Sarah Grady, a L10 from WGA Texans, has committed to Ohio State, according to her club and her recruiting website. She finished 8th AA, 2nd on VT, 3rd on UB and 2nd on BB at the 2010 Region III L10 Regionals, Sr. C. She also finished 13th AA at the 2009 Level 10 Nationals.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
Gina Locigno, L10 from American Twisters in Florida, has committed to Bowling Green for the 2011-12 season. 2010 highlights include a near 1st place sweep (1st AA; 1st V/UB/FX; 2nd BB) at the Sun and Surf meet and a 1st AA finish at the Tim Rand Invitational. She placed 7th AA at her state meet and 13th AA (8th V and 4th FX) at regionals.
Haley Watts, L10 from Southeastern Gymnastics in North Carolina, has committed to UNC. Watts had a solid 2010 season, finishing 1st or 2nd AA in all of her regular season meets and picking up numerous event wins. She finished 2nd AA at her state meet, 2nd AA (1st BB) at regionals and 5th AA at JOs.
Preslee Harrald's family has notified CollegeGymFans that she is no longer committed to ASU for the 2011-12 season. According to the submission, ASU has decided to reserve a scholarship for the 2011-12 season for an athlete who has redshirted due to injury. Under the circumstances, ASU has no scholarship available for Harrald and she is considering other options. Harrald competes for Kraft Academy in Oklahoma. In 2010 she finished 3rd AA in her state meet, 2nd AA (1st FX) at regionals, and 47th AA (8th BB) at JOs. In 2009, she tied for 1st AA at the NIT.
L10 Madison Mooring has committed to Nebraska, according to her club. Mooring now trains at Dynamo, after spending the past season at Krafft. Mooring placed 8th AA, 1st on BB and 2nd(t) on VT at the 2010 Region III L10 Regionals, Sr. C. She then won three events at the NIT event at the JO Nationals. She also finished 8th AA at the 2009 Region III L10 Regionals.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
(Editor's Note: The latest in Tom Kovic's ongoing series of articles on the recruiting process... just as in-gym visits begin).
Whenever I lecture on college athletics recruiting, a primary area I focus on is using “deliberate” communication with college coaches in an effort to build sincere personal relationships. Although eligibility, financial aid and contacts and evaluations are all very important, I am convinced the area of communication is very important to the likelihood of success in the college search for athletes.
Ashley Stevenson has committed to Michigan State, according to her club, SCEGA. Stevenson is a L10 who finished tied for 32nd AA in the Senior A division at the 2010 L10 Nationals. As a L9 in 2009, she placed 12th AA and tied for 2nd on VT and FX at the Region I L9 Regionals.
Link: SCEGA Booster WebSite
Amber Wobma, a L10 at Geddart's Twistars, has committed to Arizona, according to her club. Wobma finished 19th AA and tied for 8th on BB at the 2010 L10 Nationals, Senior A division.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
NCSU has announced the hiring of Colleen Johnson as assistant coach. Johnson coached at Arizona for seven years.
PSU has announced the hiring of Jeff and Rachelle Thompson to coach its women's gymnastics team.
Jessica Morreale, a L10 who trains at Energym, has reportedly committed to Iowa for 2011-2012. As a Senior A, she finished 20th AA and 4th(t) on UB at the L10 Nationals in 2010. In 2009, at the Region V L10 Regionals, she placed 12th AA, 2nd(t) on UB and 4th(t) on VT.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
San Jose State has signed Julia Greer, according to a school release. Greer is a two-time YMCA National AA champion who trained as a L10 at the Toby Wells Mission YMCA. At the 2010 L10 Nationals, she finished tied for 32nd AA in the Senior D division.
Link: SJSU Release
Link: YouTube.com Channel
Minnesota has confirmed the transfer Justine Cherwink. Her commit was covered in a previous news item. Cherwink will be a freshman in eligibility, as she spent the first year at TWU but trained with her club team.
Link: Minnesota Release
Alaska has announced the signing of Shelby MacDonald to a letter of intent. The Canadian native trainedand competed as a L10 for Geddart's Twistars in Michigan, placing 2nd this year at the Region V Regionals on BB.
Link: Alaska Release
Link: YouTube.com Channel