Brink Welcomes Six Newcomers

Head Coach Heather Brink announced the addition of six future Huskers to the women’s gymnastics program on Wednesday. 

Hailee Bowen (Harrisburg, S.D.), Meredith Brandt (Boxford, Mass.), Aubrey Gilliland (Palo, Iowa), Karys Griffin (Lee’s Summit, Mo.), Ahnna Kalmes (Andover, Minn.) and Tegan Shaver (Quebec, Canada) will join the roster for the 2025-26 season.

“We are incredibly excited about this recruiting class and their future as Huskers. They each bring a skill level and a passion for the sport and Nebraska that will make an impact on our program. I look forward to sharing their journey and creating lasting memories together as part of the team. Welcome to the Nebraska Gymnastics Family!”

Hailee Bowen, Harrisburg, South Dakota
Bowen trains at All American Gymnastics Academy under head coach Keli Kitaura. She is a three-time USAG DP National Qualifier and a two-time South Dakota State Level 10 bars champion. In 2024, she was the South Dakota State meet champion on vault, and placed third on vault at DP Nationals. In 2023, she finished second on vault at both DP Nationals and the Region 4 Level 10 championships. Additionally, Bowen was the South Dakota State Champion on vault, beam and floor.

She plans on majoring in pre-pharmacy at Nebraska.

Bowen on Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because it has been my dream school since I started gymnastics at six years old. I fell in love with the campus, the gymnastics program and the team atmosphere.” She plans on majoring in pre-pharmacy at Nebraska.

Meredith Brandt, Boxford, Massachusetts
Brandt trains at Yellow Jackets Gymnastics under head coach Vasko Vetsev. She is a three-time USAG DP National Qualifier and a five-time Region 6 Level 10 Champion. In 2023, Brandt placed second on vault at DP Nationals and first on vault, beam and all-around at the Region 6 Level 10 Championships. In 2022, she placed third on vault at DP Nationals and was a champion on vault and beam at Region 6 Level 10 Championships.

Brandt is currently set to major in business administration at Nebraska.

Brandt on Nebraska: “I chose the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for its outstanding facilities, dedicated coaching staff, and the overall positive team atmosphere. I am excited to be part of a school with a strong fanbase and can't wait to represent Nebraska as an athlete. Additionally, the university's top-notch business program aligns perfectly with my career goals, making it the ideal place for me to pursue my athletic and academic aspirations.”

Aubrey Gilliland, Palo, Iowa
Gilliland trains at Twisters Gymnastics under head coach John Mangold. She is a three-time USAG DP National Qualifier and a two-time Region 4 Level 10 Floor Champion. In 2024, She placed second on vault at the Iowa State Meet and was the Region 4 Level 10 vault, beam, floor and all-around champion.

Gilliland on Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because I love the community involvement. Everyone is so welcoming, and I think that it is the perfect fit for me to call home.”

Karys Griffin, Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Griffin trains at GAGE under head coach Al Fong. She is a three-time USAG DP National Qualifier and a two-time Region 4 Level 10 bar champion. In the 2024 Region 4 Championships she finished third on bars and fourth place in the all-around with a career high of 38.05. In the same year, at the Missouri State meet, Griffin was the champion on both vault and beam, and second in the all-around. In 2023, she was the Region 4 bars champion and placed fourth in the all-around, while taking silver on vault, bars and all-around at the Missouri State meet.

At Nebraska, Griffin is expected to major in business.

Griffin on Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because of the beautiful facilities and the amazing business program. The campus is so beautiful I just felt right at home.There are so many great opportunities I will be given as an athlete and once I'm done with school to be able to succeed in the long run as well as the amazing gymnastics program and the great coaching staff!”

Ahnna Kalmes, Andover, Minnesota
Kalmes trains at Twin City Twisters Gymnastics under head coach Kassandra Nathe. She is a two-time national qualifier. At the DP Nationals, Kalmes finished sixth on beam in 2024 and fifth place on bars in 2023. At the Region 4 Championships, she was the runner on beam in 2024 and bars in 2023.

Kalmes plans to major in health and exercise human sciences.

Kalmes on Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because of the endless opportunity and connections that are available — connections I have had with the people both in academics and athletics. There are amazing atmospheres created for each sporting event, and equal opportunities for every student-athlete enrolled at UNL.”

Tegan Shaver, Quebec, Canada
Shaver trains at Unigym Gatineau under head coach Dave Fallon. She is a two-time Canadian National Team member and a one-time Junior National team member. In 2024, Shaver qualified to the Canadian Olympic Trials where she finished 3rd on vault.  At the International Gymnix, she placed first on vault and was part of the gold medal winning team, and at Elite Canada she finished third on vault. She was assigned to represent Canada at the PanAm Championships, where she was part of the silver medal winning team. In 2022, she placed first on vault, bars and all-around at Elite Canada, while also finishing first on vault and third on all-around at the Canadian championships.

Shaver on Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because the second I stepped on campus it felt like home. The coaches, staff and athletes made me feel so welcome and supported and the community atmosphere is unlike any other. The campus and facilities are absolutely beautiful. It was an easy decision to commit to a place that truly feels like family.”