If there is one area of the college recruiting process that stands above the rest, I believe it is the way prospects effectively communicate with college coaches. Let’s face it, the majority of boys and girls in any given active recruiting pool will not be blue chip prospects and a reluctance to proactively communicate with college coaches will oftentimes result in an undertow that will likely drag a prospect and family backward in the college search. Below are some simple tips to consider when making an introductory contact with college coaches.
Nicole Turner, L10 at Metroplex in Texas, has committed to Oregon State for the 2012-13 season. Her 2010 results include a 3rd place AA finish at the Texas Prime meet (1st V/FX), a 1st place AA finish at the Nadia Comaneci meet and a 1st place win (1st FX) at her state meet.
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Brandie Jay, an elite from GK Gymnastics in Colorado, has committed to UGA. Her 2010 results include a 2nd AA finish at the Winterest, a 3rd AA finish at the Sand Dollar meet and a 2nd AA at the Sand Dollar Elite Qualifier. She went on to win the All Olympia meet (1st V/UB/FX), her state meet (1st V/UB), regionals (1st V) and JO Nationals (1st V). During the elite season she competed at the Covergirl Classic, finishing 13th AA, and the Visa Championships, finishing 17th AA (3rd V).
Kentucky defeated Ball State in an exhibition match Friday evening. Scores were kept, but full team scores are unavailable.
Link: Ball State Release
Madeline Hanley, an elite at Parkettes in Pennsylvania, has committed to Minnesota according to her Facebook postings. In 2010, she competed at the Gymnix International Cup in Canada, placing 5th AA; 6th BB; 7th FX and 8th UB. She competed in the elite session of the Buckey Classic, finishing 14th AA and she placed 4th AA (1st UB and FX) at the 2010 PKI. In 2009 she competed at the Covergirl Classic and VISA Championships, finishing 27th AA and 25th AA respectively.
Boise State, as expected, announced the signing of Kelsey Morris, Erica Oswalt and Ciera Perkins. The commits of all three were covered in prior news items. "We are excited to be adding three extremely talented gymnasts," said Co-Head Coach TinaBird. SHe added, "With two national team members and two national title winners, this class is poised to make Boise State's quest to become a nationally competitive powerhouse a reality."
Link: Boise State Release
NU (M) has announced the signing of three athletes to letters of intent: Josh Ungar, Grant Perdue and Gabriel Jolly.
Ungar trains at the Tim Daggett Gold Medal Gymnastics. He placed 13th AA at the 2010 VISA Championships, Junior Men's 16-18 division. Link: YouTube.com Channel
Perdue trains at the Houston Gymnastics Academy. At the 2010 National Qualifier, he placed 14th AA, including a 3rd place finish on FX. He also finished 23rd AA at the 2010 JO Nationals, Jr Men 14-15.
Jolley trains at All American in Utah. He tied for 52nd AA in the prelims of the 2009 JO Nationals, Jr Men 14-15. Link: YouTube.com Video
Link: NU Release
Troester.com has published the GymInfo Preseason Coaches' Poll. Defending champion UCLA leads the poll, earning 32 first place votes. Alabama is 2nd, with three first place votes. Just behind in 3rd is Florida, with three first place votes. OU is ranked fourth, with two first place votes. Utah and Stanford each picked up a 1st place vote and rank 5th and 6th, respectively.
Sac State has announced the signing of Kalliah McCartney, Tina Necas, Claire TOrgerson, and Kayla Wonderly. The commits or signing of all four was reported earlier.
Link: CSUS Release
Erin Lewallen has committed to Iowa State for the 2012-13 season. Erin is a Level 10 at Houston Gymnastics in Texas. Her 2010 season was highlighted by a 3rd place AA finish at the WOGA Classic and a 5th place AA finish at the Texas State Qualifier and the Texas Prime meet. She ended her season at the NIT, finishing 6th on Bars, her only event in that meet.
Personal web pageMichigan (M) has announced the signing of seven athlete's to letters of intent:
Adrian De Los Angeles: De Los Angeles trains at SCATS. At the 2010 VISA Championships, he finished 2nd AA and 1st on Rings in the Junior Men's 14-15 division. Links: FX Video and Parallel Bar Video and YouTube.com Channel
Stacey Ervin Jr.: Ervin trains at Mills Gymnastics. He placed 4th AA, 3rd on FX and 1st on VT at the 2010 VISA Championships, Junior Men's 14-15 division. Link: Interview Video
Taylor Harrower: Harrower trains at Integrity Gymnastics. He finished 104th AA in the preliminaries at the 2010 JO Nationals. Link: Video
Nicholas Hunter: Hunter's commit was covered in a prior news item.
Mark Panhorst: Panhorst trainst at Bartlett Gymnastics. He finished 105th AA in the preliminaries at the 2010 JO Nationals. Link: Video
Paul Rizkalla Jr.: Rizkalla trains at Surgent's Elite. He placed 38th AA in the preliminaries at the 2010 JO Nationals. Link: YouTube.com Channel
Michael Strathern: Strathern's commit was covered in a prior news item.
According to Head Coach Kurt Golder, "The class is made up of very talented individuals. I predict that a few are capable of making the Senior National Team in the future. I believe they'll all contribute and make a big difference for our team."
Link: UM Release
UC Davis has announced the signing of Kayla De Francesco,a L10 from SCEGA. At the 2010 L10 Regionals, she placed 11th AA and qualified to the JO NIT tournament. She finished 2nd AA and 7th AA at the 2009 Level 9 Western Nationals.
Link: UC Davis Release
Ball State announced the signing of Madison Shorts, as expected. Her commit was covered in a prior news item.
Link: Ball State Release
Former standout Ashley Kent has been named assistant at Iowa State, according to a school release.
Link: Release
Claire Torgerson, L10 at Byers in California, has signed with Sacramento State. Highlights of her 2010 season include a win (1st AA; 1st v/bb) at the Winter Invitational and several other individual event wins throughout the season. She finished 6th AA at regionals and 24th AA at National JOs.
Short preview capsules for the Top 25 teams (updated 12/2 to reflect the preseason Poll), are now available by choosing News from the menu at the top of each page, then Features, then Capsule Previews.