AUBURN, Ala. – Head coach Ryan Roberts and the Auburn gymnastics team signed four student-athletes that will join the program for the 2027 season. Coming the Plains will be transfers Molly Brinkman, Lauren Hollifield and Olivia Kennedy as well as international gymnast Adela Balcova.
ADELA BALCOVA
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Bratislava, Slovakia
HIGHLIGHTS: Multiple international competitions, having 10 medals throughout her career … Finished third on beam at the 2024 FIG World Challenge Cup in Bulgaria … Has competed had multiple Senior European Championships.
ROBERTS ON BALCOVA: “Adela brings a rare combination of elegance, toughness and competitive fire to our program. Her international experience and attention to detail fit perfectly with the culture we’re building at Auburn. We believe her work ethic and passion for the sport will make an immediate impact on our team and in the SEC!”
MOLLY BRINKMAN
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
Previous School: LSU
Gym: Gold Medal Gymnastics
HIGHLIGHTS: Spent her first year at LSU … Trained at Gold Medal Gymnastics prior to college … A five-time Arizona state champion and three-time national qualifier … Won gold on vault, bars and floor at the 2025 Arizona State Championships … Won the floor title at Regionals in 2025.
ROBERTS ON BRINKMAN: “We are thrilled to welcome Molly to the Auburn gymnastics family. Molly is the type of student-athlete who possesses everything we want our program to represent – toughness, consistency, work ethic and a genuine passion for the sport. She will make an instant impact. Beyond her talent, she is an outstanding person and teammate and we are excited to help her continue to grow both athletically, academically and personally here at Auburn.”
LAUREN HOLLIFIELD
Hometown: Dacula, Georgia
Previous School: Nebraska
Gym: BIO Gymnastics
HIGHLIGHTS: Spent her first two seasons at Nebraska, seeing action as a freshman in 2025 … Competed on bars three times in her first year … Reached a 9.775 to set a career high … Trained at BIO Gymnastics as well as Georgia Elite prior to college … Region 8 Championship competitor throughout her club career … Georgia state champion on multiple events.
ROBERTS ON HOLLIFIELD: “Lauren is an athlete who embodies resilience and determination. She has proven she can compete at a high collegiate level and we are excited to welcome her to Auburn. Her experience, leadership qualities and drive to continue to improve will elevate everyone around her!”
OLIVIA KENNEDY
Hometown: Maryville, Tennessee
Previous School: Utah
Gym: Georgia Elite Gymnastics
HIGHLIGHTS: Spent three seasons with Utah, competing on bars in 2025 … Two-time Women’s Development Program National Championship qualifier with Georgia Elite Gymnastics … 13th on beam and floor at the 2022 national meet … 2017 Hopes Classic qualifier … Seven-time Region 8 Championship medalist … 10-time Georgia State Championship medalist.
ROBERTS ON KENNEDY: “Olivia is an incredibly talented gymnast with tremendous upside and competitive presence. What stood out most to us was her energy, confidence and desire to be part of something bigger than herself. We believe she has the potential to thrive in our environment and become a key contributor for Auburn gymnastics.”
Four to join the Auburn gymnastics 2027 roster
Head coach Ryan Roberts and the Auburn gymnastics team signed four student-athletes that will join the program for the 2027 season. Coming the Plains will be transfers Molly Brinkman, Lauren Hollifield and Olivia Kennedy as well as international gymnast Adela Balcova.
