Rachel York, L10 at Dynamo in Oklahoma, has committed to CMU for the 2011-12 season. York competed three events at her state meet last season, finishing 1st on vault. She competed two events at regionals, finishing 2nd on vault and 4th on floor.
Jeff Graba has been named Head Coach at Auburn. Graba makes the move from Utah, where he has been the Assistant Coach for the past five seasons. At Utah he coached Kristina Baskett to a National Title on bars and he coached many of his bars workers to All America status. He came to the collegiate ranks after years as co-owner and head coach at Midwest Gymnastics in Minnesota. Graba tweets that he'll start his new job next week.
Tina Necas has committed to Sacramento State, according to her club's web page. Necas competes as an L10 for Brown's in Nevada. She finished 10th AA at her regional meet last season and 10th AA (1st V) at the NIT.
Will Stokley has been hired as an assistant at SEMO. Stokley was a graduate assistant at Ball State and a student assistant at AU.
Link: SEMO Release
UIC Men's Head Coach CJ Johnson has retired, according to a school release. His coaching career spanned 36 years, and yielded back-to-back Division II National Titles in 1978 and 1979.
Link: UIC Release
Brittney Harris, a L10 at the Parkettes, is slated to join Pitt in the fall, according to a school release. Harris reported previously committed to PSU. She missed much of the last season with an Achilles' injury. As a Sr. D in 2009, she placed 10th(t) on VT and 31st AA at the L10 Nationals.
Link: Pitt Release
Tori Morris is headed to San Jose State this fall, according to a site submission. She competed L9 this past season at Gym-Max.
Sarah Grady, a L10 from WGA Texans, has committed to Ohio State, according to her club and her recruiting website. She finished 8th AA, 2nd on VT, 3rd on UB and 2nd on BB at the 2010 Region III L10 Regionals, Sr. C. She also finished 13th AA at the 2009 Level 10 Nationals.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
Gina Locigno, L10 from American Twisters in Florida, has committed to Bowling Green for the 2011-12 season. 2010 highlights include a near 1st place sweep (1st AA; 1st V/UB/FX; 2nd BB) at the Sun and Surf meet and a 1st AA finish at the Tim Rand Invitational. She placed 7th AA at her state meet and 13th AA (8th V and 4th FX) at regionals.
Haley Watts, L10 from Southeastern Gymnastics in North Carolina, has committed to UNC. Watts had a solid 2010 season, finishing 1st or 2nd AA in all of her regular season meets and picking up numerous event wins. She finished 2nd AA at her state meet, 2nd AA (1st BB) at regionals and 5th AA at JOs.
Preslee Harrald's family has notified CollegeGymFans that she is no longer committed to ASU for the 2011-12 season. According to the submission, ASU has decided to reserve a scholarship for the 2011-12 season for an athlete who has redshirted due to injury. Under the circumstances, ASU has no scholarship available for Harrald and she is considering other options. Harrald competes for Kraft Academy in Oklahoma. In 2010 she finished 3rd AA in her state meet, 2nd AA (1st FX) at regionals, and 47th AA (8th BB) at JOs. In 2009, she tied for 1st AA at the NIT.
L10 Madison Mooring has committed to Nebraska, according to her club. Mooring now trains at Dynamo, after spending the past season at Krafft. Mooring placed 8th AA, 1st on BB and 2nd(t) on VT at the 2010 Region III L10 Regionals, Sr. C. She then won three events at the NIT event at the JO Nationals. She also finished 8th AA at the 2009 Region III L10 Regionals.
Link: YouTube.com Channel
(Editor's Note: The latest in Tom Kovic's ongoing series of articles on the recruiting process... just as in-gym visits begin).
Whenever I lecture on college athletics recruiting, a primary area I focus on is using “deliberate” communication with college coaches in an effort to build sincere personal relationships. Although eligibility, financial aid and contacts and evaluations are all very important, I am convinced the area of communication is very important to the likelihood of success in the college search for athletes.