualifier and four time level 10 regional qualifier.
I chose Minnesota because since I was 7 years old, competing for the Gophers has been a dream of mine. The team culture at Minnesota is unmatched, once I stepped on campus and met the team and coaches I knew Minnesota was the place for me.
Claire grew up coming to Gopher meets and cheering on Lexy Ramler and Halle Remlinger, two standouts who came from her club, said Hansen. It's special to see her carry on that tradition and get the chance to compete for the team she grew up watching. Claire absolutely shines on balance beam, and brings an impressive combination of poise and power to floor and vault.
Daughter of Katherine and David Gilmer, she has a sister, Anna Gilmer. She is a AA honor roll through all of her high school years, has taken 9 AP classes, and is a NHS and Spanish Honors Society member. Claire intends to major in business. 
At Minnesota, I want to grow as not only a gymnast but a human being, said Gilmer. I also want to compete with confidence while being surrounded by my best friends.
Abigail Sikon | 360 Elite Gymnastics | San Antonio, Texas| Texas Connections Academy
Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Sikon comes to Minnesota after a stellar prep career at 360 Elite Gymnastics. She signed her commitment paperwork on Nov. 11, 2026.
Coached by Karen Medellin, Sikon has high scores of 9.825 on floor, 9.675 on beam. 9.650 on bars, 9.650 on vault and 38.175 all-around.
I chose the University of Minnesota because right from the second I stepped on campus the coaches and team brought so much positivity, energy, and effort, said Sikon. The team culture is so welcoming, genuine, and close-knit. I have always wanted to compete at the highest level while also being surrounded by a family that truly believes in you, and for me Minnesota was that exact place I wanted to be.
Sikon is a three-time national qualifier, with multiple top-10 placements. She has added her own skill (The Sikon) to the DP Code of points. She was also a 2026 DP National Team member.
Abigail comes from a gymnastics family, with older sisters competing at Nebraska and Gustavus. It's exciting to see her take the next step in her own college gymnastics journey here at Minnesota, said Hansen. She really shines on beam and floor, and I'm excited about how much room she has to grow on vault and bars.
Daughter of Marcin and Elizabeth Sikon, she has two sisters, Mariah and Isabel. Isabel is a gymnast at Nebraska and Mariah competes for Gustavus. Abigail holds a 4.0 GPA and is an eight-time distinguished honor roll member and ranks among the top 10 percent of her class. She intends to major in business law.
Heading into my freshman season at Minnesota, I hope to be able to make an immediate impact by contributing to the lineups as a freshman, said Sikon. Ultimately my end goal would be to compete in the all-around and also become an All-American. Lastly, the biggest goal would be able to make it to the NCAA nationals as a team and bring home first!
