ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell women's gymnastics head coach
Melanie Hall has announced the six newcomers to the Big Red women's gymnastics roster ahead of the 2026-27 academic year.
"We graduated some heavy hitters on every event, and this incoming class will be able to step in and contribute immediately to help fill those gaps," said Hall. "Each of them has the ability to be a starter on multiple events, and they'll bring new skills, energy and excitement to the team. We're eager to get them integrated into our team culture and the wider Cornell Athletics and university community. 2027 is going to be a fabulous season!"
Cornell's newcomer class for 2026-27 features six gymnasts from six different states, each arriving with all-around experience and a deep resume of state, regional and national accomplishments. The class includes two state champions, a national medalist and multiple national qualifiers, giving the Big Red new options across all four events as it looks to replace key contributors from last season.
Comprehensive student-athlete bios below.
Hannah Grant
All-Around • 5-0 • Waterford, Connecticut • Waterford High School
PRIOR TO CORNELL
Three-year captain at Waterford Gymnastics Center ... 2026 vault and all-around state champion ... 2025 national championship qualifier ... 2025 Region 6 vault champion ... National Latin Honor Society president ... honor roll all four years ... Science National Honor Society member.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Susan and CC Grant ... both parents attended SUNY Cortland ... has a sister, Grace ... from Waterford, Connecticut ... career objective is to become a lawyer ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Lucy Lyakhovitski
All-Around • 5-8 • Redmond, Washington • Redmond High School
PRIOR TO CORNELL
Eleven-year gymnastics veteran ... 2026 national beam silver medalist.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Yulia Evgrafova and Grigory Lyakhovitskiy ... both parents attended the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology ... has a brother, Victor ... from Redmond, Washington ... born in Kirkland, Washington ... career objective is to become a data scientist ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Lia Michael
All-Around • 5-2 • Fishers, Indiana • Fishers High School
PRIOR TO CORNELL
2025 USA Gymnastics Indiana Athlete of the Year ... state all-around runner-up ... third in state vault and bars ... second in state beam and floor ... regional all-around runner-up ... second in regional beam ... third in regional bars and floor ... national all-around qualifier ... third in beam at nationals ... advanced through the Xcel program to national qualifier in a single season ... four-year team captain.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Amy and Kris Michael ... both parents attended Ball State University, graduating in 1998 ... has a brother, Will, a 2029 graduate of Indiana University ... from Fishers, Indiana ... born in Carmel, Indiana ... career objective is to become a physician's assistant ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Eva Linneman
All-Around • 5-5 • Kearney, Missouri • Keystone High School
PRIOR TO CORNELL
2025 Level 10 Missouri State bars champion ... 2025 Level 10 Missouri State beam runner-up ... fourth in the 2025 Level 10 Missouri State all-around ... 2025 Level 10 regionals qualifier ... helped Fuzion Gymnastics to a third-place finish at the 2026 Region 4 regionals ... second at the 2026 Missouri state meet ... fifth at the 2025 Missouri state meet.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Linneman ... both parents attended North Dakota State University, graduating in 2007 ... has a brother, Ethan, and a sister, Lily ... from Kearney, Missouri ... born in Honolulu, Hawaii ... career objective is radiology ... enrolled in the College of Human Ecology.
Jernee Lin
All-Around • 5-4 • Plainsboro, New Jersey • West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North
PRIOR TO CORNELL
2025 national qualifier with Arena Gymnastics.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Aiming Yang and Jianxin Lin ... mother attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, graduating in 1998 ... father attended Northern Illinois University, graduating in 2004 ... has a brother, Johnson, a 2029 graduate of Georgetown University ... from Plainsboro, New Jersey ... born in Edison, New Jersey ... career objective is to work in the medical field ... enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Maggie Rihn
Bars and Floor • 5-5 • Wayne, Pennsylvania • Episcopal Academy
PRIOR TO CORNELL
Four-year gymnast at Episcopal Academy ... 2026 DP national qualifier with AJS Pancott Gymnastics.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Theresa Clark Rihn and Jeffrey Rihn ... both parents attended Duquesne University, graduating in 1998 ... has a brother, Charlie, and a sister, Emily ... from Wayne, Pennsylvania ... born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania ... career objective is to become a surgeon ... enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
