Cailee Ellsworth, a level 10 from Elite Champion Gymnastics in Plano, Texas has made a committment to TWU for the 2011-2012 year. She finished 11th AA in the 2010 Region III meet.
Video and TWU Release
OU's Steven Legendre was named the recipient of the Nissen-Emery Award. The award goes to the nation's outstanding men's senior.
Link: NCAA Release
Often expected spring signings are announced here as verbal commitments prior to the spring signing period. Any official announcements issued this week will be posted here. However, the late signing period continues through August 1, so watch for additional announcements through the summer.
Bridget Sloan - UF
Georgia Dabritz and Tory Wilson - Utah
Randi Lau to graduate early - LSU
Kaitlyn Betts - USU
Ivana Hong and Becky Wing - Stanford
According to a news article, Sara Shipley has committed to Kentucky. Shipley competes at Level 10 for American Twisters in Florida. This season she placed 2nd AA at the Sun & Surf; 2nd AA (1st UB/FX) at the Presidential Classic; and 2nd AA; 1st V at the Tim Rand Invite.
Austin Sheppard represented Hungary on three events in the qualifying round of the European Championships last week. She placed 13th on vault and narrowly missed a shot at the event finals. Shepphard verbally committed to Michigan for the 2012-13 season.
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According to a tweet from McKenzie Wofford's webmaster, she has made a very early verbal commitment to Oklahoma. Wofford is a high school freshman, but may complete her high school requirements early in order to join the team for the 2013-14 season. Competing in the 2010 elite season, she finished 8th at Nationals, qualifying for the National Team. Internationally, she placed 2nd AA at the Bumbo Cup in South Africa and placed 1st on bars and beam in the event finals.
Bridgeport took its third straight USAG Collegiate National title, posting a 194.05. TWU was 2nd in 193.3, Air Force third at 191.975 and SPU 4th at 190.95.
Link: TWU Release
Breanna Gawron, L10 from Gymnastics and More in Little River, South Carolina, has committed to the College of William and Mary for the 2011 – 2012 season according to her coaches. She is a 3-time state beam champ and 5-time regional qualifier. She has not competed this season due to injury.
WOGA has officially announced that International Elite Ivana Hong will enroll at Stanford and join the team there next year. A long time National Team Member, Hong has represented the US internationally over the years at Worlds, the Pan Am Games and other competitions.
TWU won the second session at the USAG Collegiate Championships, posting a 194.125. Host Air Force also advanced with a 193.2. TWU's Brittany Johnson led her squad by winning the AA with a 39.075. Brittany Dutton of Air Force was 2nd.
Link: Air Force Release
Defending champion Bridgeport and SPU advanced from Session I of the USA Gymnastics Collegiate Championships. Monica Mesalles led Bridgeport, posting the session's highest AA tally. She also had the high mark on VT and FX while tying for the highest mark on BB with teammate Emily Repko and SPU's Anissa Madrid. Madrid posted the highest score of the sesson on UB.
Link: SPU Release
Cal State Fullerton has officially announced the termination of its Women's Gymnastics program. The program was unable to meet its funding commitments by the March 1st deadline imposed by the university. Wrestling was also cut. The storied program was the 1979 AIAW National Team Champion. (The AIAW was the predecessor to the NCAA for women). Fullerton also came in 2nd twice (2 AIAW, 1 NCAA) and 3rd five times (3 AIAW, 2 NCAA). They also won 10 conference titles and nine regional titles.
Link: CSUF Release
Michelle Yasukochi, L10 at Seawind Gymnastics in California, has committed to Utah State for the 2012-13 season. This season she finished in the top ten at the OC Team Challenge, Classic Rock (1st BB), and Malibu Coast Classic (2nd V/FX). She recently placed 15th at the SoCal state meet.
Maria Cross, L10 from Excalibur in Virginia, has committed to Ball State. She has had a active 2011 competitive season, turning in a top AA finish at the PKI, a 2nd place finish at the Virginia Beach Classic, a 3rd place finish at the Ocean State Classic and finishing 4th AA at the World Class Invite and Excalibur Invite. She won bars at the Richmond Fall Classic and Virginia Beach Classic and recently finished 6th AA at her state meet.
The NCAA has announced the draw for the afternoon and evening session for next week's NCAA Championships. Check the link below to see when your favorite team or athlete is competing.