University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Gym Dogs Ink Four in Early Signing Period
November 13, 2003 | Gymnastics
Nov. 13, 2003
ATHENS, Ga.-----The Georgia gymnastics team signed a headline class of four athletes to national letters-of-intent this week. Each of the Gym Dogs' prospects have competed as senior international elites, three were former National Team members and two were medallists for the United States in the World Championships.
| Gymnast Nikki Childs at the 2003 US Nationals (photo courtesy of nikkichilds.com) |
"These four make up arguably the top class in the nation," said Georgia head coach Suzanne Yoculan. "There were a lot of great gymnasts available, but we feel we got the ones who fill our needs best."
With the addition of Heenan and Sheehan - both members of U.S. World Championship teams - it is believed to be the first time two medallists from the World Championships have signed in the same class with one team.
"I am very pleased with this class," said Georgia assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Jay Clark. "Graduating our seniors made it imperative that we come up big in recruiting and we did that. These four girls bring a lot to the table and their strengths compliment one another. I am not only pleased with their athletic abilities, but each girl has tremendous character as well. They all come from great families. I am convinced that great people make great champions and these four girls are outstanding people as well as outstanding gymnasts."
| Megan Dowlen at the 2003 WOGA Classic (photo courtesy of Amy, taken from megan-dowlen.tripod.com) |
Nikki Childs, of Plano, Texas, is a 2002-03 U.S. National Team member thanks to a 12th-place finish in the all-around at the 2002 U.S. Nationals. She has placed in the top 20 six times in the all-around in 2003, including a 20th-place finish at the U.S. National Championships. At the Parkette Invitational she had her highest all-around finish of the year of fifth place.
Childs is coached by Evgeny Marchenko, Natasha Boyarskaya and Tatiana Schegolkova.
"I knew the moment we saw Nikki that we wanted her," said Yoculan. "She has a beautiful line that makes her bars and beam really stand out. The Georgia fans are going to love her."
Megan Dowlen has placed as high as 22nd at the 2000 U.S. National Championships and she took home the first-place trophy in the all-around at the 2001 Elite Zone Championships. A native of Rowlett, Texas, Dowlen trains under coaches Valeri Liukin and Natalya Marakova.
"Megan is a superb athlete. She has that rare combination of power and elegance. Injuries to her ankle have been a problem in the past, but she is back on track. We expect her to have an immediate impact on the all-around," Yoculan said.
| Gymnast Katie Heenan at the 2003 US Nationals (photo courtesy of sitesbymorgan.com/katie) |
Heenan trains at the Capital Gymnastics Training Center under coach Tatiana Periskaia.
"Katie brings the total package to the table - she will be a great leader for this program once she arrives. Katie is a great gymnast and we have great expectations for her. Katie and Sam were both No. 1 on our list. They are great gymnasts, great kids and we have great expectations for them," Yoculan said.
| Samantha Sheehan (photo courtesy of insidegymnastics.com) |
Current Gym Dog Sierra Sapunar is also a product of the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy and coach May Lee Tracy.
"Sam is amazing. She's one of the most disciplined athletes I have ever seen. As a former World Champion medallist, Sam is one of the most decorated athletes to enter college gymnastics. She will be an immediate impact on every event for us," said Yoculan.
These four gymnasts will replace six Georgia seniors who end their careers following the 2004 Gym Dog campaign.
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