Central Michigan University Athletics
Reighard Announces Early Signings
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
MOUNT PLEASANT — Central Michigan head gymnastics coach Jerry Reighard announced the signing of three gymnasts to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period on Monday.
Coming on campus for the 2011 season are Emily Heinz (Algonquin, Ill./H.D. Jacobs HS), Brittany Petzold (Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower HS) and Alyssa Wilson (Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland HS).
“This recruiting class is filled with talent,” Reighard said. “We have a very diverse threesome that can fill in all the gaps for our graduating class plus add depth to our events. I really looked for a replacement for (2009 Mid-American Conference all-around champion and 2010 senior) Katie Simon and I know that these three all have the individual skill to do that. It will be my job to make each one competitive.”
Below is biographical information on each signee.
| Emily Heinz Algonquin, Ill./H.D. Jacobs HS Aerial Gymnastics High School/Club: Level 10 gymnast for the last three years … two-time regional and state qualifier … won the balance beam at the 2008 state championship while placing fourth in the all-around … club coach is Don McPherson … parents are Dan and Cheryl Heinz … currently holds a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. Reighard on Heinz: “When I look at Emily Heinz I see a talent-filled athlete. Each event is strong and she will bring specific skills on the beam and floor that we don’t currently have. Her opening pass on the floor is a double layout and her beam dismount is a double back, each of these is a skill that places her in a category on the next level. I was impressed with her attitude to improve on the bars and to change her vault to meet our standards.” | |
| Brittany Petzold Shelby Township, Mich./Eisenhower HS Olympia Gymnastics High School/Club: Level 10 gymnast for the last two years … three-time national qualifier … finished fourth on the balance beam and vault to claim fifth in the all-around at the Eastern Nationals … qualified for the USA Gymnastics NIT where she finished fourth in the vault and floor exercise … club coach is Lori Koch … parents are Dewane and Sheri Petzold … National Honors Society member who maintains a 3.80 GPA. Reighard on Petzold: “Brittany Petzold has that unknown quality about her. She has definitely grown and developed over the past year. She impressed me with her new skills last summer and I see her as a top athlete in the nation during her senior year. I am certainly glad we were able to add her to this class. I really think she will be ready to give any of our gymnasts a run for their money for a starting position in each event. Her strengths now are vault and bars and I saw skills on the floor that make me feel she will demand attention on that event from our judges.” | |
| Alyssa Wilson Rossville, Ga./Ridgeland HS Gymnastics Center of Chatanooga High School/Club: Level 10 gymnast since 2005 … two-time national qualifier … won the uneven bars at the 2008 regionals … four-time state bars champion … also claimed state titles in the all-around (2007) and balance beam (2008) … state runner-up in the all-around in 2009 … club coach is Adam Byrd … parents are John and Connie Wilson … sports a 3.87 GPA. Reighard on Wilson: “Alyssa Wilson has proven that she can compete with the best. I have seen her at the national level for years and she has that next level look. Her bar routine is the real deal and she will contend with any NCAA athlete on this event. Her beam and floor are certainly up to the level of our top performers already and she still has a year to develop further. Alyssa has been working to upgrade her vault and I now feel she will be a starter for us as a freshman.” |
