University of Georgia Athletics
Gym Dogs Ink Two in Fall Signing Period
November 10, 2005 | Gymnastics
Nov. 10, 2005
ATHENS, Ga.---- Georgia Gym Dogs head coach Suzanne Yoculan announced Thursday that her team has signed two gymnasts to national letters of intent. Marcia Newby and Grace Taylor, both former U.S. Elite National Team members with international competition experience, will begin their Georgia careers in the 2007 season.
"Both of these young ladies will make an immediate impact on our lineup," Yoculan said. "They are familiar faces and names to the rest of our team, so they will fit in with the chemistry that has already developed with the current group. Academically both of them are very sound. They will contribute academically and be good leaders as they move along in their careers."
Newby is a native of Virginia Beach, Va., and trains at Excalibur Gymnastics under Jim and Dena Walker. Former Gym Dog Cory Fritzinger (2001-04) also trained at Excalibur.
On the international stage, Newby has several first-place awards including a win in the all-around at the 2004 FL Gym Open in Luxembourg. She was also a member of the gold-medal winning team at the 2003 Pan American Games.
In 2004, Newby placed second in the all-around at the American Classic, and she placed sixth in the all-around at the National Elite Podium Meet.
| Grace Taylor and Marcia Newby |
"Marcia brings a unique combination of power and grace to our lineup," said Yoculan. "She's an extremely versatile athlete and is probably strongest on bars and floor. She has a wide variety of skills, some of which haven't been performed in college gymnastics.
"She's had some untimely minor injuries that have prevented the possibility of her making an Olympic or world championship team, but she is certainly capable of that," Yoculan said.
Taylor is from Aiken, S.C., where she trains with Draha Krizova and Radek Kriz at Aiken Gymnastics.
She has placed first in the all-around in three international competitions including a win at the Friendship Classic in Pottsville, Pa., earlier this year. In that event, Taylor defeated 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Zhang Nan of China.
This year Taylor also earned a first-place finish in the all-around at the Charleston Cup in Charleston, S.C.
"Grace is the gymnast that's been on the elite scene that everyone loves to watch. She's small in stature but don't let that fool you. She packs a punch, especially on floor and beam where she really excels. Grace has some unique skills and a high degree of difficulty on the bars," said Yoculan.
The 2006 Gym Dogs have one senior, Brittany Smith, who is a three-time All-American. Smith and her Georgia teammates open their new season in January.
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