Nov. 14, 2006

Maryland head coach Bob Nelligan announced today that Abbey Adams, Kaitlin Joseph and Alyssa Valbert have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the University of Maryland and compete for the Terrapin gymnastics team in the 2007-2008 season.

"Recruiting has become the biggest single factor in evaluating the growth and ultimately the success of a program," describes coach Nelligan. "For the second year in a row, my staff and I have been able to secure one of the best recruiting classes in the country. These three athletes come to us from Region V and Region III, two of the top regions producing some of the best gymnasts in the world. This aggressive recruiting stance has improved our program's visibility and will assure our rise in the national rankings."

Adams, a two-year U.S. International Elite competitor, trains at Cypress Gymnastics Academy in Houston, Texas. She will graduate this May from Klein High School in Spring Texas. In 2005, Adams placed first in the all-around at the prestigious WOGA Classic as a Level 10 and second in the all-around at the Pikes Peak Cup in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her 2006 season was spent rehabbing from an injury.

"Abbey's bubbly personality and experience as an elite athlete gives her a strong presence which is evident through her confident performances," said Nelligan. "She is a stylish competitor and will help us on all four events."

Joseph, a three-time Junior Olympic National qualifier, trains at US Airborne in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attends Forest Hills Northern High School. Joseph placed eighth on the uneven bars and twentieth in the all-around at the 2006 Junior Olympic National Championships. In 2005, Joseph finished fifth on the uneven bars and nineteenth in the all-around. She competed last year in El Salvador as part of the Region V All-Star team.

"Kaitlin is the second great student-athlete we've recruited from Michigan in the past two years. She is one of the premiere bar workers in the country having finishing in the top ten the last two years in a row. Not only talented on the uneven bars, she also has the skills to be an excellent all-around collegiate competitor."

Valbert, a two-time Junior Olympic National qualifier, trains at Arena Gymnastics in Joliet, Illinois under coach Dan Miller. A tough competitor, almost forced to scratch from the 2006 Junior Olympic Nationals due to illness, placed 54th in the all-around and helped the Region V team secure a third place finish. She placed fifth in the all-around at the 2006 Region V Level 10 Regional Championships.

"Mentally tough describes Alyssa's competitive style," notes Nelligan. "An explosive gymnast, she will add valuable depth on vaulting, floor and bars."

With the addition of nine highly ranked recruits over the past two years, the Terrapin gymnastics squad will be tough to beat in the 2007-2008 season.