Nov. 14, 2008

Maryland Gymnastics Recruits Photo Gallery

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland gymnastics team has signed three student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the 2010 season, associate head coach Brett Nelligan announced Friday with the national signing period underway.

Following a successful recruitment period, the Terps have inked three prospective Maryland gymnasts who have performed exceptionally both in the gym and in the classroom. Recruits Kesley Cofsky, Allison Krikorian and Briana Melander each have qualified multiple times for the Junior Olympics National Championships, while also garnering accolades for their performances in the classroom.

"It is with great pleasure that our coaching staff announces the 2010 recruitment class," said Nelligan, who serves as the team's recruiting coordinator and will assume head coaching duties next spring. "Kesley, Allison and Briana represent everything we look for in a Terrapin student-athlete - a high-level, top-ranked gymnast who possesses outstanding academic credentials."

Cofsky hails from East Walpole, Mass., where she competes for her club gymnastics team, New England Sports Academy. She has qualified for the Junior Olympics National Championships four times and has finished 14th on floor exercise the past two seasons and placed 30th in all-around in 2008. A member of the National Honors Society, Cofsky currently ranks 17th in her high school class.

Krikorian, an accomplished gymnast coming all the way from the west coast, competes for Wildfire Gymnastics in Tustin, Calif. The Costa Mesa, Calif., native competed in the 2008 Junior Olympics National Championships in Kissimmee, Fla., and earned fourth place finishes on both the vault and balance beam, as well as a 23rd place finish in all-around. Krikorian boasts a 3.6 GPA and is considering majoring in criminology and criminal justice while at Maryland.

Another four-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier, Melander comes to the Terps from Seminole, Fla., where she attends Seminole High School. Melander competes for LaFleur's Gymnastics in Largo, Fla., under the direction of David and Laura Parraga. At the 2008 Junior Olympics, Melander enjoyed her best performance, placing 10th in all-around, 11th on uneven bars and 15th on vault. Melander ranks 14th out of 499 in her high school class with a 4.483 GPA.

As the Lady Terps welcome the incoming recruits for next season, the squad is busily preparing for its Red vs. Black intrasquad meet Dec. 13. The regular season commences Jan. 9 when Maryland plays host to Kent State.