Nov. 18, 2005

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland women's gymnastics program inked its strongest recruiting class in history, signing five top-ranked gymnasts to National Letters of intent, head coach Bob Nelligan announced on Friday.

The 2006-2007 class includes Allison Dama, a two-time USAG Junior Olympic Level 10 National team member from Lansing, Michigan; Candice King, a Junior Olympic Level 10 competitor from Plano, Texas; Talia Tossone, a national elite gymnast from Virginia Beach, Virginia; Michele Brenner, a Junior Olympic national competitor on beam, floor and all-around from New York and Margaux Meeks, a two-time Junior Olympic national qualifier from Winter Garden, Florida.

"This is the strongest incoming class in the history of the program," said Nelligan. "With the support of this administration, my staff and I hit the recruiting trail this summer in search of the very best athletes in the nation who also possess what it takes to be a Terp academically. I couldn't be more pleased with the efforts of my staff and the potential of our new athletes."

Dama, a member of Gedderts' Twistars USA gym has competed as a USAG Junior Olympic Level 10 for seven years and was a national champion on bars, floor and all-around. She also placed third in all-around and second on bars at the 2004 Level 10 Nationals. She was the Michigan Level 10 State all-around champion for six-straight years. Dama competed for the United States in Central America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. She ranks at the top of her class with a 4.20 GPA at J.W. Sexton High School.

King was the 2003 and 2004 Junior Olympic National Vault Champion and is a member of the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy. After claiming back to back titles, King was awarded the 2004 Gymnastics Association of Texas National Honor Award. This award is given annually to persons who have "brought honor to Texas by their service as leaders of a national organization, coaching of champions and/or winning national titles in gymnastics". King currently trains with Olympic champion Carly Patterson and World Champion Nastia Liukin who were also recipients of this prestigious award. She has a 3.8 GPA at Spring Creek Academy.

Talia Tossone, a member of Excalibur Gymnastics, competed on the national elite level for over two years before returning to the Junior Olympic Level 10. She finished sixth at the 2003 U.S. Classic and twelfth at the 2002 U.S. Classic. Tossone is a two-time Junior Olympic National qualifier who placed tenth on vault at the 2005 Junior Olympic Nationals and eighth on vault at the 2004 Junior Olympic Nationals. She finished third on beam at the 2005 Junior Olympic Regionals. She maintains a 3.67 GPA at Kellam High School.

Brenner, a member of Galaxy gymnastics, finished fourth on beam, fifth on floor and thirteenth in all-around at the 2005 Junior Olympic Nationals. She finished second on vault, third on bars, fourth on floor and third in all-around at the 2004 Junior Olympic Regionals. Brenner was a 2003 New York State vault Champion and three-time sectional champion. She maintains a 3.5 GPA at Clarkstown South High School.

Meeks, a member of the Orlando Metro Club finished sixth on vault at Junior Olympic Nationals in 2004 and was a Level 10 Regional vault and all-around champion in 2005. She also was a level 10 Regional vault and bar champion in 2004. Meeks will also continue the tradition of strong academics as she is enrolled in the magnet program for International Studies at Dr. Phillips High School and with a 3.6 GPA.