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UA gymnastics team signs 3 recruits

Although the 1999-2000 gymnastic season has not begun, there is quite a bit of excitement surrounding the Gymcats.

UA head coach Bill Ryden has announced that as of Nov. 18, Sheehan Lemley (DeSoto, Tex.), Andi McCabe (Bensenville, Ill.) and Cori Messina (Belmont, Calif.) have signed national letters of intent and will join the UA gymnastics team for the 2000-2001 season.

"We're really excited. These three girls are very talented athletes," Ryden said. "They will definitely help depth wise and skill wise."

Lemley, began her gymnastics career in 1987 and was a U.S. National Team member during her sophomore and junior years of high school. She currently trains at the Parkettes National Training Center in Allentown, Penn., as an Elite-level gymnast.

Lemley also trained alongside current UA gymnasts Maureen Kealy, Kara Fry, Nicci Filchner and Heather Straus.

McCabe finished second in the all-around at the 1999 Illinois State Championships, and has four years of club gymnastics as well as being an alternate for the Level 10 national team.

"Andi is the lesser-known recruit out of the three, but she will without a doubt be a big-time performer for Arizona," Ryden said.

Messina is another Level 10 competitor who has participated in club gymnastics for the past 10 years. She won the regional vaulting title in 1999 and competed at the Level 10 nationals in 1995 and 1999.

"Cori's vault is already at a national-caliber level, and she will enhance the talent level in all four events," Ryden said.

With five seniors this year, four on scholarship and an extra scholarship waiting in the wings, there are still two slots remaining to fill for the Gymcats.

"We have a very good recruiting class so far and will still have scholarships available," Ryden said.