SAN JOSE, Calif.—Sophie Patterson and Genesis PeBenito have signed to join the San José State women’s gymnastics program beginning with the 2025-26 school year, as announced by Spartan head coach Joanne Bowers.
Sophie Patterson, New Westminster, British Columbia, New Westminster Secondary, Club Aviva
- Trains at Club Aviva for coaches Nancy Beyer and Naomi Miller
- Member of Team Canada Espoir from 2022-24
- Competed internationally at Combs La Ville France in 2022 and Jesolo in Italy in 2024
- Finished eighth on the vault at the 2024 Nationals
- Finished eighth in the all-around at 2023 Elite Canada
- Coaches gymnastics at a city-run facility, teaching tots to teens
Coach Bowers on Sophie
“Sophie is a very strong all-around gymnast and her power on vault and floor impressed us most during the recruiting process. She continues our trend of signing Canadian gymnasts who have had great success in their Spartan Career – former Spartans Taylor Chan, Emma Milne, Jada Mazury and current gymnasts Kyra Cato and Ella Power."
Genesis PeBenito, Las Vegas, Nev., Odyssey Charter School, Salcianu Elite Academy of Gymnastics
- Trains at Salcianu Elite Academy of Gymnastics for coaches Tammy & Sorin Salcianu and Tammy Biggs
- 2022 and 2024 National Qualifier
- 2024 DEV National Championships bronze medalist on balance beam
- 2022 Development National Championships – sixth on floor
- 2024 Region 1 qualifier – bronze medalist on beam, fifth on bars and floor and sixth in the all-around
- Second in the all-around and beam at the 2024 Nevada State Championships
- 2019 Developmental Team Invite to USA National Camp
Coach Bowers on Genesis
“Genesis has a great competitive spirit and embraces competing in big meets. She is strongest on bars and beam, but also has beautiful artistry on floor.”
Coach Bowers on the signing class
“We are extremely excited to add Genesis and Sophie to our Spartan family! They will help us to continue to move the gymnastics program forward with their difficulty and performance quality. Most importantly, they are awesome people and very good students. We have a strong team culture with high standards, and both gymnasts will fit in nicely.”
#AllSpartans