University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Gymnastics Signs Two
November 08, 2006 | Gymnastics
ATHENS, Ga. --- ­ The two-time defending national champion Gym Dogs signed two prospects to national letters-of-intent on Wednesday according to an announcement by head coach Suzanne Yoculan.
Hilary Mauro of Cincinnati and Cassidy McComb of Las Vegas will attend the University of Georgia as freshmen for the 2008 season.
"Both Hilary and Cassidy will have as much impact as any freshmen in the county next year," said Yoculan. "In a year where we lose a tremendous senior class, we are extremely happy to have both of them."
"I want to commend recruiting coordinator Jay Clark for anticipating our team¹s needs and recruiting accordingly. Both Hilary and Cassidy are strong, healthy and very motivated. They want to be part of a national championship team and we are confident that with their contributions, we will continue to contend for SEC and NCAA titles. Hilary and Cassidy have the same priorities as the rest of our team, and it was obvious to all of us during their unofficial and official visits that they would fit right in,"
Yoculan said.
Mauro, who trains at Cincinnati Gymnasts Academy under Mary Lee Tracy, is a two-time U.S. Elite Team member and was an alternate for the 2006 U.S. World Championship team. She placed sixth in the all-around at the 2006 U.S. Classic and was invited by coach Marta Karolyi to compete at a World Cup meet last May in Ghent, Belgium, placing sixth on the uneven bars and third on the balance beam. Mauro was also a competitor in the 2006 Visa Championships.
"Hilary will make the lineup immediately on all four events. There¹s not a weak spot for her on any event. Her top scores right now are on the beam, but she has no weak event," Yoculan said.
Other Georgia gymnasts who trained at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy include Kelsey Ericksen, Karin and Kristi Lichey, Sam Muhleman, Sierra Sapunar and Samantha Sheehan.
McComb (pictured right) trains with Cassie Rice at the Desert GymCats club in Las Vegas. She finished seventh and fifth, respectively, in the all-around at 2005 and ¹06 JO National Championships. McComb won the balance beam and floor exercise events at the 2006 Nevada State Championships, and placed first in the all-around at the 2005 Nevada State Championships.
McComb is the first Gym Dog to come out of the Desert GymCats club.
"Cassidy has a lot of skills which she hasn't competed yet, much like Kelsey Ericksen when she came to Georgia. She is certainly an all-around athlete for us with a very strong vault," said Yoculan.
