MSU Head Coach: The new class of strong all-around gymnasts tackles Spartans’ depth issues
With the signing period for 2012-2013 coming to a close, athletes everywhere are excitedly considering going pro or choosing a state university for NCAA eligibility. Amidst the buzz, Michigan State University has recruited four female gymnasts to join the
Spartans.
The athletes’ names were announced by Spartans’ gymnastics team’s Head Coach, Kathie Klages, after the prospective students signed their national letters of intent, making their decision official.
Klages was ecstatic at the recruitment and counted the newcomers as value additions almost custom-made to the team’s needs.
"We are thrilled with this recruiting class. This class addresses some depth issues that our team currently is faced with. All four of these gymnasts are strong all-around competitors with national experience. Together, they are one of the most talented
classes I have brought to MSU," she said.
This stellar group of recruits comprises Lisa Burt, Kate Filosi, Nicola Deans and Brittany Holmes.
Burt is currently a student at Spruce Creek High and trains at ACE Gymnastics under the supervision of coaches, Joan and Ray Gnat. As a level 10 gymnast she qualified four times for the regional and state competitions.
The Daytona Beach Open all-round titlist also took part in the Nastia Liukin Cup this year. An honour roll student, Burt is a sharp girl and wants to study pre-optometry in college.
Aspiring pre-med, Filosi is a Killingworth native. She became a level 10 gymnast in 2007 and is coached by Maureen Chagnon and Blane Jefferson at Gymnastics Express.
Filosi qualified for the level 10 J. O. Nationals three times and holds the all-around and bars titles for the State Championships of 2009.
In 2011 she showed some level of consistency and stole the gold for her bars routine in the State Championships.
Filosi is currently studying at Haddam-Killingworth High.
Ontario resident, Deans, belongs to Team Futures club. She is under the trained supervision of Lawson Hammer and Lisa Cowan and made it to level 10 in 2009.
She also competed at this year’s Elite Gym Massilia held in Marseilles, France. In the 2009 Eastern Canadian Championships the gymnast earned herself titles on floor exercise and the vault, while securing a silver in the all-around.
She also claimed the gold for her vault in the 2011 Elite Ontario Championships.
Grand Ledge High’s senior, Holmes, is Twistars gymnast. Like fellow Spartan recruit, Burt, Holmes became a level 10 gymnast in 2008. She secured the 24th position in the J. O. Nationals all-around.
In 2009, Holmes earned herself the honour of becoming the state champion for floor and all-around. In the following year, she competed in the J. O. Nationals again, this time bringing her rank up to the 17th place.
“I have been dreaming of this day for a long-long time. I love the campus. I've known the head coach since I was 7 years old," Holmes said.
The MSU Spartans hope to emerge as a stronger contender in the next season, now that they have the new recruits’ skills added to their pool of talent.
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