Temple University Athletics
Gymnastics Inks Five to 2023 Signing Class
11.9.22 | Women's Gymnastics
PHILADELPHIA - On Wednesday, Temple head gymnastics coach Josh Nilson announced the signing of five gymnasts to the Class of 2023 on the National Letter of Intent Day
Nilson's 2023 class includes Gabby Linden, Skylar Shafran, Gianna Silva, Maya Keller, and Megan White.
This class is going to bring a lot of unique gymnastics to Temple. As we develop and grow their skillset I expect them to continue breaking records for Temple. Records not only in competition, but in the classroom as well! I expect them to serve those in the community, and honor Temple in everything they do. We are very pleased with the qualities that they all bring to the table.About the 2023 Signing Class - Head Coach Josh Nilson
Gabby Linden is a Level 10 gymnast from Del Ray Beach, Fla. and trains with the American Twisters. Since 2018, Linden has been competing at the L10 level where she's had three 9.5s or better on both the floor and vault. As a junior Linden's team finished first in the Florida state meet and was named club of the year in 2021. Indvidudally Linden's career high on the vault was a 9.7 was established on Jan. 20, 2021 at the Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational, where she placed fourth, and just last March at the Florida Championship, she finished shy of her personal best score on the vault with a 9.650. On the floor, Linden added a victory at the Presidential Classic in March with a personal-best 9.700 and then a second and third-place finish at the 2022 Coaches Spectacular and the Sand Dollar/Whitlow Invitational in 2021, respectively. In the all-around, Linden has produced 35.00 or better scores in the all-around four times, including a career-high a 37.475 at the aforementioned Presidential Classic.
Gabby is bringing four strong events to Temple. She is powerful on vault and floor, has a great triple series on beam, and a very difficult and impressive release move on bars. On top of her great gymnastics, she is a quality student… and fits in with our culture perfectly. Gabby brings a lot of energy and passion for the team and for Temple. She’s ready to fight for the cherry and white.Head Coach Josh Nilson
Skylar Shafran is a Level 10 gymnast from New York, N.Y., trains with Gotham Gymnastics, and is a two-time national qualifier. Shafran and Gotham earned 2021 Region 6 Club of the Year and earned second place at the 2022 New York State Championships. Individually, Shaffran started as an L10 in 2021, where she competed 14 meets in that span. In her second career L10 event at the Gotham Challenge, Shafran took fourth place in the all-around and earned her first of three first-place finishes. Her career best on the floor took place on March 25, 2022 at the New York State Championships when she scored a 9.650. On the vault, the New York native has four top-five finishes at the L10 level. Shafran set a career best on the vault in Dec. 2020 when she scored a 9.550. Addtionally in the all around, she finished within the top five, twice, and set her personal-best at the Region 6 Championships with a 36.125.
Skylar is a humble and hard working gymnast. She brings a strong, quiet, and consistent energy to Temple. She is working a unique 10.0 SV (start value) on vault- and two difference E passes on floor. I see her being a contributor on three events at Temple.Head Coach Josh Nilson
Gianna Silva is a Level 10 gymnast from Redondo Beach, Calif. and trains with The Klub Gymnastics. Just this past year, Silva began competing as a Level 10 and started competing internationally, while representing Portugal as a senior international elite. As an Level 10 gymnast, Silva has picked up personal-best marks within top 10 performances, including in January at the Alamo Classic where she earned a personal-best performances the all-around, and the beam . In March at the California L10 State Meet, added her career-best on the vault.
Gianna comes to Temple with international competition experience. Even though she only recently became a level 10 her experience on the international stage has helped her prepare for D1 gymnastics. Gianna is training many high level skills. With her recent progress and great experience the future is bright for her at Temple. We are excited to continue to build on her foundation.Head Coach Josh Nilson
Maya Keller has been Level 10 gymnast since 2020 and brings a unique set of skills to Broad Street’s Cherry and White squad. Keller has trained with K2 Sports Academy of Kids Sports in Cypress, Texas and has the Temple staff very excited about her upside. Coach Nilson and his staff are excited about the unique variety of gymnastics and the explosive power that she brings to the table, including her 10.0 start value on the vault exercise.
Maya has a great caring personality. She is very coachable and wants to succeed. She has a lot of power and unique gymnastics. She is training a 10.0 vault, and many extremely difficult skills on all four events including a triple twist on floor. Her greatest contributions will be on the power events.
Megan White is a Level 10 gymnast from Hollis, N.H. and trains with A2 Gym and Cheer. White moved up to the L10 level at the end of 2021 and since qualified for L10 states as a sophomore and junior. Additionally, the New Hampshire native qualfied for regionals earlier season where she became a beam champion, then moved onto the national stage. At the 2021Jingle Bell Bash in just her second career L10 event, White finished first on the beam and floor, and a second-place finish on the vault. Overall, White ended the event with the overall win. Since then, the New Hampshire native has won two more overalls, including a career-high 36.875 at the A2X2 Dance Party. Overall, White has earned two wins on the floor exercise, three times on the beam, and once on the bars.
Megan is a great fit for Temple. She has exceptional form and strength on all four events, she has a strong triple series on beam, great form on bars, strong tumbling and leaps, and a strong vault. She loves Temple- and fits perfectly with the team.Head Coach Josh Nilson
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