Novemeber 9, 2005

Utah Gymnastics Team Signs Five To Scholarships
Big recruiting class includes two U.S. National Team members

SALT LAKE CITY - The 10-time national champion Utah gymnastics team has received written commitments from five elite gymnasts, two of them current U.S. National Team members. Signing national letters of intent with the Utes were Chelsea Coleman (Mesa, Ariz.), Jamie Deetscreek (Hatboro, Pa.), Annie DiLuzio (Folsom, Calif.), Stephanie Neff (Apache Junction, Ariz.) and Sarah Shire (Sweet Springs, Mo.).

"I honestly believe that this could be one of the best overall recruiting classes that we've ever had," said Utah head coach Greg Marsden. "I say that with regard to numbers, experience and ability. I'm thrilled and can't wait for their arrival on campus next fall. This exceptional group of athletes, added to an already talented team, should keep us in contention for another national title as we prepare to host the NCAA Championships next year."

Coleman was a 2003 National Junior Elite and placed second on vault and 11th in the all-around at the 2004 Junior Olympic Championships. Coleman attends Mountain View High School (Ariz.) and trains at Desert Devils for Geoff and Shelly Eaton, and Kristin Fanning. Coleman was also recruited by Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona and Arizona State.

"I believe Chelsea is the sleeper in this recruiting class. She was out of the sport briefly and many were not aware of her return. I was made aware of it by her club coaches Geoff and Shelly Eaton (former Ute All-American Shelly Schaerrer). Once we got a look at her, we knew we wanted her on our team. Physically and athletically, she reminds me a lot of (former Ute All-American) Annabeth Eberle. It's great to finally have another Desert Devil competing for us."

Deetscreek was the 2004 Junior Olympic all-around, beam and bar champion and the 2002 J.O. all-around and beam champion. The 2002 J.O. National Team member qualified Elite in 2003. Recent results include a seventh-place all-around finish at the 2005 Level 10 Nationals. She won the all-around, vault, beam and floor titles at both the Level 10 state and regional levels in 2005. Deetscreek attends Hatboro-Horsham High School (Pa.) and trains at Ricochets for Troy Miller, Janet Hamvas, Chris Zimmerman and Amanda Greer. Deetscreek was also recruited by Michigan, Alabama, Nebraska and Penn State.

"Jamie is absolutely one of the most solid and consistent performers in gymnastics. This is someone we'll be able to depend on to do the job for us week in and week out. She doesn't have a weak event. She was recruited by many top programs closer to home, so I was especially pleased when she told me that Utah was where she wanted to be."

DiLuzio, a two-year member of the U.S. National Team, was the vault runner-up at the 2005 World Cup in Belgium and at the 2005 U.S. Championships. She also recorded a seventh-place finish at the 2005 U.S. Championships and won the vault competition at the 2005 North American Tri-Meet and at the 2004 U.S. Classic. DiLuzio also finished 10th all-around at the 2004 U.S. Classic. She was the 2003 J.O. floor champion and the runner-up on vault. She attends Folson High School (Calif.) and trains at Byers Gymnastics Sacramento under coaches Eli and Debbie Rodriguez and Mas Watanabe. DiLuzio was also recruited by Stanford, Oregon State, and Arizona State.

"Annie has had an almost meteoric rise in elite-level gymnastics. In the last year and a half, she's become one of the best vaulters and tumblers in the world. Annie is someone that everyone wants to be close to, not only because of her abilities, but because of her infectious personality. There's no doubt that she'll make an immediate impact on the NCAA scene and become one of the leaders on our team."

Neff, a 2003-04 Senior International Elite qualifier, was the 2002 Junior National Elite all-around, bar and beam champion. She was the 2001 Junior National Elite floor champion and won the all-around, beam and floor at the 2001 American Challenge. Neff took first on vault at the 2001 J.O. National Championships. Recent results include a runner-up finish in the all-around at the 2005 Pikes Peak Invitational, where she also placed third on bars and beam. She placed fourth in the all-around and third on beam at the 2005 WOGA Classic. Neff attends Apache Trail High School (Ariz.) and trains at Carter's Gymnastics Academy under coaches Jack and Erin Carter. Neff was also recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Alabama, and Oregon State.

"While Stephanie has enjoyed success in her USA gymnastics career, I think it will pale compared to what she will ultimately accomplish in college. The best is yet to come for Steph and I'm happy that we will reap the benefits. She has such an array of unusual skills and is so physically strong, it's going to be fun to put together her college routines."

Shire, a member of the U.S. National Team since 2002, has extensive international success. She placed second on vault and sixth in the all-around at the 2004 Chunichi Cup in Japan and was runner-up on vault, fourth on beam and fifth on bars at the 2004 Cottbus DTB World Cup in Germany. Shire placed sixth in the all-around at the 2005 U.S. Classic and won the bronze on vault and bars at the 2005 North American International Tri-Meet. She attends Archbishop O'Hara High School (Mo.), where she is a member of the National Honor Society. Shire trains at Great American Gymnastics Express under coaches Al Fong and Armine Barutyan. Shire was also recruited by Michigan, Alabama, LSU and Missouri.

"Sarah has the most international experience of this signing class. She is one of the most talented athletes we've ever signed. I really believe the sky's the limit for Sarah as she transitions to NCAA gymnastics. She'll be a contender in the all-around from the day she steps on to campus. She is as determined and directed as any athlete I've ever known. I think her level of difficulty on each event will astound our fans."