Georgia Gymnastics Secures Top-Ranked Signing Class

ATHENS, Ga. --- The University of Georgia gymnastics program secures the top-ranked signing class in the country after four gymnasts sign National Letters of Intent, head coach Courtney Kupets Carter announced on Wednesday.

The signees include Jaydah Battle of Hampton, Virginia, Heather Parker of Rockvale, Tennessee, Lily Smith of Limerick, Pennsylvania, and Holly Snyder of Annapolis, Maryland.

"We couldn't be more excited about this class." Kupets Carter said. "Our staff has worked extremely hard and we're ready to get to work with these talented athletes. Our signees know by coming here they will receive an outstanding education, be developed to become the best that they can be on and off the floor and compete for championships."

Jaydah Battle, a four-star recruit from Hampton, Virginia, signs with Georgia after training at World Class Gymnastics. She qualified for the Level 10 National Championship in 2021 where she placed 1st on beam and 2^nd on vault.  She qualified again for the 2022 National Championship where she placed 2^nd on beam and 3^rdon vault. Battle also qualified for the prestigious Nastia Liukin Cup in 2022.

"From the amazing academics to the wonderful athletic facilities, it was hard not to choose the University of Georgia as my second home," Battle said. "I felt welcomed by the coaches and staff. I'm truly blessed and appreciate this opportunity given to me and can't wait to contribute to the GymDogs!"

Heather Parker, a four-star recruit from Rockvale, Tennessee, signs to be a GymDog after training at E.T.C Gymnastics.  She has ten years of gymnastics experience which has led to her being named the national vault champion, state all-around and vault champion in 2022, on top of the 2021 State all-around and floor champion.

"Once I stepped foot on campus, I knew this is where I wanted to be," Parker said. "The team and staff were so welcoming, and I couldn't imagine going anywhere else!"

Lily Smith, a five-star recruit out of Limerick, Pennsylvania, signs to Georgia after training at Silvia's Gymnastics.  She was a Pennsylvania State Champion five years in a row and most recently crowned 2022 PA State Champion in bars, floor, and all-around. Smith was the Regional Champion on bars, floor, vault, and all-around, finishing second on beam, then moving on to become the National Champion on bars, floor and all-around in 2022.  To add to her successes in 2022, she scored a Perfect 10 on bars at the Tim Rand Invite and on floor at the Metroplex Challenge.  In 2021, Smith was second place on beam, floor, and all-around at Nationals on top of being a Regional Champion on bars, beam, floor, and all-around.

"I chose the University of Georgia because of the amazing coaches, atmosphere in the gym, and excellent academics it offers," Smith said. "The moment I stepped on campus I fell in love and knew I would be happy here!"

Holly Snyder signs to UGA with a five-star recruiting rating on collegegymnews.com after training at Docksiders Gymnastics. She is a three-time National Qualifier (2019, 2021, 2022), a 2021 Region 7 Junior E National Team Champion, and two-time Region 7 Level 10 All-around Champion (2018, 2022). Additionally, Snyder is a four-time Maryland State Champion (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021), two-time Nastia Liukin Cup qualifier (2019, 2020), and two-time Region 7 All-Star team member (2021, 2022).  She's been recognized by her gym as well with the Docksiders Level 10 Hardest Worker Award (2021, 2022) and Level 10 All Around Score Club Record (38.95 in 2022).

"I chose the University of Georgia not only because of the amazing coaches and beautiful campus, but also because of the awesome community surrounding it," Snyder said. "This school has bonded so many people together creating such a huge and spirited community, that I have so many connections circling back to UGA. I knew from the start that I was meant to go here."

"This is a momentous time for Georgia Gymnastics as we have signed the #1 ranked recruiting class in the nation (collegegymnews.com)." Kupets Carter said. "These four athletes have proven themselves as outstanding competitors on all four events and will impact our line-ups and team immediately. We have the best environment in college gymnastics, and I can't wait to see these athletes shine in Stegeman Coliseum."

University of Georgia Athletics

Georgia Gymnastics Secures Top-Ranked Signing Class

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