Gymnastics Adds Three Newcomers to Incoming Class

11.26.19 | Women's Gymnastics

PHILADELPHIA— Temple women's gymnastics will welcome three more talented gymnasts to its incoming class with the addition of Mackenzie Aresta, Kayla Deveau and Mia Rose Thackston. Aresta, Deveau and Thackston are set to join the rest of Temple's newcomers, Brooke Donabedian, Lanie Hyman, Renee Schugman and Cyrena Whalen, on North Broad in the fall.

Mackenzie Aresta | Matawan, N.J. | Head Over Heels Gymnastics

Aresta, a native of Matawan, N.J., trains at Head Over Heels Gymnastics and attends Old Bridge High School. As a junior, she was the state beam champion and her team earned its highest-ever place, taking fifth. In her senior campaign for Old Bridge, Aresta's team qualified for states and won sectionals. She is a member of the National, Spanish and History Honor Societies and plans on majoring in psychology. Aresta chose Temple for the great academics and gymnastics programs that it offers and its awesome campus.

Mackenzie is coming to us from Head Over Heels in New Jersey. Mackenzie is very powerful! She will have an immediate impact on floor and vault. Mackenzie bleeds Cherry and White and she has wanted to represent Temple from the beginning of our communication. We are happy to have her joining us in the fall.

Head Coach Josh Nilson

Kayla Deveau | Carle Place, N.Y. | Infiniti Elite Gymnastics

Deveau will come to North Broad from Carle Place, N.Y., where she trains at Infiniti Elite Gymnastics and attends Carle Place High School. She is a state, regional and national qualifier as a Level 10 gymnast. Deveau is a member of the National, Math and Spanish Honor Societies and is a four-year honor roll student. She plans on majoring in education and chose to join the Cherry and White because of Temple's welcoming atmosphere, team and coaches.

Kayla is a two-time JO National Qualifier and a 3-year Level 10 gymnast. Kayla stood out to us from the beginning. She does gymnastics that is unique and beautiful. She is very flexible and polished. We expect her to become a crowd favorite here at Temple.

Head Coach Josh Nilson

Mia Rose Thackston | Alexandria, Va. | Capital Gymnastics

Thackston, a native of Alexandria, Va., attends Brookview Academy and trains at Capital Gymnastics. As a sophomore, she won the vault title at both the Region 7 Championships and the Virginia State Championships and her team took second at states. During her junior campaign, Thackston qualified for the both states and regionals and her team once again earned the runner-up spot at states. She is the President of Brookview Academy's Kappa Pho Chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha and is a member of the National Honor Society. Thackston plans on studying biology and chose Temple for the amazing team and coaching staff.

Mia-Rose is a hard working and dedicated gymnast. She is strong on floor, beam, and vault. I expect her to make an immediate impact on vault for us next season as well as working her in on her other events.

Head Coach Josh Nilson