Nov. 19, 2008
Normal, Ill. -
Three high school student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent this week to compete for the Illinois State Gymnastics team. Kim Genereux, Apollonia Barrientos, and Marissa Stom will join the Redbirds for the 2010 season.
ISU gymnastics coach, Bob Conkling, looks forward to the three gymnasts joining the Redbird family in the fall of 2009.
"I'm looking forward to this class because each one of these gymnasts brings a good variety of gymnastics skills and experience to our current team," said Conkling.
Genereux, a native from Regina, Saskatchewan is a senior at Winston Knoll Collegiate. She is coached by Oleksandra Sirenko at the Gymnastics Adventure Club in Regina. In 2008, Genereux placed 18th in the all-around at the Canadian Nationals. She also participated in the 2008 Western Canadian Championships, where she placed fourth on vault, first on bars, eighth on beam, and fifth on floor. During the 2007 season, she placed eighth in both the all-around and on bars at the Elite Canada Championship. Genereux also placed first in the all-around and bars, second on the floor exercise, and third on the beam at the 2007 Western Canadian Championships.
"Kim is a strong all-around gymnast that will be a great addition to the team. Her strength contributes to her high skill level especially on bars, beam and floor," Conkling said. "She is also a very hard worker and a dedicated gymnast that competes well under pressure."
Originally from Lombard, Ill., Barrientos currently attends Glenbard South High School. She is coached by Todd Gardner at the Illinois Gymnastics Institution in Westmont, Ill. At the 2008 Illinois Regional Meet, she placed eighth on bars and ninth on floor. In 2007, Barrientos participated in both the regional and state meets. At the regional meet she placed seventh on vault, eighth on bars, ninth on beam, eighth in the all-around and 12th on floor. At the state meet, Barrientos placed eighth in the all-around.
"Apollonia is a very powerful gymnast that is still improving her gymnastic skill level," Conkling said. "Her strength is on bars and floor right now, but I believe that she will improve this season on vault and beam. I feel that she will come in next fall a very strong all-around gymnast."
Stom, a native of Olathe, Kan., is currently a senior at Olathe South High School. She is coached by Mary McDaniel at McCracken's Gymnastics in Olathe. In 2008, Marrissa qualified for the Junior Olympic Nationals. At the regional meet she placed sixth in the all-around, third on vault, and forth on floor. At the Kansas State Meet, she placed second in the all-around and first on beam and vault. In 2007, she qualified for Western Nationals and placed seventh in the all-around sixth on floor, and ninth on the beam.
"Marissa has qualified for either Western Nationals or Junior Olympic Nationals the past three years which shows her consistency in gymnastics competition. Her strength is on vault and floor right now, but I am not ruling her out when it comes to doing all-around," Conkling said. She has improved greatly in the past few months and I believe will continue to improve this season and during her years at Illinois State."
