MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University gymnastics coach Jason Butts has announced the addition of three student-athletes for the 2025-26 academic year.
 
Joining the Mountaineers are Lauren Eyssen (Brunswick, Ohio), Callie Kauffman (State College, Pennsylvania) and Kayla Smith (Richmond, Virginia).
 
"I am thrilled to officially welcome three outstanding gymnasts – Kayla, Lauren, and Callie – to the Mountaineer gymnastics program," Butts said. "I am confident they will bring exceptional athleticism, artistry and a strong work ethic to Cary Gym and the competition floor. Beyond their talent, each of them is a natural fit for our team culture, and they share our commitment to pursuing Big 12 Championships. They fully understand the dedication and sacrifice required to achieve excellence, and I have no doubt they will make significant contributions across multiple facets of our program."
 
Kayla Smith / Richmond, Va.
A native of Richmond, Va., Smith attends Manchester High School. She is a three-year Level 10 gymnast for coaches Laura Toro and Marshall Long at the Virginia International Gymnastics School. A 2024 Level 10 National Championships qualifier, she tallied a second-place finish on floor and a 14th-place finish on the all-around at the national meet. Smith earned her spot at nationals after placing second on floor and the all-around at the 2024 Region 7 Regional Championships.
 
Also in 2024, she was the Virginia state champion on vault, bars and floor, while she also placed second on the all-around at the state meet. A three-time state vault champion, Smith also earned the top finish on vault in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, she went on to earn the regional vault title as well.
 
The daughter of Keith and Joy, Smith plans to major in sport management at WVU.
 
"The first time we met Kayla, we had hopes that we would see her here at WVU," Doak said. "She is incredibly athletic, which makes her stand out, but she also is incredibly humble. Kayla's mother and aunt were collegiate gymnasts, so she comes with a knowledge of what it takes to be successful on and off the competitive floor. There is no doubt she will come to WVU with the ability to make an immediate impact on our lineups."
 
Lauren Eyssen / Brunswick, Ohio
A Brunswick, Ohio, native, Eyssen attends Brunswick High School and is a two-year Level 10 gymnast at Xtreme Gymnastics. Eyssen is a 2024 Junior Olympic Nationals qualifier, as well as a 2024 Level 10 Development Program National Championships qualifier. She earned her spot at nationals after tallying a fifth-place finish on vault and top-20 finishes on bars, beam and the all-around at the 2024 Region 5 Regional Championships.
 
Eyssen's club career also includes a first-place finish on vault at the Region 5 Insider Classic, as well as first-place finishes on bars and beam at the 2024 It's Great to Be a Buckeye meet.
 
The daughter of Jon and Diane, Eyssen plans to major in occupational therapy at WVU.
 
"Lauren is a multi-sport athlete and incredibly light on her feet," associate head coach Travis Doak said. "She is very athletic and will come in the door with the ability to bring a vault that will immediately impact our lineup. Equally important to her athletic ability is Lauren's personality. She has such a fun, easygoing personality and is incredibly kind. I think having her in the gym and on the competition floor will be infectious for the team's energy!"
 
Callie Kauffman / State College, Pa.
Kauffman hails from State College, Pa., and attends State College Area High School. She is a four-year Level 10 gymnast for coaches Tracy Longenecker, Jen Bortz and Rob Drass at Centre Elite Gymnastics. Kauffman is a two-time Level 10 National Championships qualifier, most recently finishing in the top 10 on beam at the national meet. She earned a spot at nationals after placing inside the top 15 on every event at the 2024 Region 7 Regional Championships.
 
Kauffman has qualified for states every year since becoming a competitive gymnast, and she is a three-time Level 10 qualifier. At states in 2024, she finished inside the top 10 on every event, highlighted by a fourth-place finish on floor.
 
The daughter of Ron and Tara, Kauffman plans to major in sport management at WVU.
 
"We are really excited about Callie," Doak said. "Callie has such a beautiful style and movement. Even better, she has shown the ability to compete well under pressure hitting every beam routine under pressure last season. With her ability to be so calm under pressure, matched with her style and movement, we believe she will be one to watch on the team next season!"
 

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