Ariyanna Smith has committed to EMU for the 2011-12 season. She is a Level 10 at Buckeye Gymnastics in Ohio. She finished in the top 10 at most of her meets last season and finished 12th AA at regionals last year.
As expected, Cassie Whitcomb signed with UCLA this week. Additionally,Christine Peng Peng Lee, Canadian National Team member and Dana McDonald, L10 from California have also signed.
As previously reported, Kayla Williams, Brooke Parker, Diandra Milliner and Kaitlyn Clark have signed with Alabama.
UNC has announced the signing of Haley Watts and Janell Sargent. Watts' commit was covered in a prior news item. Sargent is a L10 who trains at Rose's Gymnastics. This past season she placed 11th AA and 4th on BB at the Region VIII L10 Regionals. At the 2009 L10 Nationals, she tied for 28th AA.
Links: UNC Release and Sargent Profile Page with Videos
Iowa State has signed Caitlin Brown, as expected. The L10 from TAGS South tied for 13th AA at the 2010 L10 Nationals.
Link: Iowa State Release
Congratulations to all the National Letter of Intent Signees. A few submitted pictures are in the gallery at this link. Athletes and Parents are invited to contribute their pictures.
Katrina Carpenter, L10 at Frederick Gymnastics in Maryland, has committed to Bowling Green for the 2012-13 season. In 2010, she placed 2nd AA (1st BB) at the Frederick Classic; 4th AA at her state meet; 8th AA at regionals and 10th AA at the NIT.
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
Kiersten Wang, L10 from Colorado Aerials, has signed with Florida.
Stephani Canizaro and Samantha (Sammy) Kolbas have signed with Arkansas.
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
Kelsi Eberly (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield HS), Nikki McGarel (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central HS) and Jordan Naleway (Vernon Hills, Ill./Vernon Hills HS) signed with Illinois.
Announcement