Robert DiRugeris will sign with Ohio State, according to his local paper. He trains at Will-Moor in New Jersey. He was 32nd AA at the 2010 JO Nationals.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
Kelly Nortz, a L10 at Great Lakes, will sign with Northern Illinois this week. At the 2009 L10 Nationals, she placed 18th AA in the Senior A group.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
UGA has signed Chelsea Davis and Sarah Persinger, as expected. In a school release, UGA Head Coach Jay Clark noted, "Chelsea does it all and does it all well. She is the complete package of balance between power and grace." On Persinger, he added, "She has that elite look and polish that we've had from so many gymnasts in the past."
Chelsea Davis: A sr. international elite and member of the 2010 US World Championships Team. She trains at Texas Dreams. She tied for 5th AA at the 2010 VISA Championships.
Sarah Persinger: A former international elite who trains at Southeastern. She placed 22nd AA and 10th(t) on UB at the 2010 L10 Nationals.
Link: UGA Release
Centenary has added Ciara Maradiaga for the 2011 season. The L10 from Texas East is currently attending jr. college in Texas. She finished 14th AA at the 2009 Region III L10 Regionals.
Link: Release
Pittsburgh has signed Haley Bodenheimer and Brianna Hogan, as expected. Says assistant coach Mike Rowe, "Both Bri and Haley will bring with them not only their successful competitive experience but a great consistent technical foundation of the sport, which is demonstrated in their work ethic, progress and ultimately their success".
Haley Bodenheimer: L10 at Salem Gymnastics, was a two time international elite qualifier (2005 and 2006). She was 10th AA at the 2010 L10 Nationals.
Brianna Hogan: A L10 at Geddart's Twistars, she finished 18th AA at the 2009 L10 Nationals.
Link: Pitt Release
A pair of L10s from MAC in Portland plan to sign with Sac State on Friday, according to their hometown paper. They are Kalliah McCartney and Kayla Wonderly.
McCartney tied for 23rd AA in the Senior B division at the L10 Nationals. At the 2009 JO Nationals, she placed 9th(t) on BB and 31st(t) AA. Link: Recruiting Web Site, Including Video
Wonderly tied for 8th on UB and tied for 25th AA in the Senior C division at the L10 Nationals. She tied for 2nd AA at the 2009 Region II L10 Regionals, and advanced to Nationals but competed just two events. Link: YouTube.com Channel
Chelsey Baker has signed with Alaska-Anchorage, according to her hometown newspaper. She trains at Gymnastics Plus in Florida. As a L9 in 2010, she placed 3rd AA, 2nd(t) VT, 3rd BB and 4th(t) on UB at the Eastern Nationals, Senior 7 division.
Oklahoma men's coach has announced the signing of four standouts for the 2011-2012 season: Dylan Akers, Jacoby Rubin, Danny Berardini, and William Clement. Said Coach Mark Williams, “This could be one of the better groups that we have had in a couple of years”.
Akers is a junior National Team member who trains at Cypress. He finished tied for 15th AA and 5th on PH in the Senior Men's division of the 2010 VISA Championships and was a member of the gold medal winning team at the Pan American Championships. Link: Video at Gymnastike.org
Rubin is another junior National Team member and trains at Buffalo Grove. He placed 2nd AA, 2nd on PH, 6th(t) on FX and 6th HB at the 2010 VISA Championships, in the junior men's 16-18 division. Link: FX at the 2010 Winter Cup Video
Berardini trains with Rubin at Buffalo Grove. He finished 23rd at the 2010 JO National and 11th AA, 4th on Rings and 5th HB at the 2009 VISA Championships. Link: YouTube.com Channel
Clement trains at the California Sports Center. He finished 27th AA at the 2010 JO Nationals and 15th AA at the VISA National Qualifier. Link: YouTube.com Channel
Link: OU Release
Oregon State has announced the signing of two athletes to NLIs for the 2011-2012. Said Head Coach Tanya Chaplin, "They are talented gymnasts, excellent students and wonderful young women. They have had tremendous success academically and competing at the Junior Olympic level." The two, who were covered in prior news items, include:
Chelsea Tang, a L10 from NAAG and a 2010 L10 National Champ on the UB
Cerise Witherby, a L10 from Wildfire who finished 3rd AA at the 2010 L10 Nationals
Link: Oregon State Release
Penn State has signed three gymnasts, according to a school release. The commits of all three were covered in prior news items. According to Head Coach Jeff Thompson, "We are excited about the possibilities with the three of them on our 2012 roster and can't wait to start coaching them next year." The three are:
Alexis Carroll, a L10 from Hills who is a 2010 L10 National Champ on vault
Krystal Welsh, a L10 from Docksiders. She finished 6th on the UB at the L10 Nationals.
Alexandra Witt, a L10 who finished 4th UB and 8th AA at the 2010 L10 Nationals.
Link: PSU Release