Saturday, 05 November 2011 11:20

National Letter of Intent Week: Preview

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Starting this Wednesday, November 9th, and extending to November 16th, is the National Letter of Intent Week.  During this week, hundreds of young men and women around the world will sign a "National Letter of Intent" (NLI), signifying their intention to accept an offer of athletic-based financial aid from the institution of their choice.  Both Men's and Women's Gymnastics are included in this period.  During the week, schools will begin to issue press releases highlighting their signing classes.  Stay tuned to the site for recaps and links to announcements. 

These signings, in addition to another set in the spring, will comprise the incoming class of 2012-2013.   The list, copied below for your convenience, reflects the "bumper crop" of elite athletes that have deferred college until the 2012 Olympics.  It also includes a number of top L10s and some walkons show have publically made their intent known.  Athletes, families and coaches are endouraged to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.in their signing photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be profiled on the site at a later date.

You'll see a number of well known elites heading to Florida, like World Team Gold Medalist Aly Raisman and Pan Am Games AA champ Bridgette Caquatto, as they add to their arsenal of National Team members.  Georgia adds Pan Am Gold Medalist Brandie Jay while Bama will sign sr. international elite Lauren Beers.  Michigan landed former National Team member Morgan Smith and Hungarian Champion Austin Shepphard.  UCLA will add British World Team member Danusia Francis.  A number of Canadians made decisions late in the fall, and we expect to see some more names during Signing Week at some of the top colleges.

A number of other top L10s will also make their mark in the future, include 2011 Level 10 Junior Olympic (JO) National Sr. B AA champ Heather Blanske at Nebraska and 2011 Senior A AA champ Asi Peko at UCLA.  Senior A runnerup Keeley Kmiciek will sign at OU, along with Sr. B JO National Team member Maile'ana Kanewa and 2011 Sr C runnerup Haley Scaman (The Top 4 AA finishes at L10 Junior Olympic Nationals make the JO National Team).  Sr. B runnerup Kathy Tang is committed to Maryland, while JO National Team member Breanna Hughes is headed to Utah.  2010 Jr. D champ Rachel Spicer (3rd AA, 2011 Sr. A) will be signing with Florida.  Several other 2010 JO National Team members are headed to other programs;  Ariel Martin is expected to sign with Ohio State, while Randii Wyrick committed to LSU and Shealyn Farley committed early on to PSU.  History shows that a top finish in a recent L10 Nationals, and while offering no guarantees and barring future serious injury, is a great predictor of future success in the NCAA. 

Over the past several years, prospective student-athletes have been giving their "verbal commitments" to sign with their selected programs this fall.  In fact, some of these athletes gave their verbal commits two years ago.  With another year to enrollment, and another year for the season, four years will elapse by the time these athletes finish their freshman year.

A lot of things can happen during the two years to signing time, and over time, some of the commits we have listed or featured will no longer sign with their original choice.  This situation can unfortunately occur due to injury, changes in preparation (failure to maintain skill level), changes in motivation (a retirement from the sport), changes in college choice, or failure to maintain or achieve the required academic standards.  Offers made usually come with certain conditions, and these conditions are made clear to the prospective student-athlete.  Thus, it's almost guaranteed we will see signing announcements that do not include all the names on our "Commits" list, as we at CollegeGymFans.com often don't hear about a change in circumstances.  This variability is one of the unfortunate downsides of early recruiting, and anecdotally (statistics are not available), we're seeing an increase in these changes due to the increasingly early nature of the recruiting process.  In fact, we're seeing a new trend -- a second wave of recruiting beginning in the late summer that continues into spring, as coaches seek to complete their rosters for 2012-2013, due to vacancies created in the recruiting class or on the active roster. 

Here's a list of where the women are expected to sign.  Unconfirmed commits and walkons are italicized or labeled as such.  The men are listed in the Men's section.  Please remember that walkons will not sign a Letter of Intent and are not typically included in the signing week press releases.

College or University

# Available for incoming '12-'13 (total/remaining)

 
Air Force
All appointments include
scholarships

Ali Ables, Gwinnett, L10
Megan Bastuba, Olympia, L10
Shannon Kelly, Desert Devils, L10
Sarah Neumann, Twin City Twisters, L10; per club web site
Andrea Perea, Brown's, L9

Alabama; release

  

Lauren Beers, Southern Tier, sr. international elite; per official web page
Carley Sims, JamJev, L10

Alaska; release

2 / 1

 M'rcy Matsunami, Premier, L10

Arizona; release  

Shelby Edwards, Carter's, L10; per club
Lexi Mills, WOGA, L10; per club
Jessie Sisler, Technique, L10
Christina Wood, Desert Devils, L10

Arizona State; release

 

Alexandra Cope, Parkettes, L10
Erin Hamister, Queen City, L10; not in release
Kristine Levin, WOGA, L10; per club
Stephanie Miceli, GMGC Gold Medal, L10; per NY USAG page
Risa Perez, Gymcats LV, L10

Arkansas; release

3/0

Sydnie Dillard, Eagles Wing, L10
Heather Elswick, Capital, L10
Erin Freier, Geddart's, L10
Lily Hardin, WOGA, elite

Auburn; release

 5/ 0

Caitlin Atkinson, Cypress, Sr. International Elite
Lexus Demers, Midwest Gymnastics, L10
Keara Glover, Dynamo, L10
Kathyrn Kluz, Oakland, L10
Kelsey Kopec, Ultimate, L10
Kara Koster, Arena, L10

Ball State

  2

Maria Cross, Excalibur, L10
Erin Patchey, World Class, L10; per newspaper

Boise State; release

2 / 0

Krystine Jacobsen, Excalibur, L10/former elite
Maddie Krentz, Arizona Sunrays, L10; per club
Marissa Wossner, IGI, L10; walkon

Bowling Green; release

  

Katrina Carpenter, Frederick, L10
Amanda Lievendag, Harford, L10
; not in release
Alyssa Nocella, Silvia's, L10; per recruiting service

Bridgeport (Div II)  
 
Brown

N/A

Stephanie Choo, Tops (OH), L10
Alexandra Chretien, Oakland, L10
Alexa Cohen, Aerial East, L10
Diana Walters, Crenshaw Athletic, L10

BYU

 

Makenzie Johnson, Elite Champion, L10
Summer Raymond, Olympus, L10; per her web page
Emily Vidmar, Wildfire, L10; per club

California, Berkeley (Cal); release

 

 Serena Leong, Edge, L10

California, Davis (UC Davis); release

2 full / 0

 

Ariel Horowitz, Waller's GymJam, L10; walkon per club
Taylor Baron, Liberty, L10
Dani Judal, Byer's, L10
Katie Nogaki, Wildfire, L10; per club
Stephanie Stamates, CGA, L10; per club
Jamie Yamashita, SCEGA, L10

California, Los Angeles (UCLA); release  

Sophina DeJesus, SCEGA, sr. international elite
Danusia Francis, British National Team
Asi Peko, Brown's Las Vegas, former jr. international/L10, not in release

Centenary; release  

 Casie Hood, Gymstars, L10

Central Michigan

3/0

Taylor Bolender, Gymnastics World, L10
Lexi Lajeunesse, Stars, L10
Karlee Teet, CGI, L10
Kiki Petzold, Olympia, L10

Cornell

N/A

Kaylie Cronin, YellowJackets, L10
Madeline Martinez, Aerial Athletics, L10

Denver  

Emily Barrett, Bart Connor, L10
Maggie Laughlin, Carter's, L10; per club's web page
Kaitlin Menhinick, ENA Paramus, L10
Emily Novotny, Technique, L10
Morgan Tolman, Waller's GymJam, L10; walkon per club

Eastern Michigan; release

2-3 / 0 - 1

 

Kimberly Ebeyer, Wright's, L10
Khadijah Hudson, Perfection Gymnastics, L10

Florida; release

 

Bridgette "Bridgy" Caquatto, Legacy Elite, Sr. International Elite; per Gymnastike interview
Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto, Canadian National Team
Morgan Frazier, Orlando Metro; will graduate early and join in Jan 2013
Bridget Sloan, Sharp's, Sr. International Elite; will defer
Rachel Spicer, Metroplex, L10 

George Washington

4 / 2

Alexsis Petrikis, X-Cel, L10
Taylor Redmond, Galaxy, L10

Georgia; release

3 / 0

 

Brandie Jay, GK's, Sr. International Eite
Brittany Rogers, Canadian Sr. High Performance
Anysia Unick, Stampede City, Canadian Sr. High Performance

Illinois; release

 2/0

Heather Foley, M&M, L10
Giana O'Connor, Gymnasti, L10

Illinois-Chicago

 

 
Illinois State; release

  3 /0

Danci Cha, LaFleur's WI, L19
Sarah Fisher, Park Avenue, L10; per club
Amanda Mohler, United, L10

Iowa  

 Alie Glover, US Gold, L10

Iowa State; release; release 2

5 /  0

Kristen DeCosta, Metroplex, L10
Annie Glasenapp, Fips, L10
Erin Lewallen, Houston Gymnastics Center, L10
Sammie Pearsall, IGI, L10
Sara Townsend, Legacy Elite, L10

Kent State; release

3 / 0

 

Jaymi Baxter, Suncoast, L10
Nicolle Eastman, Geddert's Twistars, L10
Anna Genrich, Euro Stars, L10
Taylor Moyer, AJS Pancott, L10; not in release

Kentucky

 3 to 4 / 0

Jillian Chappel, ACE, L10
Tiara Phipps, Aerial Athletics, L10
Amy Roemmele, Oakland, L10
Sara Shipley, American Twisters, L10; per newspaper

Lindenwood (Div II); release

3 / 0

Tori Beckwith, Colorado Aerials, L10
Trystien Charles, Gwinnett, L10
Alicia Floyd, Airborne, L10
Daniela Fumagalli, Aerial Athletics, L10
Courtney Heise, Colorado Aerials, L10
Valeri Ingui, Rockdale, Georgia
Katie Kuehl, Team Central, L10
Karoline Sondov, Norway

LSU; release  

Jessie Jordan, Cypress, Elite; not in release
Randii Wyrick, Brown's LV, L10

Maryland; release  

Haley Jones, First State, L10
Kathy Tang, Daggett's, L10

Michigan; release

  3 / 1

 

Austin Sheppard, Golden Grip, L10
Morgan Smith, Brandy Johnson's, sr. international elite

Michigan State; release

3 /0

 

Jodi Andrews, Geddert's, L10; walkon per club
Lisa Burt, ACE Gymnastics, L10
Nicola Deans, Futures, National Open; per newspaper
Kate Filosi, NEGX, L10, per newspaper
Brittany Holmes, Geddart's, L10; per Region 5 page

Minnesota; release

4 /0

 

Madeline Hanley, Parkettes, sr. international elite
Sarah Lokos, Hill's, L10
Lindsay Mable, CGI, L10
Hanna Nordquist, Twin City, L10

Missouri; release

2 / 0

Blair Elmore, Champions, L10
Miranda Eubanks, Champion, L10
Kelsey Landreth, Show Me, L10; starting in January 2012

Nebraska;

 3-4 / 1-2

Jordyn Beck, McCracken's, L10
Hollie Blanske, Twin City, L10

New Hampshire; release

3 / 0

 

Kelsie Aucoin, Metroplex, L10
Lauren Brodie, Gymnastics World, L10
Regina Romero, Metroplex, L10; not in release
Elissa Solomon, Arena, L10

North Carolina; release

1 in;1 out;1 out partial; 0

Lexi Cappalli, IGI, L10
Josselyn Mackey, Xtreme, L10
Sarah Peterson, Mid Island, L10

North Carolina State; release

4 /1

 

Aubrey Hine, Prestige, L10
Brittni Watkins, World Class, L10
Michaela Woodford, Sun Country, L10

Northern Illinois

 3 / 0

Natalie Amadio, Libertyville, L10
Kylie Clark, IGI, L10
Jaelyn Olsen, Mat Trotters, L10

Ohio State; release

4 / 0

Rachel Abrams, Rowland Ballard, L10
Maggie Dunn, Brestyan's, L10
Maddie Herr, Vasi's International Gymnastics; not in release
Ariel Martin, IGI, L10; not in release
Audrey Tolbert, Frederick, L10
Andrea Vazquez, Orlando Metro, L10; not in release

Oklahoma; release

3 / 0

Maile'ana Kanewa, The Gym Academy, L10
Keeley Kmieciak, Phenom, L10
Hunter Price, Aerial Athletic, L10
Haley Scaman, IGI, L10

Oregon State; release

5 / 1

 

Erika Aufiero, Deltchev, L10
Sarah Marquez, Airborne, L10
Nicole Turner, Metroplex, L10
Jaime Wright, Northwest Gymnastics, L10

Penn;

 
 

Penn State; release

3 / 0 

Taylor Alotta, Parkettes, L10
Alyssa DiFrancesco, Prestige, L10
Shealyn Farley, Prestige, L10
Sammie Musto, Atlantic Coast, L10

 

Pittsburgh; release

3 to 4 / 1 to 2

 

Jacqueline Lucci, Parkettes, L10; not in release
Lindsay Offutt, Oakland, L10 
Lisa Soto, Southeastern, L10

Rutgers; release

3 / 2

Jenna Williams, Will-Moor, L10

San Jose State; release

4 / 1

Allison Bellingham, South Coast, L10
Alyssa Kaschak, Metroplex, L10
Marissa Unpingco, Edge, L10

Sacramento State; release

2/0

Cassie Benning, Byers, L10
Jesse Williams, GymJam, L10

Seattle Pacific (Div II);

Partials

 

Southern Connecticut State (Div II)

 
 

Southern Utah;

 

Arlyn Amor, Geddert's Twistars, L10; per club
Baylie Divino, Olympus, L10
Kiki Parenteau, FLIPS MN, L10
Natalie Trejo, Deltchev, L10
Stacie Webb, Gym Max, L10

Southeast Missouri; release

2/ potential for partial

Hayli Huiner, IGI, L10
Taylor Penzien, Olympia, L10

Stanford; release

                        2/0

Melissa Chuang, Airborne, L10; per club
Jenna Frowein, HITS, L10
Taylor Rice, Gymcats, L10; per club
Maggie Teets, Colorado Aerials, L10; will joiin

Temple;

 
 

Texas Woman's (Div II)

Half

 

Towson;

4-5 partial / 0 - 1

Abby Griswold, Daggett's, L10
Erin Odom, Texas East, L10
Katie Sassa, Silvia's, L10
Lydia Thompson, Harford, L10

Utah; release

 

Breanna Hughes, Twin City Twisters, L10; per club web page
Haley Lange, Auburn Gymnastics Center, L10; per club

Utah State;

3 / 0

McKenzey Martinez, Magic Valley, L10
Hayley Sanzotti, IGI, L10
Michelle Yasukochi, Seawind, L10

Washington; release

3 - 4 / 0 - 1

Eliza Barach, World Class, L10; per personal web page
Sheridan Metcalf, Desert Devils, L10; per personal web page
Allison Northey, Gym East, L10; per club

Western Michigan; release

3 / 0 

Jessica Buis, Champions USA (MI), L10
Miya Dotson, Oakland, L10
Kayla Weber, Olympia

West Virginia; release

2 / 0

Gina Costa, Airborne CA, L10
Jaida Lawrence, NEGX, L10

William and Mary

  

Alyssa Glass, Frederick, L10
Brittany Stover, SIGS, L10

Yale;

N/A

 

For more information about the National Letter of Intent program, please visit their web page.

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