NCAA Women's Gymnastics NLI Signing Week for the Class of 2014
NCAA Women's Gymnastics NLI Signing Week for the Class of 2014
Photo: Texas Dreams class of 2015 signees Kennedy Baker, Kiana Winston & Madison Cindric on singing day. Via @texasdreams twitter
The official early period for signing a National Letter of Intent for Gymnastics has officially begun. It's an exciting day for athletes around the world to "make it official" with their college of choice. These signings, in addition to another set in the spring, will comprise the incoming class of 2014-2015.
Below are the gymnasts who have officially signed NLI's to the Nation's top 15 NCAA women's gymnastics rograms. Click the gymnast's name to watch their videos.
Alabama
The Tide welcomes five new athletes and two of them - Aja Sims and Keely McNeer - are scheduled to join the team in December to be eligible for the 2014 season.
Aja Sims - Orlando, FL - Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics - Level 10
Sims is one of the Nation's top level 10 gymnasts. She was the 2012 J.O. National All Around, Uneven Bars, and Beam Champion. She even has a skill named after her on the uneven bars, a wieler kip to comaneci salto. In 2013, she placed 2nd all around at the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup and won the J.O. National titles on beam and floor. She trains at Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics under coaches Kelly Pitzen and Brandy Johnson-Scharpf.
Keely McNeer - Brandon, Miss. - Courthouse Gymnastics Co - Former elite
We haven't seen much of McNeer since the 2010 Visa Championships where she placed 15th all around and made the U.S. National Team. She is now coached by Mario and Cheryl Gonzalez at Courthouse Gymnastics Co.
Mackenzie Brannan - Austin, TX - Capital Gymnastics - Level 10/Former elite
As an elite, Brannan was a four-time U.S. Championships competitor and placed 4th on uneven bars at the 2010 Championships. She made a successful move back to level 10 in 2013, winning the 2013 J.O. National Title on Floor. Brannan is coached by Barry Hyder at Capital Gymnastics.
Nickie Guerrero - McKinney, TX - Zenith Elite Gymnastics - Level 10
Guerrero finished 4th all around at the 2013 J.O. National Championships, earning a place on the J.O. National team. She is coached by Tatiana Schgelkova and Alex Atamas at Zenith Gymnastics.
Kiana Winston - Fort Worth, TX - Texas Dreams Gymnastics - Elite
Winston is a former member of the U.S. Junior National team and a 3-time U.S. Championships qualifier. She trains under Chris Burdette and Kim Zmeskal Burdette at Texas Dreams Gymnastics.
Arkansas
Arkansas has not officially announced their class of 2014 signings. They are expected to sign Leah MacMoyle of North Stars, Braie Speed of Olympia Hills Gymnastics, and Paige Zaziski of Hunt's. The Gymbacks finished 10th in 2013.
Auburn
The Tigers finished 13th in 2013 and will welcome one of the top recruits in the history of the program next year in senior international elite Abby Milliet.
Abby Milliet - Denton, TX - Denton Gymnastics Academy - Elite
Milliet is a senior international elite and competed the nation's highest D score on beam in 2013. She finished eighth in the all-around, balance beam and floor exercise at the 2013 P&G Championships and was invited to the World Selection Camp. At the 2013 Secret U.S. Classic, Milliet was third in uneven bars, fourth in all-around, while also placing fifth in balance beam and seventh on floor. She also won the senior all around title at the 2013 WOGA Classic. She is coached by Rodica and Aurel Lazar at Denton Gymnastics Academy.
Sarah Garcia - Temecula, CA - SCEGA - Level 10
Garcia finished 2nd all around and 2nd on bars at the 2011 Region 1 Championships. In 2013, she won the NIT division at J.O. Nationals and also won the all around title at the California Classic. She is coached by Kathy Strate, Meredith Paulicivic and Luis Garcia at SCEGA.
Florida
The reigning National Champions sign a trio of Texans. All three athletes bring international elite experience.
Kennedy Baker - Flower Mound, TX - Texas Dreams - Elite, U.S. Senior National Team
Baker is a member of the U.S. National team and was the 2013 U.S. National Balance Beam bronze medalist. She advanced to the U.S. Olympic Trials in her first year at the senior elite level and finished eighth all around and seventh on bars. Baker trains at the Texas Dreams with coaches Kim Zmeskal-Burdette and Chris Burdette, the same club as current Gator freshman Claire Boyce. Teammate Peyton Ernst plans to sign with the Gators for the 2015-2015 season.
Grace McLaughlin – Allen, Texas - Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics
The longtime WOGA elite has moved to Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics in Florida for her final season of elite gymnastics. McLaughlin fought through injuries to finish 8th on bars at the 2013 Secret Classic. She was the 2011 American Classic All Around Champion. McLaughlin helped Team USA to the 2011 Pan American Games team gold medal alongside current Gators Bridgey Caquatto and Bridget Sloan. McLaughlin is now coached by Brandy Johnson and Kelly Pitzen.
The longtime WOGA elite has moved to Brandy Johnson's Global Gymnastics in Florida for her final season of elite gymnastics. McLaughlin fought through injuries to finish 8th on bars at the 2013 Secret Classic. She was the 2011 American Classic All Around Champion. McLaughlin helped Team USA to the 2011 Pan American Games team gold medal alongside current Gators Bridgey Caquatto and Bridget Sloan. McLaughlin is now coached by Brandy Johnson and Kelly Pitzen.
Ericha Fassbender - Houston, Texas - Stars Gymnastics - Level 10/former elite
Fassbender returned to level 10 in 2013 and placed 7th all around, 3rd on vault, and 5th on beam at 2013 J.O. Nationals. She is a former member of the U.S. Junior National Team and has competed internationally. She won the bars title at the 2010 Top Gym competition in Belgium. She trains at Stars Gymnastics Training Center under Dan and Ashley Baker.
Michigan
Brown with former elite teammates Lexie Priessman & Amelia Hundley at her
CGA signing party.
Nebraska
The Huskers will welcome two of the Nation's top level 10 recruits, Geddert's Twistars USA teammates Grace Williams and Kamerin Moore. Nebraska had a great regular season in 2013 but struggled in the post season, resulting in a low #14 ranking for the conclusion of 2013.
Photo via @HuskersWGym. Clockwise: Tafuri, Williams, Moore, Breen.
Georgia
Georgia lost two prior commits but still signed two strong Class of 2014 athletes. This is a common occurrence after coaching changes. Brianna Brown changed her mind and signed with Michigan, while Chanen Raygoza chose Penn State. The Gym Dogs returned to the Super Six in 2013 and finished 6th place nationally.
Hayley Sanders - McKinney, TX - WOGA - Level 10
Sanders is a great all arounder and really excels on bars. She was the 2013 Region 3 Champion on Vault and Bars and won the silver medal on bars at 2013 J.O. Nationals. In 2012, she won the Region 3 All Around and bars titles.
Gigi Marino - Scottsdale, AZ - Desert Devils Gymnastics - Level 10
Marino also has great all around potential but really excels on the leg events. She finished 2nd on vault and 6th all around at the 2013 J.O. Nationals. At the 2013 Region 1 Championships, she won the vault and floor titles and finished 6th all around.
Illinois
The Fighting Illini advanced to NCAA Nationals in 2013 with a clutch performance at Regionals and finished 11th at the Championship.
Bridget Hodan - Brookfield, WI - Salto Gymnastics - Level 10
Hodan is a four-time Level 10 National Qualifier and finished 5th place on beam at the 2013 J.O. Nationals. She was the 2013 Region 4 Beam Champion and finished 3rd on beam, 9th on floor, an 14th all around at the 2012 J.O. Nationals.
Jordyn Givens - Keller, TX - Top Flight Gymnastics Training Center - Level 10
Givens is a 2013 Level 10 JO Nationals qualifier and finished in top five in all four events and in the all-around at the 2013 Region 3 Championships.
LSU
LSU is a team on the rise. They finished 5th on the 2013 Super Six NCAA Finals and welcome two strong recruits.
Erin Macadaeg - San Mateo, CA - San Mateo Gymnastics - Elite
Macadaeg qualified for senior international elite in 2013 and had a great finish to her club season as she earned seventh place on beam and 10th in the all-around at the P&G National Championships. She finished third on beam and ninth in the all-around at the 2013 U.S. Secret Classic. As a level 10 gymnast in 2012, Macadaeg qualified to J.O. Nationals where she won the beam title, finished sixth on vault and placed 10th in the all-around. She trains at San Mateo Gymnastics under coaches Armen Astoian and Oksana Bystrova.
Myia Hambrick - Carrollton, GA - West Georgia Gymnastics - Level 10
Hambrick is a five-time J.O. National qualifier. She captured the floor exercise title, finished second on beam, fifth on vault and placed third in the all-around at the 2013 J.O. Championships, earning her place on the J.O. National team. Hambrick is coached by her mother Laurie at West Georgia Gymnastics.
Michigan
Michigan brings in a large class of five recruits. The Wolverines finished the 2013 season ranked 7th nationally.
Brown with former elite teammates Lexie Priessman & Amelia Hundley at her
CGA signing party.
Brianna Brown - West Chester, Ohio - Cincinnati Gymnastics - Level 10/Former elite
Brown is a former senior international elite and will return to Level 10 this year. She was a member of the 2011-12 U.S. Junior National Team after finishing 12th in the all-around at the 2011 VISA Championships. She represented Team USA at the 2012 City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy. She trains at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.
Ilana Gordon - San Carlos, CA - Airborne Gymnastics - Level 10
Gordon is a two-time J.O national qualifier and a four-time L10 California state champion. She trains at Airborne Gymnastics in California.
Cailee Hills - Charlotte, NC - Southeastern Gymnastics - Level 10
Hills is a Level 10 gymnast who trains at Southeastern Gymnastics in Weddington, N.C. She is a three-time J.O. national qualifier and holds 20 event and all-around titles at the state. At 2012 J.O. Nationals, Hills took fifth on both uneven bars and balance beam and placed sixth in the all-around.
Mandy Klun - Westmont, IL - IGI - Level 10
Klun is a four-time J.O. national qualifier, finishing 10th in the all-around in 2009 and 15th in 2011. She also took second on vault and uneven bars in 2011. She is also a 3-time Region 5 Champion.
Lauren Marinez - Orlando, FL - Orlando Metro - Level 10/Former elite
Marinez is a former international elite and current Level 10 gymnast who trains at Orlando Metro Gymnastics. She is a two-time J.O. national qualifier and has also competed twice at both the VISA Championships (2010-11) and Nastia Liukin Cup (2011-12). She has two top-10 finishes on balance beam at the VISA Championships, taking fourth in 2011 and eighth in 2010.
Minnesota
The Gophers put together a stellar season in 2013 and finished 8th at the NCAA Championships.
Bailey Gardner - Cilo, MI - Gedderts Twistars USA - Level 10
Gardner is a J.O. National team member and tied for 4th all around and 4th on floor at the 2013 J.O. Nationals and was the 2013 Michigan Vault Champion with a 9.80.
Ciara Gardner - Frisco, TX - WOGA - Level 10
Gardner was sixth all-around and was first on the floor at her latest Junior Olympic meet in 2013.
Hannah Hitchcock - San Ramon, CA - Edge Gymnastics Training Center - Level 10
In 2013, Hitchcock won the all-around at the Black Tie Invitational, the Denver Winterfest Classic, the San Mateo Winter Invitational, and the Delta Classic.
National qualifier Abby DeMuse of Classic Gymnastics also signed an Acceptance of Admission.
Nebraska
The Huskers will welcome two of the Nation's top level 10 recruits, Geddert's Twistars USA teammates Grace Williams and Kamerin Moore. Nebraska had a great regular season in 2013 but struggled in the post season, resulting in a low #14 ranking for the conclusion of 2013.
Photo via @HuskersWGym. Clockwise: Tafuri, Williams, Moore, Breen.
Grace Williams - Gedderts Twistars USA - Level 10/Former elite
Williams is a former international elite and 2-time J.O. National Champion. Williams qualified elite in 2010 after winning the J.O. National All Around and uneven bars titles. She competed at the 2010 Visa Championships, won the all around, beam, and floor titles at the 2011 Nastia Liukin Cup, then returned to level 10. In her second appearance at J.O. Nationals in 2012, she tied for yet another all around title. She sat out most of the 2013 season with injury.
Kamerin Moore - Gedderts Twistars USA - Level 10/Former elite
Moore is a former U.S. Junior National team member who has proven her persistance and passion for gymnastics through the years after batting back from numerous serious injuries. In her return to competition in 2011, she tied for 4th on floor at J.O. Nationals. In 2012, she successfully made the J.O. National team by placing 4th all around at Nationals and 2nd on bars. Moore also won the Michigan State and Region 5 All Around titles in 2012.
Danielle Breen - Triad - Level 10
Breen tied for 13th all around at 2013 J.O. Nationals and finished 2nd all around at Regionals. In 2011, Breen won the Region 4 All Around, bars, beam, and floor titles. She trains at Triad Gymnastics in Iowa.
Sean Tafuri - AOGC - Level 10
Tafuri was the J.O. NIT, Region 1, and State Champion on vault in 2012. She also placed 3rd all around at the 2012 JO NIT meet and was 2nd on beam at Regionals.
Williams is a former international elite and 2-time J.O. National Champion. Williams qualified elite in 2010 after winning the J.O. National All Around and uneven bars titles. She competed at the 2010 Visa Championships, won the all around, beam, and floor titles at the 2011 Nastia Liukin Cup, then returned to level 10. In her second appearance at J.O. Nationals in 2012, she tied for yet another all around title. She sat out most of the 2013 season with injury.
Kamerin Moore - Gedderts Twistars USA - Level 10/Former elite
Moore is a former U.S. Junior National team member who has proven her persistance and passion for gymnastics through the years after batting back from numerous serious injuries. In her return to competition in 2011, she tied for 4th on floor at J.O. Nationals. In 2012, she successfully made the J.O. National team by placing 4th all around at Nationals and 2nd on bars. Moore also won the Michigan State and Region 5 All Around titles in 2012.
Danielle Breen - Triad - Level 10
Breen tied for 13th all around at 2013 J.O. Nationals and finished 2nd all around at Regionals. In 2011, Breen won the Region 4 All Around, bars, beam, and floor titles. She trains at Triad Gymnastics in Iowa.
Sean Tafuri - AOGC - Level 10
Tafuri was the J.O. NIT, Region 1, and State Champion on vault in 2012. She also placed 3rd all around at the 2012 JO NIT meet and was 2nd on beam at Regionals.
Oklahoma
The Sooners finished second at the 2013 NCAA Championships and boast one of the nation's top recruits in National team member Brenna Dowell.
Brenna Dowell - Odessa, MO - GAGE - Elite, U.S. Senior National Team
Dowell joins the Sooners as one of the most decorated gymnasts to ever sign to the program. She is a current U.S. Senior National team member and was the first alternate to the 2013 USA World Championships team. Dowell had a breakout season in 2013, finishing 3rd all around and 3rd on bars at the 2013 P&G Championships. She trains at Great American Gymnastics Express (GAGE) under Al Fong and Armine Barutyan.
"Brenna highlights unbelievable gymnastics skills across the board," Kindler said. "When I say unbelievable, I honestly mean beyond comprehension. She performs at a level so high that very few athletes in the world perform the difficulty she exhibits in her routines. We know that Brenna’s work ethic is amongst the best and we are so pumped to welcome her to the family." - OU head coach K.J. Kindler
Stefani Catour - Chandler, AZ - Desert Lights - Level 10/Former Elite
Catour is a foamier junior international elite and qualified to the 2013 J.O. National Championships after winning the Region 1 All Around and Floor titles. Catour was also the 2009 U.S. Challenge Champion. She trains at Desert Light Gymnastics under Lisa Spini, Neela Nelson, Bruce McGehee, Bob Peterson and Chris George.
Samantha Craus - Grapevine, Texas - U.S. Gold - Level 10
Craus earned her place on the OU team thanks to her passion and perseverance along with great bar work. Craus has been plagued by injuries in recent years but impressed coach K.J. Kindler with her competitive potential and commitment to her recovery. She finished 3rd all around at the 2011 Texas State Meet. Craus has spent four years at level 10, training under Tina Martin at U.S. Gold Gymnastics and Cheer.
Alyssa "A.J." Jackson - Belton, MO - Eagles Gymnastics - Level 10
Jackson is a three-time J.O. National Champion on vault (2011-2013). She earned her place on the 2012 J.O. National Team in 2012 with a third place finish in the all around at J.O. Nationals. She trains at Eagles Gymnastics under the tutelage of Kim Fuchs.
Penn State
The Nittany Lions will bring in one of their best classes in recent history with three strong level 10's plus Canadian elite Briannah Tsang.
Briannah Tsang - Vancouver, British Columbia - Flicka Gymnastics Club - Elite
Tsang is an international elite from Canada and competed in the 2012 Canadian Olympic Trials. She was the Canadian National Champion on vault at both the 2011 Canada Winter Games and the 2013 Elite Canada competition. Penn State head coach Jeff Thompson regards Tsang as one of the best all around gymnasts the program has ever signed. She is coached by Dorina Stan and David Kenwright.
Chanen Raygoza - Tustin, CA
Originally committed to Georgia, Raygoza made a last minute change to Penn State. She missed the 2013 season due to injury but was the 2012 Region 1 All Around and Uneven Bars Champion. She finished 3rd all around at 2011 J.O. Nationals and 12th in 2012. Raygoza is coached by Rick Watson, Tom Wakeling, Rhonda Schwandt-Haffman, Stephanie Calvert and Whitney Watson at Wildfire.
Lauren Li - Plano, TX - WOGA - Level 10
Li was the 2013 Region 3 all-around and uneven bars champion. At J.O. Nationals, she finished 8th on beam and 13th all around. She was also the Regional all around Champion in 2011 and Beam Champion in 2012. Li is coached by Laurent Landi and Cecile Canqueteau-Landi at WOGA.
Oni Timothy - Rochester, NY - Rochester Gymnastics Academy - Level 10
Timothy is a 4-time Regional All Around Champion (2010-2013). She finished 2nd on floor and 3rd on beam at the 2011 J.O. Nationals. She is coached by Youlia Coss.
Stanford
Stanford had a tough Nationals in 2013 and finished the season ranked 12th Nationally. But, the future looks bright for the Cardinal. They've secured one of the nation's top recruits for the 2015 season.
Elizabeth Price - Coopersburg, PA - Parkettes - Elite, U.S. Senior National Team
Stanford women’s gymnastics secured one of the nation's top recruits today in Elizabeth Price of Parkettes. Price was an alternate to the gold medal winning 2012 U.S. Olympic team. Price had not formally announced her commitment to Stanford but signed her National Letter of Intent today and plans to join the team for the 2014-15 season. Read more about Price's signing here.
UCLA
The Bruins sign two reigning J.O. National Champions. UCLA willed their way to a 4th place finish at the 2013 NCAA Championships and will be one of the favorites for the title in 2014.
Pua Hall - Kearney, Mo - Fuzion Gymnastics Center - Level 10/Former elite
Hall is the reigning J.O. National vault champion. She's a former elite and placed 14th all around in the junior division at the 2009 Visa Championships. In addition to her National vault title, she was the 2013 Region 3 all around, vault and floor exercise champion and placed 6th all around at J.O. Nationals.
Melissa Metcalf - Mesa, AZ - Desert Devils - Level 10/Former elite
Metcalf is the reigning Level 10 national uneven bars champion and Level 10 State and Regional all-around champion. She qualified to junior international elite in 2008 and competed at the VISA Championships, finishing in the Top 20 in the all-around and Top 10 on uneven bars.
"Pua Hall and Melissa Metcalf will fill out our roster needs nicely, and both bring a lot of power to their events," said Kondos Field. "Pua is one of the best vaulters in the country, and vault is an event where we really need to bulk up our depth. Melissa brings the ability to score high on all four events. We are looking forward to having them both compete as all-arounders." - Head coach Valorie Kondos Field
Utah
Four Junior Olympic National qualifiers, including three J.O. National champions, signed the University of Utah. The Utes are always National contenders and finished 9th in 2013.
Samantha Partyka - Katy, TX - Champion Gymnastics - Level 10/Former elite
Partyka is a former international elite, a member of the Junior Olympic National Team and a three-time J.O. national champion. Her J.O. national titles came on vault in 2012 and vault and floor in 2013. She was also the 2012 J.O. all-around runner-up and competed as an elite in the Visa Championships in 2010 and 2011. Partyka trains at the Champion Gymnastics Academy under coach Kellie Mizoguchi.
Maddy Stover - Fullerton, CA - Wildfire Gymnastics - Level 10
Stover qualified for four J.O. National Championships, winning national titles on the beam in 2011 and in the all-around in 2013 (Senior B Division). The J.O. National Team member also placed third on bars and floor at the 2013 nationals. She's also won regional titles on beam (2012) and vault (2013). She trains at Wildfire Gymnastics--where her mother Nancy is the program director--for coaches Rick Watson, Rhonda Schwandt-Hoffman, Stephanie Calvert, Tom Wakeling and Whitney Watson.
Kari Lee - Peoria, AZ - Flames Gymnastics Academy - Level 10
Lee placed first in the all-around at the 2013 J.O. National Championships in the Senior A Division. A J.O. National Team member, she also won the all-around at the 2013 IGI Chicago Style Gymnastics Meet and took fourth all-around at the 2013 Nastia Liukin Cup. She was the 2012 Region 1 all-around champion. Lee trains at Flames Gymnastics Academy--a club owned by her parents Sam and MeJa Lee. Her coaches are Attila Szentes, Nicole Wendelgass, Roni Mejia and Gilbert Mejia.
Tiffani Lewis - Las Vegas, NV - Brown's Gymnastics - Level 10
Lewis competed in the 2012 J.O. National Championship, placing eighth in the all-around. In 2013, she won the Nevada state vault and floor titles but missed 2013 J.O. Nationals due to injury. She trains at Brown's Gymnastics Las Vegas for coaches Terry Gray, Tatiana Lewis and Wendy McGee.
Congratultations to the Class of 2014! Click here to watch top videos of these future NCAA gymnasts.