USU has announced that it signed McKenzey Martinez of Idaho, Michelle Yasukochi of California, and Hayley Sanzotti of Illinois to Letters of Intent this fall. All three commitments have been previously reported.
The season is rapidly approaching and teams are finalizing their preparations for the season. Many teams have held intrasquad meets, scrimmages and exhibitions in preparation for the season. Some are posting video highlights or complete coverage online. Here's a collection of what's available online this season:
Kiera Brown, L10 from World Class in Virginia, has committed to Georgia. She finished her 2011 season with a 3rd place AA at JOs. She is off to a strong start this season, finishing 1st AA (1st V) at the Commonwealth Cup and 1st AA (1st V/FX) at the COTC meet.
Hannah Popper, Level 10 at Top Flight Gymnastics Training Center in Southlake, Texas, has verbally committed to Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Hannah did not compete in 2011 due to a season ending injury. In 2010 as a Level 9, she took first place on bars at the WOGA Classic and the Kurt Thomas Invitational. At regionals she took 2nd on bars and floor and 4th all around. At westerns she placed second on bars and 12th in the all around.
Towson has confirmed the signing of Abby Griswold, Erin Odom, Katie Sassa and Lydia Thompson to NLIs. The commits of all four were covered in prior news items.
Link: Towson Release
Southern Utah has announced the signing of Arlyn Armor, Stacie Webb, Baylie Divino, Kiki Parenteau and Natalie Trejo. The commits of all five were covered in prior news items.
Link: SUU Release
Former Arkansas standout Casey Jo Magee has been named Assistant Coach at WMU for the 2012 season. While serving in that position, she intends to continue training toward her goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials.
Julohn Teixeira, L10 at 10.0 Gymnastics in Massachusetts, will join Cornell's team for the 2012-2013 season. Last season Julohn placed 8th in the All-Around at states and 3rd on floor at Regionals.
Simone Freidman, L10 at Capital Gymnastics in Virginia, has committed to Bowling Green. Last season she placed 6th AA (1st FX) at her state meet; 10th at regionals and 15th AA at the NIT.
Kennedy Prentice, L10 at Wright's in Indiana, will join Cornell's team for the 2012-13 season. Last season she finished 5th AA (1st FX) at her state meet; 7th AA at regionals and 50th AA at JOs.
Madeline Martinez, L10 at Aerial Athletics, has committed to compete for Cornell next season. Last season she placed 9th AA (4th V) at both her state and regional meets and qualified to the NIT, where she placed 5th on vault. The previous year she was crowned the L9 Western vault champ.
VideoKaylie Cronin, L10 at Yellow Jackets, Ma., has been accepted to Cornell and will join the gymnastics season next year. Last season she placed 7th AA at her state meet and 9th AA at Regionals.
Allison Bushman, L10 at IGI in Illinois, has committed to Missouri. In 2011, she finished 4th AA (1st FX) at her state meet, 6th AA at regionals and 40th AA at JOs.
The college search for athletes is an “individual” quest. A winning strategy for one prospect could be a losing strategy for another. I think we can all agree that when it comes to recruiting, the “blue chip” kids are going to be found…It’s just a matter of when.
That being said, the majority of the prospects looking for a home on a college campus and as part of a varsity sports team are NOT blue chip kids and they should execute a personal plan of attack and begin to tackle the “grey areas” of recruiting.
Lindsey Lemke, L10 at Geddert's in Michigan, has tweeted her commitment to UNC. Last season she won her state meet and finished 1st on bars. She finshed 2nd AA at regionals and 4th AA (1st bars) at JOs.