UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women’s gymnastics program has announced the signing of four gymnasts for the class of 2027. Leah Danielson, Mary Claire Gillis, Giada “Gigi” Gines and Kieley Restrepo each officially signed scholarship agreements during the November signing period and will enroll at Penn State in 2027 to compete in the Spring 2028 season.
The class is the first under the direction of newly-appointed head coach Jennifer Green and the Nittany Lions are coming off a postseason berth in the NCAA Regionals in Tempe, Ariz.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome these four outstanding young women to Penn State women’s gymnastics,” said Green. “Each brings exceptional talent, a strong work ethic, and the competitive drive to make an immediate impact on our program. Just as importantly, they embody the character, commitment, and team first mindset we value. They have already become an important part of our Penn state, gymnastics family, and I am excited about the energy, talent, and enthusiasm they will bring as we continue building the next chapter of this program. We cannot wait to welcome them to Happy Valley.”
Leah Danielson
Littleton, Colo. || Arapahoe High School || Colorado Gymnastics Institute
- Four-time DP National Qualifier
- Region 3 Floor Champion
- Three-time Colorado State Champion
- Sixth-place national finish on Beam
- Three-time Honor Roll
- Two-time National Honor Society Member
Why Penn State?
“I decided to come to Penn State in hopes of finding a family, and I found nothing short of that. Everywhere I go, someone has a connection back to Penn State. People always say you’ll know when you’re home, and stepping onto campus showed me that this is where I belong!”
Mary Claire Gillis
Highland Park, Texas || Highland Park High School || Metroplex Gymnastics
- Three-time DP National Qualifier
- 2025 Texas State Floor Champion
- 2025 Texas State Vault, Bars and All-Around Silver Medalist
- 2026 Texas State Vault and Bars Silver Medalist
- 2026 Texas Regional Bars Champion
- Two-time Top-10 National Bar Medalist
- Four-time Honor Roll
- Two-year National Honor Society member
- Moody Leader Scholar Program
Why Penn State?
“From the moment I stepped onto Penn State's campus, I could feel the incredible school spirit and sense of community that makes this place so special. Between amazing resources, close-knit team culture, supportive coaches, and the passion everyone has for being a Nittany Lion, I knew Penn State was a place I could call home. I wanted to find more than a gymnastics team, and I found a family that extends even to a broader network and Teammates for Life. Penn State is exactly where I am meant to be! WE ARE!”
Giada “Gigi” Belle Gines
South Riding, Va. || John Champe High School || GMS Gymnastics
- Three-time DP Nationals Qualifier
- 2026 Region 7 Bars Champion
- 2025 National Development Team Camp
- 2025 Region 7 All-Star National Team Alternate
- 2025 USAG Nationals Bars Bronze Medalist
- 2025 USAG Nationals – seventh in All-Around
- 2025 Region 7 Bars Champion
- 2025 Region 7 Vault Silver Medalist
Why Penn State?
“Penn State has always been my dream school since I stepped foot on campus at 11 years old. The school welcomed me with open arms, and I felt this instant connection that I’ve never felt before. Everywhere I go, I know that there is always a part of Penn State that stays with me. This is the school I want to represent. These are the people that I want to call my family. This is the place that I want to call home.”
Kieley Restrepo
Farmington, N.Y. || St. Anthony’s High School || Infiniti Elite Gymnastics
- Three-time DP Nationals Qualifier
- 2026 New York State Floor Champion
- 2026 New York State Bars, Beam and All-Around Silver Medalist
- 2026 Region 6 Bars Co-Champion
- 2025 New York State Bars and All-Around Champion
- 2025 New York State Beam and Floor Silver Medalist
- 2025 Region 6 Beam Co-Champion
- 2025 Region 6 All-Around Silver Medalist
- 2025 DP Nationals – 17th in All-Around, top-20 in Bars, Beam and Floor
- 2024 New York State Bars, Beam, Floor and All-Around Silver Medalist
- 2024 Region 6 Bars, Beam and Floor Silver Medalist
- 2024 DP Nationals – eighth in Beam, 12th in All-Around, top-20 Bars and Floor
Why Penn State?
“I chose Penn State because of the amazing opportunities it offers both academically and athletically. I really connected with the values of the gymnastics program and the incredible school spirit. The coaching staff made me feel valued and believed in my potential and I knew this was a place where I could continue to grow as both an athlete and a person. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and I’m so excited to be part of the Penn State family!”
Penn State women’s gymnastics will begin the 2027 season on January 10 at 2 p.m. by hosting Pitt, George Washington and Ursinus in Rec Hall. Visit GoPSUSports.com for the up-to-date information on Penn State women’s gymnastics. Fans can follow Penn State women’s gymnastics social media on Facebook at /pennstatewomensgymnastics as well as Twitter and Instagram @PennStateWGYM.