Gymnastics Inks Four to Incoming Class

11.13.19 | Women's Gymnastics

PHILADELPHIA—Temple women's gymnastics will welcome four new Owls to North Broad, as Brooke Donabedian, Lanie Hyman, Renee Schugman and Cyrena Whalen are set to join the reigning ECAC Champions in the fall.

"I couldn't be more pleased with the recruiting class of 2020," said head coach Josh Nilson. "I believe these young women will represent Temple University well not only on the floor of competition, but in the classroom and in the community. They have all bought into the vision for what Temple Gymnastics can, and should be and they want to be part of the driving force that elevates this program. I believe they will do just that."

Brooke Donabedian | Maple Valley, Wash. | Metropolitan Gymnastics

Donabedian will come to Philadelphia from the West Coast, as she calls Maple Valley, Washington home. Donabedian attends Tahoma Senior High School and trains at Metropolitan gymnastics. In her sophomore and junior seasons, Donabedian's team was state and regional champions. She is an honor roll student, member of the National Honor Society and plans on studying journalism. Donabedian chose Temple due to influence from her family and the prime location in the heart of the city.

"Brooke brings a unique skill set to Temple. She has molded her routines to showcase her polish and her performance. What really made her stand out to us through the recruitment process is her attention to detail. Even the most simple gymnastics movements in her routines are done to perfection. Brooke will be in the mix in the all around next season. We are excited to have her join the Owl family."

Head Coach Josh Nilson

Lanie Hyman | Suwanee, Ga. | Gymnastix Training Center

Hyman, a native of Suwanee, Ga., attends William and Reed Academy and trains at the Gymnastix Training Center. As a junior, she qualified for regionals as a level 10. During her sophomore campaign as a level 9, Hyman qualified for JO Nationals and earned the state title on floor and in the all-around. She is a four-year honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and is a student ambassador at William and Reed. Hyman plans on studying elementary education and chose Temple for the gymnastics program and its proximity to her extended family.

Lanie has a magnetic personality, she is a great teammate and a hard working gymnast. Lanie has a lot of power. I see her being a contributor on our power events in the very near future. Lanie does a unique vault that you don’t see much in college, watch for her in the lineups. We are excited that she is joining the team."

Head Coach Josh Nilson

Renee Schugman | Smithtown, N.Y. | GMGC Centerreach

Schugman, a native of Smithtown, N.Y., attends Smithtown High School East and trains at GMGC Centerreach. She is a two-time nationals qualifier and placed first at regionals last year. Schugman is active in extracurriculars at Smithtown, where she is a member of the Leadership Club and participates in the Business Olympics. She plans on studying accounting and chose Temple for its location in the vibrant city of Philadelphia and its high-quality gymnastics and academics.

"We are excited to have Renee on our team. It is becoming more and more rare to be a true competitor in the all-around, but we expect Renee to make a large impact as an all-around competitor next season. She is a three time JO National Qualifier, who has the perfect balance of power, grace, and unique gymnastics! From the first time I met with Renee and her parents I knew that I wanted to coach her in college."

Head Coach Josh Nilson

Cyrena Whalen | Buford, Ga. | Gymnastix Training Center

Whalen will come to North Broad from Buford, Ga., where she trains at the Gymnastix Training Center and attends Buford High School. A four-time honor roll student, Whalen is also involved in the BETA Club at Buford. She has qualified for nationals once and regional four times. As a freshman, Whalen took was the state champions on bars and her team was state runner-up. In her sophomore campaign, Whalen's team took third at states and as a junior it placed second. She intends to study advertising/marketing and is excited to attend Temple and compete under Coach Nilson.

"Cyrena is a phenomenal bar worker. She is also very good on the balance beam. She will be able to help elevate our team on those two events immediately, while training for the all around. Cyrena fits the mold of what we are looking for in our future Owls: She is dedicated, humble, loves the sport of gymnastic and she relentlessly seeks perfection in the sport."

Head Coach Josh Nilson