Rebekah Condrad, L10 at World Class Gymnastics in Virginia, has announced via Twitter that she has committed to Arizona State. Last season Rebekah won the World Class Invitational and the Atlanta Crown. She placed 2nd AA at the Commonwealth Cup, COTC, the Tim Rand Invitational and her state meet. She is the 2012 Region 7 Bars and Beam champ and she finished 18th AA at JOs.
Bridget Hodan, L10 at Salto Gymnastics in Wisconsin, has committed to Illinois. Bridget won several meets last season, including the Cereal City Classic (1st AA; 1st V/UB/BB), the Salto Invite (1st AA; 1st UB/BB/FX), the Oshkosh Invitational (1st AA; 1st UB/BB) and her state meet (1st AA; 1st UB/BB). She won the regional beam title and placed 14th AA at JOs.
Mary Beth Box has started as a frosh walk-on at UGA, according to her family. The L10 trained with the Cartersville Twisters. In 2012, she won vault and placed 2nd AA at the L10 Georgia State Championships. She placed 15th AA at the JO NIT meet in 2011.
Leah Slobodin has committed to Maryland, according to her club. The L10 from Capital placed 5th on BB and 15th AA at the 2012 L10 Junior Olympic Nationals (Sr B). She also placed 37th AA in 2011.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
Utah State has announced the hiring of former Sac State athlete and assistant coach Jamie Donkin as an assistant. Former USU assistant TeShawne Jackson is leaving to coach at the club level in North Carolina.
Link: USU Release
Ashlynn Gibson, L10 at Zenith in Texas, has accepted a scholarship offer from Texas Women's. She is a two time L10 regional qualifier and a two time L9 Western Championships qualifier.
Jaine’ VanPutten has accepted a scholarship offer to Ohio State University. VanPutten trains as a L10 at North Stars Gymnastics in New Jersey and will join the Buckeyes in the Fall of 2013. VanPutten qualified to JO Nationals in 2011 and to JO NIT in 2012. At JO NIT she placed 4th on Vault & Bars and 6th on Floor.
Kaitlin Cowles, L10 at New England Gym Express in Connecticut, has accepted a scholarship offer from George Washington University. Kaitlin qualified to JOs in 2011 and to the NIT in 2010. In 2012 she qualified to regionals where she placed 6th on vault.
NU announced the start of Jordyn Beck, Hollie Blanske, Ariel Martin and Madison McConkey. The commits of Beck, Blanske and Martin were previously published. McConkey is a local Lincoln prospect who has resumed training with the Huskers. A L10 at the Nebraska School of Gymnastics, she placed 33rd AA at the 2011 L10 JO Nationals. She also tied for 50th AA in 2010.
Link: NU Release
Link: McConkey Videos
Shireen Khamedoost has accepted a scholarship offer to Oregon State, according to her club and her official web page. Khamedoost trains as a L10 at Olympus in Utah and will join the Beavers in the fall of 2014. At the 2012 L10 Nationals, she placed 6th on the UB and 24th AA. She tied for 13th AA at the 2011 Region I L10 Regionals, and advanced to the JO NIT meet, where she won bars.
Former OU star Jonathan Horton placed 6th on the high bar as the Olympic Gymnastics competition concluded in London.
Link: USA Gymnastics
Sarah Cerami will walk-on to Oregon State for 2012-2013, after being invited to join the squad following a camp this summer. Cerami has missed the last three season with various injuries. She trains at Oroville Gymnastics.
Link: Article and YouTube.com Channel
In day 2 of the event finals at the Olympic Games, Michigan's Sam Mikulak placed 5th on vault. Former PSU star Tommy Ramos was 5th on Rings.
Link: Michigan Release
So what is the exact definition of a walk-on athlete and how does this differ from an athlete who receives a scholarship? An athlete who is a “walk-on” is one who has been offered a spot on the roster, but will not be given scholarship money.
Unfortunately walk-on spots are sometimes perceived as a step down, but in reality they can be very prestigious and a stepping stone to earning a scholarship in the future. As a coach I always viewed it as an opportunity for an athlete. Once the team members report to practice, it is an equal playing field. The coaches usually hold all the gymnast to the same expectations throughout the entire year. Six spots need to be filled on each event whether you are a walk-on or scholarship athlete.
Some gymnasts are not recruited early in their high school years because of injury or they peaked towards their senior year and by then, most scholarships have all been given out. Others may receive scholarship offers to certain schools but choose to want a walk-on spot instead to their “dream” school. What many athletes and parents don’t realize is that these walk-on positions actually have a financial price tag to them.
Below is a list of items that a walk-on athlete often receives for being a part of the team:
APPAREL: Travel and competition gear, grips, leotards/uniforms, practice gear, shoes, backpacks
ACADEMIC SERVICES: Tutors, early registration, study tables, computers, printers, motivational and guest speakers
TRAVEL COSTS: Flights, Hotel, Per Diem
TRAINING ROOM: Tape, doctor visits, massages, weight lifting coaches, all forms of treatment for injuries, surgeries
ADMISSIONS: Some schools are full but save admission spots for the athletes, or give priority registration
SUMMER TRAINING: Training tables
Don’t be disappointed if you end up with a walk-on spot. You should be honored especially if it communicated that you have an opportunity to earn a scholarship after the first season. I have witnessed many walk-ons who became All Americans and team captains. Hard work and perseverance can bring many rewards.
If it comes down to accepting a walk-on spot in order to play at your dream school or taking a slot at another school just for the money, you might want to think very carefully. Picking your school first is a very wise way to go. You never know how the gymnastics is going to work out but you always want academics to be your priority if possible when choosing your university.
About Jill Hicks:
Jill Hicks is a former elite gymnast, Division I college athlete, club coach and Division I college gymnastics coach (Cal State Fullerton, Oregon State) and the owner of Jill Hicks Consulting, where she provides recruiting services and choreography for prospective student-athletes and their families. For further information visit: www.jhicksconsulting.com
Editor's Note: Publication of this article is not an endorsement of any recruiting service. Always check with the NCAA or your school's compliance officer for any questions regarding recruiting rules, the latest timelines, or other issues.
Effective communication between prospects and college coaches can be a critical component in the final choice in the college search for high school athletes. That being the case, prospects should try to cultivate this skill early on in an effort to demonstrate their willingness to be an equal partner in the coach-prospect relationship.
OU's Jake Dalton finished 5th on the floor at the 2012 London Olympics.
UGA incoming frosh Brittany Rogers placed 7th on vault.
Link: USA Gymnastics