CEDAR CITY, Utah - As the Flippin' Birds prepare for the 2026 season, a talented group of freshmen brings scoring potential and valuable depth to the potential lineup. While each newcomer arrives with an accomplished club résumé, their focus now turns to translating that success to the collegiate stage and helping SUU remain a dominant force in the MPSF and beyond.
Head Coach Scotty Bauman Said
"This freshman class brings a great mix of skill, confidence, and upside. They've competed at a high level, they understand what it takes to be consistent, and they're hungry to keep getting better. We expect them to push our lineups right away and continue building the standard we've set for this program."
Ariel Collum | Las Vegas, Nevada
Ariel Collum enters her freshman season as one of Southern Utah's most promising new options on uneven bars. The Las Vegas native has already shown the kind of difficulty and execution that can translate well to NCAA scoring, highlighted by a career-high 9.925 on bars at the Level 10 ranks. Her routine features high-level elements and gives the Flippin' Birds another athlete capable of pushing a stellar bars lineup. Collum could also provide depth in other events as she continues to develop throughout the season.
Stella Dairon | Fort Collins, Colorado
Stella Dairon brings consistency and competitive experience into her first collegiate season, having qualified for DP Nationals twice and Region 3 regionals twice. That background positions her well for the demands of an NCAA schedule, where steady performances and lineup depth are critical. Dairon adds another reliable training presence as Southern Utah looks to maintain depth across multiple events throughout the season.
Vinciane Le Pen | Quimper, France
Vinciane Le Pen adds an international dynamic to the Flippin' Birds' roster and has the potential to factor into the vault lineup. A powerful vaulter who has spent the past several years training in the United States at Mountain West Gymnastics Academy, Le Pen qualified for regionals in 2024 and continues to refine her skills now at the collegiate level. With international competition experience and plans to compete for France on the world stage next summer, she brings a unique level of composure and athleticism that could translate to big scores for SUU at some point.
Berlin Hall | Gilbert, Arizona
Berlin Hall enters the season as one of the most lineup-ready freshmen in Southern Utah's rotation. A College Gym News three-star recruit, Hall has proven she can score across all four events, posting a season-best all-around score of 38.4 at Level 10. Her floor work, in particular, stands out after earning a 9.85 and claiming the 2023 DP Nationals floor title. With consistent performances on vault, bars, beam, and floor, Hall gives the Flippin' Birds flexibility and scoring potential as lineups take shape throughout the season.
With a freshman class capable of contributing in multiple areas, Southern Utah enters the 2026 season with increased depth and internal competition. As the Flippin' Birds settle into the rhythm of the year, these newcomers could play an important role in strengthening lineups and sustaining momentum from week to week.
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