Nov. 29, 2006
NORMAL, Ill. -
As head coach Bob Conkling's second season at the helm of the Illinois State gymnastics program kicks off, four recruits have signed their National Letters of Intent to compete in the 2007-08 season. Emily Matko (Roanoke, Va.), Stacie Morris (Burke, Va.), Hannah Deutsch (Plano, Texas) and Robin Weissman (Norman, Okla.) will continue their education and gymnastics careers with the Redbirds.
Conkling believes this recruiting class will add strength and power to the roster. As seniors Anne Fjordholm, Tove Fjordholm, Whitney Albright and Carolina Posada graduate, the incoming group will bring a solid mixture of talent to each event.
"Hannah (Deutsch) does not really have any weaknesses on any event," said Conkling. She is a consistent gymnast that will be able to contribute on each event but shines on balance beam and the floor exercise by making difficult routines look easy."
Deutsch will be the fourth recruit from Plano, Texas in five years and will compete with freshman Andrea Orris.
"Robin's (Weissman) strongest events right now are floor and vault. I believe she has not come close to reaching her full potential and I look forward to watching her develop and grow into a strong collegiate gymnast," said Conkling.
Matko and Morris will join current Redbirds, junior Amanda Candler and freshman Amanda Bressette, as natives of Virginia.
"Emily (Matko) was recruited for her strong vault ability. She has strong potential on floor and the uneven bars. She performs at a high difficulty level on both of these events," Conkling said. "Stacie (Morris) does not have a weak event and could make our current line-up on at least two events. She will help our team succeed in the future."
2007-08 Illinois State Gymnastics Signees
Hannah Deutsch
Plano, Texas
World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
All-Around
• Trained at the same gym as Olympic Champion Carly Patterson and World Champion Nasta Liukin.
• Coached by Evgeny Marchenko (Carly Patterson's coach).
• Four time National Qualifier.
• Placed as high as sixth on the all-around, second on beam and third on floor at the 2004 National Championships.
• In 2003, went to the Pan American Maccabiah Games in Santiago, Chile, placing first on the all-around, first on bars, second on beam and third on vault.
Robin Weissman
Norman, Okla.
Bart Conner Gymnastics
All-Around
• Placed third in the all-around at the Oklahoma state meet.
• At the same meet, she placed in the top four finishers in every event.
• Competed in Israel at the 2005 Maccabiah Games, as her team took first place.
Emily Matko
Roanoke, Va.
Roanoke Gymnastics Academy
All-Around
• Has participated in competitive gymnastics for over 11 years, qualifying for 10 State meets.
• Qualified to seven Regional meets
• Competed in two National meets.
Stacie Morris
Burke, Va.
Capital Gymnastics
All-Around
• Placed third in the all-around at the Virginia state meet.
• Placed fourth in the all-around at the Regional meet.
• Qualified for Nationals in 2006.
