Several newcomers have joined teams in time for the start of the season in January. At Bama, as expected, Diandra Milliner has joined the squad.
At OU, Hayden Ward and Madison Mooring are both set to compete this season. Although Ward's early start was originally announced, Mooring was also able to join the squad early.
And at TWU, Bethany Larimer has joined the squad, after starting at Kentucky in the Fall of 2009 and then transferring to Collin County Junior College. Additional January starts will be posted as they are confirmed.
Regina Romero, L10 from Metroplex in Texas, has committed to New Hampshire. Her 2010 season was punctuated by a win on floor at the WOGA Classic and a number of top 3 event finishes throughout the season. She finished 10th AA at her state meet, 7th AA at regionals and 29th AA at JO Nationals.
Amy Roemmele, L10 at Oakland Gymnastics in Michigan, has committed to Kentucky. She started this season off with a 5th place finish at the Gymnastics on the Grand. In 2010 she placed in the top five AA in all of her regular season meets and picked up wins on bars at the Michigan Acadamy Christmas Classic and the Circle of Stars meet. She placed 3rd AA (1st UB) at her regional meet and 18th AA (1st UB) at JO Nationals.
Brittany Ekstedt, a Canadian National Open gymnast who trained at Champion, will join EMU for the January semester. At the 2010 Canadian Championships, she finished 7th AA and 1st on UB in the National Open, 16+ division.
Link: EMU Release and YouTube.com Channel
Kathryn Kluz, L10 from Oakland Gymnastics in Michigan, has committed to Auburn. Kluz started this season with a win at Gymnastics on the Grand (1st AA; 1st V/UB). She had a very strong 2010 season, winning the Michigan Academy Christmas Classic (1st V/FX); the CGA Coaches Spectacular (1st V); the San Diego Classic (1st V); and her state meet (1st V). She placed 6th AA at regionals and 7th AA at JO Nationals.
USA Gymnastics has issued a letter urging members and fans of the sport to make pledges to Cal Gymnastics Forever. In September, Cal announced the elimination of the Men's and Women's Gymnastics Program. In order to save the programs, a long term financial plan must be put in place to support gymnastics, rugby, women's lacrosse and baseball. A coordinated plan to raise $12.5M has been put in place, with over $10M already raised by the other sports. The Cal gymnastics program is targeting $1M towards that total, an amount they will have until January 31st to raise. Make your pledge or help spread the word today.
Link: USAG Letter and Cal Gymnastics Forever Website
Brittni Watkins, L10 from World Class Gymnastics in New York, has committed to NCSU. She finished 1st AA at her regional meet last year and qualified to JO Nationals, where she finished 35th AA.
For the past several seasons, we've made an attempt to rank the incoming recruiting classes for teams from across the nation. Some teams, in particular the perennial superpowers, seem to appear in the rankings each season. But as for the others, you've probably noticed new teams appear as the tides of recruiting ebb and flow. With recruiting occuring earlier and earlier, predicting the progress of future recruits is becoming more and more difficult. Unexpected injuries, changes in training pattern and other personal events sometimes impact an athlete's ability to come in and contribute right away. So which school has scored the top incoming class? It was close, but read ahead to find our ranking.
It is time to update the recruitable databases and we appreciate any helpful input to ensure that the gymnast profiles are correct. The most common error is an error in the graduation year. Unless we find a personal bio sheet, a recruiting video, or a news article that specifies the year of graduation, we are left to our "best guess" as to graduation year based on the age group in which the athlete competes.
If you are a recruitable athlete, coach or parent, please check the recruitables database for your name (or your athlete's name) by using the SEARCH box at the top of the front page of this web site or the search feature under the RECRUITS > RECRUITABLES DATABASES tab at the top of the front page. If you find an error in the graduation year or any other information, please let us know.
We are working to complete the databases for the high school classes of 2012 and 2013, but we are beginning to populate the 2014 list, too. If your profile belongs on one of these lists and you don't see it, you may create a profile using the SUBMIT RECUITABLE link on the left side of the front page OR you may email us the information. Be aware that when you are enter a profile, it goes to a queue for approval before it posts. We check the website several times each day so we can approve the profiles as quickly as possible, but it may not show up immediately upon entry.
Note to L9 recruitables: We don't activley research and post L9 profiles, but you are welcome to post your profile on this site. Let us know if you have questions about this.
Thanks.
Samantha Pearsall, L10 from the Illinois Gymnastics Institute in Illinois, has committed to ISU for the 2012-13 season. Highlights of her 2010 season include winning bars and the Tampa Bay Turners and the Arena Classic meets and a 4th AA finish at the Chicago Style. Her 7th place finish at regionals qualified her to JO Nationals, where she placed 37th AA and 7th on bars.
Elaina Cammarata has received an appointment with the Air Force Academy and will compete for them next season (Note: all appointments receive scholarships, so an NLI is not signed). She is a L10 at Trinity. As a L9 last season at Crystal Lake, she finished 12th AA at the 2010 Region V L10 Regionals.
Link: Article
Be sure to checkout the article featuring links to preseason videos from some of your favorite teams. Links that have been updated since the initial publication are noted! Some of the latest updates include UCLA, Illinois and Penn.
Illinois has named Justin Spring Head Coach of it's men's program. He had been serving as Associate Head Coach.
Link: Illinois Release
Centenary has announced the addition of Lauren Cullen to the 2011-2012 squad. The L10 from Bart Conner has accepted an offer of adminission. As a L9 in 2010, she placed 16th AA, 3rd on FX and 4th(t) on BB at the L9 Western Nationals.
Link: Centenary Release and YouTube.com Channel
Caitlin Atkinson has reportedly committed to Auburn, according to a site submission. The Cypress athlete qualified to the senior international elite division at the 2010 US Classic, where she placed 20th. As a jr. international, she placed 26th AA at the 2008 VISA Championships.
Link: Additional Video at YouTube.com and Gymnastike.org