Gators Head Coach: UF is proud to have Caquatto, Dancose-Giambattisto and Spicer as signees for the 2013 season
The University of Florida, issued its list of signees for the 2013 season, this week. Bridgette Caquatto, Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto and Rachel Spicer are the Gators’ new blood.
Caquatto is not the first in her family to have become a Gator, her elder sister, Mackenzie Caquatto, made the same move in 2009. The two will be the first pair of sisters to compete for the Gators since 1984.
Bridgette Caquatto is currently a member of the U.S. Senior National team, and was part of the U.S. Junior National team two years ago (2009-2010). She is also due to contend for a place in the 2012 London Olympics.
Caquatto has three gold medals to her claim, earned at the Pan American Games this year, including an all-round medal, as well as the team gold.
“She currently has one of the highest start values on bars in the country, but she's also really quick and dynamic. She's a top all-around performer,” Gators Head Coach, Rhonda Faehn, said.
Dancose-Giambattisto has been a member of the Canadian Nation team since 2010. Like Caquatto, she was a member of the silver medal team.
The 2011 Canadian Championships awarded her the uneven bars title and the third position in the all-round. She has earned positions at several artistic gymnastics competitions over the years.
Dancose-Giambattisto currently trains under Michel Charron and Galina Larchina at Gym-Richelieu. She was described as a “beautiful artistic gymnast with grace and style” by Faehn.
Faehn added that it was Dancose-Giambattisto’s “love for gymnastics and her desire to compete” that impressed her. “Her ‘team-first’ attitude is remarkable,” Faehn said.
The third new Gator, Rachel Spicer, is the all-round title-holder of the 2010 Junior Olympic Level 10 Junior C. She also won the Metroplex Challenge all-round, uneven bars and floor exercise titles this year and stood third in the Nastia Liukin Supergirl
Cup all-round competition.
Spicer is training under Marnie Futch and Gina Logan, and studies at Marcus High School.
“Rachel is a former JO National all-around champion who is tremendous on all four events. She is extremely consistent, and that is what really attracted us to her – her level of consistency with the level of difficulty that she’s throwing,” Faehn said.
The three have chosen NCAA over turning pro – a tough decision confronted by gymnasts at this age – and signed their letters of intent this November.
However, there was no mention of Alexandra Raisman, who seems to have kept her options open by not availing the opportunity of being part of Gators.
Faehn also stated that the 2008 Olympian and winner all-round gold, Bridget Sloan, will be joining the Gators class in the fall of 2012.
“Bridgey, Bridget, Rachel and Bianca will certainly make an immense impact on our program. This is a gifted class that we are proud to have them join our team,” Faehn reiterated.
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