Beavers Add Three Top Gymnasts for 2007

November 10, 2005

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Three gymnasts have signed National Letters of Intent to attend Oregon State University, announced head coach Tanya Chaplin, Thursday.

Watson is the reigning California State all-around champion. She is also the Junior Olympic Region I Champion on vault, was the runner-up on beam and finished fourth in the all-around. At the 2004 J.O. Championships, Watson claimed fourth place on beam, sixth on vault and 15th in the all-around. Watson works out at Wildfire Gymnastics under the direction of coaches Bill Callander, Rhonda Schwandt, Tom Wakeling and Stephanie Vittorio. Wildfire is the same gym that OSU freshman Cassandra Rowell trained at last year.
 
“Whitney has a true passion for the sport and is very excited to compete at the collegiate level,” said Chaplin. “Whitney’s confidence and winning attitude, along with her athletic ability, immediately grabbed my attention early on in the recruiting process. She is a dynamic all-around gymnast, who will flourish throughout her career at Oregon State.”
 
“OSU has everything I want in a school,” said Watson. “It has a beautiful campus, first rate academics, great coaches, an awesome team of girls, and a school and fans that support their gymnastics program.”
 
 
2006-07 Oregon State Gymnastics Letter of Intent signees
* Laura-Ann Chong – (Coquitlam, BC/Dr. Charles Best Secondary/Phoenix Gym School)
* Mandi Rodriguez – (Baldwin Park, Calif./Alverno HS/SCATS)
* Whitney Watson – (Villa Park, Calif./Villa Park HS/Wildfire Gymnastics)