University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Signs Three for 2009
11/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
Nov. 19, 2007
12/5 Pitt Gymnastics Podcast (Episode III)
University of Pittsburgh head gymnastics coach Debbie Yohman and her staff announced the signing of three incoming gymnasts for the 2009 season today. All three recruits - Kelsey Ainsworth, Alicia Talucci and Amy Varela - bring experience at the national level and will be welcomed additions to the Panthers' lineup.
Ainsworth hails from Union High School in Broken Arrow, Okla., and is a Level 10 gymnast at the Krafft Academy, which is run by Kristi Krafft and Jean-Luc Cairon. Ainsworth is a five-time Junior Olympics National Qualifier and has collected four top-30 finishes in the all-around in her five trips, including two top-15 finishes in 2003 and 2005.
"We initially recruited her because of her work on the bars, but she is very strong in all four events," commented Yohman. "She has only been to this area a few times via the International Gymnastics Camp in Stroudsburg, Pa., but she loves Pennsylvania and cannot wait to get to campus!"
Talucci is another addition to the coaching staff's prized recruits for next season. A powerful gymnast with strengths in each event, Talucci will join the Panthers from Bishop Shanahan High School in Downingtown, Pa. She is a Level 10 and former Elite gymnast at Metzler's Gymnastics, where she has trained under the watchful eyes of Earl and Pam Metzler since her beginnings in the sport. Talucci has also qualified for two Junior Olympic national meets, placing 15th in the all-around, fourth on floor and sixth on vault in 2007. In her other J.O. appearance in 2005, she claimed fourth in the all-around and was honored as a member of the National team. Talucci
"Alicia is a strong tumbler and a big vaulter that will help us in a number of events," noted Yohman. "She is an absolute rock on beam and will be able to compete for us in each event because of how talented she is."
The third member of this incoming trio is Varela. She is another two-time Junior Olympic National Qualifier who will bring a lot of excitement and energy to Fitzgerald Field House over the next few seasons. She is currently a senior at Magruder High School in Derwood, Md., and is a Level 10 gymnast under the tutelage of Kelli Hill at Hill's Gymnastics. She began her career at Capital Gymnastics in Austin, Texas before relocating to Maryland in the sixth grade. Her resume includes a 29th-place showing at the J.O. meet last season and a 20th-place honor the year before, when she also took sixth on beam and eighth on floor.
"Amy is great on the bars and beam and is a very solid all-arounder," said Yohman. "She has all of the tools to be a great collegiate gymnast and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to watch her grow and develop as a gymnast and as a person here at the University of Pittsburgh."
All three singees are still considering their future academics plans. The 2008 Pitt gymnastics team opens its season on Thursday, Jan. 4, with their annual Blue/Gold Intrasquad meet at Fitzgerald Field House at 7:00 p.m.
